I’ve never been someone who wants to go on the same trips year after year; I know some people have a favourite place to spend their Christmases or summers, but I always want the novelty of a place I’ve never been before. Whenever I go somewhere new, I often feel the need to suck the marrow out of every experience. My rationale is: this might … Continue reading Revisiting Places: A Waste, or Chance for a New Perspective?
If you’re looking for the answer to “What is the best day trip from Lisbon?”, I’ve got your answer: it’s Sintra, Portugal. I went last week for a four-day trip surrounding a wedding, and I got to revisit the beautiful countryside—full of village quaintness, national park attractions, and so many castles! Why is Sintra so popular? Sintra was full of people, wherever we went. So … Continue reading Sintra: The Castle-Filled Countryside a Quick Trip from Lisbon
I’ve been really lucky this year, to travel as much as I have. I use the word “lucky”, because I want to acknowledge that travelling comes from an enormous place of privilege; I have enough money to go where I like, enough time to research the best rates and travel deals, and loved ones to travel with. One of those privileges is the fact that … Continue reading What is Travel Burnout (And How Can I Stop It)?
I’ve travelled solo, with romantic partners, with besties, and in groups; good and bad trips, domestic and international. And what I’ve found is that what happens on a trip—the things I do, see, and enjoy—vary greatly based on who you have with you. You can’t always choose who comes, but you can always choose who you ask! Continue reading Me, or We? Deciding to Take a Trip Solo, Partnered, or With a Group
This is my 25th blog post of 2025, and I wanted to use the opportunity to re-introduce myself. Who Am I? My name is Charlotte, and I’m a blogger in her 30s who loves travel. I moved from Canada to London over a decade ago, and since then, I’ve been using the proximity to a lot of other European cities to travel as much as … Continue reading Welcome to No Small Wander!
We’ve all done it—tried bringing a piece of a trip back home, only to find that it doesn’t really have a place in your life. In order to stop this practice of buy > take home > don’t use > throw away, I’ve gotten a lot pickier with the things I bring home…
Continue reading How to Choose Souvenirs You Won’t Regret
It turns out, a “fine” hotel can put a really negative spin on a trip if it feels unsafe. As I said in my post about bad reviews , there were a lot of things about this hotel’s design and staff practices that lead to creeping feelings of unease, and concern for my safety. Continue reading How Hotels Can Make Themselves Safer for Solo Female Travellers
Solo travel can be awesome. But it can also be lonely.
I’ve found that there are a few ways to feel less alone while travelling solo—for a short time, or for multiple days, depending on what you’re seeking. Continue reading Six Ways to Cultivate Community While Travelling
How will the recession impact the travel and tourism industry—and our wallets? Continue reading How I’m Travelling Cheaply As We Head Into A Recession
No Small Wander 