bio
My second solo backpacking experience was in 2019. I set off for 16 months through Europe, South Asia and South-East Asia, meeting incredible people through volunteering and couchsurfing. That is also when I met my husband.
I believe that every place has a tale waiting to be told, and want to transport you to distant lands.
Through writing, storytelling and conversations, I hope to inspire others to explore these interests, fostering a community where we can exchange ideas and expand our horizons together.
Hi! I'm Offely, half-French and half-British journalist, freelance travel writer, living in London.
With a love for exploration that began in my youth, I have travelled across the globe, immersing myself in diverse cultures and experiences. My first solo backpacking trip was around the Balkans (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Bulgaria) in 2017. I was 23 then and crossed six land borders, discovered six different languages, cultures and had to change money five times in two weeks.
Since a young age, I have travelled. My mother worked for a prominent French bank where the benefits were great. One of these was the ability to send your children on a holiday, organised by the bank's social committee. I went with other children of my age, for several weeks at a time, a every half term and in the summer. The catalogue of destinations was incredible. My first trip abroad was in Spain, aged 11. But later, I would be going to Thailand, Egypt, Estonia, the US and so many more.
Kids in my school thought my family and I were rich. After 8 weeks of summer holiday, I’d come back very tanned and that meant I had gone farther than most of my school mates. It couldn't have been further from the truth. It was because we were somewhat poor that I had this opportunity to go on these wonderful trips. My mother was indeed on the lowest income threshold and paid the lowest price to send me and my siblings on these unforgettable journeys.
It all stopped as soon as I turned 18 but I kept travelling thereafter. With its six airports, moving to London meant I had a gateway to the rest of the world.
a BIT OF BACKSTORY
Because I had these travelling opportunities in my youth and thanks to my continuous quest to reach unknown places, I have travelled to 50 countries so far. I hope to keep travelling in the coming years, whether alone or with my husband as travel companion.
I have mostly solo-travelled to most of these countries. When I first set out on my own, I was scared. Social media's reach was not as widespread as it is now and there was no real inspiration or role-model I could find back then to guide me. It was when I watched the first season of Race Across the World that it became clear to me: this was what I wanted to do. Travelling and backpacking became my main motivators and it helped that I was quite good at it.
In recent years, I have had to slow down a little due to a chronic pain condition which has forced me to rethink the way I travel. Despite this, I continue to plan projects for long expeditions that I would like to undertake in a few years. My goal is to inspire people to take the first step out, no matter what is holding you back.
What i write about
Every story on here relates to a country I have visited. I will not write about a country or a place I have never been to.
On here, I will share:
Stories about my travels and experiences
Solo travel tips
Travelling on a budget (it's not glamorous but it stretches your purse and experiences in the best ways)
All about London & the UK
Travelling as a woman
This blog proves travel is for everyone—solo or in groups, young or old, rich or not, experienced or beginner traveller. Most importantly, you don’t always need a fat wallet (it’s great if you do have one though) to make unforgettable memories; a little planning and budgeting can go a long way. As a woman who travels solo, I’ll also share my experiences and push back against the idea that it’s unsafe or impossible for women to travel alone.
Travelling is for everyone. Only those who have never been anywhere will say it isn't.