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20 Things No One Tells You About Traveling Solo as a Woman
The first-ever solo trip I went on was a train wreck by the end of the trip. I hopped on a plane and embarked on a two-week solo trip to Italy in March 2022. And boy, was I unprepared. There were so many things no one told me about traveling solo as a woman. Everything was going swimmingly in the first half of my trip. I enjoyed the Florence Cathedral, the incredible statue of David, and eating amazing risotto alla Milanese. However, I was pushing myself to do it all—I was walking almost 30,000 steps a day! Then, I decided to go out for a cocktail or two by myself,…
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Is Milan Safe for Solo Travelers in 2023? How to Be More Safe.
Imagine my surprise finding out that a friend’s friend was mugged three times in Milan while sipping cocktails in a bar… in Milan. The first time the thieves took his watch, the next his phone, and after that, I’m not sure. The worst thing is that the thieves pulled a knife on him—material things are replaceable, but your life is not. I’m not sure why my friend’s friend had such an unfortunate stroke of luck, but it’s good to be aware of these things. Luckily, you asked, “Is Milan safe?” earlier than I did. Milan is a generally safe city, but like all big cities, there are pockets that you…
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10 Best Things to Do in Milan for a First Great Visit
Milan is a unique Italian city that blends its rich cultural heritage with its modern momentum. It is Italy’s finance and business capital, housing the country’s main stock exchange. Milan serves as the headquarters for numerous major Italian companies, like the Banca Commerciale Italiana, once Italy’s largest bank. Even more impressive, Milan is the fashion capital of the world, birthing huge fashion brands like Versace and Armani. Yet, many historic and cultural landmarks, art, and architecture contribute to the ever-expanding list of notable things to do in Milan. For its reputation alone, Milan draws almost 3.5 million international visitors yearly. Obviously, you want to visit or you are planning to…
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Best 25 Things to Do in Sydney Australia: After a Great Month Here
P Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney, Australia is probably the cultural icon that put Sydney on the map for you. At least, it was for me! After watching Finding Nemo more times than I can count, it made me want to visit Sydney. But also, ever since I was young I’ve always wanted to see the Sydney Opera House in person. Its amazing architecture draws more than 10 million people each year! Of course, you can’t forget the famous Bondi Beach as well, with its ultra-famous Bondi Iceberg pool which is over 100 years old. But this barely scratches the surface of fun things to do in Sydney, Australia. I…
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Simple How to Use and Pay for Lisbon Public Transportation
Lisbon is one of the most walkable cities I have ever visited. When I visited in May 2023, I only took the bus to Belem and the metro to Lisbon Airport. While it’s extremely popular as a tourist destination, Lisbon is quite compact making it easy to get around by foot. However, while walkable, Lisbon is known for its hilly geography, so getting around has its ups and downs (haha, get it). But, the apartment-covered hills make for amazing scenery when you look up at the base of the hills. Whether you enjoy walking or not, you’re bound to take some public transport in Lisbon. It’s clean, convenient, and reliable,…
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The Best 29 Memorable Things to Do in Seoul
Korean culture remarkably skyrocketed to fame within the last decade, with millions around the world following Korean culture. Riding on the Hallyu (or Korean Wave), Korean restaurants are populating city centers and K-beauty has its section in Western beauty stores. K-drama, Korean movies, and K-pop are the focal points of the public’s eye. So, naturally, with increased media visibility and increased interest in Korean culture, people all over want to visit Korea. Even though the an 85% drop in visitors during the pandemic, tourism in Korea is going strong, with 3.2 million visitors visiting Korea in 2022, and projected to grow. If you’re reading this article, you’re probably going to…
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How to Pack a Carry On Bag: The Best Way
How often have you returned from a trip with half your clothes unworn? Or realizing you overpacked and brought too many things you didn’t need? And lugging around large suitcases from destination to destination sucks. Overpacking is an experience that everyone has gone through, and it’s nothing to be ashamed about. However, packing lighter and knowing how to pack a carry on isn’t always easy. Unintentional packing leads to heavy bags and unnecessary stress. No one wants to stress over what to bring or if it will fit in their bag. Now, imagine traveling carefree: not having to wait to check in a bag, not worrying about if the airline…
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Planning a Trip to Japan Guide: All You Need to Know + Useful Tips
I know you probably have a lot of questions. Like, how do I plan a trip to Japan? How early should I prepare in advance? When should I buy tickets? When should I book accommodations? You might feel anxious or stressed about planning a trip to Japan. And the internet is filled with travel and itinerary planning advice that can get overwhelming. This guide is made to be followed step by step, where, ideally, you can start at the top of this blog with no trip planned and end with a scheduled trip. I encourage you to read a section, reflect or work on your trip planning, and refer to…
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The Ultimate Singapore Food Guide: 23 Dishes to Try and Where
Food is at the heart of Singapore’s identity. It is often considered the national pastime, an obsession, a frequent topic of conversation, and a unifying cultural thread. You’ll often hear people discussing the best spots for Singaporean food, arguing about the top chwee kueh, the best Laksa stall in Katong, the greatest hawker center, or the finest Kaya toast joint. The entire country takes pride in its knowledge and appreciation of good food. Eating is taken seriously in this island nation of food lovers, and with great emphasis on eating comes a focus on quality—fresh, affordable food in hawker centers. Some of these stalls have even been awarded Michelin stars!…
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Matsuyama Japan: Must-Do Itinerary For a Unique Experience
Welcome to the largest city in Shikoku, Japan’s fourth largest island. Shikoku isn’t on most people’s itineraries when visiting Japan, but it’s an underrated destination. But of the cities in Shikoku, Matsuyama is the most popular and populous. With around half a million in population, Shikoku’s capital city offers splendid sites like the Matsuyama Castle and the Dogo Onsen. This area of Japan rarely gets international tourism, so it’s perfect if you want to see another side of Japan (the countryside). If you’ve found yourself visiting Matsuyama, congrats! It’s a great place to see. Here’s what to do on a day trip to Matsuyama, Japan, with my must-do itinerary. Matsuyama,…