Q&A with Ami Price of Entouriste

Since it’s been proven that planning a vacation creates a boost of happiness, the readers of the new travel blog Entouriste must be very, very happy! Entouriste was founded by Ami Price, one of my first online friends. It’s true! We actually met in person at the National Stationery Show back in 2009 when I owned a (short-lived) stationery company, and I later contributed to the lifestyle spin-off of Elizabeth Anne Designs, her wildly popular wedding blog.

I recently chatted with Ami about her newest online venture, juggling multiple blogs, and her upcoming travel plans. Enjoy!

How would you describe Entouriste? And how long did it take for you to come up with the perfect name?
Entouriste (“ahn tur eest”) is a community-based travel blog founded on a passion for travel and discovering the world one corner at a time. Entouriste brings travel to life in a whole new way with stunning imagery and glimpses into the adventures of like-minded voyagers. We’re bridging the gap between personal travel journals and travel magazines with galleries and articles that focus on showcasing the boundless beauty of the world’s destinations. Entouriste wants to inspire your next journey!

I’m indebted to Kelly Cummings from Spindle Photography for free associating with me via a twitter chat late one evening and helping me to name Entouriste!

You already run Elizabeth Anne Designs, a renowned wedding blog. What inspired you to start another community-based blog?
I not-so secretly harbor a lifelong goal of wandering through every corner of the world, and Entouriste brings together my love of beautiful images and connections in the photography world with my passion for exploring. I will always adore beautiful celebrations, and truly love curating Elizabeth Anne Designs, but this is a whole new adventure!

How do you manage both blogs simultaneously, and how much time goes into running each of them?
I won’t lie – there have been too many late nights, as I am pulling together all of the articles for Entouriste myself currently! Elizabeth Anne Designs was founded in 2007, and although I still review and, in many cases, create the articles for the site, I have a wonderful team of ladies handling many of the day to day duties. And I’m excited to say that Entouriste will be bringing on an editor soon to shoulder some of the responsibilities. Also, after many years of running EAD while working full-time, I’m excited to officially be cutting the cord on my corporate life in early May!

When was the first time you traveled overseas? Where did you go? What were some highlights from that trip?
My first adventure overseas was a 10-day vacation to Rome and Paris in 2004 with my husband and two of our best friends, with whom we still travel annually. Landing in Italy may as well have been landing on Mars, for all of my excitement! I remember the trip well – the feeling of experiencing true ancient history for the first time when stepping foot into the Colosseum, taking that first bite of gelato (I adore gelato!), and, of course, that first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. I also remember being baffled by the lack of breakfast available in Italy, and desperately wanting a salad!

Where has been your favorite vacation destination so far?
That’s such a difficult question, because each destination has its own living, breathing, personality! But if I am pressed to choose, I have to pick Iceland. We rang in 2012 celebrating in Reykjavik, and let me tell you, Icelanders celebrate New Years like none other! We visited Iceland with the aforementioned best friends and their toddler, and it truly is a winter wonderland. We went dog sledding at sunrise (Noon! My kind of sunrise!), swam in the Blue Lagoon (heaven in the cold weather), and toured the fame Golden Circle. But the most memorable experience had to be gathering with everyone at the neighborhood church yard to set off fireworks at midnight for New Years. Pure joy.

Do you have your next trip already planned? If so, where will you be going?
Yes! For me, the thrill of planning a trip is almost as wonderful as the trip itself and I’m currently in the throes of planning my next two journeys. First up, my sister and I are doing a girls’ week in Europe, where we will visit Munich, Salzburg, Český Krumlov, and Prague. Then after a short week and a half back in the States, we are grabbing my husband and jetting to Australia! After 15 years in the corporate world, I’m living it up my first two months out!

Ami’s photographs of the Great Wall of China, dog sledding at sunrise, and the pyramids of Giza are all from Entouriste. Please check out Entouriste and visit them on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. Good luck, Ami! xx