Lori Barbely
Hi, I’m Lori, the Chief Travel Officer for Mostly Solo Travel! I created this site for solo (and would-be solo) female travelers. My goal is to inspire your trips, give you practical advice on how to plan, and to ease your fears so you can explore the world on your own.
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Do I Need a Visa for France?
Wondering if you need a visa for France for your upcoming trip? Learn about France’s entry requirements, ETIAS information, and more! Is France Part of the Schengen area? France is part of the Schengen area. Do I need a Visa for France? If you are visiting for tourism or business and hold a valid U.S. passport, you stay in the Schengen area (which includes France) without a visa for 90 days within each 180-day period. To stay longer than 90 days you must obtain a visa. However, starting in early 2025, to travel to Europe U.S. passport holders will need to apply for a visa waiver. This can be done through the…
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The Best 7-Day Hawaii Big Island Itinerary for an Unforgettable Trip
The Big Island of Hawaii is, as its name implies, big! I’m sharing my Hawaii Big Island Itinerary to help you maximize your time on the island (also referred to as Hawaii Island). To give you a lay of the land, on the west coast of the Big Island is Kailua-Kona, a beachy resort-centric area. On the east coast, you’ll find the town of Hilo and Volcanoes National Park. In between is a fair bit of driving and Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano with excellent stargazing. The sun-drenched black sand beaches of Punalu’u are a must-see, showcasing the unique and picturesque nature of black sand beaches on the Big Island.…
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Red Rock Canyon Nevada
The glitz and glam of the Las Vegas Strip is delicious, but sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming, leading me to look behind the Strip for something a little more down to earth. Which is how I found Red Rock Canyon Nevada. Just 30 minutes from the neon-lit Strip, Red Rock Canyon is a national conservation area that encompasses 195,819 acres in the Mojave Desert and boasts a 13-mile scenic drive and 26 hiking trails. Rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain, and road biking are also popular Red Rock Canyon activities. A couple hundred million years ago, the Red Rock area was an arid dune field stretching from Red Rock Canyon into Colorado.…
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Snowmobiling in Iceland
Have I mentioned that I’m not a fan of the cold? That being said, snowmobiling in Iceland is an extreme sport that I couldn’t say no to! We booked a snowmobile tour with Arcanum Adventure Tours and we were off to explore the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. The Mýrdalsjökull glacier, located in South Iceland, soars to almost 5,000 feet. The icecap of the glacier sits atop the active volcano Katla, one of the many active volcanoes in Iceland, which hasn’t erupted for more than 100 years. Getting to the meeting point of the tour gave us a small taste of what we could expect as we drove up and up and up…
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Hali’imaile General Store: A Must-Visit in Maui, Hawaii
I’m just going to say it: Hali’imaile General Store is my favorite restaurant. Not just on Maui, not just in Hawaii, but anywhere. Bold statement, I know, especially when fan favorites like Mama’s Fish House are so good and so popular, but HGS has my heart. And here’s why. Hali’imaile General Store is a conveniently located restaurant near Makawao and Haleakalā National Park, making it an ideal stop for travelers exploring the region. Pull up a chair and order a cocktail. HGS has a solid list of handcrafted cocktails that feature local ingredients and Hawaiian flavors. Their beer list includes local favorites from Kona Brewing and Honolulu Beerworks. The vibes…
