10 Tips for Traveling Solo

woman with Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte in the background on a cloudy day

Traveling solo can be an incredibly rewarding experience although it can also be very daunting, especially the first time. We’ve been told the world is a scary place and unsafe to venture out into alone. As a solo traveler, you do have to rely heavily on yourself but that doesn’t mean you have to be afraid. Here are some helpful tips and advice on what to keep in mind and how to stay safe on your next solo adventure.

The Best Prepaid SIM Card for Tourists in France

a woman checking her phone while walking across a bridge in Paris

Our cell phones have truly become indispensable. Camera, GPS, phone, entertainment, organizational calendar, and more, I can’t imagine traveling far without my smartphone and a reliable mobile data connection. Whenever I travel abroad, figuring out how I will stay connected without racking up charges through my local operator is always an integral part of my research. Here’s the tourist data plan I recommend to family and friends when they come to France.

13 Everyday Things That Surprised Me About Paris When I First Arrived

view of Eiffel Tower from Pont de Bir-Hakeim on a cloudy day

As we all know, things are rarely what they look like in the movies or in romanticized novels. We learn so much more about the world around us when we experience things first hand. Here are some everyday things that surprised me about Paris when I first arrived. These aren’t necessarily culture shocks, just things that stood out to me in my initial observations.