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’s in my Camera Bag? Travel Photography Essentials
The best camera is the one you have with you. But if you want higher quality photos and videos, better gear is one of the things that will help get you there! I’ve been a professional photographer for 15+ years and my roster of gear is ever-changing, but are my current travel photography essentials! Canon R6 Camera Body Canon RF 24-70/2.8 Lens Canon RF 70-200/2.8 Lens It took me a while to make the switch to a mirrorless camera. I didn’t see the point in changing things when I had perfectly good gear. But when it was time to purchase another body, I made the switch to the Canon R6…
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Overwater Bungalows in Florida
Technically there is only one overwater bungalow in the U.S. and it’s probably not where you think! The Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is home to the only overwater bungalow resort in the United States. However, there are a few Florida vacation rental properties that feature overwater bungalows, and we’ll touch on those too! Overwater Bungalows in Florida How They Compare Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida Just a 3-hour flight from New York City, Orlando, Florida conjures up Mickey Mouse ears and theme park popcorn. It’s definitely not the first place anyone would think of for an overwater bungalow resort. Leave it…
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How to Photograph a Magic Kingdom Flyover
Wondering how to photograph a Magic Kingdom flyover? Every few years (give or take) the U.S. Navy Blue Angels or the U.S. Airforce Thunderbirds will do flyover photo opportunities over the Magic Kingdom or Epcot in Walt Disney World. The Air Force Thunderbirds recently performed at Disney’s Magic Kingdom as a tribute to National Veterans and Military Families Month. It’s usually announced on Disney’s social media about a week before it happens and it typically is tied to dates of local airshows like Pensacola, Ft. Lauderdale, and Sun ‘n Fun. As an Orlando local and an Annual Passholder with a flexible schedule, I was fortunate enough to photograph two of…
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1-Day Lānaʻi Itinerary
Looking for things to do on Lanai? Lānaʻi is a small island off the west coast of Maui. I recently took a day trip there from the island of Oahu and wanted to share my tips for a one-day itinerary. Lānaʻi is a small island with limited things to see and do, so a day trip is the perfect amount of time to enjoy what the island has to offer. Fly in early in the morning, grab your rental car, explore the island, and fly out late the same afternoon. How to get to Lānaʻi There are no flights from the Continental United States to Hawaii. Currently, you’ll need to…
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Why I didn’t summit Koko Crater Trail | Oahu, Hawaii
1000 steps up to the top of an Oahu mountain on Koko Crater Trail can sound a little daunting. And when you pull up to Koko Head Trail, the view of the stairs in the distance is definitely a bit intimidating! But I am gloriously overconfident and was certain I could do it. At just .75 miles one way with an elevation gain of 880 feet, it didn’t seem that bad. Spoiler alert: I didn’t make it to the top, but the amazing views at the summit are worth the effort. Compared to Diamond Head (which I hiked on a previous trip), Koko Head offers a more challenging climb with…
