These are the trips that left every female member of International Traveller changed

Discover the incredible places and experiences that have shaped the International Traveller team.

Travel has a profound way of transforming us – challenging our fears, expanding our minds, and pushing us to places we never thought possible. And for many women, it’s more than just a way of seeing the world, it’s a means to carve out independence, build trust in oneself, and develop empowerment. 

In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the journeys of the women on the International Traveller team who’ve ventured from their comfort zones and undertaken travel experiences that have shaped them into the people they are today. 

Katie Carlin, Head of Content

Soaring to new heights in Zion National Park

Reach dizzying heights on the Angels Landing hike. (Image: Getty/ jon chica parada)

It’s not in my nature to be reckless, but when I travel, I become a more daring version of myself. Still considered, but more willing to push beyond my comfort zone for the joy of accomplishing something I didn’t know I could. The experience that encapsulates this the best for me is Angels Landing. It’s one of the most popular hikes in Utah’s Zion National Park, but the final stretch to the summit is also one of the most treacherous – think slippery ledges, steep drop-offs, and dizzying heights. And that’s after your legs have turned to jelly from Walter’s Wiggles: a set of 21 short but relentlessly steep switchbacks.

Many make it to Scout Lookout and decide to turn back. I wasn’t above joining them. But when I came face-to-face with The Spine, my fear had been quietened by the thrill, and I decided to tackle that last 800-metre scramble up exposed rock face to the summit. The impossibly blue sky and 360-degree view of Zion is etched in my memory but it’s the moment I took to sit down and take stock of what I’d just achieved that really sticks. I felt new in a way that is hard to explain. Who knew I could become a person who hiked a scary mountain and lived to tell the tale? I certainly didn’t.

Kassia Byrnes, Native Content Editor

Rediscovering myself in South Africa

Madikwe Game Reserve offers visitors unforgettable experiences. (Image; Getty/Julian Parsons)

After ending a controlling relationship in my mid-20s, I went on my first solo trip ever, to South Africa. It. Was. Amazing. For the first time in years, I was making my own choices, meeting new people, and creating brand-new experiences and memories that were all my own. South Africa still has a special place in my heart, especially that solo safari I did in Madikwe Game Reserve – incredible! And I’ve been hooked on solo travel ever since.

Rachael Thompson, Evergreen Editor

Facing new challenges in Europe’s wild landscapes

Iceland’s natural beauty offers peace and tranquillity. (Image: Getty/Mumemories)

My most empowering travel experience was my first solo trip to Europe, where I went to a music festival by myself for four days (and survived) and also drove around Iceland. The former helped me build my social confidence – going up to strangers and saying “Hi” turned out not to be as scary as I thought – while the latter helped me navigate both the physical landscape and the freedom of making decisions with just myself in mind. I highly recommend Iceland for solo travellers and women in particular. It feels incredibly safe, locals are friendly, and the roads are easy to drive on. Being surrounded by such dramatic landscapes and dipping into geothermal baths allows for plenty of time to self-reflect and properly unwind. I liked myself a lot more after this trip.

Carla Grossetti, Freelance Sub-Editor/Journalist

Making space for solitude and growth in South-East Asia

Vibrant culture can be found in every corner of Malacca. (Image: Getty/RAVINDRAN JOHN SMITH)

One of my most empowering travel experiences was travelling solo around south-east Asia. My father had recently passed away and I was absolutely heartbroken. As the days turned to months, the experience of travelling alone gave me the freedom and space to grieve. I found travelling solo a great way to meet new and interesting people. It also opened me up to new experiences such as Vipassana meditation, which really helped me sit in my sadness and process this profound loss. Travelling solo helped broaden my support network, and build resilience and confidence. I still draw on those experiences today, especially when it comes to enjoying alone time, and being open to meeting new people.

Michelle O’Callaghan, Group Manager of Sales and Partnerships

Finding peace and clarity on a backpacking adventure

Experience the peaceful charm of Laos. (Image: Getty/ hadynyah)

At 22, I packed a backpack and took off on a career break from teaching, following the well-worn trail of so many Irish before me – chasing adventure, experience, and the possibility of something more. Backpacking through Asia was a whirlwind, but the moment that has always stuck with me wasn’t about movement; it was about stillness. Sitting on the steps of a temple in Luang Prabang, Laos as the sun set, the air thick with humidity and the sound of monks’ evening hymns, I felt something shift. We just sat, quiet, listening. And in that moment, whatever I had been rushing toward could wait. It was the first time I truly understood the power of slowing down—of letting my mind be still, of sitting with my own thoughts without needing to fill the space. Even now, years later, that feeling of calm is something I try to hold onto.

Emily Murphy, Social Media Manager/Writer

The transformative power of moving abroad alone

Moving solo to the UK at 18 sparked a journey of self-discovery. (Image: Getty/CHUNYIP WONG)

I find travel to be an undeniably empowering experience. It offers endless possibilities, and I feel more like myself when I travel than at any other time. Solo travel, in particular, is incredibly powerful – especially in a world where women are often warned about all the things we shouldn’t do alone.

My first solo travel experience was 10 years ago when I was a fresh-faced and oh-so naïve 18-year-old. I had barely lived two months of adulthood when I packed myself up and moved – solo – to the UK. My family thought I was out of my mind, but all I felt was excitement, ready for the adventure I’d dreamt of as long as I can remember to come to fruition.

Now, I won’t say my time living in the UK and travelling through Europe was all smooth sailing – it absolutely wasn’t. But doing it on my own shaped me in ways I could never have imagined. Looking back, 18 is so young! I thought I was so grown! And, I knew absolutely nobody. I found myself in some really challenging and scary situations while I was there, like having all my belongings stolen on a train from Lyon to Nice. But I also built a community, learned how to advocate for myself and gained a sense of independence that has never left me. That journey gave me confidence, resilience and the unshakable belief that I could handle anything the world threw my way.

Cass Lazaro, Content Producer

Letting go of expectations on a trip to Taiwan

The vibrant streets of Taipei. (Image: Getty/ fazon1)

My most recent empowering travel experience was in Taiwan last December. I had downplayed the chilly weather since it was my first time visiting the country, and I admittedly lacked cold-weather clothes in my wardrobe – I live in the tropical Philippines, after all. And while that oversight didn’t do any favours to my comfort as well as the peeking sights of onlookers, it did feel liberating to just not care. Life really isn’t that serious and it’s okay to not literally dress the part sometimes – the important thing is I had the best time eating my feelings (I still think about the stinky tofu and milk tea with torched brown sugar on top), just taking in all the sights and feeling grateful for the downtime. Yep, I was feeling cold in those Calvin Kleins but my heart couldn’t feel any warmer, so it was still a memorable trip.

Cathlyn Botor, Content Producer

Embracing new experiences in Palawan

The serenity of Palawan’s pristine beaches allowed for self-reflection. (Image: Mlenny)

I consider my 26th birthday trip to Palawan in the Philippines, where I visited remote beaches on my own, to be my most empowering travel experience. Embarking on a solo journey felt freeing in a way I had never experienced when travelling with a companion. From planning my DIY itinerary to interacting with locals, I developed a strong sense of self-reliance and independence.

Lorraine DePadua, Campaign Executive

Celebrating independence on my first international trip

Experiencing Taiwan’s unique culture fostered personal growth. (Image: Getty/Sean3810)

My most empowering experience was my first international trip. At 25, I finally travelled abroad to Taiwan using my own hard-earned money. It felt like a huge milestone – proof that I was capable of making things happen for myself. Being in a completely new place, figuring things out on my own, and experiencing a different culture firsthand pushed me in ways I didn’t expect. This journey not only taught me independence and resilience but also deepened my appreciation for the world and my own capabilities.