Globetrotters Writer Spotlight

Summary

Natalie Bonhall, a travel agent from Reno, Nevada, shares her passion for travel, her experiences, and travel tips in a spotlight feature.

Abstract

Natalie Bonhall, a resident of Reno, Nevada, has a deep love for travel, stemming from her enjoyment of exploring new places and cultures. With a background in finance at a car dealership, she recently transitioned into her dream job as a travel agent. Natalie's travel philosophy emphasizes independence, seeking unique experiences, and not being afraid to ask for help. She cherishes her time in Annecy, France, and considers it her favorite travel destination. Her travel advice includes buying tickets for major attractions in advance, choosing strategically located accommodations, and being selective with souvenirs. Natalie's approach to travel is budget-conscious yet comfortable, avoiding both the extravagance of five-star hotels and the constraints of hostels.

Opinions

Natalie values the independence of exploring on foot and discovering hidden gems in restaurants and attractions.
She believes in the importance of preparation, such as purchasing tickets for major sights ahead of time to save time.
Natalie advocates for asking for help when needed, suggesting that travelers utilize information desks and hotel concierges.
She has a preference for living in places that have captivated her during her travels, mentioning Annecy, France; Bath, England; and Munich, Germany.
Natalie emphasizes resilience and a positive attitude when facing travel mishaps, like missed trains or grumpy locals.
She advises against impulsive souvenir buying, recommending instead the purchase of meaningful and unique items.
Natalie warns about the importance of checking the location of accommodations to avoid inconveniences and suggests renting a small car when traveling in Europe due to narrow streets and parking challenges.

Globetrotters Writer Spotlight — Natalie Bonhall

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Hi Globetrotters. My name is Natalie Bonhall. I live in Reno, Nevada, USA. I have lived in Reno for about 6 years. Before that I lived in Southern California where I was born and raised. I also lived in Flagstaff, Arizona for college. Reno is a neat place to live and it’s very close to some beautiful mountains!

I love to travel because getting to explore new places and see new things is fun and I hope to travel to more places as COVID starts to fizzle out.

My number one travel activity is getting out on my own two feet and exploring whatever place I’m in. I also like seeking out interesting restaurants and attractions that most people would miss.

I come from: I currently live in Reno, NV, where I’ve lived for a little over 6 years. I was born and grew up in Southern California. Actually, Orange County to be specific (or the OC).

I work as a travel agent! I just started working as a travel agent after 5 and a half years of working as an assistant to the finance department at a car dealership. I’m still learning the ropes, but I really enjoy it!

The best place I’ve been is that’s a hard one, as I’ve enjoyed every place I’ve been. I have to say Annecy, France. I spent a month there in college for an intensive French course and I just fell in love. It’s in a beautiful setting, right on a lake with gorgeous view of the alps!

In my spare time, I like to read, watch movies, spend time with friends and family, take walks.

My top travel tip is I don’t have just one tip! Buy tickets for major sights ahead of time. You will waste so much time waiting in line to buy tickets if you don’t do this. It’s so worth it. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Yes, I’m all for being independent, but sometimes you need to ask for directions, ask about opening hours, etc. If their is an info desk or a helpful hotel concierge, don’t feel bad about using them, they’re there to help you!

If I could live somewhere else, I’d live in Annecy, France, Bath, England, or Munich, Germany. When I visited these places, I kept thinking that I could totally see my self living there.

My favorite way to travel is cheap, but not too cheap. I don’t need 5 star hotels or 300 thread count sheets, but I also feel that I’ve gotten too old for hostels (not that I don’t love hostels, there are lots of great ones). I save money when I can, so I can splurge on what’s important to me.

Three lessons I’ve learned from traveling are

Don’t take stuff personally/sweat the small stuff. Yes the guy at the museum ticket booth might be grumpy, but in most cases it’s not about you. Just shrug it off and don’t let it ruin your trip. You’ll never see that person again. Or you’ve missed your train, which stinks, but it happens. Just laugh it off and don’t let it ruin your trip. It makes for a great story later on!

Check the location of your hotel/Air BnB, hostel. I once stayed at a wonderful hostel (in my 20’s, when I was on a tight budget) that was in a lovely neighborhood, but it was way out in the suburbs. It took me 20 mins to get into town to go sightseeing. Lesson learned: check where your accommodation is located, you don’t want to find out when you get there that you’re a long way out of town or in a bad area.

Go easy on the souvenirs. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wasted money on souvenirs that I had to have, only to never use them. Go for quality or quantity. Buy fun unique things that you’ll treasure forever. And don’t do what I did once and go on an H&M shopping spree in London, and then get home and see the exact same clothes in my local H&M…..

Oh and bonus lesson that I learned from a friend: If you’re renting a car in Europe and staying in an Air BnB, ask what the parking situation is ahead of time. You may not always be able to park right in front of where you’re staying. My friend and her husband had to park around the block, which is something to keep in mind if you pack heavy. And make sure to have a small car, as European parking spaces and streets can often be much narrower then American ones.