Meet Bruno, the Geeky Explorer

Meet Bruno Barrosso, the down-to-earth travel blogger writing about smart travel and travel hacking at Geeky Explorer.

Bruno is a member of Travel Massive Lisbon and founder of travel blog geekyexplorer.com. On his blog he shares tips and travel hacks for destinations worldwide, with a focus оn Portugal and his home islands, the Azores.

Read more about his passion for travel and what it means to be a smart traveler.

How did you get into travel?

Growing up on a small island in the middle of the remote Atlantic Ocean, all you can do is dream about other places. I think this was the reason I started loving travel so much. Once I could afford traveling and started visiting different places in Europe, I got hooked.

What travel problem are you solving?

Initially I was focused on solving common anxieties people have with travel — particularly safety, trying out new foods, or booking things by themselves online.

With the dawn of “over-tourism”, I’m now writing about independent sustainable travel and how to have a critical mind when going abroad.

I always promote 100% independent travel which in my opinion is the most authentic way to travel.

My small contribution as a blogger is to try and inform, educate, and plant the seed that “yes, travel is an awesome thing but also has its drawbacks”.

What does it mean to be a smart traveler?

• Go local. Always choose local agencies, tours, and shops rather than multinational companies. Supporting family-run businesses ensures that your money will stay in the local community.
• Download relevant local apps. Local apps from the city or country you’re going to can make you save time and money during your trip. They can give you access to local bike sharing, allow you to buy tickets for events or shows or even guide you in specific museums or sights. Prepare in advance and download the relevant apps to your smartphone before you go.
• Busy is good. As a rule of thumb, any restaurant, shop, or street food stall that is packed with locals (not other tourists) is worth a shot. If the queue is too overwhelming, come back later at a less busy time – this can be the key to land a bargain or have a delicious meal.

How can the Travel Massive community help you?

Networking, networking, networking. I’d love to connect with travel companies that promote sustainable travel but also with other travel bloggers willing to build a community of independent travel ambassadors.

Plus —  let me know if you have coding skills, I have some projects in mind!

Where do you seek advice? Who’s your hero?

My biggest inspiration in the travel blogging world has always been Nomadic Matt. The way he travels and writes resonates a lot with my own experience and I look up to him in terms of content and how to make a website successful.

Thanks Bruno, happy networking and safe travels!

Follow Bruno on Travel Massive and Instagram to connect with him and spread the word about sustainable travel.