Member Spotlight: Brittany Kulick of The Sweet Wanderlust

Meet Brittany Kulick, one of our Melbourne chapter members, who is traveling around the world one freakshake at a time.

Brittany, Chief Wanderer and Dessert Eater at The Sweet Wanderlust, is passionate about sharing unique activities, delicious desserts and epic itineraries with readers from around the world.

In this Q&A, Brittany talks about how she got into the sweetest of travel adventures.

How did you get into long-term travel?

I took my first overseas trip when I was 14. My church choir toured Italy, where we had the opportunity to sing for the Pope. The culture and architecture was so entirely different from what I’d experienced in Texas and the gelato was life-changing. That trip lit a spark in me, and throughout my twenties, I jumped at every chance to travel.

The idea to take a big trip always had a place in the back of my mind, but I was living the American dream: good job, good money, and a great lifestyle. And then I realized that this ‘what if’ dream of mine was about to get a whole lot more difficult with time.

After lots of soul-searching and encouragement from those close to me, I quit my job, sold everything I owned, and left my dog in the care of my parents. The week of my 29th birthday, I boarded a one-way plane to Spain with a 2-year plan to travel the world. Nearly three years later, that adventure continues.

What tourism problem are you solving?

People travel for so many different reasons: to expand horizons, to celebrate, to meet new people, to see amazing places, and to be immersed in a new culture. For me, culture and food are inextricably linked.

The end result of frying up chapati in a Kenyan woman’s kitchen is more than just a full belly. And you haven’t really been to Australia if you haven’t been to a beach BBQ (and no, they don’t throw another shrimp on the barbie).

There’s more culture around a hand-hewn wooden table in Italy, topped with freshly made pasta by a Tuscan vintner than in any museum.

I aim to transport people to faraway places through the dishes that make those places special. Since I love desserts, that often comes with a sweet spin.

How are you creating a positive future for travel bloggers?

As an American abroad, I’ve heard more stereotypes than you can imagine. And nearly every encounter ends with.. ‘you know, you’re not a typical American’. Travel is able to open hearts and minds in a way that’s unique to any other experience in the world.

In an increasingly online culture, where we can hide behind our computer screens, travel forces us to look into the eyes of a person who is different than us in every single way, and recognize them as a person with hopes and dreams, and meet them where they are.

I created The Sweet Wanderlust as a place where readers can come to experience positivity and exuberance over travel, food and life.

I mean… who can be sad while eating (or reading about) a freakshake?!

How does the Travel Massive community help you?

As a solo traveler, the people I meet around the world can often make or break a destination. And as an introvert, actually seeking out people to befriend can be overwhelming. It’s quite the conundrum.

I love that Travel Massive is a like-minded community of travel lovers.

I know that no matter where in the world I attend a meetup, I’m going to find a new friend, and learn about new businesses in the industry with whom I may be able to partner in the future.

Thanks, Brittany for sharing your love of travel and sweet treats story with us. Follow Brittany on Travel Massive and Instagram to see where her next sweet adventure takes her to.