r/femaletravelers

Sometimes I enjoy planning a trip almost as much as taking it.

I genuinely love figuring out what kind of trip I want to have, researching neighborhoods, finding great restaurants, saving viewpoints, and imagining how I'll spend my time. I'm usually the planner in my travel group, and honestly, I don't mind.

I've never really subscribed to the "just show up and see what happens" approach and I'm so tired of people (it's almost always men, in my experience) that "just winging it" is somehow the superior way to travel. They've never had to look over their shoulder 25x while speed walking back to their hotel in an unfamiliar city at night, get asked all sorts of personal questions while ordering a coffee, or get told to smile more while minding their own GD business...gah.

For me, planning means I spend more time wandering interesting streets and less time standing in line or staring at my phone trying to figure out where to eat next, or accidentally wandering into an area that doesn't feel safe. I've had too many close calls because I didn't do enough research ahead of time. Planning doesn't mean every minute is scheduled; it means I can be intentional with my time.

The other thing I've noticed? People who claim they "don't plan" often mean someone else in their travel group is doing the planning for them.

Anyway... the frustrating part has always been bringing everything together. Over the years I've built countless Google My Maps, tried tools like Wanderlog, and almost always ended up back in Google Sheets. Most of the planning tools I've tried seemed like they wanted to replace the planning process, when planning is actually my favorite part.

I also got tired of apps asking me to define my travel personality as "adventurous," "romantic," or "relaxing," like I was taking a BuzzFeed quiz. And while ChatGPT is great for brainstorming, I still found myself cross-checking recommendations because it would occasionally suggest places that didn't exist.

My workflow ended up looking something like this: Instagram reels, TikToks, YouTube videos, Google Maps pins, blog recommendations, ChatGPT suggestions, texts from friends... and then copying everything into a spreadsheet.

After running into this problem for years, I built the tool I wished existed. It lets me collect recommendations from all those different sources in one place and then turn them into a flexible itinerary. It's honestly become the planning workflow I always wanted.

If you're someone who loves planning trips, what part of the process do you enjoy most? And what part always feels unnecessarily frustrating?

I look at them often, but I’m looking for ideas on how to organize them.

I have heard lots of bad stories, though, which I know could happen anywhere, but I feel like those thoughts in the back of my mind would ruin the trip.

If you did, did you feel safe there? Any tips/tricks/recommendations?

What is the best (and safest) way to get around? Anything that's a must see attraction?

Hi!
I’m a 21 years old girl from Belgium and lately I’ve been craving adventure. I really want to travel, go on road trips, discover new places, meet new people and just enjoy life.
I’m looking for another girl who’s easygoing, fun, and open-minded. Someone who enjoys going out and exploring, but who also appreciates chill days and relaxing sometimes.
I don’t have a specific destination in mind yet, so I’m pretty flexible. If you’re already planning a trip and don’t want to go alone, or if you’re also looking for a travel buddy to plan something together, I’d love to chat!

Give me the favorite countries you’ve travelled to in June or July and what makes it perfect time to travel there during this time. Planning either solo or girls trip next summer and want some ideas.

Reviews say good location but do not always explain why, or whether someone felt comfortable coming and going alone. What signals do you personally look for when deciding where to stay?

I was chatting with friends and they have things booked out through next year. I can barely plan 6 months out. Just wondering what is "normal" so to speak.

I am hoping to find a card that has low ATM withdrawal fees and no international transaction fees. Any advice is helpful.

After watching the game last night (WC), I def want to add Cape Verde to my list of places to see. Has anyone visited CV? If so, pls share your experiences.

Most hotels around the world need your passport for check in, and in recent years some countries require Airbnb hosts by law to ask for guests passports as well. So as solo female travellers, do you feel safe giving out your passport info to Airbnb hosts or hotel reception in these circumstances?

I spent nearly three weeks backpacking through Albania in May, travelling entirely by bus before continuing into Montenegro.

I’ll be honest…

Albania didn’t become my favourite country in the Balkans.

There were moments where I struggled to connect with it, and I actually enjoyed Montenegro more overall. But looking back, I’m incredibly glad I visited.

Some of my favourite memories weren’t necessarily the famous attractions. They were conversations in hostel gardens, wandering UNESCO old towns, swimming in crystal-clear water and meeting some of the kindest hostel owners I’ve come across while travelling.

If I were doing the trip again, this is exactly how I’d do it.

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Overall Thoughts

As a solo female traveller, I generally felt safe throughout Albania. I walked around during the day and in the evenings without any major concerns.

People were welcoming, food was affordable and transport was much easier than I expected.

One thing I didn’t expect was just how different each destination felt. Tirana, Berat, Himarë and Shkodër all had completely different personalities.

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Should You Rent a Car?

If your budget allows it…

Yes.

This is probably the one thing I’d do differently.

I travelled entirely by bus and while Albania’s bus network is surprisingly good, having a car would have made the Riviera so much more enjoyable.

You’ll be able to stop at beautiful little villages like:

* Dhërmi

* Vuno

* Qeparo

* Borsh

instead of simply driving past them.

If you’re travelling solo, I’d even recommend finding people at your hostel to split a rental car for a few days.

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Buses

Despite what you’ll read online, buses in Albania are actually quite straightforward.

The schedules just aren’t published very well.

Every hostel I stayed at knew exactly:

* where buses departed from

* what time they left

* roughly how much they cost

Most of the time I simply asked reception the night before and never had any issues.

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Food & Budget

One thing I loved about Albania was how affordable it was.

Most local meals cost between €2-4, so I rarely cooked.

Coffee was usually around €1-2.

The only places where I noticed prices increase were:

* Himarë

* Sarandë

which makes sense considering they’re Albania’s biggest beach destinations.

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Cash

Carry cash.

Many hostels still prefer cash payments and smaller restaurants occasionally do too.

I’d recommend withdrawing larger amounts rather than making lots of small ATM withdrawals.

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Tirana ⭐⭐☆☆☆

This will probably be my most unpopular opinion.

Personally… Tirana just didn’t click for me.

I know plenty of travellers who absolutely loved it, so take this with a grain of salt.

I found it busy and chaotic, and it never really captivated me the way some of Albania’s smaller towns did.

That said…

A lot of people’s experience seems to depend on where they stay.

Hostel Recommendations

If you’re travelling solo, I’d recommend:

* Trip’n Hostel

* Blue Door Hostel

* Bearded Dad Hostel

All three have great reputations for being social and organising activities.

Many backpackers I met ended up extending their stay simply because they loved the hostel atmosphere.

Things to do

* Skanderbeg Square

* Bunk’Art

* Blloku

* Dajti Cable Car

I’d personally spend 2-3 days maximum.

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Berat ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Berat was where Albania really started to grow on me.

Known as the City of a Thousand Windows, it’s one of Albania’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and is incredibly photogenic.

Unlike Tirana, Berat has a much slower pace.

It’s the kind of place where the best afternoons are spent wandering narrow streets before sitting down for a coffee overlooking the river.

Stay

Berat Backpackers Hostel

A lovely backpacker hostel with a beautiful garden and relaxed communal atmosphere.

It wasn’t the most social hostel of my trip, but it was incredibly easy to meet people naturally.

Things to do

* Berat Castle

* Mangalem Quarter

* Gorica Bridge

* Onufri Museum

* Sunset viewpoints

Don’t rush Berat.

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Gjirokastër ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This ended up being one of my favourite places in Albania.

The stone streets, mountain backdrop and Ottoman architecture make it unlike anywhere else in the country.

The town itself only needs around 1-2 days, but…

I actually stayed 3 nights because I loved my hostel so much.

Stay

Stone City Hostel

Quite possibly my favourite hostel in Albania.

The owner and volunteers created such a warm, welcoming atmosphere that I genuinely didn’t want to leave.

If you’re travelling solo, I’d highly recommend staying here.

Things to do

* Gjirokastër Castle

* Old Bazaar

* Skenduli House

* Zekate House

* Sunset over the rooftops

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Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër)

This may be controversial…

I actually wouldn’t prioritise it.

Yes, it’s beautiful.

But it’s also:

* crowded

* touristy

* heavily regulated

You can no longer swim there, which took away a lot of its appeal for me.

Personally, I’d save my nature day for Theth and the Blue Eye in northern Albania, which felt far more immersive.

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Optional: Përmet

I didn’t visit Përmet myself, but almost everyone I met who did absolutely loved it.

It’s known for:

* natural hot springs

* rafting

* excellent local food

* a quieter atmosphere than the Riviera

If you have an extra couple of days, I’d definitely consider adding it.

Sarandë ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Sarandë is probably Albania’s most famous beach destination.

Personally…

It wasn’t my favourite.

I can completely understand why people enjoy it. The water is stunning, there are endless restaurants along the promenade and it has a fun holiday atmosphere.

But compared to Himarë, I found it far more commercialised. It reminded me a little of Ibiza or a typical Mediterranean resort town.

I visited in May and even then it was busy. I can only imagine how crowded it gets during July and August.

Most of the beaches in town are occupied by paid sunbeds, although we did find a small public section near Bora Bora Beach Bar.

Things to do

* Walk the promenade

* Swim if you can find a public section

* Visit Lekursi Castle (personally I found it underwhelming as it’s now largely a restaurant with viewpoints)

If you’re choosing between Sarandë and Himarë…

I’d choose Himarë every time.

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Himarë ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was easily my favourite stretch of coastline in Albania.

If you’re travelling for beaches, crystal-clear water and a more relaxed atmosphere…

Spend your time here.

Some of the most beautiful beaches I visited were:

* Filikuri Beach ⭐

* Aquarium Beach ⭐

* Livadhi Beach

The water is absolutely stunning.

Stay

I stayed at Natural Hostel.

The owner was genuinely lovely and the hostel had a nice communal atmosphere.

Unfortunately, the facilities just weren’t for me. The bathrooms felt quite basic, shower pressure was weak and overall comfort wasn’t quite what I was looking for.

If I visited again, I’d stay at:

* Himara Downtown Hostel

* Oasis Hostel

* Trip’n Hostel (if you’re after a younger, more social crowd)

Things to do

* Beach hop

* Explore Himarë Old Town

* Sunset by the waterfront

* Rent a kayak or paddleboard

* Drive to nearby villages if you have a car

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Vlorë ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

After several days on the coast, I decided to stay in Vlorë’s city centre rather than near the beach.

I’m really glad I did.

It gave me a completely different side of Albania to experience and was the perfect place to slow down for a couple of days.

Stay

Queen V Hostel

One of my favourite hostel stays in Albania.

The hostel is part of Nico’s family home and genuinely feels like a home away from home.

Spotlessly clean, comfortable and incredibly welcoming. I actually extended my stay because I enjoyed it so much.

Things to do

* Wander the Old Town

* Visit Independence Square

* Cycle around the city

* Walk the waterfront

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Shkodër ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Probably the biggest surprise of my trip.

I expected Shkodër to simply be the gateway to Theth.

Instead…

It became one of my favourite cities in Albania.

Beautiful pedestrian streets, colourful Italian-style buildings and a much more relaxed atmosphere than Tirana.

Walking Tour

Book a GuruWalk.

Honestly one of the best walking tours I’ve done while travelling.

Learning about northern Albania’s history gave me a completely different appreciation for the city.

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Komani Lake & Shala River

Absolutely worth it.

I booked through GetYourGuide because I wanted a guide explaining the history and geography throughout the journey.

The real highlight is the boat ride through Komani Lake.

Shala River itself has become fairly developed for tourism, but it’s still an incredibly scenic day out and we managed to find a quiet spot to relax and dip our feet into the freezing water.

If you’re in Shkodër…

I’d definitely recommend doing this tour.

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Theth & Valbona

If you enjoy hiking, this is Albania’s most iconic adventure.

Most people organise everything directly through their hostel.

I’d recommend doing the same as you’ll travel with other backpackers rather than random tour groups.

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Hostel Recommendations

Wanderers Hostel

Probably the most social hostel in Shkodër. Great younger crowd, communal dinners (included!) and easy to meet people. The only downside is that the hostel is spread across multiple buildings, so where you’re allocated can affect your experience.

Shkodra Hostel & Day Tours

This is where I stayed.

Modern, comfortable, fantastic café downstairs and excellent facilities. A great choice if you want comfort while still having a social atmosphere.

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My Favourite Hostels

🏡 Best Overall: Stone City Hostel (Gjirokastër)

🤝 Most Social: Wanderers Hostel (Shkodër)

🌿 Most Relaxing: Queen V Hostel (Vlorë)

🌸 Best Garden: Berat Backpackers

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Things I’d Skip Next Time

* Blue Eye near Sarandë (beautiful but very crowded)

* Spending more than 1-2 days in Sarandë

* Choosing accommodation based only on facilities instead of atmosphere

* Trying to optimise every stop instead of slowing down

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Things I’d Do Differently

* Rent a car for at least part of the Riviera.

* Spend longer in Shkodër.

* Base myself in Himarë instead of Sarandë if beaches were my priority.

* Explore more of the small villages like Dhërmi, Vuno and Qeparo.

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Suggested Routes

5-7 Days

* Tirana

* Berat

* Himarë

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10 Days

* Tirana

* Berat

* Gjirokastër

* Himarë

* Vlorë

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2 Weeks

* Tirana

* Berat

* Gjirokastër

* Optional: Përmet

* Sarandë

* Himarë

* Vlorë

* Shkodër

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3 Weeks

* Tirana

* Berat

* Gjirokastër

* Përmet

* Sarandë

* Himarë

* Vlorë

* Shkodër

* Theth

* Valbona

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Final Thoughts

Looking back, I realised my favourite memories weren’t necessarily the famous attractions.

They were conversations in hostel gardens, owners who welcomed guests like family, wandering old towns with a coffee in hand and spontaneous swims in unbelievably clear water.

Albania isn’t a country I’d rush through.

Slow down.

Stay an extra night if you’re enjoying a hostel.

Talk to people.

Take the recommendation from the volunteer who’s lived there for a month.

And if your budget allows…

Rent a car.

I genuinely think that’s the one thing that would have made my trip even better.

Lastly, don’t judge Albania by Tirana alone.

For me, the country truly came alive in Berat, Gjirokastër, Himarë and Shkodër—and those are the places I’d return to in a heartbeat.

I really want to travel but don’t have many friends. I have a boyfriend but he works a lot. I’m at a weird point in my job where I don’t really care about it and will take off as much time as I want.

I’ve thought about travelling solo for a while and I think it would be something I would feel so proud of myself for doing — as I’m not great at doing things alone.

I’m curious if there are any solo female travellers who have done solo trips while in a relationship. I have this feeling that everyone who I have told that I’m interested in doing this thinks it’s weird that I would want to travel without my boyfriend. I think they associate solo trips with hooking up with random people.

I’m interested in exploring the world and hopefully making connections and life long friendships.

What are some of your favorite cities in North America to travel to? Looking for some inspiration.

I keep reading about merino wool for shirts and bras, I have tried various merino wool or cashmere and they all itch. Even if they feel soft to the touch, when I put them on it always feels like little fibers stinging my skin.