Regan Schaeffer

Mexico City is a very walkable city, but also a very spread out city. When planning your trip, look at the logistics of the popular neighborhoods. It’s too large to cover in just a few days, let alone a single day. My focus this trip was freedom without a plan. I knew the neighborhoods I wanted to visit and left the rest up to where the day would take me. The city is filled with tree-lined streets and so many beautiful parks! Some of the main areas in La Condesa and Roma Norte had a central pedestrian park between the street lanes, like the one pictured to the right. Other sites to see include the Frida Kahlo Casa Azul and museum through this fantastic tour. But one reason I want to visit again is to see the Teotihuacan Pyramids and take a balloon ride like this tour. Overall, I highly recommend Mexico City and will definitely be returning—solo or not.

Our sisters trip started with a few days in Athens, exploring. Then we hopped over to Mykonos for a few days of beachfront luxury before hopping on the ferry over to Santorini for the most spectacular views.

This was my first solo trip—what a pick! One of the most beautiful cities and countries I have ever visited, thus far. Definitely in my top three places I’ve traveled and it was my first solo trip. I had done my research that Cape Town may not be the safest place to travel, let alone as a solo female, so I made sure I stayed in busy tourist areas during the day and was home by dark. That said, I never had a single issue or felt unsafe. Uber is readily available and the drivers were very friendly and helpful. I made Cape Town my home base for about eight days while exploring the region. Truly, so much to see and do in one area of the country.

This is an under-the-radar destination for Americans. Koreans are already well aware of the lure of The Philippines. When Americans think of Southeast Asian islands, the first country that comes to mind is likely Thailand. I prefer to go to off-the-beaten-path countries and the Philippines was exceptional. I didn’t want to spend my time traveling, so I flew directly into Cebu to start my stay.

Egypt was one of those trips that completely changed the way I see the world. Seeing the ancient wonders up close—the Pyramids, Luxor, Abu Simbel—reminded me how powerful travel can be. Every temple told a story, every market was alive with color, and every sunrise on the Nile felt like a dream. If Egypt isn’t on your list yet, it should be. It’s a bucket list destination that leaves you in awe long after you’ve returned home. It's hands-down my favorite trip ever.

Bali was such a magical, peaceful place. While Indonesia is a mostly Muslim country, the island of Bali is 86 percent Hindu. The beautiful temples are everywhere—from grand to small. Godly offerings line the streets and the smell of incense permeates the air. The fresh organic food, the stunning waterfalls, and rice terraces of Ubud bring such peace and calm. Seminyak offers a different vibe—more lively, partying, beach culture. Spas and restaurants are in the downtown area, but you can escape to the black sand beaches just on the other side of the resorts.

Portugal has a special charm with its unique azulejos tiled buildings, to the pastel de nata, and the unique (and delicious) green wine. Portugal has forever captured my heart! So much history touring the medieval streets of Porto to the elegant streets of Lisbon. The Douro Valley has a unique take on terrace vineyards that produce the sweetly delicious Port wine. It’s a must-visit!