Unpacked Reviews

Let’s start with the uncomfortable truth: checked bags go missing more often than airlines like to admit . Most are eventually found, but the difference between “back tomorrow” and “gone for weeks” often comes down to a few boring, unglamorous prep steps. The good news? These steps are simple, cheap, and mostly about making your bag easy for a tired human to identify at 3 a.m. 1. Always add your own ID tag (and don’t rely on the airline’s) Airline baggage tags fall off. Conveyor belts eat them. It happens. Attach a sturdy personal ID tag to your bag, even if the airline already put one on. Include: Your name Your phone number with country code Optional: email address That alone dramatically improves your odds. But don’t stop there. 2. Put your contact info inside the bag too This is the part airline employees keep begging people to do. Inside your suitcase, place a sheet of paper with: Your name Phone number (with country code) Email address Better yet, put it s...

I still remember my first solo trip. I spent weeks overthinking everything: safety, loneliness, logistics, whether I’d regret it the moment I landed. Twelve years later, after dozens of solo trips across multiple continents, I can say this with confidence: Your first solo destination matters. Pick the right place, and solo travel feels empowering instead of overwhelming. This isn’t a list of “most exotic” or “most Instagrammable” countries. These are places that make solo travel easier: safe, navigable, friendly, and forgiving when you’re learning as you go. I’ve mixed well-known favorites with a few underrated gems, changed things up from the usual lists, and left out places that sound good on paper but are rough for beginners. Japan Japan is one of the most confidence-boosting places you can travel alone for the first time. It’s clean, safe, orderly, and designed for solo living. Eating alone isn’t awkward here, it’s normal. Quiet trains, clear rules, and polite i...

I’ve been traveling long enough to know that my early trips were… optimistic at best. I overpacked, underestimated distances, romanticized “slow travel” without understanding the logistics, and learned—often the expensive way—that good intentions don’t replace good planning. Over the years, travel has gone from something I consumed to something I participate in. I’ve lived out of two bags for long stretches, tested gear across dozens of trips, and paid close attention to how my choices affect my budget, my body, and the places I visit. What follows isn’t theory—it’s what’s actually worked for me, plus what didn’t. What Long-Term Travel Taught Me (That Instagram Didn’t) For about seven years, I didn’t really have a home base. Everything I owned had to fit into two bags (roughly 18 kg / 40 lbs total—any more and airlines start punishing you financially). That constraint alone taught me more about priorities than any packing lis...

I thought I would hop back on the Dublin train for a moment. One of my favorite parts of traveling is trying new restaurants and tasting local specialties. On this trip, I had everything from bangers and mash to seafood chowder, and it was all incredibly delicious. Today, I’m sharing a few of my favorite restaurants in Dublin that really stood out during our visit. 1. The Brazen Head We stopped by The Brazen Head after it was recommended by one of Justin’s friends. We went at lunchtime, and it was packed. Since there were only two of us, we were able to grab a couple of high table seats. The Brazen Head is definitely a well-known tourist spot, but it is also Ireland’s oldest pub. It was easy to see that locals hang out here too. Justin ordered the Brazen Head burger, and I had one of their lunch sandwiches. Since we were in Dublin, we also enjoyed some beer and cider, which felt like a must. 2. The Hairy Lemon The Hairy Lemon was another pub recommended by a friend, and w...