I’m Ashley, your solo travel expert.
I’ll help you plan the trip of a lifetime—with more “wow!” moments and considerably fewer “whoopsies” and “uh-ohs.”
I’ve been traveling since way before Booking.com, Instagram, travel forums, Google Maps, and the internet made it possible to research every last detail from your couch. Back then, you actually had to figure things out as you went—and believe me, I’ve figured out a lot of things the hard way.
Over the years, I’ve learned what’s worth packing, what’s definitely not worth packing, which travel “must-dos” actually live up to the hype, and how a little advance planning can save you time, money, and the occasional meltdown.
Think of me as your well-traveled friend who has already made the mistakes, tested the gear, gotten lost, overpacked, underplanned, and lived to tell the tale.
Start with my Travel Products and Resources page, where I’ve rounded up the gear, gadgets, products, and little travel helpers that make life on the road oh-so-much easier.
Then, stick around the blog for destination inspiration, travel tips, itineraries, lessons learned, and plenty of stories from my adventures.
Have a question? Ask away. If I don’t know the answer, I probably know someone who does—or I’ll figure it out!
84 Countries
6 Continents
Latest Posts
Poland – Top 10 things to love about Poland
Before arriving in Poland, I conjured up images of a war-torn, desolate, gray, and gloomy country with crumbling, smoke- churning factories and bullet-ridden building facades. Have I been surprised! Though I only had the pleasure of spending one week in Poland,...
Bocas del Toro, Panama
Bocas del Toro offers endless fun in the sun including boat excursions, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, beach time, island exploring, and bike riding.
Best National Parks in Costa Rica
See the best national parks in Costa Rica; hike, climb, photograph animals, and drool over the country’s lavish flora.
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
San Juan del Sur is one of the most visited towns in Nicaragua and has diversified offerings for surfers, backpackers, cruise-shippers, and vacationers.
Horseback riding in San Juan del Sur
This is really more of a bragging photo journal than a travel blog post. I had such an amazing afternoon horseback riding at Rancho Chilamate, and I wanted to share these fantastic photos with everyone. Growing up on a Central Illinois farm, I lived every little...
Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
Nicaragua’s Ometepe Island is an unspoiled refuge. Visitors can bike, climb volcanoes, rent ATV’s, hike to waterfalls, or just relax and enjoy the beauty.
Granada, Masaya, and Lagoon Apoyo, Nicaragua
Granada, Nicaragua, is a fascinating city with colonial-era treasures and a cacophony of colors. Visit nearby Lagoon Apoyo and Masaya.
Battle-scarred Leon, Nicaragua
Leon, Nicaragua, is an alluring metropolis with crumbling church facades, shady central squares, tranquil boulevards, and an array of delightful bistros.
Esteli: Somoto Caynon and Miraflor Reserve
Nicaragua delivers many unique adventures. In particular, Esteli, Nicaragua, has two noteworthy excursions: the Somoto Canyon and the Miraflor Reserve.
El Salvador: Santa Tecla and Alegria
Leaving behind the curl of Salvadorian waves, I traveled towards the inner city sprawl of Santa Tecla, El Salvador, and the sleepy village of Alegria.















