For anyone who follows the captivating journeys of Michelle Lawrence – whether through her stunning travel photography, insightful van life tips, or inspiring daily rituals – it's clear that she lives a life untethered. As a full-time traveler, lifestyle creator, and digital storyteller, Michelle seamlessly blends adventure with the comforts of home, no matter where she wakes up. You can dive deeper into her world at michellelawrencee.com
This year, Michelle is partnering with AeroPress, a collaboration that perfectly aligns with her philosophy of intentional, travel-friendly living. "I'm proud to be partnering with AeroPress to showcase just how easy it is to brew incredible coffee on the go, whether I’m road-tripping across the U.S. in my van or exploring international destinations," Michelle shares. "Through this collaboration, I’m sharing my favorite coffee-making tips, travel-friendly brewing tricks, and highlighting how seamlessly the AeroPress fits into a minimalist, adventure-driven lifestyle. It’s become a daily ritual that grounds me no matter where I wake up, and I love inspiring others to elevate their coffee game while traveling light."
Michelle’s love for coffee goes far beyond the cup – it’s a grounding ritual that brings comfort, creativity, and consistency to her ever-changing life on the road. Whether she’s waking up by the ocean, deep in the forest, or in a cozy international hideaway, her mornings start with thoughtfully brewed coffee that sets the tone for the day. As a full-time traveler and content creator, Michelle seamlessly weaves her coffee routine into her adventures, inspiring her audience with approachable brewing tips, scenic coffee moments, and products that align with a nomadic, intentional lifestyle. Her partnership with AeroPress is a natural extension of this passion – highlighting how great coffee is always within reach, no matter where the road leads.
Why Coffee is Always Part of the Journey
"My coffee ritual is one of the few constants in my life on the road," Michelle explains. "Wherever I am, I usually start my day with an AeroPress coffee. Since AeroPress is one of the only ways I like coffee black, it's fun to pick out different roasts and blends and find which ones I like best!" This dedication to her morning brew speaks volumes about the importance of small, consistent pleasures when living a life of constant motion.
When Michelle’s traveling, she needs a travel coffee maker setup that’s lightweight, durable, and easy to use anywhere, from a van in the desert to a bungalow in Southeast Asia. It has to be compact but still deliver quality. This is where her AeroPress truly shines.
"I first came across AeroPress my first year of van life," she recalls. "A fellow vanlifer pulled one out one morning and I asked, 'what's that!' and he brewed me a cup! From that moment, I was hooked. The rich, smooth AeroPress coffee was unlike anything I'd made on the road before." It immediately became clear that this compact, portable coffee maker was the perfect solution for her nomadic lifestyle, offering a delicious cup without the bulk or fragility of other coffee brewing methods like a French press.
Travel with AeroPress: Her Go-To Setup
Michelle’s current go-to is the AeroPress Go Plus, and for good reason. "The AeroPress Go Plus is everything I love about the Original but with even more travel-focused design," she raves. "It’s super compact, packs into its own tumbler, and fits easily in my van kitchen or travel bag. I love that it’s durable, lightweight, and doesn’t feel like a compromise just because it’s portable. It makes a clean, smooth cup every time. It’s basically my café in a cup!"
To ensure the best AeroPress coffee every time, Michelle pairs her AeroPress Go, a fantastic single cup coffee maker, with a few key accessories. "I always carry a metal filter so I don’t have to worry about running out of paper ones, plus it cuts down on waste. While the traditional AeroPress filters are great, the metal option offers convenience. I use a compact hand grinder because fresh-ground beans make all the difference, and having the right AeroPress grind size is crucial for extraction. And I keep everything in a small pouch with a scoop, stirrer, and my go-to beans from a roaster I trust. It’s a tiny kit, but it gives me a consistently great cup anywhere."
Michelle's tips for making great coffee on the go are simple yet effective, forming a practical AeroPress brewing guide for adventurers:
- Use fresh beans: "Even if you’re on the road, try to grab small bags from local roasters along the way. It keeps things interesting and flavorful. Finding the best coffee for AeroPress often means experimenting with local roasts"
- Grind right before brewing: "A hand grinder takes a little time, but it’s worth it. That perfect AeroPress grind size unlocks so much flavor"
- Dial in your water temp: "I don’t use a thermometer, but I let the water sit for 30 seconds after boiling. This gets it into the ideal range"
- Play with brew time: "The AeroPress gives you room to experiment, so don’t be afraid to tweak your AeroPress recipe depending on your beans or mood. You can achieve anything from a concentrated AeroPress espresso shot to a smooth, full-bodied cup
- Rinse everything right after: "A quick clean makes it easier to keep your setup ready for the next cup, especially if you’re tight on space
AeroPress Around the World: Michelle’s Favorite Coffee Moments
Michelle’s Instagram feed (@michelle.lawrencee) is a testament to her dedication to her coffee ritual, featuring stunning shots of her AeroPress in action across diverse landscapes. She’s brewed up incredible moments in places like Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Joshua Tree, San Diego, Egypt, Thailand, Utah, and Arizona.
One memorable moment perfectly illustrates the durability of her preferred travel coffee maker: "Probably the time I brewed on top of a rock and the wind took my AeroPress Original XL into a very deep hole that I had to crawl into to get it out! Still in good shape since then!" This anecdote highlights a key advantage of the AeroPress – unlike fragile glass pour-overs or clunky machines, its robust construction means it can handle the rigors of travel.
"Honestly, the biggest thing that elevates the experience is the fact that it doesn't break," Michelle emphasizes. "Glass does not work in the van or when I'm traveling! And also the flavor and quality of the brew! Knowing I can get that consistently delicious AeroPress coffee anywhere, from a mountain peak to a bustling city, truly elevates my travel experience. It’s a piece of home that travels with me."
What's Next: Upcoming Adventures
Michelle’s journey with AeroPress is far from over. She plans to attend some of the upcoming AeroPress Championships (potentially in New York and San Francisco), which are fantastic opportunities to see advanced AeroPress brewing guide techniques and meet fellow enthusiasts. "I also might explore NYC and visit a few coffee shops where you can get an AeroPress brewed coffee," she adds. Her summer plans include heading to Lake Tahoe and backpacking in the Pacific Northwest, with potential fall trips to Colorado, Vermont and the Adirondacks in New York.
For all these adventures, her AeroPress will undoubtedly be coming along for the ride. "I use the AeroPress Sidekick Coffee Travel Bag and add any of my photography gear inside the bag as well," she reveals, demonstrating its incredible versatility. Adventure-ready and weatherproof, the AeroPress Sidekick by Sttoke organizes and protects gear with modular dividers, internal storage, and lockable zippers—ideal for daily commutes, mountain getaways, and everything in between.
When it comes to bucket list destinations for coffee lovers, Michelle has some strong opinions. She's already been to coffee havens like Turkey, Portland, Oregon, and Kenya. But her dream destinations for future coffee explorations? Costa Rica and Japan. Imagine the incredible AeroPress coffee moments she’ll create there!
Michelle’s Travel Coffee Tips
Inspired by Michelle, here are some essential packing tips for fellow coffee lovers hitting the road:
Brew Gear (Compact & Reliable):
- AeroPress Go: The ultimate portable coffee maker – lightweight, durable, and perfect for travel
- AeroPress Go Plus: A complete travel coffee system with an insulated tumbler that you can brew into, sip from, and pack everything back into in under 2 minutes
- Hand Grinder: Manual burr grinders are compact and consistent, ensuring you get the ideal AeroPress grind size for your brew
- Collapsible Kettle: Packs down small for easy hot water anywhere you go
Your Favorite Beans:
- Pre-portion beans into daily servings in small zip pouches or reusable containers
- AeroPress brewing works beautifully across all roast levels. Choose what you enjoy most
- Consider vacuum-sealed or valve-sealed bags to keep beans fresh, perfect for the best coffee for AeroPress
Water Filter:
- A portable filter ensures your water won’t ruin your brew, especially off-grid or abroad. Clean water is key to delicious AeroPress coffee
Travel Mug or Tumbler:
- Insulated, splash resistant, and easy to clean – ideal for sipping on the go
Cleaning Tools:
- A small brush or microfiber cloth to clean your gear
Quick tips for making great AeroPress coffee anywhere: Always follow basic AeroPress instructions for setup, but don't be afraid to experiment with your water-to-coffee ratio and steep time. The AeroPress is incredibly forgiving and versatile, capable of producing anything from a strong AeroPress espresso concentrate to cold brew, making it superior to bulkier options like a French press when space and weight are concerns.
Follow Her Journey
Ready to be inspired? Follow Michelle’s adventures and her delightful coffee rituals on Instagram @michelle.lawrencee. Dive into her world of travel, creativity, and incredible coffee. Pick up your own AeroPress Go or Go Plus and try her travel brew method – you might just discover your new favorite way to start the day, no matter where your journey takes you and don’t forget to check out her travel diaries on the AeroPress YouTube channel.
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