I originally visited the Folger Shakespeare Library in May 2019, when it had a tiny area for visitors in the DC area. Honestly, it was so small that a friend who lived there told me it’d take only 5 minutes. But being the longtime Tudor history and Shakespeare enthusiast I am, I was determined to…
I’ve been a fan of travel TV shows long before the Travel Channel turned into the Aliens built this channel! I can recall sitting on the couch, clicking through the TV remote in search of the best travel TV shows that would transport me to just about anywhere but the United States, where I lived….
Only have a weekend getaway and wondering if you can truly do Lisbon justice in that amount of time? With 2 days in Lisbon, Portugal, it will be a bit of a sprint, especially when contending with the seven hills the city is famous for, but you can see the city’s highlights in an action-packed…
Struggling to figure out exactly how many days in Lisbon you need without either rushing through the seven famous hills or running out of things to do? Planning can feel overwhelming when you’re weighing limited vacation days against a budget and wondering if you have time to squeeze in a day trip to Sintra on…
Trying to figure out where to stay in Lisbon Portugal, without blowing your whole budget on accommodation? When I rebooked my 2020 trip in 2021, prices were significantly higher, so it was super important to find accommodation in Lisbon that wouldn’t break the bank. And as I was going solo after my cousin dropped out,…
I was supposed to go to Lisbon with my cousin. Then COVID happened. The trip was postponed, and when I finally departed in September 2021, I ended up going solo. Suddenly, I had to figure out: was this even a smart idea? As a woman who has explored 25+ countries alone, I always keep safety…
Lisbon keeps popping up on “Europe’s best cities” lists (as of 2026, it’s #13), but is it actually worth the hype and safe for solo travel? Having solo-traveled through Lisbon, I’ve navigated those famous cobblestone hills and found a cheat code not to keel over on them (Uber up, walk down), discovered the pastéis spot…
Lisbon has plenty to do up and down those famous hills, but if you’re on a budget, it can be hard to figure out what’s worth it. Having solo-traveled through Lisbon—conquering everything from the Tower of Belém to fairy-tale Sintra—I’ve discovered exactly what’s worth the price tag and how to save a few along the…
Is the Lisboa Card worth it, or are you better off buying individual tickets? I asked myself the same thing before finally rebooking this solo trip after COVID pushed it back. As someone who’s tested tourist cards across Europe for the last decade—from the Paris Museum Pass to the Salzburg Card to the Ljubljana Card—I…
My mom and I visited Ljubljana as part of a broader trip through Central Europe, one that took us to Slovenia because of our family’s ties to the region. We even have ancestors buried just 15 minutes outside the city. Given that, we had to visit to explore the archives, which allowed us to trace…
With only 24 hours, I wasn’t sure whether the Ljubljana Card was worth it, but it offers a lot for a charming, hidden gem city. As someone who’s tested tourist cards across Europe for over a decade—from Paris to Vienna to Rome—I know which ones actually deliver and which ones are just clever marketing designed…
When planning my ancestral trip for my mother and me, Salzburg was at the top of my list, as we’re both big fans of The Sound of Music. Having visited as part of a larger Austrian trip, I’ve learned exactly which attractions deliver—those magical trick fountains at Hellbrunn, and which ones you can skip—the Christmas…
Traveling alone can be daunting since you’re in charge of everything—planning, transportation, bookings, and more. Over the past decade, I have traveled solo across 26 countries, using everything from hostels and public transit to rideshares and guided tours, so I understand both the mental load and the thrill of solo travel. It’s also allowed me…
Considering whether solo travel is for you or not? You’re not alone. I get asked this constantly as a solo female traveler who still prefers it most of the time (prices in some destinations are killer), even after 26 countries. Whether you’ve never traveled beyond your state or country or have yet to adventure alone,…
Five years ago, I met up with a fellow solo traveler from Bumble BFF in a Barcelona bar. We’ve since traveled together to six countries. Having traveled solo to 26 countries (including Spain), I have learned how to meet people when traveling alone to satisfy my need for connection. Whether it’s your first solo trip…
