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7 Female Solo Travelers You Should Be Following on Instagram

Nov. 05, 2017
5 min read
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If you're planning on using your points and miles to take a solo trip to Greece or looking to explore the Cayman Islands by yourself, we suggest you do so vicariously through these female solo travelers first. These adventurous globetrotters show us just how liberating it is to travel alone. Not only that, but their Instagram accounts serve as go-to platforms for great travel guides, vacation ideas and tips for solo traveling in a safe and exciting way. Here are seven fearless female solo travelers to follow on Instagram.

1. @glographics

Who: Gloria Atanmo

What: Gloria Atanmo is an adventure enthusiast who embraces every corner of the world as her home. Through 60-plus countries and across five continents, Atanmo is a living testament that you can have expensive dreams with an affordable hustle, as she puts it. Based out of her suitcase, she has mastered traveling on a shoestring budget. Her feed is a travel diary of all the popular locations (and off-beat destinations) that she visits around the world. Whether you’re a fellow globetrotter or you’ve never taken a flight in your life, Atanmo has something for everyone.

Where You’ll Find Her: Snapping her way across five continents, 60 countries — and counting.

 2. @grrrltraveler

Who: Christine Kaaloa

What: Are you planning a trip to Southeast Asia? Well, then you should be following Christine Kaaloa. She left her life in New York as a reality TV camera operator and producer to live and work abroad in South Korea. After teaching in Korea for a year, Kaaloa traveled to different parts of the country each weekend and then decided to backpack through India and Nepal. Having discovered her “GRRR” while backpacking alone, Ka’aloa now indulges her appreciation for cultural diversity on her Instagram. Each of her posts captures a moment in time that tells a different story — whether its a picture focused on landscape or the local communities she visits, her feed is a breath of fresh air.

Where You’ll Find Her: Planning her next travel excursions from her home in Korea.

3.@Youngadventuress

Who: Liz Carlson

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What: Liz Carlton traveled to over 40 countries within a 10-year period and uses her blog and Instagram as the ultimate Insta guide for any tourist looking for the most well-known places to see in New Zealand. This Virginia native moved to Spain for a few years, where her love for travel was born; she returned to the US for a short period of time before quitting her job and moving to New Zealand. This young adventurer shows no limit in her travel or photography. Her Insta feed boasts outdoor adventuring in the most inviting way: From snowy mountains to colorful meadows, you'll see exactly why Carlton is a go-to in everything travel.

Where You’ll Find Her: In the very Instagrammable mountain town of Wanaka, on the South Island of New Zealand, still blogging away and chasing adventure.

4. @worldwonderlust

Who: Brooke Saward

What: It’s hard not to get lost in Brooke Saward's Instagram feed, featuring a whirlwind of wanderlust-inducing photos. Just one look at her Instagram and you'll think of two things: travel and sugar. This Australian blogger is widely known for her idyllic Instagram snaps dedicated to showing off her luxe travel and eating habits. Saward has been traveling since the age of 13 and has no plans of stopping anytime soon. Follow her through the local market in Mykonos to the cafes in Belgium, Saward takes us with her on every trip with a snap of a picture.

Where You’ll Find Her: Traveling all over Europe — from Positano to Versailles.

5. @urbanpixxels

Who: Jacintha Verdegaal

What: Jacintha Verdegaal is a Jetsetter that knows how to effortlessly capture her travel experiences. Originally from the Netherlands, Verdegaal moved from there to London where she began documenting her new life; she shows the best that any city has to offer with the framework of her photography. What's more, she believes that exploring the local food culture is just as important as sightseeing. Her blog UrbanPixxels and IG posts are refreshing and seemingly new in how she captures the world around her. Focused mostly on landscape, Verdegaal's occasional food post are just as great — leaving us wanting to travel the world with her.

Where You’ll Find Her: Snapping across the Netherlands.

6. @theblondeabroad

Who: Kiersten Rich

What: Kiersten Rich's Instagram is a curated collection of the most picturesque and idyllic destinations around the world. In 2011, she traded in her corporate finance career for a one-way ticket to Australia and a return flight home from New Zealand. Five years later and she has traveled over 50 countries, gained more than 450,000 followers on Instagram and checked off some big adventures off her bucket list — and ours, as well. From the crystal clear waters in the Galapagos to the sand dunes in Abu Dhabi, you can trust Rich to give you the ultimate travel-envy through her Instagram. Follow her golden locks to your next possible travel adventure.

Where You’ll Find Her: Exploring the blue skies and blue seas of California.

7. @adventurouskate

Who: Kate McCulley

What: Kate McCulley was named one of Forbes' Top 10 Travel Influencers and her travel list includes over 70 countries. Her ultimate goal? To show people how they can travel the world on their own all while showing us just how fun seeing the world can be. McCully's adventurous attitude and passion of travel translates through her posts. If you’re a lover of beautiful beaches and riverfronts, McCulley's travel snaps will have you planning your next vacation in no time.

Where You’ll Find Her: Currently out and about in NYC.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.