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.

  • Learning Italian

    Learning Italian in my 40s

    I never thought I’d be learning Italian in my 40s, but here we are! It’s been a process that I’m thoroughly enjoying and it’s challenged me to use my brain in ways that I haven’t in quite some time! I’m nowhere near fluent, but in about six months I’ve made some conversational progress so I’m sharing my story along with some tips and tricks for learning Italian! Background In Junior High and High School, I took three years of Spanish as it seemed to be the most practical of the few languages my school offered. I did…okay…ish. It took me a long time to wrap my brain around conjugating verbs…

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  • Africa,  Safari,  Tanzania,  Zanzibar

    Safari Hotels in Tanzania

    After my time in Kenya at Giraffe Manor, I headed to Tanzania for the next part of my African journey: safari! Here are the safari hotels in Tanzania (plus a few in Zanzibar) where I stayed during my weeklong trip! Olerai Lodge Formerly a family home, Olerai Lodge opened as a hotel in 2019. Set among an acacia grove this sun-soaked hotel is surrounded by lush greenery and is an absolute delight! This unexpected gem of a property was my favorite way to start my Tanzania trip! From sundowners at the circular fire pit to the cozy cottage nestled among flowers, the property was beautiful and the service was stellar!…

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  • Africa,  Destinations,  Tanzania,  Zanzibar

    Upendo House Stone Town: A Chic Retreat in the Heart of Zanzibar

    Located in the historical UNESCO World Heritage city of Stone Town, Upendo House Zanzibar is an eight-room, adults-only luxury boutique hotel offering chic vibes and a unique take on Zanzibar’s rich history and culture. Opened in early 2020, this fully restored property combines contemporary style with traditional touches, making it a perfect escape for those seeking elegance and relaxation. Whether you’re visiting for a romantic getaway or a solo adventure, Upendo House delivers an unforgettable experience. Here’s everything you need to know about this stylish retreat. How to Get to Upendo House Upendo House is centrally located in Stone Town, making it easily accessible from Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International…

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  • Books,  Featured

    12 Travel Books to Read in 2025 | Virtual Book Club

    Since I can’t always be traveling (boo, right?) I’ve made it my goal to add more travel books to my reading lineup in 2025. I’m a big fan of travel fiction and travel memoirs and thought it would be fun to start a little virtual travel book club to bring you all along on this journey with me! I’ve chosen the books for the first three months so that you can reserve them from your local library (or snag them from Amazon using the links below) but if you’ve got suggestions for future months, hop over to Instagram and DM me! Fun Fact: My first job ever was working in…

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