Solo Female Travel

11 Travel Gifts for Yourself

Published:
10 Travel Gifts for Yourself

With the gift giving season right around the corner, why not add a little gift for yourself to your shopping list? Perhaps you’re still receiving gifts from your oh-so-brief but still not forgotten Bieber phase? Perhaps you have a generous benefactor who’s landed a pot of Christmas cash in your lap. Or perhaps you just think – I’m amazing, I’ve worked my bottom off this year and I deserve a little something from me to me. Here are 10 travel themed gifts for yourself. 1. A plane ticket What greater travel gift can there be than the gift of actual … Read more

The Only FREE Printable Packing List You Need

Published:
The ultimate travel packing list - with packing tips and packing hacks it's the only travel packing checklist and packing template you'll need

Note: A link to the high-resolution printable packing list PDF is at the bottom of this post. I’ve used this packing list template for a 14 day trip and a 14 month trip. The difference: I take my clothes to a laundry service about every 2 weeks when I’m away for longer. And if you’re looking to pack carry-on only, focus on those items with a * next to them. This list is suitable for a wide variety of destinations. You might want to do a little adaptation – a second base layer instead of a second bikini if you’re off to … Read more

21 Long Haul Flight Essentials: What to Take In Your Carry On Bag

Published:

I fly long haul a lot, so it’s a good job I’m one of those people who loves flying. Still, what you take on board a long haul flight can make all the difference to your flying experience. I’ve created this list over years and now they go into my hand luggage every time I fly for more than a few hours. Here’s my list of long haul flight essentials. 1. Collapsable water bottle If there’s one thing a long haul flight is guaranteed to do (apart from get you to your destination), it’s dehydrate you and those tiny bottles … Read more

Is Detroit Safe? The Answer From Someone Who’s Been

Published:

Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect from my visit to Detroit. I’d heard great things about the city from fellow travel bloggers Hecktic Travels and LLWorld Tour: Detroit is the comeback city, regeneration is happening… and there’s an amazing BBQ joint. That last point is usually enough to take me to any city, regardless of scare stories. And boy are there plenty of scare stories – mainly from the mainstream media and always highlighting that Detroit is the most dangerous city in the United States of America. It’s not an unfounded claim – Detroit is number 23 on the world list of cities by murder … Read more

Is Uber Safe to Use: Meet the Faces of Uber

Published:

I’m an Uber user. I’m also a 5ft tall woman who travels around the world solo. And I regularly get asked is Uber safe to use. Worse, I often get told that Uber isn’t safe. Usually by people who’ve never taken an Uber. So, what’s the deal? Is Uber safe to use or not? If Uber’s done one thing, it’s caused controversy. From licensed taxi companies who are spitting foam at the idea of cut price competition to the naysayers who are convinced that every other Uber passenger is going to be subject to rape, robbery or both, Uber seems to … Read more

What To Do When You Feel Lonely Travelling Alone

Published:

I’ve been at this solo travel a while now – in fact, last week marked five years since I quit my job as a lawyer and set off on a one-year adventure that still hasn’t come to an end. And along with the highs of travelling solo, of which there have been many, there are still times when I’m consumed by an overwhelming sense of loneliness. Yesterday was a perfect example: it was 9 p.m. in  Montreal and I was wandering the streets looking for something to eat, yet I couldn’t make a decision because everywhere I looked there were couples, families … Read more

The Best Travel Backpacks – Tried & Tested

Published:

There are a lot of articles on the internet about the best backpack for travel, so why read this one? Because I travel. A lot. I spent over 6 years as a digital nomad living out of a bag, and for the most part, that bag was one of these backpacks. From epic round-the-world trips to summers in Europe to long-stays in cities and weeks trekking through jungles, I’ve packed and re-packed more times than I can count. And I’ve worked my way through a few backpacks in that time, too. What follows is a guide to choosing a bag together with a … Read more

“Finding Myself”: The Uncomfortable Journey

Published:

That first time traveling alone can be daunting – a new location, a life left behind and no idea what the future holds. Yet not many people share these stories of the hard moments. They shout from the rooftops about how they’re travelling the world and living the dream. In this post, my guest writer, Mary Hood from the wonderful blog Inner Compass Travel shares the truth about landing in Buenos Aires, the mental struggle to do even the basics like eating and a few potentially embarrassing zipper moments along the way. Here’s Mary’s story about her… First Time Traveling Alone There’s … Read more

10 Great Destinations for Solo Female Travelers

Published:

What are the best destinations for solo female travelers? It’s a good question and one I’ve given a lot of thought to. I travel as a solo female traveler about 98% of the time. I travel around 9 months per year. And I’ve been doing that for over four years. Oh, and I’ve visited over 50 countries. I’m not telling you this because I want to be that idiot that you meet when you travel who can’t wait to tell you how their travels have been sooooooo much better than yours (bigger, faster, further). I’m telling you because I’ve been to … Read more

How To Work Out How Much A Trip Will Cost – 7 Steps

Published:
Mix of currency and money

“How much does it cost to travel to [Spain/Japan/for 3 months in Mexico/Around the World*]” *insert trip plans as appropriate I get asked this question a lot. After three dull head thumps on my desk, I have to start my response with, “It depends…” Do you want to stay at 5-star hotels? Are you going low-cost carrier or first class all the way? Would you spoon your eyes out at the idea of drinking anything other than Champagne? Do you want to see the Greek islands on a luxury yacht? Will street food do or would you never stoop below 2 … Read more