Inspiring Your Journey

with travel tips, stories + resources
Get Inspired

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

Discovering Lake Ohrid, Macedonia

Discovering Lake Ohrid, Macedonia

Ohrid, Macedonia was a gem, a destination that I hope to return to one day - perhaps as a digital nomad where I can while away my writer's block hours by staring at the sparkling lake and snow-capped mountains. Following a simply delightful visit to Albania, I...

Traveling in Tirana and Berat, Albania

Traveling in Tirana and Berat, Albania

My first taste of Albania was riding the Lake Koman ferry, a personal introduction with not only the country but with the warm, generous, lovable Albanians. Little did I know that traveling through Tirana and Berat would drag me further under Albania's intoxicating...

Taking the Lake Koman Ferry in Albania

Taking the Lake Koman Ferry in Albania

Sweeping bluffs and barren foothills border Lake Koman's julep-hued waters. All is hushed across this wind-scarred basin. An occasional solitary homestead peeks from the depths of a protected inlet, but there are no roads, telephone wires or visible electric poles...

More travel, more writing and more daydreaming

More travel, more writing and more daydreaming

I want...More travel. More writing. More daydreaming. Though my mind constantly bubbles with unwritten stories, and I spend significant portions of my days writing, reading and dreaming about the seductive spell of foreign places, I have been negligent with actually...

5 days in Puerto Vallarta

5 days in Puerto Vallarta

Here is how to enjoy adventure and relaxation during 5 days in Puerto Vallarta. Embrace cream-colored beaches, colorful culture, and delicious local food!

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