Voyagefox are the travel bloggers Nathalie and Patrick Aron, who have 1.6 million followers. We spoke to them about the lack of routines whilst travelling, not working on board, and travelling as a never-ending business trip.
Nathalie, Patrick, how many days a year are you on the road? Where have you just come from?
Nathalie: Last year we were on the road for about 250 days – almost all of that time for work-related causes. We always say that our holiday is when we’re at home. We’ve just got back from a three-week trip around Japan.
What’s your travel routine like? What do you always take with you?
Patrick: The exciting (but sometimes also exhausting) thing about our job is that we don’t really have a set routine. Every day is different. Generally speaking, though, we usually get up very early – before sunrise – to take photos in particularly beautiful light and with few people around. Even after that, we make the most of the whole day to capture as much content as possible.
As our travel itineraries are often tightly packed, we want to make the most of every minute. In the evening, it’s time to edit the content and, of course, post it! That’s how we virtually take our community with us on our travels.
First, Business or Eco?
Nathalie: 50:50 Economy and Business. We usually fly Economy Class on short-haul flights within Europe, whilst on long-haul flights we always upgrade to Business Class whenever possible.
Whilst flying, do you work on board?
Nathalie: I write a to-do list before every flight, but I’ve got a big problem: the rocking and the noise on the plane always make me incredibly tired! I feel like a baby in a pram and fall asleep straight away …
Patrick: I like to make the most of the peace and quiet on board to watch films.
What travel gadgets are absolute must-haves for you?
Nathalie: Whenever we travel, we have our iPhone, camera, and drone with us. They’re essentially the basic tools of our trade. Even without a laptop and an external hard drive, we’d be helpless.
What do you think makes a perfect hotel?
Patrick: Location is key for us! Especially when it comes to business hotels. Only when we’re in a central location, close to all the hotspots, can we make the most of our time there. And, of course, a comfortable bed is incredibly important – nothing beats a good night’s sleep! In leisure hotels, on the other hand, we enjoy a quiet location with plenty of privacy. If there’s also a great view, a relaxing pool, and a delicious restaurant, we’re completely happy.
Do you have any hotel routines?
Patrick: As soon as we step into the room, the first thing we do is take photos and videos. After all, it’ll never look quite as nice and tidy as this again during our stay. Unfortunately, as soon as we open our suitcases and rucksacks, often chaos breaks out.
Are you different types of traveller? Who has which preferences?
Nathalie: Patrick always wants to see as much as possible and pack it all into a single day, whereas I also like to enjoy some peace and quiet and just do nothing for a change (as long as the schedule allows it).
Where are we off to next?
Nathalie: Our next destinations are India and Florida – both for collaborative projects.
We never travel without …
… each other! We’re both business partners and spouses, and a well-coordinated team. It’s almost unheard of for us to travel seperately.
Thank you very much for the interview!
Nathalie & Patrick Aron share the most beautiful – and often little-known – travel destinations with their community online under the name Voyagefox. Currently, 1.6 million people follow their adventures every day on their social media channels, turning travelling from a passion into a full-time job. Since 2019, they have been collaborating with airlines, the largest hotel chains, and tourist boards worldwide. Yet they have never lost their enthusiasm for discovering new places off the beaten track.
Photos: VoyageFox
