As someone who lives with anxiety, I often imagine the worst before I even step out the door — getting lost, missing flights, awkward moments, safety concerns, you name it. But on this trip, I learned that Athens is not only manageable for solo travelers, but actually comforting in ways I didn’t expect.

There was a time when I thought my world was small. I waited for plans that never materialized and for "someday" to arrive. But then, I took the leap. I started traveling solo, and suddenly, the world opened up in ways I never imagined.

You know I love a good itinerary, but every time I zip up my suitcase or feel that plane rumble down the runway, I take a deep breath and remind myself of one simple truth: Travel is an incredible privilege.

I decided to dedicate the morning to some reflective solo exploration before capping off the entire trip with a legendary sunset! It was a day that perfectly showcased the blend of ancient power and vibrant modern life that makes Athens so captivating.

Day Five brought me the final, fantastic full-day trip outside of Athens! This time, it was a historical and scenic journey to Ancient Corinth and Nafplio.

I woke up excited for my Saronic Gulf island hopping day trip, ready to swap ancient ruins for sparkling Aegean waters. This was hands-down one of my favorite travel days!

I woke up early, excited for my day trip to Delphi, home of the famed Oracle. It was a perfect example of why small group tours from Athens are often the best way to see the historical sites outside the city: all the history, none of the transport stress!

After a beautiful soft landing, I was ready to dive headfirst into ancient history and Greek culture. Day Two was a perfect blend of learning, eating, and finally ticking off a ridiculous bucket list item!

This trip is all about a solo female travel adventure, and my first night in Greece was the perfect soft landing. Grab a mythical cup of coffee, because here’s the play-by-play of my journey from Toronto to Athens!

The last three days of our trip we ended up re-visiting some spots and just soaking up the Tokyo vibes. Japan has become one of my favourite places — but I know I’ll have to go back one day.

The first adventure was literally just getting to Shinjuku. We made the mistake of taking the metro to Shinjuku Station directly. It’s known as being the world’s most notoriously confusing metro station, and it definitely was stressful to navigate.

That’s the thing about travelling – whether you’re doing it alone or with friends or family – you need to protect your energy. If you’re going to be planning a busy itinerary and packing as much as you can into your limited time in a new country, that is expected. But you also have to plan for some downtime. 

If you’re hoping to eat the iconic fluffy pancakes at Happy Pancake, you’re going to have to go a couple of hours early, scan the QR code and get on the virtual, waiting list. You’ll get contacted when your reservation is ready!

When I think about Tokyo, I think about the city’s rich history and culture. So the day we had planned to go to Asakusa and see Senso-ji Temple, I was so eager to get up and go.

Then it was time to head to Shibuya Sky for our ticketed slot. Most people try to book this lookout ticket for sunset, but we wanted to go early in our day. So if you’re trying to book for sunset hour, it’s going to be hard to book.

Tokyo seemed like a pipe dream of a location for so long. Somewhere I’d always wanted to go, but would never be able to make it happen. And suddenly this destination went from being a fantasy to reality.

Waking up on the last day in Vegas was almost painful. My partner and I had such an amazing week together with our friends, and by the end of the night, we’d be on a plane back home.

That realization that hits you around this point of your travels when you realize you’re going to have to go back home, and the fantasy will soon be over. So we had packed our day full of bucket list things we wanted to do in Las Vegas.

Almost immediately after booking our flights and hotel for this trip, I realized The Killers would be doing a two-week residency in Vegas. So I very quickly booked a ticket to one of the shows.

My friends and I had an incredible week in Vegas, but our day in Red Rock Canyon was one of my favourites. I love a light hike, and a light hike in the desert is my newest happy place.