We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jenna. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jenna below.

Jenna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

I have been traveling by myself since I was 8 years old. My mother and I immigrated to the US when I was 7, but I would go back to Venezuela every summer to stay with my grandmother until I graduated high school. It meant a rather cosmopolitan childhood and a lifelong love of travel. I started traveling by myself to places I didn’t call home in my early 20’s while I was in graduate school getting a degree in history. I went on to earn a PhD in World History and so my fate as a lifelong learner of other cultures and traveler to foreign places was sealed.

I always enjoyed sharing my various excursions with friends and family, and when I started teaching I began to incorporate pictures and videos in class, too. A couple of years ago I began taking that more seriously and spent some time honing my skills, using editing software and engaging with other travel content creators. I realized that there was a need for more women of color and plus size women in the travel space, and so I began posting regularly on my socials, particularly TikTok. I share everything from style tips to hotel tours to itineraries of things to-do while traveling on your own.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a seasoned traveler with over 20 years of exploration across 5 continents. As a solo female traveler, I’ve embarked on countless adventures and unlocked the secrets of staying safe while having an absolute blast along the way! Over the years, I’ve trekked through the bustling streets of London, marveled at the architectural wonders of Angkor Wat, and witnessed awe-inspiring sunsets in Thailand. Snorkeling in the Caribbean, exploring ancient ruins in the Riviera Maya, riding ATVs in Iceland, and receiving blessings from monks in Cambodia have all enriched my travel experiences. Oh, and did I mention the prince I encountered during my escapades in Nice?

As a solo female traveler, I understand the concerns and challenges that can arise. I aim to share valuable insights on how to stay safe, budget wisely, and style your trips to ensure an unforgettable journey. I offer recommendations specifically tailored for solo female travelers, women of color, and plus-size women, drawing from my personal experiences. My travel style can best be described as a blend of spontaneity and careful planning. While I enjoy the thrill of embracing the unknown, I also believe in researching and uncovering hidden gems that may not be found in guidebooks. With a desire to merge my love for travel with professional aspirations, I also work with and review hotels, experiences, and travel brands.

Traveling solo has become more than just a hobby—it’s a transformative experience that has shaped who I am and allowed me to embrace the world with open arms. Long live the spirit of exploration!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn that solo travel is prohibitively dangerous for women. That the only way I could travel ‘solo’ was to book a guided tour. But the idea of a preset schedule, letting someone else choose my accommodations, or sight-seeing in a ‘pack’, felt horrifying. As a woman of color traveling alone, I certainly have to take more precautions than if I were traveling with a group or with a man (darn patriarchy!), but with some thoughtful research, preparation and precautions there are very few places in the world I wouldn’t feel comfortable visiting by myself. Had I visited Mexico City on a group tour, for example, I may have not been able to participate in the International Women’s Day demonstrations taking place there while I was visiting, and it is one of my most cherished memories!

In unlearning that lesson I learned another much more valuable one: The best people to ask about a travel destination are people who have actually been there, especially other women traveling on their own.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Speaking of research and preparations, something I wish I had sooner was access to the experiences of other solo female travelers, especially women of color and plus size women. There is so much more representation today than when I started traveling abroad to Europe and other parts of Latin America in my 20’s. Creators who look like me are more visibly sharing their journeys and experiences; everything from what to wear to how to ask for a seat belt extender on a plane! After nearly 20 years of adult solo travel, I’m eager to contribute to this conversation and have lots of advice and skills I want to share with others who are tired of waiting for the trip to leave the group chat, and are ready to explore the world on their own!

Exploring new cities as a woman, especially at night, for example, can be daunting. Safety is always a priority, and I’ve learned valuable lessons along the way. From finding group experiences through platforms like Airbnb to staying connected with loved ones through regular check-ins, I’ve developed strategies to ensure my adventures are both thrilling and secure. There’s something truly magical about venturing into the unknown yet navigating cities with confidence.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderlustarchives/
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wanderlustarchives
• Other: [email protected]