ABOUT THE BLONDE ADVENTURES
an ADVENTURE TRAVEL blog designed to help adventurous
and ~adventure aspiring~ travelers like you plan your own epic, unforgettable trip!
MEET THE FOUNDER
Hi, I’m Nicole!
I write about adventure travel and solo trips.
I’m a photographer, an astronomy nerd, a taco connoisseur, and a small-town girl.
I have deep Texas roots (yeehaw) and I love Austin dearly (it’s my favorite city in the world), but these days you’re more likely to find me living out of a suitcase in some far-flung destination rather than at home.
Growing up, my family instilled in me a strong love for adventure and exploration, and it’s something that is so core and fundamental to who I am. Getting outside is my favorite thing to do.
After college I wanted to pursue a job in government, but I’ve always known deep down that my true passion falls somewhere within adventure travel. I just needed to find a way to do it as often as possible.
In 2016, I made it my goal to start traveling more. I had this deep yearning to get out and see the world — because life is just way too short not to!
And I wanted to do it solo.
READ THE STORY BEHIND THE BLONDE ADVENTURES
At the end of 2017, I moved to Europe with a suitcase and a dream.
From there, I worked for a full year to save money and plan an epic 5 week solo trip to South America. By early 2019, I had my tickets booked and my bags packed, and those pre-trip butterflies in my stomach – ready for five tough, but amazing weeks.
At the end of the world, in Chilean Patagonia, I hiked and camped through the remote Torres del Paine National Park — with *zero* camping skills! Yep, you read that right. I bought a tent and set it up for the first time in my living room two days before I left for Chile.
In Argentina, I went trekking on a freaking glacier! I reached the base of Fitz Roy, and made a super cool friend — who, coincidentally is also blonde, and named Nicole, and from America.
I wandered alone on dirt roads with stray dogs and no cell service. I went horseback riding and got drenched on my first whitewater rafting trip. And I ended this incredible experience in the Atacama Desert — full of flamingos and volcanoes — where I gazed up at a night sky glittering with millions of stars and galaxies that could be seen with the naked eye.
I had dreamt of this trip for years and it was an absolute dream come true; it was all that I had imagined and more, and the best thing I have ever done for myself.
These memories will last me a lifetime.
Throughout this amazing journey, I discovered how strong and capable I truly am, and how much I love solo travel, and travel in general. I think that everyone should experience going solo at least *once* in their lives. If I can do it, you can totally do it too.
Whether you choose to embark on solo adventure, go on a getaway with friends, or take a family trip — go, get out there!
Step out of your comfort zone and go see what this beautiful world has to offer.
That’s why I’m here — to inspire and encourage people just like you to embrace the unknown and go exploring. Maybe do a little adventuring yourself. At my core, I’m obsessed with travel and excited about helping you explore the world, deepen your curiosities, and perhaps even inspire your next travel destination.
So if you’re thinking about hitting the road, jet-setting around the world, or merely taking some time to be a tourist in your own backyard, I’m here to help.
The content you will find here is balanced between travel + packing guides, pro planning tips, and beautiful photography. Whether you’re a newbie planning your first solo trip, a seasoned traveler looking for a new destination, or you’re someone simply looking for a little travel inspiration — this blog is for you!
It’s for the adventure-seeking, campfire-loving, wine-sipping, stargazing enthusiast in us all.
PHILOSOPHY
Here’s the thing: you’re not going to grow old and wish you had traveled less.
“Because I guarantee you that when you’re 85 and on your death bed, you won’t think about that flashy car you bought or the twenty pairs of shoes you owned. But you will think about that time you got lost in your favorite city. The nights spent falling in love under the stars and all the beautiful people you met along the way. You’ll think of the moments you felt truly alive. And at the very end, those memories will be the only valuable possessions you own.” — EKP
Do it all. Do everything you can. Experience everything – while you still can, while it’s still here.
Life is certainly way too short not to!
MISSION
To help you plan your own epic adventure so you can have the kind of trip you can’t stop talking about — fun, meaningful, & unforgettable.
To me, travel isn’t *just* an opportunity to get away from work or your daily routine — it’s a chance to expand your worldview, make new friends, soak up incredible experiences, and have a lot of fun along the way.
If you’re all about any of these things, then we’re speaking the same language. Now let’s go have the adventure of a lifetime!
WANT TO EXPLORE MORE?
READ the BLOG
Through this blog, I’m excited to take you on the adventure with me.
The world is a wild and beautiful place,
so let’s go explore it!
FAQs
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Yes! While I do occasionally take trips with my friends and family, most of my adventures are done solo.
That isn’t to say I’m always alone though; many times I meet cool people along the way who end up becoming good friends. This is one of the huge perks of traveling solo – you’re more approachable and therefore more likely to encounter other solo travelers or locals that want to be friends with you.
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I do! Unless otherwise noted, the majority of my photos are taken by myself. For this, I use a solo traveler’s best friend: the trusty travel tripod.
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Currently I shoot with the Sony a6000 and my favorite everyday lens is the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8. I also use a GoPro Hero 7 and my iPhone 14 Pro Max.
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I use the free Lightroom app, the paid desktop version of Lightroom, and the VN app.
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I’ve got a guide on that coming very soon!
In the meantime, you can reach out to me through email: hello@theblondeadventures.com or DM me on Instagram @theblonde_adventures and I’d be more than happy to help! :)
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Making friends isn’t as hard as you might think! Just because you travel to a destination solo doesn’t mean it’ll stay that way.
It’s easy to make friends if you stay in hostels or do group activities, like white water rafting or a cooking class. I’ve made friends along the way in situations exactly like these!
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Solo travel has been the best gift I have ever given myself and there are few things as liberating as traveling alone. You can sleep in or wake up early, fill your days with activities and adventures you truly want to experience, treat yourself to some relaxation, and spend some time getting lost in a beautiful place. You get to travel on your own terms. Rather than waiting around for someone to go with you, book that trip and go solo!
Loneliness can creep in anywhere, but I promise you, you’ll find some really cool adventures when you head out on your own and you usually won’t be “alone” for very long. You’re more approachable by other solo travelers and if you’re open to it, you’ll be able to make all kinds of friends from around the world. -
Being able to travel frequently is a privilege I don’t take for granted, but it also doesn’t come without its sacrifices. I sold almost everything I owned to move to Europe in order to travel whenever I can save up enough money and take time off work.
It’s much easier and more cost-effective to be based here and travel than in the US. I’m lucky to be a dual citizen, too.