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How I Conquered my First Solo Trip to Mexico

Lately, I’ve been very nostalgic and reflective. Maybe it’s because this year is coming to an end. I’ve been thinking a lot about the content I want to write about and the future of this website. And I randomly thought about my first-ever solo trip to Mexico and how far I’ve come. Eight years ago, I may have had an early quarter-life crisis. I was fed up working, waiting for a paycheck, paying bills, and repeating the cycle. I had...

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Why I Started This Blog: My Journey So Far

I just noticed that I published twenty-eight blog posts without a single introduction! I figured my about-me section would be enough; every blog has one, but they seem so standard and repetitive. Who is the person behind the site? I guess I just really wanted to introduce myself and say hello with a big air hug! So, hello. My name is Daphne, and welcome to my website. I created this travel blog to share my experiences and insights from my...

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Breaking Free: Why I Chose to Travel Alone

If you didn’t catch my brief introduction, I’ve been traveling solo for almost eight years. Throughout every trip I’ve taken, people have asked me why I’m traveling alone. It’s interesting to reflect on how my answer to that question has evolved since I first started traveling. Initially, I started traveling solo, like many others do, because I got tired of waiting for others to join me. I have a great small circle of friends, but we all have different lifestyles and...

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My Review of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex After One Year

I just got an alert that my $350 annual card fee was due. So, I thought what better time to discuss my Delta Platinum SkyMiles American Express Card! My first credit card was actually the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card. I had it for about six years, before I decided to upgrade to the platinum last November. There were three reasons why I decided to upgrade. The first was that Delta changed the criteria for medallion qualification, which meant...

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How Much Do Popular Destinations Really Cost (Tokyo)?

One of my main reasons for creating this website was to discuss how much it really cost to travel. Before I started traveling solo, I followed so many content creators. From bloggers to YouTubers, I was trying to soak up as much information as I could before I started traveling alone. One thing that I rarely came across was someone who stated exactly how much they spent on trips. Some people may consider it tacky or distasteful. But, here on...

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Is My Calpak Luggage Still Reliable After a Year?

In the past eight years of traveling solo, I have been through some luggage. My first suitcases were the kind you find at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. After those fell apart, I moved on up to Macy’s to a Jessica Simpson navy and cream print set! I was so excited for my first matching set, I even purchased the tote that matched the two suitcases. My poor luggage barely made it through five trips. After that I went back to...

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How I Always Score International Flights for Under $1000

I have been to fifty countries and I have never spent more than one thousand on a round trip flight. At this point, I think that’s my maximum limit. Outside of the internet I really don’t talk about traveling with people. But, when the topic does arise I always discuss how I am able to find inexpensive flights! It’s a common misconception that you need thousands and thousands of dollars to fly to other countries and that’s simply not true....

Reasons Why I Fell Out of Love with Airbnb

I just finished writing my post on visiting Hobbiton in New Zealand. In that post, I briefly mentioned one of my favorite airbnb experiences. I stayed with a host there, a local woman named Alia. She was a recent widow and an empty nester, both her kids were away at college. She had plenty of spare room in her home and decided to try out airbnb for local female visitors. My time at her home was like being with an...

I no longer stay in cheap budget hotels.

Budget Hotels? It’s a no for me.

Yep, I said and I’m not taking it back. Budget hotels suck and I’m not sleeping there. Ok, that was bit much – but hear me out before you roll your eyes and pass judgement. It’s been a long time coming and honestly it’s growth. I’m kind of proud now that I think it about. So, when I first began traveling solo around seven years ago I only stayed at budget hotels. I was a third party girl, who would...

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How to Survive Traveling with Friends

Traveling with friends – it just seems like the best idea ever doesn’t it? You get along just fine at home, hanging out regularly and so on. Going on vacation with your friend and being together 24/7 is going to be FREAKING AMAZING right? I know I can’t be the only one, but those trips never seem to go as perfectly as planned. Just like living with someone, traveling with them will reveal the REAL AUTHENTIC THEM. And the real...