FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
Leah Walker
By Maralyn D. Hill and Sherrie Wilkolaski
E
very month we will feature one of our writers so you can gain some insight into our talented consortium.
Each has their individual style and perspective, which we would like to share.
For our first featured contributor we selected Leah Walker. It wasn’t a tough decision as her work is
outstanding and she is full of surprises, we never know where she will end up next, traveling from one
continent to another. Her passion for travel is infectious her interview provides an interesting insight to what
drives her to keep discovering new worlds.
Leah exhibits her exceptional talent as she guides you through, “Haute Hong Kong Hotels.” Currently, Leah is
in Paris on assignment, so there will be French connections soon. LeahTravels is also entertaining reading.
LEAH
WALKER
Bio: Leah Walker is a travel and
food writer who has as many
stories as she does shoes. Whether
living it up in a Four Seasons or
in a Bedouin tent in the desolate
desert of Wadi Rum, Leah wants
to experience all the world has to
offer. She’s served time as a high
school English teacher, basketball
coach and a software technical
writer before breaking into the
non-lucrative, yet thrilling world
of travel writing. In addition to
her site, LeahTravels.com, Leah
contributes to The Daily Meal,
Travel Squire, The Daily Basics,
Luxe Beat Magazine and Forbes
Travel Guide. She’s also a Texan,
which really says it all.
How did you discover your love for travel?
I grew up taking family road trips around the United
States, but it was my stint studying Spanish in Costa Rica
that ignited my fascination with travel.
times. Now I’m all about Europe. With so many cultures and
cuisines within a short proximity of one another, Europe
is hard to resist. The history, art and architecture of the
continent also captivate me.
Are you more passionate about writing or
photography? Why?
Writing has given me travel opportunities beyond my
wildest dreams. It’s definitely my thing. However, I’m
also passionate about photography—it’s my favorite
form of art. Since buying my first DLSR two years ago,
I’ve managed to take a few really good photos. I’ve also
deleted a million bad ones. Though, I’d never insult actual
photographers by calling myself one…yet.
If you could be anyone else, who would it be?
I wouldn’t want to be anyone else but myself. Everyone has
struggles, fears and insecurities, and I’ve just figured out
how to deal with mine. There’s no way I’d want to start from
scratch being someone else. Though, Sir Richard Branson
with his own airline, island and wavy, golden hair might be
tolerable for a month or two.
What is your writing process?
My best ideas come as I’m falling asleep or driving, so
always have a notebook handy to jot things down. When
I sit down to write, I pop in my headphones and turn on
the Ludwig van Beethoven station on Pandora. Honestly,
my writing process is laborious. It takes me longer than
most to churn out an article. I obsess over alliteration,
allusions, metaphors and other literary devices. It’s the
former English teacher in me.
When you get the chance to pick your travel
destination, where do you go?
A few years ago my answer would be Las Vegas. I’m a
huge blackjack fan and have visited Vegas at least forty
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FEBRUARY 2014 • LUXE BEAT MAGAZINE
What motivates you to be a luxury journalist?
I may be from Texas, but I’m no oil heiress. By writing about
luxury, I have the opportunity to experience a different
world. Private experiences, drivers, fine dining, glamorous
locales, turn-down service and little stools for my purse--it’s
an intoxicating rush.
What is one of your favorite experiences while
traveling? Describe it.
Despite having so many incredible opportunities through
work, it is a personal trip to New Zealand that reigns as the
best. I spent three weeks driving through the North and
South Islands engrossed in the natural beauty. Even in my
imagination I never thought a place so phenomenal could
exist. New Zealand is my first travel love.