About

Joanna Horanin

About Me

Hi, I’m Joanna!

Thailand & Portugal Travel Expert

I help travelers discover the real Thailand and Portugal – from hidden gems to practical living advice. After 10+ years exploring these countries, I know them inside out.

Living

📍 Lisbon, Portugal

Experience

✈️ 10+ years

Previously

🏠 3 yrs Chiang Mai

By The Numbers

Here’s what 10+ years of travel expertise looks like

800+

Articles

Published on the blog

20K+

Monthly Readers

Trusting my advice

300+

Students

Taught English

25

Provinces

Explored in Thailand

10

Years

Living in TH & PT

2017

Since

Digital nomad/expat

As Featured In

🌍 National Geographic

📺 Pytanie na Śniadanie

(Polish TV)

📻 Radio Czwórka

(Polish Radio)

My Mission

What drives me and what you can expect from The Blond Travels

Authenticity

I show you the real Thailand and Portugal – not just the Instagram-perfect spots. The good, the challenging, the unexpected. Honest perspectives from someone who actually lives there.

🎯

Practical Advice

Everything I write comes from personal experience. Tested tips, real costs, actual challenges. No fluff, no sponsored nonsense. Just information that actually helps you travel smarter.

💎

Hidden Gems

Sure, I cover popular places. But what I really love is taking you off the beaten path – to places tourists miss but locals love. The real treasures.

“My goal is simple: Make Thailand and Portugal more accessible to you. Help you understand these countries better. Show you both the highlights and the hidden corners. Whether you’re planning a 2-week vacation or considering moving abroad – I’ve got you covered.”

My Story

From Poland to the world – here’s how I became a travel expert

I was raised in a coastal town in northern Poland before moving to London. After 10+ years in the UK and becoming a British citizen, a short vacation in Thailand completely changed my trajectory.

That trip sparked something. I packed my bags with my sister for a 3-month tour around Southeast Asia – Burma, Laos, Vietnam, and of course, Thailand. When I returned, life took an unexpected turn, and suddenly I was free to chase this new dream.

I moved to Chiang Mai to teach English. Those years in Northern Thailand taught me more than any guidebook ever could. I started teaching online, launched OK English, and became location-independent.

After stints in Vietnam, Poland, and Germany, I found my home in Lisbon, Portugal – where I’ve been for 7 years now. I split my time between Portugal and Thailand, always exploring, always learning, always sharing what I discover with you.

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I call myself a digital expat now. Not constantly traveling, but living intentionally in places I love. Thailand taught me to slow down. Portugal taught me to appreciate quality of life. And this blog? It’s where I share everything I’ve learned along the way.

What I Do

How I help travelers and live as a digital expat

📝

The Blond Travels

This blog! 800+ articles about Thailand and Portugal. Travel guides, practical tips, hidden gems, and honest perspectives from someone who actually lives there.

🎓

OK English

My English language school for Polish speakers. Online lessons focused on conversation and breaking language barriers. 300+ students taught since 2017.

✉️

Thailetter

Monthly newsletter for Thailand lovers. Tips, hidden places, visa info, and practical advice. 800+ subscribers get it every month. Free and no spam!

All of this allows me to live location-independently, split my time between countries I love, and help thousands of travelers discover Thailand and Portugal the right way.

Let’s Connect!

Planning a trip to Thailand or Portugal? Have questions? Want to stay updated with the latest travel tips?

✉️

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🗺️

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