Written by women on the road

Solo traveling is arguably one of the greatest experiences you can have and one of the best ways to explore the world around you. There is a sense of freedom that comes from choosing a place to visit where you’ve never been before, deciding what to see and do, and being in a place where nobody knows your name.

That feeling of being alone and unknown can be liberating and empowering, allowing you to be whoever you want to be and live carefree. However, this experience can simultaneously leave you feeling lonely.

I think it is safe to say that every solo traveler has felt this way at some point or another, despite the carefully curated Instagram feeds that would lead you to think otherwise. No matter how stunning the landscapes or perfect the moments may be, we have all felt that pang of loneliness. It often sneaks up unexpectedly while enjoying a meal on your own or seeing something spectacular that you wish you had someone to share the moment with.

While this is something we have all experienced and may encounter again on our travels, it does not have to define your trip or your experience. If you find yourself feeling lonely or worried that you could be lonely, do not fret! You have several ways you can respond to and handle these feelings. Here are tips for traveling alone

Your first option is to meet new people on your travels

One of the best ways to prevent or avoid loneliness is to connect with people on your trips. This can be an incredibly rewarding and enriching experience, as you can meet locals and people from all over the globe. While this might seem like quite the challenge to overcome when you are in an unfamiliar place, there are actually quite a lot of ways to connect with other people on your solo travels.

✅ Staying at a hostel is one great option to meet other solo travelers like you

Hostels offer affordable accommodation, and many offer exclusively female dorm rooms, making hostels even safer for female solo travelers. An added bonus of staying in one of these dorm rooms is that you often meet other women like yourself who are on solo trips and just as open to meeting new people and forging new friendships. It’s easy to strike up a conversation, make new friends, and find a new travel companion to explore the city with!

In addition, a lot of hostels also organize events for guests staying at the hostel, such as pub nights. Events like these are another wonderful way to meet people from all over the world who love traveling just as much as you!

✅ Attend local events

If you want to meet new people, but would rather take the chance to explore the city you’re in, attending local events or going to places frequented by locals may be a better option for you. Not only can you find some pretty neat hidden gems less frequented by tourists, but you also have the ability to connect with locals and learn more about the people and the culture of the place you are visiting.

More often than not, you can utilize platforms like Facebook for events in the location you’re visiting, as well as the town or city’s website, which usually features special events going on in the area. Of course, apps like the NomadHer app are wonderful resources to find events going on and find a female travel buddy.

Talking to the staff at your place of accommodation, whether that be a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb, is another excellent option to find out about exciting places to try out that are off the beaten path or about events going on in the area. Many of them are travelers themselves that chose to stay because they love the city, particularly at hostels. They can be a great resource to utilize, and you should not hesitate to ask them for tips!

✅  Book a tour

If you do not make friends at your accommodation or do not have as much time to explore the local haunts as you would like, you can also book a tour. Whenever I visit a new place, one of the first things I do after arriving is book a walking tour of the city. Many cities offer group tours for a small fee, but you can also book a free walking tour, where you pay what you feel at the end. (This is a great option for travelers on a budget by the way!) Regardless of what type of tour you book, you will often meet other solo travelers in your group. Over the course of your tour, you can learn all about the place you are visiting while connecting with the members of the group.  

This advice applies to any type of tour as well! Depending on what the town or city you are visiting has to offer, you may be able to partake in a variety of tours catering to a wide spectrum of interests. This can include street art tours, food tours, and ghost tours. The list goes on and on, and these more specific tours will allow you to meet people with similar interests while uncovering another side of the city, country, and culture.

To find a tour, you can check out websites like TripAdvisor. Alternatively, you can search for “(walking) tour in…” + the city name in any search engine. You will likely find several options for free and paid tours, and you can find something that fits your interests, budget, and time frame. If there are multiple tours available, it is always good to look at the reviews!

💡 Extra Tip: Are you unsure of how to strike up a conversation with someone new? Fortunately, staying in a hostel or going on a tour often includes an introduction to the people around you. If they don’t mention it in their introduction, you can ask where they are from, why they are visiting the city, about their home country, or about other trips they may have taken. Before you know it, you will find yourself slipping into normal conversation with a new friend!

Your second option is to ease your way into solo travel

Another option to help prevent loneliness during your solo trips is to try traveling on a smaller scale first. If you have never traveled alone before or are not used to doing activities on your own, it might not be a bad idea to try traveling on a small scale first before going on a longer trip.

Even doing things on your own in your hometown that you would not normally do can help prepare you for this experience. Going to an art exhibition, going on a hike, or taking yourself to dinner are all ways you can prepare yourself for solo travel and get an idea of what it is like to do these core parts of traveling on your own. These smaller experiences will allow you to get comfortable spending time on your own, which also is not a bad thing!

Once you are comfortable, you can also choose to take a day trip or weekend trip somewhere within your country or close to your hometown. By taking these small steps, you have time to acclimate yourself to traveling on your own without the addition of a language barrier, culture shock, or any other unexpected hurdles that could come with traveling farther away for a longer period of time.

Finally, if you find yourself feeling lonely during your solo travels, you have another alternative: learn about your loneliness.

You can choose to accept and embrace your feelings of loneliness. Loneliness is a human emotion that we all experience, and there is nothing wrong with feeling it. You can choose to embrace your emotions and use them as an opportunity for reflection and growth.

You are lonely because you took a risk to travel on your own. You decided it was more important to travel the globe, encounter other cultures, and experience everything this world has to offer, even if it meant being lonely from time to time. This is brave in and of itself. So allow this moment of loneliness to be a point of change and growth for you. Allow it to serve as a reminder of all you are capable of and just how strong you truly are. You will overcome this one fleeting moment of loneliness and come out the better for it.

There is no right or wrong answer to how you choose to respond to your feelings of loneliness. Know, however, that there are ways to deal with it, and do not let it hold you back from experiencing the great wide world out there!

Do you want to go on a solo trip this year? You can read more travel tips and find travel buddies through the NomadHer. Download the NomadHer app now!

👩 Katie Bathgate, the NomadHer article contributor, is currently living in Germany to pursue her master's degree. Living in Europe means traveling is pretty easy, and it has only fueled her wanderlust! When she's not studying, she's dreaming about her next trip, reading, baking, or learning new languages. She's excited to engage with the NomadHer community in a new way and looks forward to connecting with more female solo travelers.

I spent a year in Montreal in the Quebec region of Canada. My first expat experience was rich in life lessons and a total success. If you plan to settle there, here are the tips I can give you for living, working, and enjoying.

Since I was little, I always told myself that what I wanted in life was to travel and live abroad. I traveled whenever possible, alone, with friends, to meet friends, for work, and for events. But it took me some time before my first expatriation.

I hadn't necessarily thought of Quebec at first, because I didn't want to be in a French-speaking environment. I wanted to be in a country that moves away from my culture, to be immersed, and to improve my English. But one evening, I made my WHV  (Working Holiday Visa) request. I was accepted within days. My destination was therefore chosen, it was going to be Canada. After a one-year sabbatical accepted by my former company, I landed in the middle of January in Montreal.

I arrived at my reserved accommodation for three days, which brings me to the first piece of advice I can give about finding accommodation.

How to Find an Apartment in Montreal

✅ Step 1. Book accommodation

When I told a friend who has been living in Quebec for over 10 years that I had only booked accommodation for three days, she thought I was crazy! I should have measured the speed of finding accommodation there. I would advise you to book accommodation for at least one week.

✅Step 2. Check & Answer ads

Before leaving, I had already sent messages in response to ads published on the Kijiji website to let them know that I wanted to visit the apartment, when I would be arriving, and what I would need to rent it.

✅Step 3.  Credit Ratings are Important

I had answers, and it was the first time that I had heard of credit scores. Unknown to me in France, I concluded that it's a system used in North America whereas a bank shows that you can pay your bills and pay them on time. A lot of Canadians and Americans use credit cards. In some cases, you can't rent an apartment, or buy a car or a house without first showing your credit score. As I had just arrived from France and had not yet created my Canadian bank account, I didn't have this. But the owners are generally accommodating.

✅Step 4.  Apartment Rental Requirements

It's important to know that when renting a place, you are usually required to pay a 2-month security deposit for furnished accommodation, and you have to give 1 month's notice to leave the accommodation. Also, don't be surprised if the apartment you are moving into is not perfectly clean, as outgoing tenants are not obliged to leave the place clean. However, I was lucky that my apartment was clean when I moved in. Once you've secured your apartment, opening an account for water and electricity bills is quite simple.

During my first apartment visit, I discussed with the owners about bank statements, bank details, and specimen cheques. This leads me to my second tip for opening a bank account.

Opening Your Bank Account

✅ Step 1. Choosing a bank

For the choice of bank, I relied on the advice of my apartment owners. Some banks have offers for newcomers to Canada, which you can check on their websites or forums.

✅ Step 2. Opening Your Account

You can visit a branch to open your account in just a few minutes. You can also take advantage of this opportunity to take out home insurance, which your owners may require.

✅ Step 3.  Supporting Documents to Provide

You must present an original identity document and a document indicating your name and address. This can be a bill or letter that you can ask from your water or electricity supplier/company.

And yes, you can probably guess my next step in Montreal: finding a job.

How to get a job in Montreal, Canada

✅ Step 1. Get Your Social Insurance Number

I had no idea about this because I had missed this information on the forums and blogs, but you have to apply for a SIN (Social Insurance Number). You need it to be allowed to work and only share this number with your employer. I should specify that you have to know your address because when the person from the administration asked me for it, I no longer remembered the name of the street where I was staying for a few days. This number is precious and will help you in finding a job.

✅ Step 2. Visit a temporary employment agency

You can visit a temporary employment agency and have an interview. Even if you don't get a job right away, you can get an idea of how much you can expect to earn with your experience. You will also receive tips for your resume. For your information, in Canada, a CV can be very long because you have to include all of your experiences.

✅ Step 3.  Make business contacts

The majority of job offers are hidden. So you need to start responding to job postings on LinkedIn, and Facebook and start making contacts to eventually find the job of your dreams.

✅Step 4. Work Environment in Montreal

Montreal's work culture is known for its welcoming and trusting atmosphere. You'll find that you are quickly integrated into the team and that colleagues are friendly and talkative, often sharing stories about their families and personal lives. Additionally, Montreal workplaces offer flexibility in terms of work hours and remote work arrangements.

Moreover, companies in Montreal often organize various events, providing opportunities to get to know your colleagues and explore new places. These events can range from social gatherings to team-building activities, making for a vibrant and connected work community.

The Best Things to Do in Montreal

Here are some of the places I've visited and loved. If you're planning a trip to Montreal, these will serve as a great travel guide for you. You can also find tips through the NomadHer app.

✅ Art galleries

• La Centrale is an artist-run center dedicated to the dissemination and development of multidisciplinary feminist practices.
• MAC Montreal, located in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles, has been exhibiting contemporary art at the center of Montreal and Quebec life for over fifty years.
• Société des Arts Technologiques, a cultural organization created in 1996 and dedicated to the promotion and conservation of artworks using new technologies.

✅ Bars

• Le Réservoir was the first bar I went to after visiting my apartment. It has a microbrewery of draught beers, international tapas, and a rooftop terrace.
• Club Pelicano, a poolside bar offering wine, cocktails, and DJ sets on vinyl, as well as "nikkei" cuisine, a blend of Peruvian and Japanese specialties.
• Mc Kibbins is an Irish pub with a warm atmosphere where you can drink beer and taste dishes mixing Canadian and Irish cuisines.

✅ Bookstores

• L’Euguélionne, the first feminist bookstore I ever went to.
• The Word Bookstore is a cozy secondhand bookstore located in downtown Montreal.

✅ Cafes

• La Dépendance, live a Hygge moment in this café-boutique that will transport you to Copenhagen or Stockholm thanks to its Scandinavian-inspired experience in terms of both the menu and the interior atmosphere.
• Chat L’Heureux, is a café-restaurant where one can enjoy the company of cats while tasting a selection of homemade meals and drinks.
• La Graine Brûlée is a café with original decor reminiscent of a funfair with a coworking space and a terrace.

✅ Camping

• Lyster Lake, located in the municipality of Coaticook, can go kayaking and enjoy the view of Mount Pinnacle.
• National Park of Jacques Cartier, the most beautiful national park I have ever visited, offers camping in complete nature. The valley is splendid and there are many hiking trails.
• Memphremagog Lake, a lake shared between Canada and the United States, is, in my opinion, the most beautiful lake with nautical activities.

✅Concert halls

• Le Ministère, I saw my first concert in Montreal there. the building is beautiful and the room is intimate.
• La Sala Rossa, in a 1932 building, the programming is varied, ranging from Slam to Jazz or Indie Rock
• Quai des Brumes is a cultural place offering numerous concerts and exhibitions.

✅Festivals

• Mural Festival, is an urban art festival that takes place every year in the streets of Montreal.
• Igloofest, the coldest music festival in the world, outdoors in winter with electronic music artists.
• Montreal en Lumière, an annual winter festival held in the Quartier des spectacles in Montreal to promote the lights, art, and food.

✅ Restaurants

• Caribou Gourmand is a bistro that offers a great brunch on weekends.
• Les Glaceurs, the best cupcakes and birthday cakes I've ever eaten!
• Majestique, a festive atmosphere, quality products and dishes, and a kitchen open every day until 2 am.

In summary

• Search for apartment rental ads on the Kijiji website and social networks
• Open your bank account in a few minutes by going to an agency (some have offers for newcomers to Canada)
• Ask for your SIN at a Service Canada center to have the right to work
• Go to temporary work agencies, consult job offers on LinkedIn and Facebook, and start by making contacts
• Register groups of expatriates, working holiday workers, and digital nomads on social networks/media.
• Book your camping pitches in national parks in advance
• Explore the city on foot or by transport and discover the different neighborhoods

I would say that what characterizes the city of Montreal is its cultural and artistic richness, its open-mindedness, and its human warmth. I have learned so much from my friends and my colleagues. Maybe one day I will come back, either for a visit or when I settle down. And maybe I will meet you, and you will tell me about your experience, which I hope will be as positive and enriching as mine.

Do you want to go on a solo trip this year?  You can read more travel tips and find travel buddies through the NomadHer. Download the NomadHer app now!

👩 Aurelie Verger, NomadHer article contributor, is a female traveler from France. She works as a  consultant who has lived in many countries, including Canada. Living abroad was her childhood dream, and working in Montreal for a year with a Working Holiday Visa was a great chance to make that dream come true. Currently, She lives in South Korea to travel and work together.

She Can Travel Anywhere

This March, NomadHer is proud to launch our Women's Day Campaign, a month-long celebration for all women who travel and explore the world.

We believe that travel is not only a way to see new places but also a way to connect with new people, learn about different cultures, and gain new perspectives. As women, we know that the world can be challenging for us, but we also know that we are strong enough to overcome those challenges if we are together.

During our Women's Day Campaign, we will host 7 offline events in Paris and Seoul to connect female travelers and share inspiration. In collaboration with Women@Dior, McLaren, UNESCO Headquarters, British Embassy, and more, all NomadHer events will create special moments for women.

NomadHer Women's Day events are the perfect opportunities to meet and talk with like-minded women and take the first step toward your next adventure.

Join us for a month of celebration, inspiration, and adventure. Let's show the world what women are capable of when we come together and support each other. Here are 3 events that will be held in Seoul, South Korea. You can see more events in Paris too on the NomadHer app now.

Sisterhood | NomadHer Women’s Day Hiking Camp

Let’s get out of our comfort zone and go on a day hike to Gaypeong with worldwide NomadHers 🌎!

Our destination is Gyeonggi-do Gapyeong which is 1 hour away from Seoul station by ITX train.

The certified female hiking host, Travel master will lead the program and give us great inspiration to explore the Gaypeong nature and local activities with confidence. This sisterhood hike will remind us of our bolder and wilder selves back in the time when we took on any adventure without fear.

✳️ What to expect

• 🥾 Stamps for your hiking passport along the trail
• 🍽️ Healthy vegan lunch at a local restaurant
• 🎲 Fun games:
  1) Treasure hunting in Yongchu Valley
  2) K-pop dance contest at the local street market.
• 💸 The winner will get a surprise gift from the NomadHer team

✳️ Trail information

• Trail course: 9.3 km
• Hour: 8 hours
• Level: Beginner
• Journey: Gapyoeng Station (Start)→ Gapyeong Jat Goeul Market → Yeoninsan Park Entrance → Yongchugyegok Valley (End)→ Gapyeong Station (by bus)

NomadHer Women's Day Hiking Camp🥾

€64.00

✅ Included

• Group hiking guide
• Lunch
• Retro snacks & special Gapyeong Makgeolli

❌ Not Included

• Transportation
• Not mentioned above

If you sign up as a NomadHer verified member on the app , you will get an exclusive membership deal €59!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Connect | NomadHer Women’s Han River Netwalking

Embrace the beauty of solo travel with the Women’s Seoul Han River Netwalking. This special event is designed to make solo travel a comfortable and enjoyable experience for women.
✔️Say goodbye👋 to the fear of approaching strangers and embrace new connections.
✔️With the Han River Networking Walk, you'll meet like-minded women who are eager to explore the city and create new memories together👭🏽

✳️ Date
Sat, March, 18th 11:00 AM ~ 13:30 PM

✳️ Walking Course
Yeouinaru station Exit 2 -> Seogang Bridge -> Mangwon Hangang Park ( 2h 20m / 5.6km)

✳️ Event Detail

• 11:00 am: Meeting at Exit 2, Yeouinaru station, Han River park. NomadHer team will give you a T-shirt and stickers as a present.

• 11:00 ~ 11:20: Change to NomadHer T-shirt if you want and have a small talk about NomadHer
• 11:20 ~ 13:30: Walking along the Han river
• Extra(optional): Eating Hangang ramen or ordering delivery food with people who want (Talking time). So, recommend you bring a mat if you think it is needed for you.
• NomadHer T-shirt is 'M' Size. But for people who want to wear an "L" or "XL" size, we will prepare some on that day
• If you download the NomadHer app now, you can have a chance to get a ticket with a 20% discount in the Meetup section of the app! (Early bird ticket: €15)

Sold Out

NomadHer Women's Day Han River Networking Walk👋

€20.00

✅ Included

• She Can Travel Anywhere T-shirt 🎁
• She Can Travel Anywhere stickers✨
• Surprise gift

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

👉If you download the NomadHer app now, you can have a chance to get a ticket with a 20% discount in the Meetup section of the app! (Early bird ticket: €15)

Enjoy | NomadHer Music Party Night

NomadHers, It's time to let your hair down and dance the night away!

The event promises to be a night of non-stop entertainment, good vibes, and plenty of surprises. The night will be an unforgettable experience and an opportunity to meet new NomadHers and network with like-minded individuals.

This event is open to everyone, regardless of gender, age, or nationality. It is an inclusive celebration that welcomes people of all backgrounds to come together and enjoy the talents of female DJs.

✳️ Date
Sat, March, 25th 8:00 PM ~ 11:59 PM

✳️ Place
Social Haven @HBC, Aperitivo bar in HBC which is LGBT friendly

✳️ Event Detail

The entry is Free and for those who wish to get NomadHer T-shirts and Ecobags and buy a special ticket! Cannot wait to meet all of you and party together! For those who are showing that you are part of NomadHer with your app log-in screen, we have prepared a surprise gift!

✳️ What’s Include

• Free Entry
• Free Entry  + NomadHer Ecobag
• Fun music party with 4 amazing international DJs

NomadHer International Women's Day Party

€0.00

Grab a ticket for International Women’s Day Party @Social Haven for this coming March 25th Saturday. Cannot wait to have fun with all of you together.

PURCHASE

Winter in South Korea is full of excitement for those who have been to the snowy mountaintops to marvel at snowflakes. Inspired by the picturesque view of snow-covered peaks, I made a promise to myself to embark on a snow mountain trek this year.

Although it's been a while since my last hiking experience in winter, I didn't want to push myself too hard and preferred to take in the tranquil beauty of snowflakes at a leisurely pace. For me, mountains are not a test of strength, but a place to enjoy the splendor of nature and to heal my mind.

In South Korea, there are countless mountains and trails, big and small, in and around Seoul that offer a diverse range of views. This winter, for those who seek to wander through a kingdom of ice and snow but want to walk on an easy trail as a beginner, I would like to suggest the Cheorwon Hantangang Water Road Trekking as a perfect destination for you.

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐞𝐦: 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐤𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲

Have you heard of the Cheorwon Hantangang, certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark in July 2020? This hidden gem boasts breathtaking and unspoiled scenery. You can stroll along the Hantangang River and marvel at the columnar joints and unique cliffs. This is a winter destination not to be missed.

Located just 2 hours away from Seoul by car, the Cheorwon Hantangang Water Road Trekking is a fantastic option for a weekend day trip. The trekking route features a pontoon bridge over the Hantangang River and a dirt road along the river. It is especially recommended to visit in winter to see the frozen Hantangang River and the stunning sight of the surrounding scenery covered in snow. Finding a travel buddy through NomadHer is a good way to enjoy travel.

𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

After purchasing a ticket at the ticket office at the Taebong Bridge parking lot, step into the entrance and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Hantangang River surrounded by snowy mountains and cliffs. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature by listening to the sounds of your footsteps on a snowy road, and ice cracking on the river.

As you stroll along the river, you may encounter mallard ducks looking for food. It's a charming sight to see these ducks diving into the water while gracefully splashing their feet. I can't wait to see what other delightful encounters await on my next visit.

‍

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝

✔𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬

Stroll along the buoy road and then you'll come across the magnificent Songdaeso cliff. This unique geological formation was created when hot lava cooled and split vertically, resulting in a striking red wall. It is one of the magnificent views that makes this road special.

✔𝐈𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐥l

Continuing your journey, you'll encounter a breathtaking ice waterfall. Its emerald sparkle in the sunlight is truly magnificent and can only be seen on a winter trekking trip. Don't miss out on this stunning, unexplored landscape.

As you keep walking straight, the buoy road splits into two paths. The road on the right will take you to Goseokjeong Pavilion. The road straight ahead will bring you to a rest area crossing the Hantan River Milky Way Bridge.

Need a break? I recommend that you cross over the Milky Way bridge to recharge your energy. Use your Cheorwon love gift coupons that you receive at the ticket office to warm up with a hot cup of coffee and some fresh bread at a cozy cafe.

✔𝐈𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐠𝐲𝐨 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞

As you approach Goseokjeong Pavilion, you'll come across a wide-open area blanketed in snow. This spot is particularly famous for its stunning ice wall. It draws in many visitors who want to snap a picture in front of it. I was in awe of the magnificent ice wall and quickly captured the moment with my camera, eager to remember its beauty forever.

There is a snowy hill in front of the ice wall, bustling with children sledding down it. Sleds are not available for rent and must be brought from home if you want to enjoy them. It appeared many families who had visited the area for trekking previously parked their cars in a nearby lot and came to sled with their children. I quickly checked my bag and found a thick piece of paper to use as a sled, amazed at how fast I was moving. I can't wait to come back with a proper sled and spend the day here.

Throughout the entire Hantanggang Water Road, you'll find plenty of people ready to help tourists. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many friendly guides around. If you have any questions during your walk, feel free to ask them. I took advantage of this and asked for information on shuttle bus locations, the estimated time for the route I was taking, and more. Each time I received a kind and helpful response, making my journey much easier. So don't forget, when you're traveling, it's always a good idea to ask the locals first!

𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝

▪️ Opening period: Late Fall ~ Early Spring every year (This year, it is opened for 5 months from October 29, 2022, to March 31, 2023)

▪️ Course: Taebongdaegyo Bridge - Songdaeso - Eunhasugyo Bridge - Seungilgyo Bridge - Goseokjeong Pavilion - Sundam Valley (8km)

▪️ Course starting point:  Ticket office at Taebong Bridge parking lot (Search for 'Korea Leisure Parking Lot' on Naver Map)

▪️ Operating Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

▪️ Entrance fee: 10,000 won (5,000 won Cheorwon love gift coupon is provided instead)

▪️ Route for shuttle bus service (weekends and holidays only): Taebongdaegyo Bridge - Eunhasu Bridge - Goseokjeong Pavilion - Sundam - Druni Parking Lot

▪️Shuttle Bus Fee: Free for those with tickets for the Hantangang Water Road  

▪️To reach the course by public transportation, get off at Dongsong Terminal and take a city bus or taxi to the Taebong Bridge parking lot ticket office.

𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐤𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫

The Hantangang Water Road Trekking Course offers a serene experience of walking along the pontoon bridge and the valley road. To make the most of your journey, here are some tips to keep in mind. These suggestions will be useful not just for light trekking but also for snow hiking!

✔ Pack Snacks, Yakgwa, and a Thermos

Bring along snacks such as fruits, chocolate, gimbap, and a thermos filled with hot drinks like tea or coffee. The 8km course is not short, and walking in cold weather can deplete your energy quickly. Snacks will help replenish your energy and keep you fueled during the walk.

I especially recommend bringing Yakgwa which is a Korean traditional sweet cookie. It can give more energy than chocolate. You can easily buy it in any convenience store in South Korea.

✔ Charge Your Phone

Don't forget to charge your phone 100% before departure. In cold weather, the battery drains faster than usual.

✔ Wear Sneakers

Sneakers are essential for walking on the dirt road next to the river. Some routes are dirt roads that have stones and dirt.

✔ Dress in Layers

Wearing several thin layers is better than wearing one thick jacket. It allows you to change your clothing easily according to the temperature, and it's lighter too.

If you're looking for a unique travel experience, the winter trek along the Hantangang River is a great option. And, if you'd like a companion, download the NomadHer app to find other female travelers and join a travel meetup!❤

The run-up to Norway

To be honest, I did make an incredible road trip across the US west coast in August, but I was so set on taking my planned interrail trip that I just couldn’t let it go. I had an unused interrail ticket and canceled plans, which left me kinda disappointed in myself.

Nevertheless, I think it was this very same event that planted the first seed towards the journey of my solo trip to Norway. I bought the infamous interrail ticket in May last year: A golden ticket, my portal to the adventurous world of travel.

The ticket was worth a month of travel and I planned to travel to Lake Bled (of course) via Firenze and Spello in Italy with a minor detour to the Swiss alps. I was going to stay in hostels, ideally even some camping, and travel by myself for an entire month. Sounds like an awesome plan, right? A little too optimistic maybe.

What stopped me before: Feeling afraid about the world

Let me give you a little backstory about the girl I was a couple of months ago because she was always afraid. Afraid to be on her own but at the same time avoiding social contact with roommates or visiting friends. Afraid to drive the car or accidentally take the wrong train. Even afraid to be alone at night while walking the dog in a neighborhood she’s lived in all her life.

I think you get the idea, that girl was pretty scared of everything that was even remotely new or uncontrollable including solo travel as a woman. Completely nuts for any human being given that change is the only constant in the world. Oh well. Now I hear you thinking: If I was so scared, why did I even buy the interrail ticket? The answer is simple.

What happened when started to listen to my inner voice

While part of me was so frightened by the world, there has always been this other part of me, safely tucked away under my shield of fear. This part has a hunger for adventure, freedom, and trying out new things. Hunger for letting all strings of life a little looser and starting to live. It has always been there, though last year it has grown to a new level of insatiableness.

Not a single day went by when I didn’t dream of traveling and exploring hidden gems of the world. I was just waiting for a sign from the universe. You can imagine that when the interrail company announced a 50% discount in May, I considered that to be the perfect sign. I booked the next morning without having second thoughts and felt jubilant for weeks, being completely in love with life and feeling grateful for all the new doors this would open.

Taking this action back in May was a real Kickstarter for my confidence boost as part of me thought that if I could successfully do this trip, I could do anything. In a way, I was only testing myself. As you might have guessed from the title of this article, however, this story is not about the interrail. So hang on, because we’re almost there.

My next challenge for a solo trip was to pick a month with enough time to leave my work, studies, and apartment behind for a while. Since my studies would be done in the summer, the big plan was to go in July. I had everything sorted out, but when one of my main accommodations got canceled and I couldn’t find something similar, I decided to call it quits.

This seemed like a pretty determining moment for me, as I thought to myself “I am never going to travel, it’s just not for me and I should give up my dream.”  Here’s what I learned afterward through a solo trip to Norway:

Lesson 1: Opening your mind leads to a new world

Flash forward to September: I was laying on my parents' couch while scrolling on a website for work exchanges. Pages and pages went by without feeling excited about any of the opportunities and just when I was about to give up, my attention was caught by someone’s profile. They seemed like the sweetest family and lived on a mountain, surrounded by nature.

Still a little hesitant by the interrail flop, I decided to send them a message as I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It was the best decision I could have made because within 24 hours my flight to Oslo was booked. A one-way trip, with no return date. How exciting!

You may wonder where my fears had gone. Funnily enough, I don’t remember being afraid at all. Maybe that’s because, for the first time, I felt like I was living my dream and the idea of that alone was worth repressing any doubt. In the Netherlands, we have a saying to describe this feeling: “De wereld ligt aan je voeten”, which means that absolutely anything is possible for you.

And that’s how I truly felt because, from the moment I decided to leave everything behind to go to Norway, everything went super smoothly. You know what they say, fortune favors the bold. So go and do that thing you’re so scared of!

Lesson 2: You learn how to be more self-reliant

Anyway, once I arrived in Norway alone everything seemed to fall into place. I felt like I had just found the last golden ticket from Willy Wonka’s chocolate bars and was now getting the grand factory tour. Having made a scary decision that turned out exactly how I had planned in my head made a huge impact on my self-esteem.

The same girl who, only a month before, had been too scared to go home by herself after having dinner at her friend’s house was now in a different country, completely by herself! No friends or family around to fall back onto and without even some knowledge of the country. No cellular data or credit card and zero Norwegian language skills. As someone who loves to plan and prepare everything in fine detail, this was the most unprepared I had ever been.

Needless to say, of course, this unpreparedness brought its challenges. On my second day in Norway, I was asked to pick up a car and drive it back up the mountain. As you might remember from before, I was scared to drive a car. Not that I couldn’t drive safely, I just had very little faith I would be able to handle any unknown situation that might come up.

At the time I didn’t have cellular data to use Google Maps, but I sort of remembered the road from the first time and I was so set on not turning down their request on my second day, that I thought to myself: “How hard can it be?”. Spoiler alert: it was that hard. If you’re still reading, now is the time to shake your head disappointedly.

After carefully being escorted by my host until the first intersection, I missed my exit and although I heard a little voice asking whether I was still going the right way, I didn’t stop until I was on top of the mountain. A different mountaintop. Not that they were so far apart, but I still had to find my way back. You can probably imagine that this was the point where I started to panic: I had no idea where I was or how I was going to get home before dark.

Much exaggerated of course, but that’s how little faith I had in myself. A couple of minutes later I picked myself up, thinking: “If I can travel to a new country by myself, I can find the way back.” So ultimately, with a much lighter heart and some upbeat music playing in the background, I turned around and started driving the exact opposite way. I was relieved to find the way back and later that night at dinner we had a big laugh about it. All’s well that ends well!

Lesson 3: You can form different kinds of friendships

About a week in, someone else from the same work exchange platform joined me for a few days. Since we both came here and traveled alone, we quickly clicked. She came from Estonia and had traveled all over the world doing work exchanges by herself. As you can imagine, I looked up to her and was intrigued to hear more about the adventures she had made.

Both of us had a deep love for nature, hiking, and being outside, so we started going on little hiking tours together. I would tell her about my life as a student in the Netherlands, and she would tell me about the travels she made and the people she met along with them.

Looking at her was like looking at a version of my older self and that made it into an interesting dynamic. Most of my friendships in the Netherlands were based on a version of myself that was living from a place of fear.

Since I had stepped out of my comfort zone and gained so much more confidence, my friendship with the Estonian girl felt completely different from most of the friendships I knew. Even three months later, our friendship continues to increase my confidence in all the possibilities that life has to offer me.

Later that trip when I went to Copenhagen twice and stayed in hostels for the first time, I had very similar experiences. Long-distance friendships that were made spontaneously, but continue to persist and bring about a very new and grown side of me. I am forever grateful for them!

We’re getting to the end of this story, but if there’s anything I want you to remember as a best solo trip tip is to trust your intuition because she will always guide you toward the right things. Going to Norway by myself has been the scariest but easiest decision I think I ever made.

During my solo travels, I made some useless mistakes and felt afraid very often, but just by following my gut I have seen the most beautiful views, made amazing friendships, and gained a lot of trust in myself! At the end of the day, it was all of those small things that contributed to restoring my confidence in myself and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!

Do you start to go on your first solo trip this year?  You can hear more travel tips from over 30000 female travelers and find women that you can travel together through the NomadHer. Download the NomadHer app now and connect and meet travelers.  You can participate in various meetups, and travel camps and read the travel guides which are made for female travelers now!

‍

👩 Maron Theunis, NomadHer article contributor, is a female traveler from the Netherlands. She has a passion for writing and taking photos and hiking.  A few months ago, she finally started her first solo trip to Norway to get out of her comfort zone. Since then she went to Copenhagen and Germany. Right now, her dream destination to travel to is Sri Lanka.

About Makgeolli

In South Korea, traditional alcohols such as Makgeolli (Korean rice wine), Soju, Dongdongju, and Bokbunja-Ju(Korean black raspberry wine) are an integral part of the country's culinary heritage. Among these beverages, Makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine, holds a special place in the hearts of many.

Makgeolli is known for its unique milky, off-white color and light effervescence. It has a subtle viscosity and a harmonious blend of sweet and bitter notes. The origins of Makgeolli can be traced back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), where it has been a beloved staple of Korean cuisine for centuries.

5 Modern Makgeolli Flavors

Experience the authentic flavors of South Korea with Makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine, on your next trip to Seoul. Makgeolli is known for its milky white color and cloudy appearance. With a lower alcohol content of 6-8%, it is a popular choice among those looking to enjoy a refreshing beverage without the strong effects of higher alcohol content.

The taste of Makgeolli is characterized by a delicate balance of sweetness and slight sourness, with a smooth texture derived from its main ingredient, rice. In recent years, makgeolli makers have made it with various flavors such as chestnut, peach, banana, and citron, adding a new level of creativity to this traditional drink. Makgeolli can be easily purchased at convenience stores for 2,000 won($2), an affordable price.

The Best Korean Foods to Pair with Makgeolli Wine

Makgeolli is a Korean traditional drink that is popular among the young generation these days. You can see most Korean bars sell this drink and there are even “Jumak” style bars that specialize in selling various types of Makgeolli with different flavors. When Koreans drink, they love to eat foods that go well with the taste of their drink. Find local friends in NomadHer to enjoy delicious Korean foods together. Here are recommendations for foods that complement Makgeolli Wine.

✅ Various types of Jeon

The most popular and typical dishes with makgeolli are “Jeon”(Korean-style pancakes). There are various types of Jeon based on the ingredients such as kimchi-jeon (kimchi pancakes), haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), Gamja jeon(potato pancake), etc. Jeon is cooked in a frying pan with oil resulting in a crispy pancake that pairs well with the taste of sparkling Makgeolli.

✅Bindaetteok

Bindaetteok is similar to Jeon but it is made with mung beans and not wheat flour. Other than this difference, most of the ingredients are similar and include vegetables, meat, or seafood. But due to the use of mung beans, the texture is more soft and chewy compared to Jeon.

✅  Jokbal (braised pig trotters)

Jokbal is a rich and savory dish made with braised pig trotters. It is a famous food that is cooked with soy sauce and spices. After a few hours of cooking with lots of seasonings, it absorbs the flavors and becomes soft for wonderful glazed meat that pairs well with Makgeolli.

On rainy days, it's not uncommon to hear Koreans remarking that "it's a perfect day to have Makgeolli and Jeon" as they gaze out the window. The cozy atmosphere, the soothing sound of raindrops, and the taste of the traditional Korean rice wine and the savory Jeon (Korean pancake) makes for a delightful experience. The combination is considered perfect comfort food. As the rain continues to fall outside, it's the perfect time to sit back, relax, and enjoy a comforting meal.

How To Drink Makgeolli

To enjoy Makgeolli in the best condition, it is served chilled in a bottle or a charming pottery bowl. Before taking a sip, it is customary to give the wine a gentle mix with the ladle or flip the bottle upside down with the cap on to incorporate the delightful sediment that settles at the bottom. The experience of drinking Makgeolli is a true pleasure for the senses. Finding a travel buddy in the NomadHer community is a good way to experience a Korean-style bar to drink Makgeolli together.

Makgeolli Recipe

Making homemade Korean rice alcohol is very easy and simple– the only ingredients you need are rice, nuruk (yeast), and water. This means that some Koreans who love Makgeolli make the drink at home. Due to processes of natural fermentation, Makgeolli is considered healthy, organic, and clean. This drink is not commonly found outside of Korea and therefore is often new to foreigners.

✅ How to make Makgeolli:

• Step 1: Begin by washing the rice thoroughly to ensure it is clean. Next, steam the sticky rice in a steamer until it is cooked through.
• Step 2: Once the rice is cooked, spread it out to cool. Allow the rice to cool down until the exterior of each grain becomes hard, while still maintaining a moist interior. Then, add yeast and water to the container and mix everything together using a wooden spoon.
• Step 3: Thoroughly combine the ingredients and ferment for 5 days. During this time, it's important to open the container and check on the fermentation progress. You may notice bubbles popping to the surface. Stir the mixture a few times throughout the fermentation period using a wooden spoon, and make sure to keep the container covered. After 5 days, your homemade Makgeolli will be ready to enjoy!

A Beginner's Guide to Makgeolli Class in Seoul

"Experience the Art of Makgeolli Making with NomadHer: The best Makgeolli Class Led by Enthusiastic Traveler and Makgeolli Lover Matilda Kim of Baekusaeng"

Join NomadHer on a journey of traditional Makgeolli making, led by the passionate and knowledgeable Matilda Kim of the renowned Korean Traditional Craft Makgeolli brand, Baekusaeng. As a traveler, flight attendant, and Makgeolli lover, Matilda brings her unique perspective and expertise to the class, teaching participants how to make this delicious and healthy traditional wine using only vegan and natural ingredients.

Participant Soyoung raves about the class, saying, "I love to drink and hang out with new people. After taking this NomadHer Makgeolli class, I fell in love with hand-made Makgeolli. In her cozy house, the teacher Matilda guided all participants on how to make this traditional wine. I liked the blind-tasting game for different types of Makgeolli so much!

I’m so impressed that she prepared so many things for this class including snacks to enjoy with the drink. I will take her class again and will definitely bring my friends next time". With Matilda's fluent English, the class is open to all, regardless of language. Don't miss out on this unique and authentic experience on your next trip to Seoul!

Are you planning to go on a trip? Over 30000 female travelers from 178 countries are waiting for meeting you. Download the NomadHer app now and connect and meet travelers.  You can participate in various meetups, and travel camps and read the travel guides which are made for female travelers now!‍

Is Kenya safe for solo female travelers? Kenya is an attractive place to travel to broaden your insight about Africa for sure. If you prepare as much as you can, you can enjoy your trip to Kenya. So, here is my Kenya travel advisory that I prepare for women.

First, you have to keep in mind that Kenya is a place where you have to be careful during all your trip for your safety. I went to travel to Kenya for a week myself through a Kenya tour package to do a Masai Mara national park safari tour where I can see wild animals with my eye.

It was an amazing experience to be sure that I can’t forget this trip forever in my life. But there were moments when I had to face some situations like pickpocketing. If you want to go on a trip to Kenya as a female traveler, Here is information for your safety that will be good to know before you leave.

Is Kenya safe to do a solo trip for women?

Before I went to travel to Kenya, I had been to Prague, New York alone. So it was not my first time going to a foreign country. But even though you are an experienced female traveler, finding as much travel advice about Kenya as you can is always good for your safe travel. Because you will see totally different world here beyond all your expectation.

I recommend that if you plan to travel as a female traveler, you need to watch out while traveling. Here were real situations that I run into during my trip.

Situation 1️⃣: At the airport in Nairobi

When I landed at Kenya airport around 5:00 am which is located in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, there were no passengers who took the same airplane with me after I got back from the restroom. For a moment, I was confused about if I had to find and look through customs inspection or not(because there was no sign). I went to the place where the conveyer was placed and one man who looked like an airport staff stood behind it. I put my backpack on it. Then suddenly he said to me, “do you have money?” For a second, I knew instinctively that something was wrong.

And then he pointed out my small shoulder bag and said again, “do you have money there? open this small bag”. I showed him some 1 dollar bills which were lucky for me it was not 100 dollar bills. Obviously, the combination of a backpack(no luggage), an old sweatsuit that I wore, and 1 dollar bills were enough to make him think that I’m not rich at all and that maybe you are richer than I am. With hearing a little sigh from him, I can come out of the airport safely to meet my travel company agent.

Advice💁‍♀️: I recommend not wearing expensive cloth or jewelry. It makes you their target. Also, If you need to bring cash just in case, change your cash with a small unit of money like a 1-dollar, or 2-dollar bill and keep them in several places in your small bag, pocket, or luggage. Check and ask for more tips to other travelers on the NomadHer is a good way to get advice for your trip.

Situation 2️⃣: On the center of the street

On the last day of my travel, I had to stop by the government office to show my passport before arriving at the airport. After I got in my travel agent’s car after getting back from the office, an armed man came to the car and asked again for my passport. There was no reason that I had to show him. My driver who was a travel agent at the same time, raised his voice strongly for me saying that why she had to show you her passport even though she already went through the process 5 min ago. After a little confrontation, this armed man moved back and disappeared. This kind of case could happen often.

Advice💁‍♀️: If you want to travel to Kenya, I recommend you book all your trip through a Kenya travel company and choose a group tour with other travelers. The tourism industry here is huge so you can find well-organized travel programs easily and they are helpful. A solo trip as a female traveler without a travel company can be risky in Kenya. Using public transportation alone is not recommended during your trip.

Kenya Health & Safety Travel Tips

Before you go to Kenya, make sure to do more research on what you need to prepare and Kenya's travel requirements for leaving. Here are recommendations to bring for your safe travel.

• Yellow fever vaccination: Kenya is a high-risk malaria destination. If you want to enjoy your trip to see mother nature, you need to be careful about your health to prevent bites by mosquitoes and insects all the time.
• Pack plenty of mosquito repellents
• Prepare some medicine for emergency
• Wear long sleeves and pants
• Protein bars and snacks: If you go on a safari game drive tour in Masai Mara national reserve for a few days which is the most famous activity in Kenya, it would be hard to find a place to buy snacks. Just in case local food does not suit your taste, bringing some snacks could be a good idea. Also considering the price is not cheap in Kenya, it is good for your travel budget.
• Bring plenty of portable power banks that you need. Kenya is a beautiful country for sure. So you want to take lots of photos and videos, especially when you see wild animals like lions, leopards, buffalo, and so on. As much as you prepare, you can fully enjoy the travel.

Food Hygiene in Kenya

When you stay at top hotels and safari camps, the quality of food that is served to you would be quite good to enjoy the local taste. But when you choose food, you need to check if is well-cooked or not. Don’t eat raw food such as fruits that cannot be peeled. Also, I advise you to always drink bottled water instead of tap water. You need to be aware of what you eat during your trip to Kenya.

Without a doubt, Kenya is definitely a beautiful place to travel. If you see mother nature with wild animals there, I’m sure that you will fall in love with this country. Prepare as much as you can before the trip then you can enjoy all the moments.

Over 30000 female travelers from 178 countries are waiting for meeting you. Download the NomadHer app now and connect and meet travelers.  You can participate in various meetups, and travel camps and read the travel guides which are made for women now!

🌈 Are you looking for tips and advice to start your solo trip?

How I turn my fear into a passion to start my first solo trip

The 5 Reasons Why Every Woman Should Try Solo Travel

Five Things Solo Travel Teaches You

💁♀️ Soyeon Bae from South Korea is a bookworm, content creator, digital nomad, and travel lover. Including Kenya, she has traveled to Prague, New York, Kenya, New Zealand, and Paris herself. Now, she dreams to travel to the Antarctic and the Arctic to see mother nature with her eye.

When I graduated High School in the US and decided to take a gap year to travel, I would never have imagined that less than half a year later, I would be in France finishing my first internship. Even more than that, I would not have dreamt of being able to intern for a company that's mission is helping other women also realize the empowering experience of solo traveling!

Hello, my name is Gloria, I am 18 years old and am on a gap year before college and for the past three months, I have had the honor to be in an internship program for students for NomadHer in Paris, France! I saw this opportunity for the first time over the summer in an email from LinkedIn, and I almost didn’t apply based on my assumption that I would be chosen for such an amazing opportunity. But I am so glad that I did apply because along with a few other offers, I received an email from Hyojeong Kim, founder, and CEO of NomadHer, letting me know that they would like me to intern in Paris for the next three months!

When I arrived in Paris and at Station F, I was in awe of all of the innovation, ideas, and passionate people I was surrounded with, and made so many new friends and connections that I am sure I will maintain for years and years from now. As things got into motion, I began to work on preparations for the Paris Female Globetrotter Festival, the main event that I would be working on planning alongside the Paris NomadHer Team.

The more we got into the work, the more I began to learn from everyone on the team and from everything I was able to experience.

From cross-cultural communications to PR communication and marketing working online with teammates who were in different countries, every day brought with it new learning, experiences, and fun. Not only did I meet so many people through the NomadHer team, but also through meetups in Paris and the Female Globetrotter Festival. No matter how much work we had to do, the team would always make an effort to complete every task with so much attention and passion– it was impossible to not be inspired by such a dedicated team!

It is almost impossible to pinpoint my favorite memory from the internship, but October 29th, the day of the Female Globetrotter Festival, is definitely up there. After weeks of brainstorming, reaching out to the community, and work, we were finally able to bring the Festival together. Seeing a room full of women travelers from all over the world and with the sound of amazing conversation and sharing of stories was incredible.

To this day, I still remain in contact with many of the women that I met during my first remote internship for NomadHer in Paris, and through my travels, I continue to meet NomadHers everywhere I go. During this gap year, I knew that I wanted to travel solo to learn about myself and the world, but I got something even better. I got the chance to learn about the world through the beautiful conversations, connections, and friendships that are created in the NomadHer community, and that is the best travel experience I could ever ask for. She Can Travel Anywhere!

Over 30000 female travelers from 178 countries are waiting for meeting you. Download the NomadHer app now and connect and meet travelers.  You can participate in various meetups, and travel camps and read the travel guide which is made for women now!

👩 Gloria Kuzmenko-Latimer lives in the U.S. She recently graduated from high school. She is an avid language learner so now she can speak English, Russian, French, Ukrainian, and Korean. Learning a new language and Traveling is her passion. After an internship in Paris with NomadHer during her gap year, She starts going on a trip to explore the world.

About Chujado Island

Have you heard of Chujado Island? It is a famous place among Korean campers. Chujado Island is a perfect place to enjoy activities such as trekking, fishing, and riding, as well as a relaxing stroll in the small towns and enjoying local foods.

Chujado Island is divided into two islands, Sangchujado and Hachujado, and these two islands are connected by a bridge. Officially, Chujado belongs to Jeju Island, but it is located between Jeollanam-do and Jeju-do. For that reason, it is culturally influenced not only by Jeju but also by Jeollanam-do, so you can often see similar cuisine to that of Jeollanam-do.

In the fall, NomadHer held a Camping Trip for female travelers on Chujado Island with 10 NomadHers from Korea, the United States, and France coming together. From making a bonfire on a camping site to walking along the famous trekking course and looking at the beautiful sea and cliffs, NomadHers got a chance to take in the beauty of Chujado Island.

Here, we will share our top 6 recommendations for the best attractions to visit during a camping trip on Chujado Island!

6 Camping Attractions on Chujado Island

1️⃣ Jeju Olle Trail Routes 18-1 along the Navarone Cliffs

The Jeju Olle Trail is an 11.4km trekking course that starts from Sangchujado and leads to Hachujado crossing a bridge and taking about 5 hours. This is called “Navarone Sky Road” named after the famous movie, The Guns of Navarone because you can see beautiful cliffs similar to the movie. When you walk along this course, you will feel as if you walk on the road over the sea toward the sky, just like its name.

2️⃣ Camping on the Hupo Beach

There is a campground right near Hupo Beach where you can set up camp and spend the night. Hupo Beach is so clean and beautiful like the one in Busan city, you can even see black stones under the seawater clearly with your eye. It is a beautiful natural environment where you can see crabs crawling on the sand and it is also a famous place for anglers and divers due to its clear waters.

3️⃣ Make dinner together

When darkness has fallen on the island, the best part of a camping trip begins– it is time to roast sweet potatoes and meat, drink cocoa, and continue amazing conversations with your travel companions. Enjoy this peaceful moment to spend time alone or to mingle with friends, where the only sound you can hear on the island is the waves crashing against the rocks!

4️⃣ Beautiful Sunrise Over the Sea

Create a special start to your day by watching the sun rise at one of the most beautiful spots in all of South Korea. If you want to capture more diverse sunrises, we recommend you go up the Navarone Skyway trail right near your camping site. Bring hot coffee in a thermos to complete the perfect morning as you watch the sun arise from the sea.

5️⃣ Local fishing village tour

Chujado Island is a small island with a total population of fewer than 2,000 people. If you walk along the trekking route, you often see some small villages. Wherever you go, you can meet warm-hearted locals that are unique to small villages and different from the bustle of a city like Seoul.

Other things to see on Chujado Island that you will encounter while trekking:

• Chuja Lighthouse: You can see the whole view of Sangchujado from this Lighthouse, which serves as a guide for ships to navigate safely at night.
• Yeongheung-ri Mokhwa Village: If you walk along the Mokhwa Village, you can see murals showing the magnificent views of Chujado island.
• Chujado Bridge: This is the bridge connecting Sangchujado Island and Hachujado Island. At the entrance, you can see a sculpture depicting one of the local foods, Gulbi.

6️⃣Local food, Gulbi

If you visit this island, we highly recommend trying Gulbi. Gulbi is a kind of fish that Koreans love to eat regularly and Chujado Island is famous for this food. You can find that most local restaurants sell this so if you travel to Chujado, try to order “Gulbi Jeongsik” which is served with various small dishes with baked Gulbi.

Getting to Chujado

Chujado Island is geographically located between Jeollanam-do and Jeju island so there are various ways to take the ferry to go to the island. For example, a ferry can be taken from Wando-gun, Haenam-gun, or Jeju island with the most popular ferry from the Jeju Ferry Passenger Terminal on Jeju island.

How to get to Chujado Island from Jeju Island (1h 30m)

• Take the ferry called “Queen star 2” from Jeju Ferry Passenger Terminal 2 Quay
• Arrive at Sangchujado Port
• Booking website: http://www.seaferry.co.kr/
• Ticket fee: 14400 KRW (adult)
• Must bring ID to take to be able to board the ferry
• It is recommended to book the ferry ticket online in advance

Several ferries run regularly from Jeju island to Chujado Island. Some arrive at Sangchuja Port while others go to Hachuja Port. The most popular ferry is Queenstar 2, which arrives at Sangchujado Port. Sangchujado is a downtown area of the whole island where more than 70-80% of the island’s population is concentrated. Most restaurants, hotels, stores, and other general conveniences you would find in a city are here, so it is easiest to arrive here for your first trip.

On this island, there is only one bus and one taxi that runs the entire island. If you miss the bus, you have to wait for an hour, so we recommend you check the bus timetable in advance based on your travel plan.

Let’s go on a camping trip with a professional host

The NomadHer Jeju Chujado Camping Trip was hosted by outdoor travel expert Myung-soo. She has led and organized lots of eco-friendly backpacking/camping travel programs. On her camp trip, she helped participants feel the beauty of nature and discover themselves through their time spent on Chujado Island.

“Go camping with the NomadHer trip was the best choice of my life. Now, I can imagine a completely new style of travel that I’ve never tried before– a trip with nature. It was my first time going camping and trekking. For me, this camping trip taught me the beauty of mother nature and how to enjoy this moment with focusing on myself at the same time. Also, it was amazing that a professional photographer came and took a lot of great pictures. The most memorable trip I've done this year!” said Soyoung,  NomadHer participant.

You can see various meetups and trips in South Korea and France on the NomadHer app now. Not only the yoga & wine class, and hula dance in Seoul but also Busan Firework Festival, Yacht Tour, Hot Spa, and more! Don’t miss the opportunity to travel with female travelers (Go to NomadHer App on IOS & Android)