Judi Cohen (Traveling Judi) is an award-winning Travel and Cruise Writer, Photographer, and Social Media Personality. Cohen has traveled to 95+ countries to photograph and write about small-ship cruising and off-the-beaten-path travel. She trained as a Health Coach and Luxury Travel Concierge following her retirement as a corporate executive in Transportation, Engineering, and Infrastructure.
1. What got you into travel writing?
Following my retirement after 35 years in engineering and construction, I trained to be a luxury travel concierge and began to post about traveling on Instagram. Editors reached out to ask if I would be interested in writing about my small ship and offbeat destinations. I write for various publications and also own a website, TravelingJudi.
2. What’s the most challenging part of being a travel journalist for you?
It is sometimes difficult to take photos and keep detailed notes while being in the moment during my travels. I also find it challenging to find a balance between travel, writing, and my responsibilities at home.
3. What is one thing [equipment or personal item] you can’t go without on the road?
My iPhone. I do most of my photography and videography on my iPhone.
4. What’s your most unusual and/or memorable travel experience?
I’ve had so many memorable experiences, but the one that stands out most was my first time on an expedition in Antarctica aboard the Akademik Sergei Vavilov, a Russian scientific ship. That experience became the first of more than 50 small ship expeditions all around the world.
5. How did you learn about NATJA and why did you join?
I saw that some of the writers I follow on Instagram were members and became interested.
6. What is the best piece of advice you could give to a rookie travel journalist?
Don’t try to cover everything. Find your passion and share stories and experiences about the kind of travel you love.
