I spent two days hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains and will share my experiences on three trails, including their difficulty levels and my top recommendation for what to do if you have limited time in the park.

If you've been following me for a while, you know that I usually write about things I love or recommend places to visit. This post, however, is not one of those. I really disliked my time in Pigeon Forge, and while Gatlinburg was slightly better, it wasn't great either.

Cades Cove is the number one place to see black bears. During my three days there, I saw over 12 bears, including many baby bears and a male bear trying to go after a mom and her cubs to kill the cubs! If you don’t know, male bears will try to kill the cubs to force the female bear back into heat.

Boston is just a two-hour flight from Washington, D.C., making it a must-visit destination. I traveled there over President's Day weekend. The only downsides to my trip were that it wasn't long enough, and the weather was freezing. However, I managed to pack a lot into my visit! If you're planning a trip to Boston, here are my top recommendations to make your experience memorable and enjoyable!

San Francisco is a charming and electrifying city that really weaves old and new as you walk down its sidewalks. From its historic buildings to the artsy Victorian architecture to its multiple exhibits, you can really feel its history and culture. In this blog post, I will share my favorite places I went to and why you should allow the streets to help you wander!

Salem, Massachusetts, is a city rich in history, mystery, and a touch of magic for those willing to believe. Famous for its infamous witch trials of 1692, Salem today combines historical landmarks with enchanting experiences for adventurous visitors. Let's explore my favorite places from my day trip away from Boston!

The cable car experience was, without a doubt, my favorite tourist activity in San Francisco, aside from my solo visit to Pier 39, where I saw so many seals! In this blog post, I'll provide a brief history of the cable car and share essential information to help make your tour truly unforgettable. I’ll also tell you why I deemed this my favorite tourist activity!

Planning my January trip to San Francisco was such an exciting adventure, and my top priority was visiting the stunning Yosemite National Park nearby! I set off at 7 a.m. and returned at nearly 7 p.m., and the experience was absolutely unforgettable! I can’t wait to share some valuable tips for your trip and discuss whether the drive was truly worthwhile.

When exploring San Francisco, there are two hidden gems that you simply cannot miss. The first is a charming spot known for its handmade pasta. The second is said to have the world's best pizza—and no, I'm not exaggerating!

Additionally, I've included a third place as an honorary mention, which is recognized as the best Thai restaurant in San Francisco.

To be honest, you really need more than two days to fully explore Tucson, but my cousin and I were short on time because we had to head to California the next day, and I didn't get to see enough since I wasn't alone. However, if you only have one night and two days to explore, here’s the perfect itinerary for you.

I had a mission to visit and eat at In-N-Out. I blame this desire on seeing shows and movies where people sit in their cars with the famous sign behind them, enjoying a burger after a long night or a fight. I felt it was essential to experience In-N-Out for a complete California experience. Yes, I realize it may seem silly to romanticize a fast-food chain, but I feel the same way about another chain—Jack in the Box. After all, I’m from Arizona, and it's just so good.

Before my trip to Arizona, my cousin told me about this self-driving Uber-like car called Waymo. Trying a Waymo became my top priority in Phoenix.  If you have followed me for a while, you know I LOVE new experiences.  Self-driving car? This takes a whole different meaning of legit traveling solo!

Below, I will discuss Waymo, locations where you can try it, how to request a Waymo and my experience with it in Arizona and California. Waymo will be in D.C.!

If you follow my adventures on Wandering Bel, you know I am a hostel type of gal. But on this trip to Tucson with my cousin, we booked a stay at Graduate Hotel. This blog post will explain our one-night stay and why this is your number one place to stay in Tucson.

This was my third time in Phoenix as an adult. To provide some context, I am originally from Arizona and moved to Pennsylvania as a child. The other two times, I didn't really get to explore what Phoenix has to offer. To be fully transparent, I am not the biggest Phoenix person, but I enjoyed my time wandering its streets and trying food and drinks. Below are my top 7 recommendations for you to go. These range from coffee shops and beer gardens to restaurants.

If you are like me, you have also been to third spaces but may not have known the term. The third space is a place that isn't your home (first space) or work (second space). Third spaces include coffee shops, parks, bookstores, community centers, churches, etc. They are places you visit regularly, and you either go to them to connect the new with the old or because they’re where you feel safe.

We all need a place to feel like ourselves, and sometimes, we need to learn who we are—which is something we all can relate to while traveling solo.

These are great places where you can meet other solo travelers, too. Third spaces are where you can build a community or a family, whether for an hour, a day, a weekend, or even for life. They are amazing for making memories and sharing your story.

You’ll find this resort in Mountain Village, a 12-minute gondola ride or 20-minute drive from Telluride. It is the largest spa in Colorado. Here, you can spend the entire day enjoying the views of the 14,000-foot Rocky Mountain peaks while hanging out in the Roman tubs, hot tubs, and heated indoor and outdoor pools large enough to do laps around. Or maybe, if you want to feel like a kid again, you can slide down the water slide

My top 4 places you must eat or drink in Miami, Florida!

Miami has a vibrant love affair with colors, from the pastel blues and pinks adorning its buildings to the stunning murals throughout the city. You feel an electric energy emanating from these colors, infused with a Cuban flair. This city invites you to experience love, lust, and an entirely different world.

Wynwood, a neighborhood in Miami, elevates this experience to another level with its extraordinary art scene. In this blog post, I will explore the history of Wynwood, share the best time to visit, and explain why you should check out this vibrant part of Miami.

 Just a short drive from the enchanting Florida Keys, you'll uncover Robert Is Here, a charming, family-owned fruit stand in the heart of Florida City. You may be wondering why you should take a detour to visit a fruit stand while traveling to or from the stunning Keys. It's an excellent question that intrigued me when my boss enthusiastically suggested it! Join me as I dive into why you must make this delightful stop and what features set Robert Is Here apart from all the other roadside attractions.

Here are my top recommendations for things to see and do in the city. One thing to note: dates, times and maybe some of the experiences will change. Therefore, I suggest searching before you come to DC. If you only have one day, you can probably fit all of these activities into it. However, if you're lucky enough to spend a weekend traveling solo, you'll have the opportunity to explore even more! I want to