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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What it’s Like to Stay in a Castle Hotel in Ireland
If, like me, you grew up on a diet of Disney movies and dreamed of being a princess, you may want to consider staying in a castle hotel on your trip to Ireland. On my recent trip, I stayed at Waterford Castle and Dromoland Castle and I’m going to share the pros and cons of staying in a castle hotel. Related: See my 7-Day Ireland Itinerary First thing first: it’s going to cost you. Staying in a castle hotel isn’t going to be the cheapest option in any given area. However, you’re paying for the experience. The cool factor. The awesome Instagram shots. But are castle stays that much more…
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Eclipse 2024
I’m going to be honest: I did zero planning for the eclipse. Well, aside from the playlist I made. Thankfully my friend Kate rented an amazing AirBNB in Jonesboro, Arkansas, directly in the path of totality. So two not-so-quick flights from Orlando later (the joys of an eclipse falling at the end of Spring Break), she picked me up in Memphis and we made the hour-long drive to Jonesboro. In addition to making all the plans, Kate also made eclipse cookies and bought MoonPies. She’s the best! Right around noon, we planted ourselves outside on the porch overlooking this beautiful view. As we got closer to totality we moved to…
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Storehouse Dublin Guinness vs. Jameson Bow St. Distillery Tour
If you’re heading to Ireland, the Storehouse Dublin Guinness tour is probably on your radar, but what about the Jameson Bow St. Distillery Tour? I did both on my recent trip and I’m going to break down which tour I think you should do and why. Jameson Bow St. Distillery Tour The Jameson Bow St. Experience is a 45-minute guided small group tour that’s broken into three sections and led by a Jameson ambassador. When you check in for your tour, you receive a voucher for a Jameson signature cocktail which can be redeemed before or after your tour, depending on timing. The tour begins with a history of Jameson,…
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Overwater Bungalows in the Arctic Circle
I know what you’re thinking: overwater bungalows in the Arctic Circle? Trust me, I was just as shocked as you when I discovered Arctic Bath! Arctic Bath in Swedish Lapland Highlights Winter brings the northern lights and summer brings the midnight sun, making Arctic Bath a unique experience no matter what season you visit! Focused on wellness, the floating hotel combines hot saunas and cold plunges in a stunning natural environment for ultimate relaxation. The floating cabins are not your typical tropical overwater bungalows. While they do have a deck with direct water access, they lack the large windows you may have come to expect from tropical bungalows. The Scandinavian-designed double…
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Hotels in Ireland
Figuring out hotels in Ireland was a large part of planning my recent Ireland road trip and I wanted to share where I stayed and my thoughts on each! Moxy Dublin City Stylish and social, the Moxy Dublin City is a boutique hotel located in Dublin’s City Center. The hotel’s lively Moxy Bar also serves as the front desk, so check in and grab your complimentary welcome cocktail before heading to your room. The rooms are on the small side but are well-designed to maximize the space and come in a variety of configurations. I feel like this property is best suited to couples or friends traveling together due to…
