When I lived in New York, I spent years working as a certified sightseeing guide. I watched thousands of people hop off double-decker buses, snap a photo of a landmark, and run back to their hotel. I used to think, you are missing the entire point of being here. Back then, I was still stuck…
When I worked as a sightseeing guide in New York City, I watched thousands of people rush past the very things that made the city breathe. They were stuck on double-decker buses, peering through plastic windows at a distorted version of the streets. I used to think, If only they would just step off and…
For years, I sat at a gray desk in New York City, staring at a calendar and trying to figure out how to stretch two weeks of vacation time into a real adventure. I spent my days analyzing data, but my mind was always somewhere else. I saved up every dollar I could by waitressing…
I still remember the first time I tried to plan a trip to a massive city. It was London, shortly after I graduated from the State University of Albany. I had spent years sitting behind a desk studying rhetoric, followed by a brief, suffocating stint in a traditional 9-to-5 office job. When I finally saved…
I still remember standing in the middle of my tiny apartment in Queens, staring at a suitcase that looked like it was about to burst at the seams. It was 2018. I had just quit my stable, predictable corporate desk job to travel the world solo, and I was terrified. To fund that first big…
There is a specific moment that every solo traveler remembers. For me, it happened on a muggy afternoon outside the Hua Lamphong Train Station in Bangkok. I had just stepped off an overnight train. The air smelled of fried garlic, exhaust fumes, and sweet jasmine. My shoulders were aching from a massive, top-heavy backpack that…
I still remember the crisp autumn morning in New York City when I handed in my resignation letter at my traditional 9-to-5 office job. My coworkers thought I was losing my mind. I had a steady paycheck, a clear career path, and a comfortable routine. But every time I looked out the window at the…
Hi, I’m Emma Collins—a solo traveler who’s been exploring the world one adventure at a time. Did you know nearly 84% of solo travelers are women? It’s empowering, but safety is always a top priority. From losing my passport in Paris to navigating late-night streets in Tokyo, I’ve learned the hard way that preparation is…
Hey there, I’m Emma Collins! If you’re dreaming of solo travel, I get it—exploring the world on your own is thrilling but can also be daunting, especially when it comes to budgeting. As a solo traveler, I’ve learned that planning your budget is key to making your dream trip a reality. Did you know that…