Solo traveller? Here’s 6 ways to meet people

I’m predominantly a solo traveller. Or I used to be. These days I’ve met so many people in my travels that often I’m couchsurfing with people I’ve met during my past travels. Or I’ve organised to meet someone I met overseas on the other side of the world. Or I just met three people at my hostel.

In the last six months, I’ve couchsurfed in Boston with someone I met in Peru and next up we’re doing a tour in Jordan; completed a 10 day trip to Greece with a Canadian I met while aupairing in Italy; and toured Maui with a friend I met while teaching English in Hungary. read more

Get down and dirty inside a mud volcano

By Lisa Owen5 Comments

Floating in a mud bath inside a volcano would have to be one of my most random travel experiences. But also one of my favourite travel experiences – I don’t think I stopped laughing the whole time I was in the mud bath.

While on a tour along the Caribbean coast of Colombia, our guide recommended we visit the Volcan de Totumo (Totumo Volcano) – a 15 metre mud volcano about 45 minutes outside of Cartagena.

When you reach the volcano, you’ll wonder if you’re in the right place and may think you’ve been tourist trapped. read more

My favourite places to welcome in the day

By Lisa Owen18 Comments

Every so often, I reach a city that I connect with more than others. When I peek out the window as the sun comes up, look out to the street or over to the ocean, and I simply cannot wait to get out there and explore. The day is just beginning, but I bounce out the door with wide eyes and a stupid grin on my face, my camera in hand snapping away at the parks, and buildings, seascapes or mountains, buskers, markets and street art. The sounds and smells invigorate and inspire me, the people fascinate me, I love all the food, and I never want to leave. read more

Which Greek Island should I visit?

By Lisa Owen3 Comments

There’s a lot of Greek Islands out there – some are party islands, others are family resort islands. Here’s a brief rundown of what you can expect to find on some of the more popular islands.

The Cyclades Islands are the group of islands I hear brought up most often when people talk about Greece. These include Santorini, Mykonos and Ios.

Santorini

Best for sunsets, quad biking, shopping, water activities and hot springs.

Santorini has everything – stunning views and beaches, delicious food, snorkelling, hot springs, and quad bike rental shops on nearly every corner. Santorini is the island most likely to suit everyone’s taste and it was the very first Greek Island I visited. read more

My favourite travel planning sites

By Lisa Owen1 Comment

Planning your next adventure has never been more accessible with everything you need at your fingertips online. These days, there’s not much need to go see a travel agent – everything can be booked online, and with a bit of research, you can get some great bargains.

But with so many competing websites for accommodation, flights, and volunteering – where do you start to get adventures suited to your budget and travel style.

Here’s the sites I use to plan my trips.

Flights

Google Flights

I don’t use anything but Google Flights when researching flights. Many people swear by Skyscanner but I was never a fan and found Kayak or Opodo worked better. But Google Flights leaves those flight search engines for dead. read more

The Little Adventurer