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
Finding the World’s Best Pizza in Naples
In any corner of this effervescent city, you’re never far from the crackling wood of a pizza oven and the delicious aroma of freshly baked pizza
Exploring Naples
Though Naples is gritty and crowded, the city’s chaos is beautiful and mesmeric. Scraping below the surface revealed a look into an often forgotten city.
Lemons and Sunsets in Sorrento
Between Rome and the tip of the boot lies beautiful, sunny Sorrento, dripping with lemon trees, olive vines, sunshine and salty smells.
Touring Ancient Rome
Take a tour through Ancient Rome including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon.
Impressions of Rome
They say “all roads lead to Rome." Well, this idiom certainly held true for my mother and me last April. Our roads from Skopje, Macedonia, and Onarga, Illinois, USA, led us to rendezvous in Rome one cloudless Spring day. Eleven cities, nine train rides, eight...
A Warm Welcome to Prizren, Kosovo
I was welcomed to Kosovo in the warmest possible way. First, after arriving via furgon from Albania, I was dropped off on a street corner in a dusty, nondescript town. At a loss of how to begin the last leg of my journey toward Prizren and badly in need of...
Discovering Hong Kong
Discovering Hong Kong, where clean streets, culinary treats, real toilets and western-themed stores are the norm, offered a dose of western culture.
Night buses in China
Night buses in China are an adventurous—and affordable—mode of transportation. Just be aware that the beds are a bit smaller than typical Westerners are use to!
Cobblestones of Yangshou, China
Yangshou, though a lovely cobblestone village, soon came to remind us too much of the China version based in Disneyland.
Adjusting to Chinese Culture
Heading south from Beijing, China, to Xian was an adventure. Along the way, we taste-tested local cuisine, experienced the local toilets and gave our best efforts at adjusting to fascinating Chinese culture.















