Welcome!

I’m Chels

I didn’t grow up traveling. For a long time, my world was pretty small. In fact, I took my very first memorable plane ride at 18 years old. That brief taste of independence opened the floodgates. In college, I took a massive, terrifying leap out of my comfort zone to study abroad in Thailand, which completely broke open my worldview.

By my mid-twenties, I took my first trip to Europe. And, of course, like everyone else, I played it safe and only went to English-speaking countries: Ireland, England, and Scotland. It was the perfect first step for learning how to handle train maps, missing stops, and surviving a lot of trial-by-fire travel moments.

For years after that, I channeled my love for learning into teaching. But I kept finding myself sitting at my classroom desk, staring out the window, and feeling completely stuck. I could literally feel the world moving and time passing me by while I stayed in one place.

So, I did the scariest thing imaginable: I quit. I decided to finally put myself first, and in doing so, I found my absolute passion and purpose in life, traveling and making memories. I didn’t just want to travel; I wanted to build a life where exploring wasn’t a temporary escape, but a permanent mindset.

How I Travel (And How I Can Help You)

The way I travel today is fast-paced, entirely realistic, and heavily fueled by a daily quest for the perfect vanilla latte and local breakfast cafes.

I’m all about maximizing every single day by catching local trains, hopping on public buses, and finding accommodations that are comfortable and practical. For me, the real magic happens when you dive straight into the heart of a destination. You’ll usually find me exploring historic castles, wandering through cobblestone streets, and getting lost in magical Christmas markets.

But I don’t just want to see a place, I want to experience it. I love pushing boundaries with memorable, hands-on activities, whether that means learning how to bake authentic chimney cakes or going canyoning through the jungles of Bali.

Traveling is messy, chaotic, and beautiful. Missed trains happen. Bad weather happens. I started this website to share what I actually experience, the good, the bad, and the unexpected so you can plan trips that are deeply memorable but entirely achievable.

Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s go see the world.