Sydney Baker
School
University Of Washington, University Of Sydney, University Of Luxembourg
Expertise
European, Canadian, And West Coast U.S. Travel Destinations, Hiking And Nature-Oriented Trips, Expat Life
- Sydney has visited 14 states (mainly on the West Coast) and 23 countries.
- She has studied numerous languages to varying degrees, and no matter where she travels, she always tries to learn a few basic phrases. In addition to being fluent in English and French, she has attempted (and failed) to learn German and would like to improve on her roughly 30 vocab words of Spanish next.
- A true Pacific Northwest girl, you can usually find Sydney hiking, horseback riding, swimming, and boating in nature, and she typically prioritizes traveling to national parks and other outdoor destinations.
Experience
Sydney has been recording her life and travels in journals for over a decade and, more recently, for various online publications. Originally from Seattle, she has also lived abroad in Sydney, Montreal, and Luxembourg. A few years ago, after writing alongside a career in international education, she switched to full-time freelance and hasn't looked back. She's been published in Fodor's Travel, Good Housekeeping, Matador Network, Travel + Leisure, and more. She is passionate about sharing everything about outdoors-oriented trips and destinations as well as life and language abroad with readers through informed and well-researched writing.
Education
Sydney holds a B.A. in public health from the University of Washington and spent time as an exchange student at the University of Sydney. Most recently, she studied multilingual education and communication at the University of Luxembourg. Her multidisciplinary academic background helps her view travel from multiple angles and has given her top-notch research skills that inform her writing.
Explore’s content is created by qualified and experienced writers and editors, bolstered by outside field experts. Our mission is to provide readers with well-rounded and accurate information by way of entertaining and engaging articles that deliver a diversity of content, including everything from detailed guides for exotic locales to easily accessible information on domestic travel.
Our editors consistently review and update articles to ensure they're providing current, relevant, and useful information. Complete information on our editorial process available here.
Stories By Sydney Baker
-
From New Zealand's coast to the peaks of Central Asia, there are countless beautiful hikes in the world. Find out which trails should be on your bucket list.
-
It can be daunting to plan a vacation to the Last Frontier. Here's everything you need to know and consider when planning a trip to Alaska.
-
The West Coast is a haven for nature and beach lovers alike, which is why it's a fantastic place to combine the two and spend a night camping on the beach.
-
While the popular cities might be more obvious choices to add to your itinerary, we've got suggestions for lesser-known historic sites you need to see.
-
There are quite a few differences and quirks regarding laws, signage, and more when driving through Canada. This guide has everything you need to know.
-
You don't have to travel to Japan to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossom trees. These are the cities in the U.S. known for their pink and white blooms.
-
Planning a European backpacking trip? We can help you plan out your budget based on when you're traveling and which countries you plan to visit on your trek.
-
Culture shock is an unwelcome but totally natural part of traveling. Let's discuss the phases of those feelings and some tips for coping with it while abroad.
-
Paris is an incredible destination. But did you know there are lots of wonderful day trips you can take just outside the city of lights? Check out our list.
-
Planning a trip down California State Route 1? We've picked 14 of the best stops from north of the Bay Area down to SoCal to help you plan your trip.
-
Preparing for your next trip to Greece doesn't need to be overwhelming. We've prepared the ultimate packing list for you, as well as other things to consider.
-
Looking to climb your way around the world? We have a month-by-month breakdown of the best peaks and ranges to climb every month of the year.
-
Hiking is one of the best free activities to do in a new place. If you're hiking solo, you might want to brush up on these safety tips before hitting the trail.
-
Explore compiled a list of the best U.S. train rides you could take. We found 13 luxurious train trips, ranging from less than an hour to multi-day treks.
-
Explore our definitive list of the 13 best vacation destinations in the world for animal lovers, including jungles, mountains, beaches, and more.
-
Trying to relax in a loud and noisy environment is pretty much impossible. If you're looking for some real relaxation, head to these quiet destinations.
-
Before you pack your bags for Greece, you might want to brush up on some popular Greek phrases. This is what you should know how to say in the native language.