Cape Town. A city of unmatched beauty with its landmark Table Mountain and scenic Cape Point. A city that survived the apartheid and emerged more united in their national patriotism. All this and so much more inspired my first trip to Africa. My husband, Ryan, was traveling to Cape Town and Johannesburg as part of his master’s studies at Montclair State University. South Africa was on my under 20 bucket list, so immediately I knew I was tagging along. At first, I was hesitant about traveling in Africa alone, but I found the city to be safe and welcoming if I was smart and planned ahead. This trip was everything I hoped for and more. Read on to explore this incredible destination… DAY ONE // THE LONGEST FLIGHT EVER The flight from JFK -> Cape Town is one of the longest passenger flights in the world. It’s a 14-hour direct flight to Johannesburg, then a two-hour flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town. I’m used to traveling for work, often on transcontinental flights, so it didn’t bother me, but it was a struggle for my 6’4” husband. We flew on South African Airways which was enjoyable enough, except one half of the plane lost TV and internet connection. Guess ...
solo travel
How to Spend Three Days as a Solo Traveler in Prague
It’s not often you are awarded the opportunity to look back at the culture and familial roots that have defined the course of your life. Both my father and mother’s family lineage are largely from the Central Europe region formerly known as Czechoslovakia, known as independent countries Slovakia and the Czech Republic since 1993. The city of Prague in the Czech Republic is known for its historic baroque architecture, picturesque location on the Vltava River, compelling thousand-year history, and world-famous Czech lagers. In fact, did you know that the Czech Republic consumes more beer per capita than any other country in the world? While traveling for business to Switzerland, I decided to arrive the weekend prior to spend a few days exploring the breathtaking city of Prague on my own. Read on about my three-day adventure in this exceptional European city. DAY ONE // FREE WALKING TOUR AND THE OPERA HOUSE I arrived in a rainy Prague after an eight-hour flight from Newark with a transfer in Vienna. I took a car service to my residence for the weekend, the Grandior Hotel. The hotel is perfectly situated in the center of the Old City of Prague within walking distance to all ...
How to plan a solo trip to Zimbabwe
“Travel far enough to meet yourself.” Flying solo. That is how I spent much of my twenties as I traveled the globe for work and pleasure. Traveling alone can be scary, but also liberating. It takes you out of your comfort zone and forces you to meet new people and try new things. It helps build self-esteem and confidence when you realize what you’re capable of all on your own. My husband was spending two weeks studying in South Africa, in both Cape Town and Johannesburg. I hopped the 16-hour flight with him to Cape Town (that post coming soon!) and spent five days solo traveling around the gorgeous city while he did his studies. When he moved on to Johannesburg, I had my eyes set on another adventure. Zimbabwe is a small locked country in southern Africa known for its diverse wildlife and dramatic landscape, most especially Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. Here’s how I spent three unforgettable days in this African gem. DAY 1 // ARRIVAL AND CHECK-IN AT VICTORIA FALLS SAFARI LODGE I arrived at the Victoria Falls airport early afternoon. It’s about a 1.5-hour flight from Johannesburg. Victoria Falls Airport is a small port of entry serving the ...