ciao bella!
And welcome to Madison’s Footsteps Solo Female Travel Blog! I’m Madison, a 26-year old world traveler trying to fill her passport without emptying her wallet.
So far, I’ve traveled to 31 countries around the world and lived in Italy, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Honduras…solo. I post travel guides to my favorite destinations as well as tips for solo travelers and advice for transitioning to the digital nomad lifestyle.
I’m so excited to have you along for the journey!
Here are a few of my favorite things
SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL
You know what they say…if you wait for others to join you, you’ll never go! If I had waited for a travel buddy, I definitely would not have traveled to 31 countries by 26. Click below to get started on your next solo travel adventure.
HONDURAS TRAVEL
I spent a year living in sunny Roatan, Honduras – drinking Salva Vidas on the beach, scuba diving the Mesoamerican Reef and snacking on too many baleads. Learn how you can too with my Honduras travel guides and FAQs!
ITALY TRAVEL
I spent two glorious years living in Italy (in Florence and Rome) and I fell head over heels in love with this beautiful country. Join me in eating way too much pizza, drinking way too much wine and taking in gorgeous Italian views.
WHERE I’VE BEEN AROUND THE WORLD
CHECK OUT MY RECENT POSTS BELOW!
ASIA | DESTINATIONS | THAILAND | FOOD
There’s a reason why Thai cuisine is eaten and beloved in every corner of the world. It’s just 👏🏼 that 👏🏼 good. However, eating Thai food in the states or some other random country is definitely not the same as experiencing Thai food in Thailand. Thankfully for you, when it comes to eating your way through Thailand – I’m pretty much a pro.
CENTRAL AMERICA | DESTINATIONS | HONDURAS
My year living in Roatan brought lifelong friends, a new disdain for store-bought tortillas and a killer tan. It also opened my eyes to a whole new world alive underwater on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. After my PADI Open Water course with Sun Divers Roatan Dive Center, I fell head over heels in love with scuba diving.
ASIA | DESTINATIONS | INDONESIA
From yoga retreats to sunrise treks to the sacred monkey forest, Ubud has captured the hearts of millions of tourists worldwide. Like Canggu is to partying, Amed is to diving and Uluwatu is to surfing…Ubud is Bali’s relaxation and meditation capital. Although you could spend months exploring Ubud and truly getting to know this slice of Balinese heaven, I only had 4 days in Ubud to get my fill of temple exploring and waterfall adventures.
ASIA | DESTINATIONS | VIETNAM
One of my favorite things to do in a new destination is sign up for a cooking class to learn how to make traditional cuisine. I was already in love with Vietnamese food before I landed in Hanoi, so taking a cooking class was high on my Vietnam bucket list. A friend reached out with a stellar recommendation for Chef Duyen’s Hanoi Cooking Class and thank God she did.
You’re here for a reason…
Whether you have a trip coming up, you’re itching to start solo traveling for the first time or you’re just in the mood to read about some really good food…you’re here for a reason! Join my community by subscribing below and tell me what that reason is. I love to talk travel – so drop me a line!
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Yeah…me too! Grab my freebies for solo travel tips, travel planning hacks and the best remote jobs for aspiring digital nomads.
THE BEST HOI AN ITINERARY FOR SOLO FEMALE TRAVELERS
Hoi An is a quaint, colorful and charming ancient town located only a short drive from the bustling metropolitan city of Da Nang. Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to spend a whole month traveling around Vietnam experiencing and eating the best that this vibrant country has to offer. Before I ever arrived in Southeast Asia, I knew Hoi An was a must-see for any first-time Vietnam itinerary. My Hoi An itinerary is filled with my favorite authentic Vietnamese restaurants, cultural attractions, photo spots and more in beautiful Hoi An.
Now you may be wondering how much time you need to spend in Hoi An. Is one day enough for Hoi An? Is 2 days in Hoi An enough? Personally, I would budget at least 3 days in Hoi An to make sure you have time for your entire Hoi An itinerary!
SNAG MY FREE GUIDES FOR SOLO TRAVELERS AND ASPIRING DIGITAL NOMADS!
5 DAYS IN DUBROVNIK TO EAT, EXPLORE & ENJOY THE BEST VIEWS
Back in 2018, I was lucky enough to spend a glorious 5 days in Dubrovnik during our 10-day trip to the Dalmatian Coast. This enchanting city, often referred to as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” boasts a rich history, stunning architecture and mesmerizing coastal views that left us all breathless. We spent our time devouring fresh seafood, sipping on (actually – chugging) local wine and enjoying the beauty and history that surrounded us. Oh and did I mention I was majorly fangirling over all the Game of Thrones filming locations?
Now, I’ll level with you –
Dubrovnik is NOT cheap or relaxing during the high-season. Being a Game of Thrones filming location drastically upped Croatia’s popularity in recent decades, and the crowds are mostly concentrated in Old Town Dubrovnik. However, if you visit during the shoulder season, you’ll enjoy pleasant weather, more affordable prices and beat most of the crowds.
In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the must-see attractions, top-rated tours and culinary delights that made my 5 days in Dubrovnik truly memorable.
WHERE TO FIND THE YUMMIEST BREAKFAST IN CANGGU
LEVEL UP YOUR SOLO TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY GAME!
10+ OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN COPAN RUINAS, HONDURAS
Become a Digital Nomad
Do you dream of working remotely and traveling the world? Get started with my tips for remote workers who dream of a nomadic life! I’ve been a full-time digital nomad since 2020 (and part-time since 2018) and – so far – have lived in 5 different countries and traveled to 31. There’s nothing like the freedom of making your own schedule and living every moment to the fullest while traveling the world.
SHOP MY SUITCASE FOR TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Shop solo travel essentials, the best gear for digital nomads, gifts for travel-lovers and more in my “metaphorical” suitcase. On this page, you’ll find all my favorite packable items for solo female travelers, eco-conscious travelers, digital nomads and more + health and beauty steals you won’t want to miss.
LET’S COLLABORATE
I love collaborating with hotels, tourism boards, tour operators, travel brands and tech companies that might interest my audience! I offer a wide array of blogging services, so you’re guaranteed to find something that fits your needs. For more details on the services that I offer and the brands I’ve worked with in the past, click the button below or send me an email at [email protected].
VA services
In addition to collaborating with travel brands, I’m also a full-time Virtual Assistant! Since starting my company, Madison’s Footsteps Creative back in 2020, I’ve worked with 25+ clients all over the globe on tasks like social media management, website design, graphic design, email marketing, community management and more. Click the button below to learn more!
THE BEST CARIBBEAN VACATION PACKING LIST
Packing for a tropical vacation seems like a simple task…until you land on a Caribbean island and realize everything in your suitcase is completely useless. (Ex: my mom’s 3 inch curling iron). There are tons of Caribbean vacation packing lists out there for an island trip, but most of them aren’t written by people who spent a full year living in the Bay Islands (during the pandemic no less)!
Keep reading for my ultimate packing checklist filled with the essential items you’ll need for the perfect Caribbean vacation!
KRAKOW TRADITIONAL FOOD YOU’RE GUARANTEED TO LOVE ON YOUR NEXT POLAND TRIP
Gothic architecture, affordable vodka tastings and carb-heavy Krakow traditional food? It’s hard to find something NOT to love about Krakow. Thanks to a cheap Ryanair flight I scooped up in 2019, I got the chance to fall head over heels in love with Poland in a way I never imagined.
I’m a foodie at heart, but the world doesn’t gush over Polish foods the way it does over other cuisines. Think about it: how many times do the girls text you for a Margarita Monday or to slurp down pasta at some swanky Italian joint? Has anyone ever texted you “get in loser – we’re going for barszcz and placki ziemniaczane?” Probably not.
But just because it’s not popular, doesn’t mean it’s not good. With restaurants and food trucks across the country serving hearty Polish soups, thick and filling breads, sweet donuts and savory pierogies – Krakow is the capital of comfort food. Naturally, I had to try (and photograph) all of it immediately upon arrival.
