I often recommend the importance of packing light when traveling solo, but that doesn’t mean you have to necessarily sacrifice style. Jewelry is thankfully both lightweight and takes up very little space in your luggage but can go along way when it comes to adding a touch of elegance or personal touch to any outfit. From multifunctional designs to minimalist pieces that suit any occasion, choosing the right jewelry can allow you to express your personality or show your connection to the places you visit or come from. Ideally, travel jewelry should be versatile, comfortable, and able to withstand the rigors of the road while still allowing you to look stylish and feeling confident. From minimalist designs to culturally inspired pieces, the best jewelry choices for solo female travelers are those that enhance a journey rather than hinder it. Here are our top 7 picks for jewelry pieces that every solo traveler should consider packing this summer.
Read MorePlanning a solo trip for yourself can be both empowering and intimidating at the same time. Exploring new destinations on your own is a wonderful way to force yourself out of your comfort zone and experience personal growth. The freedom and flexibility that comes with solo travel are unparalleled, but traveling alone without the support of a travel companion does require careful preparation to ensure a smooth and safe travel experience. If you’re looking to turn your dreams of taking your first solo trip into a reality, follow some of our practical tips and essential advice to help get you ready so you can confidently embark on this rewarding opportunity and make the most of your independent travels.
Read MoreWhile traveling solo can offer unparalleled opportunities for personal growth and discovery, it can often present unique challenges when it comes to keeping yourself entertained. Traveling alone means you have nobody encouraging you to try new things, so it’s up to you to motivate yourself to not miss out on travel experiences. While the freedom to explore at your own pace is undeniably liberating, the challenge of keeping yourself entertained without a travel companion can often lead to decision fatigue and loneliness which can make it difficult to stay motivated and engaged. As a person that regularly travels solo, let me offer some tips for best places and activities to seek out when traveling alone. These recommendations will hopefully allow you to avoid the potential pitfalls of solo travel and ensure you give yourself opportunities for personal growth, endless excitement, and unforgettable experiences. Don’t be afraid to go it alone, but let’s ensure your solo adventure is anything but boring.
Read MoreSetting out on a solo road trip can be a freeing and empowering experience, offering unparalleled freedom and the chance to discover new places and maybe even a bit more about yourself in the process. That being said, there’s no denying that cross-country road trips can often be filled with seemingly endless hours of driving which can see boredom creep in to compete with your excitement. Thankfully, there are a number of ways you can transform these quiet miles into periods that may actually enhance your trip or at the very least keep you entertained during the downtime transiting between destinations on your road trip itinerary. From in-car entertainment to unique ideas for creating stops to avoid long periods of monotonous driving and boredom, let’s explore how to make every moment of your journey an enjoyable one next time you’re planning for a road trip.
Read MoreSlow travel invites us to step off the beaten path, linger a little longer, and savor each moment with a more mindful presence. By slowing down, you’ll open yourself up to unexpected experiences that might be missed when trying to adhere to a tightly packed schedule. Sadly, it’s inevitable that travel will always come with its share of stressors, whether it’s missed flights, delayed luggage, or simply trying to navigate unfamiliar destinations. Therefore, it’s vital you have flexibility, practice patience, and find comfort in small routines that will help ground you. Whether it’s meditation, a favorite book, a relaxing playlist, or finding other ways you can relax while traveling which you can read more about out, having go-to strategies to manage the stressful periods of travel can help you stay calm and centered as you adjust to a slow travel mentality.
Read MoreIf you’ve ever dreamed your office could be the entire world, look no further than a career in the travel industry. The travel industry and various related fields offer a great variety of exciting and rewarding positions that will allow you to constantly be on the move exploring exotic cultures and accumulating valuable experiences in addition to a paycheck. Whether you’re a tour guide taking tourists through historic cities or embarking on a nature trek in search of wildlife, taking to the skies as a flight attendant, or even teaching English to students around the world from the comfort of your laptop, there are plenty of careers that will allow you to see the world. Let us look at some of the most common careers that will allow you to travel the world, as well as a few options you may not have considered. Thanks to technology and a worldwide tourism industry that seems to only grow every year, no longer do you need to decide between earning an income and seeing the world.
Read MoreFor many travelers, traveling is more than just moving from one place to another; rather it’s an exploration of the unknown in which a journey can lead to unexpected and meaningful encounters. Many travelers find that their travels are sprinkled with moments of so-called synchronicity, a term that describes those extraordinary coincidences that seem to defy explanation. Whether it’s meeting a kindred spirit in a café on the other side of the world, experiencing an event or seeing a landmark in a foreign land just when you need it the most, or receiving timely advice during a fleeting moment with a stranger abroad that changes the course of your life, synchronicity can have a profound impact on your travel experiences. Find out more about how when synchronicity shows up in travel, these meaningful coincidences can not only shape your journeys but also reshape or redirect your course in life.
Read MoreI can say from experience that traveling solo as a female is an empowering and enriching experience. It has offered me a great deal of personal growth in addition to a sense of adventure. With that said, traveling solo does come with unique financial considerations. Balancing safety, comfort, and a travel budget can be tricky at times, but with strategic planning and smart money management, solo travel can be both affordable and rewarding. Let us look at some essential financial tips tailored specifically for solo female travelers, which will hopefully provide you with the insights and strategies needed to explore the world without depleting your saving or putting you into considerable debt.
Read MoreThere has been a substantial increase in solo travel in recent years. Travel agencies and online booking platforms have reported a significant rise in solo travel bookings, some revealing that upwards of 40% of global travelers are now planning solo trips each year.
Advances in technology, such as smartphones, travel apps, and social media, have made solo travel more accessible and less intimidating. And solo travel is no longer limited to a specific age group or gender. While it has traditionally been popular among young backpackers, it is increasingly embraced now by older adults and women. Women in particular are leading the surge in solo travel, with many seeking empowerment alongside adventure. Solo travel for both men and women offers an opportunity for introspection, personal growth, and the freedom to explore one’s interests without compromise. Let us also look at how going solo on your next trip can improve your overall mental health as well.
Read MoreIf you’re into your fitness and adventure and looking to go away this summer as a solo traveller, then you may be interested in a hiking experience. Each year, many solo travellers venture out on a solo hiking trip as it’s a way to have a break from their everyday life, whilst also getting to see new destinations. So what advice would we suggest to someone looking to go on a solo hike?
It’s important to wear the right clothing, it’s important that you spend some time learning the route and it’s important to know your limits – the last thing you want is to push yourself too hard.
Read MoreTraveling internationally as a solo traveler is challenging enough, but actually planning a long term move abroad as opposed to simply spending a few days or weeks in a destination can be a rather stressful albeit an exciting experience. An international move can expand your horizons, challenge your comfort zones, and redefine notions of home and belonging. If you’re a solo traveler preparing to take the plunge into expat life, you may want to check out my tips for streamlining your move abroad as you embrace the thrill of the unknown and embark on the adventure of a lifetime. From mastering the logistics of relocating abroad to learning the art of resilience and navigating the intricacies of cultural integration, my hope is to equip you with some helpful tools and insights to ensure a successful relocation abroad.
Read MoreSolo female travelers like myself often face the challenge of honoring their mothers from miles away, but in reality, distance doesn’t have to prevent you from showing how much you cherish your mother daughter bond. Distance certainly hasn’t impacted my strong bond with my mother despite my many solo travels and living interstate. Mothers and daughters often share a lifetime of experiences together, serving as each other’s sources of emotional support and becoming trusted companions who share laughter, tears, and the joys of life’s milestones together. Let’s explore the art of maintaining that irreplaceable mother-daughter bond, no matter where your solo travels may take you.
Read MoreConsidering a solo trip through Massachusetts? Well, if you’re looking to get off the beaten tourist path, you’re in luck. There are plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered in the state. Massachusetts offers a wide range of activities and attractions to suit every interest. Whether you enjoy exploring historic sites, hiking in nature reserves, dining at diverse restaurants, or attending cultural events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy solo. Massachusetts is known for its diverse and welcoming towns and villages, where solo travelers will feel comfortable exploring on their own. Whether chatting with locals at a neighborhood café or joining a group tour, solo travelers can easily connect with others and make new friends along the way.
Read MoreDespite their incessant hunger for adventure, the reality is that travel often involves a lot of downtime even for backpackers, especially when transiting between places. It’s during these periods where you have a choice of catching up on sleep, doing a bit of people watching, or simply allowing yourself to be bored. Alternatively, you can embrace your hobbies or find new ones thanks to technology and the ability to head online from nearly anywhere at any time. If you’re a backpacker looking for ways to fill your downtime during your next travel adventure, here’s a guide to hobbies and activities you can take up online.
Read MoreA wide range of handy travel apps have made solo exploration easier, safer, and more convenient/efficient. A smartphone loaded with travel-related apps now acts as a sort of “Swiss Army Knife” to navigate you through the many challenges or aspects of travel. Let’s explore five must-have resources that every solo traveler should consider and some providers who can offer them to you.
Read MoreThey say the best things in life are free, and that definitely holds true for a city like Edinburgh. While many attractions within Scotland’s capital are paid such as visiting Edinburgh Castle, The Real Mary King’s Close, or Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, there are countless ways to enjoy the city for free. So grab your kilt or tartan dress and experience one of Europe’s most visited destinations. With so many free attractions on offer, you’ll have enough money left over to be able to treat yourself to a dram of fine whisky. I now give you some of the top free things to enjoy in Edinburgh.
Read MoreDespite its popularity, Prague is surprisingly not as touristy as would be expected, sporting a fresh young vibe with many recent renovations such as with the National Museum and State Opera, as well as a bunch of new projects being unveiled since we were all forced into lockdown. Always popular with international travelers, Prague ranks as one of the top ten most visited European cities. Here is just a sampling of some of the best things to see and do in Prague.
Read MoreMost experienced travelers agree that Europe is one of the best destinations for solo travelers, especially those traveling alone for the first time. You can travel between many countries freely without having to deal with borders and customs hassles and many incredible cities can are just a short flight, train, or bus ride from one another.
Getting around most of Europe’s larger cities is a breeze for solo travelers and traveling alone is generally quite safe. There are also plenty of ways to travel throughout Europe on a budget. Europe is ideal for solo travelers looking to connect with other solo travelers, but those looking for a bit of solitude can find plenty of options as well.
Whether you’re after cultural excursions, a seaside getaway, delicious foodie experiences, or historical attractions, there are countless European countries that are perfect for first-time solo travelers. Here are my top five favorites.
Read MoreSome of my most memorable moments in life have come about while traveling solo around the world. While it may sound cliché, solo travel really is empowering and liberating. However, as with anything, there are challenges with traveling by yourself.
Challenges are of course, easier to overcome if you’re prepared for them. So if you’re worried about your next solo experience, prepare yourself with the knowledge of these most common challenges.
Read MoreThere’s a trend in the travel industry at the moment, a movement if you will. Those who are selling their possessions, and packing everything up to travel the world.
Though travel doesn’t always have to be about quitting your job and leaving everything behind. Sometimes you might actually like your job, and the stable lifestyle of a 9-5. Sometimes you might actually enjoy the security of having a home base to return to.
Just as there are many travelers right now realizing their dreams of full time travel, it’s also important to recognize that there are just as many travelers successfully juggling a full time corporate job too. Because it is absolutely possible for women to take up travel without sacrificing other elements of their lives. Deepika Gumaste is one of them.
Read MoreWhen I flew home to spend Christmas in Australia last year I ended up having to travel with two bags. Knowing that we would be moving to Australia permanently 6 months down the track, we had originally thought this Christmas visit would be the perfect opportunity to ferry as much of our stuff home as possible, to lighten the cost of shipping associated with our future move.
Though as with all best laid plans, we ended up not having the room. Upon announcing a Christmas visit to Australia from the States, the shopping orders started flying in. My phone went crazy with notifications from what seemed like everyone I knew.
Lingerie from Victoria’s Secret. Perfume that they won’t ship internationally. Pandora charms exclusive to the States. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked to pick something up while traveling, it probably could have paid for our entire move!
My second suitcase ended up being a dedicated “goods” bag for items we had picked up at other people’s request. We joked at the time that we should start charging a commission to shop for people overseas.
Read MoreIceland is known as the land of fire and ice, where turbulent volcanic forces meet the icy touch of the Arctic to shape an island that is as desolate as it is beautiful. Blasted tundra, glistening glaciers and pounding waterfalls are among the many wonders vying for space in the Icelandic wilderness, and the best way to explore the extremes of this spellbinding country is to take a long walk into its heart, on the famous Laugavegur trail.
Stretching 55km from Landmannalaugar to Thórsmörk, the Laugavegur trail is the country’s most well-known hiking route. The four-day trek takes you past colourful mountains, warming hot-springs and steep ravines as you wind your way through the landscape of South-East Iceland.
If you are looking to test yourself physically, as well as rewarding yourself with moments of wonder, then Iceland’s Laugavegur is the trek for you.
Read MorePlanning a solo jaunt across the land? If this is your first time planning a solo adventure abroad, I understand completely how excited and nervous you are. We were all once in your shoes. How to be a good solo traveler.
But before you slap on your backpack and march out that door, here’s a small checklist of things you might want to go through to ensure a smoother trip.
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