Hi, I’m Sara
Writer, dreamer, nomad, and lover of all things solo female travel.
My first foray into international travel was a family trip to China at age twelve. From haggling for my mother’s pearl earrings at the night market to enjoying succulent dim sum and watching the light show over Victoria Harbor, I was hooked. Fast forward to now, and I’ve visited over 40 countries, most of them solo.
As someone who has the privilege to work remotely, I typically spend weeks to months in a country, establishing myself and building relationships with locals and other foreigners. Whether it’s being taken in by a kitesurfing school in Morocco or spending a day at a local home in Sri Lanka preparing jackfruit curry and harvesting coconuts, I find these organic connections to be the most meaningful part of travel.
Solo Female Travel Adventurer / Dreamer / Writer / Creative Taking the Slow Road
A glimpse into my journey around the globe. I’m so thankful for every moment!
solo travel, outdoor adventures, slow journeys
Why I created her nomad diary
As the fortunate daughter of parents who value international travel, some of the best moments of my formative years were spent haggling at street markets in China, learning how to fiddle in Ireland, and elbowing my way to the front of the crowds to glimpse the Mona Lisa in Paris.
This wanderlust stayed with me, and during my final year of university, I spent a glorious semester in Florence, Italy, studying art, wine, and Italian language, combined with evening strolls by the Arno River and lots of gelato. During the weekends and school breaks, I dipped my toes into solo travel, taking weekend trips to explore the whitewashed towns of Puglia, the sprawling vineyards of Tuscany, and the rolling hills of Piemonte. I culminated my final semester by skipping my graduation in the United States and spent the summer backpacking through Europe.
Following what I like to call my quarter-life crisis, I deviated from a traditional career path and tucked my hard-earned biology degree away to teach English on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Here, I fell in love with late dinners, having a caña after a long hike, and exploring the numerous beaches and hidden coves. The following year, I traded hemispheres for a working holiday with my mom and sisters in New Zealand. I spent my days surfing, chasing waterfalls and mountaintops, and getting quality family time.
It was during this time that I rediscovered my love of writing and simultaneously decided a traditional 9-to-5 back in the U.S. wasn’t for me. I wrote, curated my portfolio, and scoured LinkedIn before I landed a freelance writing role at a digital travel publication. From there, the nomadic lifestyle I’d been dreaming of took off, making my way from Indonesia and Thailand to Morocco and Egypt, spending weeks to months in each destination.
Since my first international trip at age 12, I’ve kept a travel journal, a diary of sorts to hold on to every travel memory, detailing every meal, every attraction, and every anecdote along the way. I wanted to turn these entries into something that I could share with the world, useful guides and entertaining stories, which is why I’ve created Her Nomad Diary. I hope it inspires you to seek out meaningful travel experiences, slow down when you can, and give solo travel a try. Thanks for coming along on this journey with me.
human-generated travel content
Real stories and lived travel experiences during the rise of AI
Everything you see on this blog comes from real experiences I’ve lived. Each restaurant, hike, museum, or gelateria — I’ve personally tried, not some AI-generated list lacking in real, human experience.
At Her Nomad Diary, you can trust recommendations to be honest and authentic. If I didn’t like something, I probably won’t write about it, and if it does make its way to my content, I’ll let you know it wasn’t my favorite. I’m here to deliver human-driven, genuine content that inspires you to plan your next global adventure.
Get to know me
Why I travel slow and solo
Taking time to slow down and experience the world alone opens you to relationships and adventures you’d never experience otherwise.
My favorite places in the world
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand / Lombok, Indonesia / Dahab, Egypt
What I never travel without
Packing cubes, a small arsenal of medication, and my camera.
The trip that changed everything
Hong Kong <3
Where I’m dreaming of next
Hiking in Nepal and horse trekking in Kyrgyzstan!
My biggest travel lesson learned
It’s the people you meet, not always the place, that make a destination magical.
How I choose my destinations
I love surfing and beaches, but also hiking in the mountains and trying my hand at new art forms. I try to pick places that satisfy one (or all!) of these interests.
What solo travel has taught me
Doing things alone (and abroad), I realized I am stronger and more capable than I ever imagined!
explore
the blog
Whether it’s a round-up of my favorite hikes in New Zealand, where to find the most decadent gelato in Florence, or the best snorkeling spots in Dahab, Egypt, there’s something to inspire all travelers here.