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
Sailing to Vavau, Tonga
Vavaú, Tonga boasts humpback whales, azure harbors, friendly locals and a culture that delights and captivates.
Teaching English in Cambodia
Far from the corporate life of Chicago, I found joy, acceptance and a love for the Cambodian community while teaching English in Cambodia.
The Secrets to Not Over-Planning Your Trip
Put aside your checklists and step away from the travel guides. Packing too much into a limited time period can be stressful and allow little time to encounter the true treasures of your destination. Slow down, keep your schedule to a minimum, take mental breaks and open yourself to new, unplanned opportunities.
The Secret to Dealing with Travel Anxiety
Anxiety in any form can be overwhelming and exhausting. Traveling is no exception. Let’s take a look at a few healthy, effective ways to deal with travel anxiety and how to keep following a path to fulfilling your wanderlust.
My 11 favorite travel apps
Travel-themed apps are the unrivaled hero of fun, creative technology: They help us travel safer, smarter, quicker, easier and cheaper — and who doesn’t want to lighten their load of travel stress?
My advice for planning your first solo female travel experience
Planning your first trip as a solo female can be daunting! Loneliness, safety and boredom are common, valid fears when traveling alone. But solo female travel can also be the most liberating, exciting, and inspiring gift you can give yourself. To ease your worries, here’s my advice for planning your first solo female travel experience.
Abel Tasman in the South Island, New Zealand
Spending time in the Abel Tasman in New Zealand’s stunning South Island is a song for the soul complete with kayaking, hiking and postcard-perfect sunsets.
Delhi and the Himachal Pradesh, India
After nearly ten years, I made it back to India! This time, I’m exploring north of Delhi, including the Himachal Pradesh and Utter Pradesh.
South Island, New Zealand
An epic road trip around the New Zealand’s South Island holds moments of awe, inspiration, and pure joy. Visit Dunedin, Milford Sounds and more!
Church, family, community — Tonga’s generous culture
My favorite moments in Tonga were spent with locals. Playing with children, attending church or sharing conversations revealed Tonga’s generous culture.















