Category: Travel - Page 14

ZenZeppelin

I Found Paradise. It Felt Lonely

The Faroe Islands have 18 islands and 50,000 people. I saw maybe twelve of them in five days. Standing on Múlafossur waterfall's edge, watching water crash into the Atlantic while grass-roof houses dotted the valley below—it was everything the photos promised. Dramatic. Untouched. Perfect. But perfect is isolating. No lines to wait in. No crowds to navigate. Just me, the wind, and the uncomfortable realization that 'unspoiled' often means 'empty.' The hiking trails were pristine because I was alone on them. The villages were charming because most were nearly deserted. I'd found the world's most beautiful place. And spent most of it wishing someone else was there to see it too. Sometimes untouched means untouchable. Even for the people visiting it. #Travel #SoloTravelTruth #RemoteTravel

Velocidragon

do you pay for your mom’s vacations too?

Last summer, I spent weeks planning a beach trip for my mom. She always says she doesn’t need anything, but when we got there, she was grinning like a kid. I covered everything—flights, hotel, even her favorite seafood dinner. But honestly, it wasn’t cheap. Sometimes I wonder if I’m spoiling her or just making up for lost time. My siblings think I’m going overboard, but then again, they’re not the ones who see her face light up when she’s by the ocean. I’m torn between wanting to give her the world and worrying about my own budget. Has anyone else found themselves in this situation, trying to balance making memories with not breaking the bank? #familytravel #momlife #vacationstories #Travel

Robin Nichols

Free Things to Do at Balboa Park

I just had the most amazing day at Balboa Park, San Diego's jewel that's open 24/7 and completely free to enter! The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted with a variety of options. Although some exhibits and attractions have an entrance fee, I found plenty of things to do without spending a penny. I started my day with a hike in Palm Canyon. The trail, beginning near the Mingei Museum, led me on a raised boardwalk into a lush palm forest that felt like stepping back in time. For a longer hike, I headed to the Sixth and Upas Trails Gateway. The well-marked trails, ranging from 1.5 to 6.6 miles, wound through beautiful oak-shaded paths, offering a serene escape. Even though many of Balboa’s museums have an admission fee, I discovered free gems like the Timken Museum of Art, boasting masterpieces from Rembrandt to Copley. Then, I relaxed in the Botanical Building, surrounded by ferns and orchids, and even spotted a turtle in the lily pond outside. For some unique entertainment, I checked out the Velodrome races on a Tuesday night. Watching local cyclists zoom at incredible speeds around the track was thrilling and completely free! I also enjoyed the Twilight in the Park concert series at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, with captivating organ concerts every Sunday. My weekend was made special with a visit to the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages. Each cottage celebrates a different nation's culture with open houses and lawn programs featuring live music, cultural displays, and delicious culinary samples. While they welcome donations, there's no admission fee. Balboa Park truly offers something for everyone, and it’s incredible how much you can explore without spending a dime. I can't wait to go back!

TwilightTwist

tsa name mix-up: married vs maiden name headaches

So here’s what happened: I got married last year and did the whole name change thing—new driver’s license, new last name, the works. Since then, I’ve flown at least ten times, all with Delta, and never had a single hiccup at security. I figured everything was finally in order. But then, when I was checking in for a flight to Orlando, the Delta desk agent told me my maiden name was still showing up in their system. That’s odd, because I called Delta two years ago to update it, and I’ve been flying with my married name ever since. She tried to fix it but couldn’t, and told me to try my luck at security. I barely made my flight because the security line was a madhouse, but somehow I got through. On my way back, I decided to double-check with the Delta agent about my name. He looked it up and said everything was fine—only my married name showed up. But when I got to TSA, the agent stopped me and said my ID and boarding pass didn’t match because their screen showed my maiden name and even my old middle name, which I don’t use anymore. It was so frustrating because my ID and boarding pass both had my married name, but TSA’s system was pulling up my old info from somewhere. I’ve scoured my Delta account and there’s no trace of my maiden name anywhere. The only thing that’s changed recently is that I applied for TSA PreCheck, but I haven’t even done the appointment yet. Could that be the reason for this weird name glitch? Has anyone else had their old name pop up at TSA even after updating everything? It’s like the systems are fighting each other, and I’m stuck in the middle. I’m honestly worried about missing a flight next time if this keeps happening. Anyone else run into this kind of mess? #travelproblems #tsa #namechange #Travel

Christian Russo

I Found the "Sky City" on Earth! ✨🌆

The Sky City: Fanjing Mountain, A Fairyland on Earth in Tongren, Guizhou Located in Tongren, Guizhou, Fanjing Mountain is a natural wonder that has been standing tall for 65 million years. Its iconic golden peak stands proudly on a narrow ridge, with a unique split that gives it the appearance of a "Sky City" from any angle. To climb Fanjing Mountain, visitors first need to take a 30-minute sightseeing bus ride to the cable car station, followed by a 15-minute cable car ride to the halfway point of the mountain. From there, it takes a walk of about 20 minutes to reach the breathtaking Red Cloud Golden Summit. The journey can be challenging, so it's recommended to wear comfortable shoes suitable for climbing. In addition to the Red Cloud Golden Summit, there are other attractions such as Mushroom Stone and Old Golden Summit that also require hiking. Be prepared for a mentally and physically demanding experience.

NovaWhisper

When the Path Up Feels Like Too Much

I found these old quarry steps at Garden of the Gods—carved straight into the rock, sharp and uneven. I stood at the bottom, shoes full of red dust, and tried to convince myself I could climb them. But some days, even the smallest ascent feels impossible. I watched other hikers scramble up, easy, like they belonged here. I didn’t. I took a photo, pretended I was just admiring the view, and walked away. No lesson, no breakthrough. Just me, not climbing, and trying to be okay with that. #Travel #TravelHonesty #NotAlwaysEpic

SolarFade

Big Bend Taught Me Solitude Isn't Peace

5:30 AM in the Chihuahuan Desert. No cell service for 100 miles. I came here thinking silence would fix something broken inside me. That watching sunrise paint limestone cliffs would somehow reorganize my thoughts into something manageable. Instead, I'm sitting on a rock with nothing but my own noise. The desert doesn't care about your quarter-life crisis or why you drove 8 hours to 'find yourself.' Big Bend strips away everything except what you brought with you. The vastness doesn't make your problems smaller—it makes them impossible to ignore. Three days here and I finally get it: I wasn't looking for solitude. I was looking for someone else to be alone with. The park opens at dawn. So do you. 🌵 #Travel #SoloTravelTruth #BigBendReality

PrismPioneer

Sedona Was Stunning. I Was Still Restless.

I thought hiking in Sedona would be some kind of reset. Red rocks, endless sky, that dry, humming quiet—everyone says it’s magic. But halfway up Cathedral Rock, my legs ached and my mind kept replaying old arguments, unread emails, the stuff I thought I’d left behind. I took a photo at the top, the kind you’re supposed to post. I never did. The view was unreal, but I felt like a tourist in my own head—still searching for whatever it is I thought travel would fix. Turns out, you can’t out-hike yourself. Not even here. #Travel #TravelConfessions #RestlessWanderer

Andrea Phillips

Struggling to leave my single mom for a new life abroad

I’m 34, an only child, and my mom is 64. She’s a single mom, and in our Asian culture, it’s expected that the youngest son stays to care for aging parents. But I’m also LGBTQ+, and coming out to her two years ago didn’t go well. She acted shocked and hasn’t acknowledged it since, though she still occasionally brings up marriage and kids. I’ve decided to move to a Western country next year to find happiness and a partner. I don’t plan to return. But I’m torn about when to tell her. Should I give her months to prepare, or just tell her on the day I leave? I’m afraid she might react badly—possibly even try to hurt me physically to stop me from leaving. I know it sounds extreme, but I can’t shake the fear. I don’t want to risk my safety, but I also don’t want to keep lying to her. Any advice on how to handle this? I can’t talk to friends or relatives about this, so I really need some external perspective. #FamilyConflict #LGBTQ+ #CulturalExpectations #MovingAbroad #ParentChildRelationship #RomanticRelationships

BlazingBison

Cathedrals Don’t Fix Loneliness

I stood in front of the Duomo di Milano, and for a second, I thought I’d finally feel something big. It’s the kind of building that’s supposed to rearrange your insides. Everyone says so. But all I could think about was how tired my feet were, how the crowds pressed in, how I wanted to share the moment with someone who wasn’t there. It’s beautiful. It’s overwhelming. But it didn’t fill the quiet I carried with me. Sometimes you travel halfway across the world and realize you’re still waiting for a text back, still scrolling through photos you’ll never send. The Duomo is the greatest building I’ve seen. But it didn’t make me feel less alone. #TravelConfessions #SoloTravelTruth #UnfilteredJourneys #Travel

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