About - Escape Artist Katie

My Story

Hello! I’m Katie, the writer behind Escape Artist Katie. I started my blog in 2022, after spending several years reporting on travel for luxury travel magazines.

My blog was born out of my desire to help others gain the confidence to travel – in particular, to visit destinations that are little less visited, and to explore outside of the typical tourist itineraries.

Since 2022, I have also been travelling full-time, in and out of the UK. Alongside blogging, I keep up my freelance writing career; both of these allow me to work remotely.

Escape Artist Katie owner riding a yellow quad bike over former lava fields on Mount Mayon in the Philippines.

Blonde woman wearing red t-shirt dress gazes over tea bushes in Munnar

A woman wearing a green rainjacket smiles at the top of Mount Kinabalu, with the sunrise turning the clouds pink and purple.

What are my values?

Responsible travel – Respecting the culture, people and environment of the places I visit (and encouraging my readers to do the same) is my first priority.
Adventure and growth – Growth happens outside of the comfort zone. I’m constantly looking for ways to travel differently, try something new, and challenge my assumptions.
Exploring off the beaten track – and hopefully giving you the confidence to do the same. I’m curious about the unknown. I’m also keen to lessen the impact of over-tourism, by pointing people down a different path.
Learning and self-development – Two things that travel fulfills endlessly.

Timeline of My Travels

Check out the destinations I have visited in more detail.

1998 – Born in a small village in Wales, in the United Kingdom.

For the first 17 years of my life, I was fortunate enough to spend most summers camping in the UK with my family. Like many UK families, we also spent some summers at all-inclusive resorts in Europe, mainly in places like Lanzarote and Ibiza. However, at the age of 13, I distinctly remember visiting Egypt with my parents; I couldn’t believe the contrast with the UK, and pledged to travel widely as an adult.

2016 – My first budget trip.

Interrailing in Europe: After saving cash from working a minimum-wage bartending job in the summer, I travelled by rail from Milan to Amsterdam, exploring Italy, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. I was only 17, and turned 18 when I reached Paris. Many hotels tried to turn me away, as I’d booked a room underage.

2017 – Travelling as a poor student.

Backpacking in Croatia and Montenegro: After saving more cash from my part-time job, I visited Croatia and Montenegro on a budget in the summer after my first year in university. Kotor was a highlight – it was somewhere I’d never heard of before, and it exceeded my expectations.

2018 – I landed a couple of free trips and became a travel magazine editor.

I started writing about my travels for a national student magazine.
Surfing in central Portugal: I was sent on a hosted press trip to Portugal, where I learnt how to surf and explored and reported on locations like Nazaré.
Island hopping in the Philippines: My second press trip was to the Philippines, where I went island hopping across Palawan with a group of journalists.
I was promoted to Junior Travel Editor at the magazine.

2019 – I backpacked Southeast Asia and was hooked.

I graduated from university (The University of Birmingham) with an English Literature degree.
Backpacking in Southeast Asia: I missed my graduation ceremony to take a budget backpacking trip for one month in Southeast Asia. We explored Bali, Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam. This started my love affair with Southeast Asia and consolidated my dreams for a career that would help me to travel more.

2020 – The year the world went on pause.

The COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to my future travel plans.
I took a job in Birmingham, but quickly realised it wasn’t for me.
I descended into quite a low place this year, feeling worried and frustrated for the world and for my career. I felt trapped in a job I hated, and unable to leave for financial reasons.

2021 – I quit my job and started freelancing!

At the beginning of 2021, I quit my job and moved back in with my parents in Wales. I had one freelance client (not in travel), but by April, I’d landed a copywriting role working for a travel booking website.
I moved into an apartment in Cardiff, but after three months there, I started to feel isolated, bored and lonely. I knew I needed something more out of my life than living in a rainy city all year round.

2022 – I started to travel again and felt my spark returning. I also launched my blog.

A two-week trip to Cuba: My friend and I booked annual leave, and on a whim, we flew to Cuba. This was a transformational trip for me. I was totally outside of my comfort zone – we had limited internet and hardly any money – but I found my zest for life again.
Press trip to Kerala in India: A contact of mine put me in touch with Kerala Tourism. I started pitching to travel magazines and attended a hosted trip to India.
After my two trips, I moved out of my flat in Cardiff and back to rural Wales, where I felt more alive. I spent an incredible summer hiking, surfing, and writing.
I launched this travel blog to document my travels!
Berlin and Romania: I also landed press trips to Berlin and Romania, all fully hosted.
One-way flight to Bali: In September, I left the UK on a one-way flight to Bali. I reduced my freelance hours significantly, wanting to focus on exploring. I spent two months in Bali, then 1 month in the Philippines (including another media trip), a couple of weeks in Jakarta, and then kicked off three months in Australia in Cairns.

2023 – I continued travelling, and then became a ‘digital nomad’.

Australia, Malaysia, Sumatra: I finished off my six-month-long trip along the east coast of Australia, Peninsular Malaysia and then Sumatra, the largest island in Indonesia. Sumatra was one of my most memorable trips – I met hardly any tourists there, and documented my travels on my blog.
Living in Kuala Lumpur: Returning to full-time freelancing, I checked into a co-living building in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia’s capital) and resumed work. It was an adjustment moving out of full-time travel, but I was keen to build a lifestyle that allowed me to work remotely and continue travelling where possible.
Summer in Wales: I returned to Wales for summer, planning more ‘slow’ travels for September.
Madeira and Chiang Mai: I spent the remainder of the year in Madeira and Chiang Mai, two popular digital nomad destinations. I started connecting with the community, and met more and more people with similar values to me. I continued chipping away at my blog without getting many readers.

2024 – More slow travel and lots of writing!

Madeira, again: I returned to Madeira for another three months in February, hooked on the lifestyle and the hikes that the island offered.
Petsitting across the UK: Having used Trusted Housesitters successfully in Australia in 2023, I spent a summer petsitting across the UK. A highlight was three weeks at Loch Lomond in Scotland!
South Korea and Malaysian Borneo: I took some time off in September and October to spend 1 month in South Korea and explore Borneo with two friends. I hiked Mount Kinabalu and saw orangutans for a second time.
My blog started to grow and earn me more money. I invested more time into my blog.
Chiang Mai: I returned to Chiang Mai for three months, having secured their 5-year Destination Thailand Visa, which means I can visit for up to 6 months at a time for the next five years, with unlimited returns.

2025 – Living the dream?

With my blog getting more readers and my freelancing still going well, I still continue living as a digital nomad – with no end in sight.
I launched my second blog all about the island of Madeira: Pico & Poncha
Hiking in Hong Kong: I took a short trip to Hong Kong to go hiking with my friend in January.
Two months in Vietnam: Escaping Chiang Mai’s smoky season, I went to Da Nang and Hoi An to connect with the digital nomad community there. I didn’t gel with the destination too well, but I made some good friends.
One month in Phuket: I checked into a co-living in Phuket and had a blast! I ate copious amounts of seafood and noodles.
Madeira for the third time: After a brief stop in Wales, I returned to Madeira for one month to visit friends and reconnect with the community.
The remainder is yet to be decided…