ABOUT
Affiliate Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links. If you purchase, sign up, or book through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Follow My Journey:
AN INTRO TO ME
About Travel Like You Mean It Blog
Hi, I’m Sioban, the owner and traveler behind Travel Like You Mean It (TLYMI), and I want to help you explore the world with more confidence and less stress. I’m a former tech executive and solo travel expert who learned how to blend budget-conscious planning with mid-range, upscale, and luxury travel to maximize my experiences.
After exploring 25+ countries across 3 continents, from France’s world-renowned art and architecture to Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes, South Africa’s spectacular wildlife safaris to Canada’s diverse cities, I’ve learned that incredible travel doesn’t require an incredible budget. It requires the right strategies.
You shouldn’t have to delay experiences of a lifetime waiting for the “perfect budget” or “perfect time” or settle for experiences that compromise your safety and comfort.
I know exactly what it’s like to keep putting off trips, convinced you can’t afford it, worried about traveling alone, and overwhelmed by where to even start.
Over time, I’ve learned how to explore the world through exciting, affordable, comfortable, and safe solo travel, while mindfully saving for the next adventure!
I’m here to share those insights with my fellow adventurers who are also ready to start exploring NOW, not someday.
DESTINATIONS
Where I’ve Been:
I’ve Visited Over 25 Countries and Have Tons of Recommendations
Why This Blog Exists
The “Why Behind The Blog”
You’re not just looking for travel inspiration… you’re looking for answers.
Which cities are actually worth your limited vacation days? Where can you solo travel safely? How can you book the best experiences at the best prices?
I’m here to help you explore the world with more confidence and less stress with a hybrid approach of budget and luxury travel.
In the past, I was convinced that traveling frequently and comfortably was only for those with unlimited budgets or unlimited time off. I often questioned if I’d ever be able to travel regularly, but I decided I had to figure out how to make it happen.
It wasn’t easy and was filled with misadventures that I’ll call “teachable moments”, but over time I did learn better strategies for more affordable, safe, and comfortable solo travel, and with each trip I became a more knowledgeable and savvier shopper, planner, and traveler.
Turns out I actually just didn’t know how to navigate travel planning well enough yet.
It was not impossible; it was just a skill.
You don’t have to wait for circumstances to be “just right” and miss out on trip after trip.
That’s why I started this blog — to share strategies and skills I’ve gained while traveling.
My goal is to help you explore based on YOUR travel style and interests to experience both the famous spots everyone talks about AND the authentic hidden gems only locals know.
This blog will cover the aspects of travel people need to plan in one place. I know what it’s like to search across numerous forums looking to get as much information as possible, and how time-consuming searches can be.
I’ll share lessons and vacation ideas covering what travel articles too often skip: using public transit systems, museums worth the entry fee, must-try restaurants, bars, and speakeasies, safe neighborhoods for solo female travelers, packing lists, honest assessments about traveling as a person of color, local events and concerts to check out, the best tour and hotel recommendations at different price points, best areas to wander, train travel tips, day trip excursions, shopping for locally-made goods worth the precious space in your suitcase.
Content You’ll Find:
What You’ll Find Here
What To Expect From The Blog:
Planning a trip shouldn’t feel like a second job. This blog breaks down cities by vibe and interests, so you can skip the overwhelm and discover exactly what YOU want to experience.
Whether you’re into art and museums, architecture and history, food and wine, cool local tours, nightlife and music, boutique shopping, local and unique must-buys, scenic day trips, hiking, authentic experiences, or sustainable travel (or all of these, like me), you’ll find detailed guides and hidden gems that go way beyond surface-level tourist information.
Whether you’re new to travel, a solo woman traveler, a remote worker or digital nomad, retired and ready to explore, parents traveling with kids, or someone making the most of limited vacation time,
this is for you.
Through guides, shared experiences, real travel tips, and honest recommendations, Travel Like You Mean It is designed to help smart travelers who want bucket-list experiences explore more confidently
and easily.