We had the pleasure of interviewing Adam Vaughan, a.k.a. Vonski, a world traveler and history lover. Here are the excerpts from the interview.
Hi Adam, Great to have you with us today! Please share with our readers about yourself.
Hi, I am a Senior Director at Meta, but I began documenting my 25-plus years of traveling. I document my destinations, explain the history behind the locations, emotions I exuded from them. I also focus on cuisine and hotels across the globe and give recommendations on where to stay and eat/drink. I am more focused on luxury travel, but it is not the sole focus.
Please tell us more about your journey.
As a kid growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, I didn’t dream of traveling much further than a regional waterpark. Sure, I’d heard tales of Ireland from my Irish aunts. But to 11-year-old me, far-off lands like England, Thailand, Germany, and Japan may as well have been on the moon. Meanwhile, real life was right here on the ground, in pick-up football games with my neighborhood friends.
In 1998, I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and everything changed. In the aftermath of 9/11, I deployed for the first time and began my journey around the globe. Throughout my 12 deployments, I visited some of the most war-torn parts of the world. Working with local families, I developed relationships with people from backgrounds significantly different from mine. As a result, I grew an appreciation for different ways of life and became more empathetic. I also gained an insatiable appetite for exploring new destinations and immersing myself in different cultures.
As part of my work as a Special Operations manager, I visited 47 countries and spent extended periods living in Japan, Qatar, and more. After I retired from the Air Force in 2018, I took a job as a global security specialist with Meta (formerly Facebook). This work has taken me to even more parts of the world, allowing me to experience a diverse array of people and cultures. I passionately believe that all people, regardless of gender, age, sexuality, or anything else, deserve fundamental human rights, and I strive to educate others about diversity and inclusion.
Please tell us about your company, Vonski Travels.
I started Vonski Travels to inspire empathy and wanderlust. Traveling isn’t just about tourism and snapping photos to show your Instagram friends all the cool stuff you do. (I mean, it can be about that too!) Travel is about growing as a person and bridging cultural divides. It’s about reclaiming your passion for life and reigniting your curiosity. It’s about finding fulfillment.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
The way I am distinguishing myself from other travel blogs is to really give the reader a sense of “being there.” By telling some of the history, the “why” you should visit, what to expect, and even my own quirky experiences will all make my material more relatable.
Any message for our readers.
I’m a world traveler, history lover, and Star Wars nerd. I’m so glad you’re here and appreciate the chance to show you the world through my eyes. Nothing would make me happier than inspiring you to get out of your comfort zone and experience something remarkable! I’d love to be your guide to some of the world’s most fascinating places. Together, we’ll discover beautiful architecture, landscapes, culture, and – of course – food. Together, let’s explore our little piece of the universe.
Fantastic! So tell us, how can people find out more about you?
Please visit my social media channels on Instagram @Adam.e.vaughan, Twitter @vonskit and LinkedIn.
Thank you so much, Adam, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!
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