How I Travel The World: 30 Countries and Counting
This week, I wanted to share something more personal. Let’s be honest—there are only so many ways I can tell you that your rug is too small or your HomeSense art sucks. So, I’m taking a little break from interior design blogging to talk about something else I’m incredibly passionate about: travel. So, keep reading if you want to hear about solo travel, guided tour travel and more.
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Countries I’ve Travelled to
If you know me, you know I’ve explored quite a few corners of the globe. Here’s a breakdown of the countries I’ve visited in my relatively short lifetime:
North America
- Canada (obviously, I live here)
- USA
- Mexico
- Turks and Caicos (technically the UK)
- Costa Rica
- Jamaica
- Barbados
- Bermuda (technically the UK)
- Cuba
South America
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Aruba (technically a part of the Netherlands)
- (Colombia will be my next addition!)
Europe
- Iceland
- UK
- Spain
- France
- Monaco
- Croatia
- Italy
- Montenegro
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Albania
- Greece
- Austria
- Germany
- Vatican City (Yes, it’s technically a country)
Africa
- Morocco
Asia
- Thailand
- Japan
- Singapore
- The Philippines
- Vietnam
- Indonesia
Oceania
- Australia
So, here’s my list! And if I do say so myself, it’s quite impressive. However, the focus of this blog isn’t on my experiences in each country; it’s about how I managed to travel to all these places.
But, let’s address 1 question. Whenever I talk about my travels, people always ask me:
What’s your favourite country/Best place you’ve been?
That’s a very nuanced question to me. Are you talking best food? Best views, best history, best beaches, best overall experience?
It’s honestly very difficult to answer. However, there are certainly places that stood out to me, and certainly places that did not.
For the best overall experience, I’d say Greece, Thailand, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Japan stand out in my mind. These places (from my experience, which is too much to get into in this post) have a great mix of adventure, scenic views, good weather and good food.
Anyways, back to how I managed to go to all these places.
The Biggest Travel Hurdles
Photo I took in Albania. ^
What are the biggest hurdles people face when it comes to travel? The common challenges include money, time off, companions, safety, and visa requirements. For me, the biggest hurdles were finding people to travel with and ensuring safety. I recognize that this is a privileged position to be in, but it’s true.
Many people want to travel, but one or more hurdles hold them back.
To jump to the point, I had to adopt a mindset; “I’m going, whether anyone else is coming or not.” How did I come to this realization? Let me tell you.
When I was around 19, I planned a trip to the Cayman Islands with a friend, but they ended up cancelling. We’ve all experienced this—planning a vacation only for it to fall through. I totally understand that travelling has its challenges, so I wasn’t upset. However, I wanted to go somewhere, but I wasn’t quite ready to travel solo (yet).
G Adventures Review
That’s when I discovered G Adventures. Whenever I mention this company, people often have no idea what is it. In short, G Adventures is a travel company that offers a variety of itineraries you can join. They handle your accommodations, transportation, and provide a tour guide. The best part? You can sign up as a solo traveller and connect with others on the same tour. It’s a great way to explore unique places with interesting people, all in a safe environment with a guide.
I was sold, and my first G Adventure was to Costa Rica. Check out the trip here.
I had a blast and fell in love with travel. The next decade was filled with various trips, including more G Adventures excursions to Australia, Thailand, and all over Europe.
My many other Solo Travel Adventures…
I also enjoyed plenty of solo travel and adventures with friends and family.
What has allowed me to explore so many places is my knack for planning and finding good travel deals (I am addicted to deal hunting…this comes in handy for Interior design as well), along with the simple act of JUST GOING. I didn’t wait for anyone to invite me; I just booked my flights and figured it out from there.
So, if you’ve been thinking about travelling but are held back by any of those hurdles, I encourage you to explore the possibility of going on a guided tour. I have only been on G Adventures, so I can only recommend them. However, I know that there are plenty of other guided tour groups out there.
I have gained plenty from guided tours, so I keep going back to them. In fact, my next guided tour is to Colombia this December. However, I’ve also travelled plenty as a solo female traveller. My Colombia Trip.
My Experience as a Solo Female Traveller
Now, like I said, I have adopted an F it just go mindset. This led me to solo travel to many places. Some of which include; France, Italy, Monaco, Trinidad, Jamaica, Bermuda… the list goes on.
And let me tell you, I feel incredibly blessed to have travelled around the world as a solo female and to have remained safe (even if I’ve found myself in some questionable situations). Here I am, alive to tell the tale!
Overall, my experience as a solo female traveller has been positive. Your sense of safety— or at least the feeling of being safe—depends largely on where you go. Sometimes, the locals are more chatty than others, which is something to keep in mind. I’ve noticed that the main difference when travelling solo is the reactions you get from locals. When you’re with others, locals may feel less inclined to approach you. But when you’re alone, expect more interactions. This can be a positive or negative experience, depending on your comfort level and the location.
Typically, if you blend in and look like a local, you might not attract as much attention. However, if it’s clear you’re a tourist, you’ll likely find locals more willing to strike up a conversation. That’s been my experience.
Hostel or Hotel for Solo Travel?
When I’ve travelled solo, I’ve stayed in both hostels and hotels. Honestly, I prefer hostels for solo trips. They make it easy to connect with others, which helps make solo travel feel a little less solitary. Many of us choose to travel alone because we don’t have anyone to go with, not necessarily because we want to be alone. Making friends while travelling can be a game changer, especially for female travellers.
So even though hostels can be a bit rough around the edges (and as a bit of a germaphobe, I’m not always thrilled about that), I highly recommend them for solo travellers!
Just be safe, you know what that means like street smart or whatever. Try to find people to connect with. Don’t be shy. If you want to go, just go.
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