I’ve been answering the same travel questions for years — in person, over coffee, in sometimes very long text messages to friends planning trips. At some point it made sense to write them down. These are honest answers, from someone who has been doing this a long time, in her own particular way.

I didn’t realize I was more about experiencing a place until I looked at how I actually travel. I’m not an adventure seeker. I like to wander, find a café, sit and watch the life of a place move around me. The things I love at home — a good café, a bookshop, somewhere quiet to think, something genuinely good to eat — I just do them somewhere else. I’m also past the days of being too tight with my budget. I leave wiggle room now for the things that actually matter.

Typically, I get asked two kinds of questions — practical ones (what does it cost, how do I get there, where should I stay) and the harder ones (is it safe, can I do this alone, will I be okay). I try to answer both honestly. Here’s what I’ve covered so far:

• General travel questions – solo travel, money, getting around, where to stay
• Destination-specific – Albania, Europe

There might be questions you have about specific places or just overall about travel. If so, check back, as I’ll be adding questions that I commonly get asked. So, for sure, eventually you’ll find answers here.