With roots in four cultures and a passport full of stamps, Tatiana von Rheinbaben doesn’t travel just to see the world — she travels to feel it. In this episode of the World Vegan Travel Podcast, Tatiana shares how vegan solo travel, mindfulness, and a love for nature shaped her journey across 11 countries in search of peace, balance, and connection.
Currently pursuing a master’s degree in marine biology in Ireland, Tatiana reflects on her nomadic upbringing, her path to veganism, and what she calls her personal “Zen travel philosophy.” This is a story about slowing down, staying open-minded, and learning to flow with uncertainty.
Born a Nomad: How Heritage Shapes a Global Citizen
Tatiana grew up moving between countries with her family, mainly across Europe and Mexico. Her background is deeply multicultural, shaped by generations of migration, displacement, and resilience. Because of this, travel was never just about holidays — it was part of daily life.
Growing up this way taught her one powerful lesson early on:
Travel is about understanding, not judging.
Being exposed to different languages, traditions, and ways of living helped her develop empathy and curiosity. These values continue to guide how she travels today — with openness, humility, and respect.
The Awakening: From Pamphlet to Plant-Based Path
Tatiana’s vegan journey began while she was studying at university in the United States. A simple pamphlet about factory farming sparked a big shift in how she saw food, animals, and ethics.
At first, she transitioned slowly, but traveling — especially in Asia — made veganism feel easier and more empowering. In places like Hong Kong, plant-based food was everywhere, and food culture felt creative rather than restrictive.
Veganism became more than a diet. It became part of how Tatiana lives, travels, and connects with the world.
Defining “Zen Travel”: More Than Adventure, It’s Peace
Tatiana doesn’t chase constant excitement when she travels. Instead, she looks for what she calls “Zen experiences.”
Zen travel is about:
- Calm over chaos
- Nature over noise
- Presence over pressure
It’s not about being happy all the time — because happiness comes and goes. For Tatiana, it’s about finding peace in the middle, even when life feels uncertain.
This philosophy shapes where she goes, how she travels solo, and how she chooses experiences that nourish her mind as much as her curiosity.
“Life’s about happiness… it’s really not so much about happiness. Happiness is temporary. It’s about that peace in the middle.” — Tatiana von Rheinbaben
The Zen Destinations List: 11 Places That Changed Me
Across the years, Tatiana has collected meaningful moments from around the world. Each place offered something different — kindness, stillness, growth, or clarity.
Hong Kong & Myanmar: Where Solo Travel Began
Tatiana’s first real solo travel experience began during her study abroad year in Hong Kong in 2014. Hiking trails above the city showed her how nature and urban life can exist side by side.
From there, she traveled solo to Myanmar, visiting places like Bagan, Inle Lake, and Yangon. At the time, the country felt calm and deeply spiritual, filled with temples and quiet reflection.
Annecy & Cape Town: Finding “Home” in Far Places
Annecy, France, became Tatiana’s favorite town in Europe — a place she returns to when she needs to feel grounded. Surrounded by mountains and water, it feels like home, even though it’s far away.
Cape Town, South Africa, left a lasting impression too. Staying with a warm host family in a beautiful Airbnb, she experienced both breathtaking nature and complex social realities — a reminder that travel can be beautiful and challenging at the same time.
Beyond Borders: Kindness, Conservation, and Calm
Other powerful Zen moments include:
- Being hosted by a family in Geraldine, New Zealand during floods
- Traveling through Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in a converted school bus
- Finding deep calm while working remotely in Muscat, Oman
- Spending one of the most peaceful weeks of her life on a green tea plantation in Japan
- Three transformative months of scuba diving and ocean conservation in Lombok, Indonesia
Each experience reinforced her connection to nature, people, and purpose.
Life as Flow: Embracing Uncertainty Post-Graduation
Today, Tatiana lives in Cork, Ireland, where she’s studying marine biology. Her thesis research will take her to Portugal, where she’ll work with coastal marine labs while being based inland.
What comes after that? She’s not entirely sure — and that’s okay.
She hopes to return to Asia, especially Japan, to study the language and continue learning about its culture and natural spaces. But she stays open, trusting that the right path will reveal itself.
The Traveler’s Mindset: Openness, Risk & Not Judging
Tatiana lives by a simple mantra:
Don’t wait for things to happen. Make them happen.
Trying — even if things don’t work out — is better than standing still. Travel, like life, requires courage, flexibility, and trust.
Her story reminds us that the most important thing we carry when we travel isn’t packed in a suitcase. It’s an open mind and a willingness to grow.
Closing Thought
Tatiana von Rheinbaben’s journey shows us that vegan solo travel can be about far more than destinations. It can be a path toward peace, purpose, and deeper understanding — both of the world and ourselves.
Inspired to Travel Mindfully?
Where is your most peaceful travel experience?
Share your Zen travel moment with us on Instagram @WorldVeganTravel.
Learn More About What is Discussed on the Podcast
- Growing up between Europe and Mexico and how a nomadic childhood shaped Tatiana’s identity as a global citizen and mindful traveler.
- Hong Kong (2014) – Where Tatiana’s solo travel journey began during her study abroad experience
- Myanmar – Early solo travel through
- Geraldine, New Zealand – A moment of human kindness during unexpected flooding
- Edinburgh, Scotland – Exploring nature and outdoor spaces during Covid
- Annecy, France – Tatiana’s favourite town in Europe and a place she returns to for peace
- Bocas del Toro, Panama – Island life and slow travel
- Cape Town, South Africa – Connection, community, and nature
- Acacia Travel – Overland travel through Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in a converted school bus
- Muscat, Oman – Calm days and remote work – Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
- Japan Green Tea Plantation Experience – A deeply peaceful week immersed in tea culture
- SORCE, Lombok, Indonesia – Scuba diving and ocean conservation
Other World Vegan Travel Content Connected With This Episode
- Vegan Travel in Australia | Melbourne’s Coffee & Culture
- Navigating New Territories as a Black Female Vegan Traveler
- Travel for Weeks With Just a Carry-On | Kim Giovacco | Ep 112
- Japan Vegan Travel Food Guide | Ume Helps Vegans in Osaka
- Mindful Gite: Vegan Retreat in Southwest France | Ingeborg Vijn
