I Visited 30 Countries Before I Turned 30, and Here’s What I Learned

Yes, the Mona Lisa is world famous, and that War Museum in some European city gets incredible reviews. But if you're not an art lover or that into history, just don't do them. Much more can be learned by sitting in a beautiful cafe and watching life go by than paying $10 to wander around a modern art exhibition when all you see are splashes of paint on a wall. Your time at a destination will often be short, so do the things that inspire you, not the things you think you're supposed to do.

One thing I hate about international travel is checking my luggage and waiting for my bag at the baggage carousel, with the fear that it has been lost along the way. So I don't check a bag anymore, and always travel with only a carry-on. This included a week skiing, a week in Dubai, and even ten days in Croatia. Things like three pairs of heels, party dresses, and a hair dryer and straightening irons can be left behind. T-shirts and jeans, underwear, a camera, and makeup are all that you need, thanks to hotels and Airbnbs providing all other beauty products and electronics. Bulky coats and shoes? Wear them on the plane.

Cuba and Lisbon were two places I expected to love, yet I came away from severely underwhelmed. Just because places look fantastic on Instagram and are raved about by other people doesn't mean they will be loved by you, sometimes for no reason at all. However, that is the point of traveling: to learn where you want to return one day.

Morocco, as a single woman, was a daunting prospect, but it quickly became one of my favorite countries, from the bright colors to the constant music and fascinating history. Poland, a place I simply chose after finding cheap flights, surprised me with it's architecture and cheap patisseries galore.

Spending 30 days traveling by train with five people in very close quarters would be tough for anyone on their first big trip abroad, so arguments and spats were to be expected when I started traveling! Travel buddies are ones to choose wisely. Even your best friend at home could be your worst nightmare in a foreign environment, especially if one of you wants to relax in five-star luxury while the other wants to explore on a budget.

You will always make new friends along the way, as it's almost impossible to be lonely when traveling and meeting people from countries across the globe. Not only that, but it's surprising how likely it is to bump into a college friend despite being the opposite end of the world in New Zealand, or end up sharing a dorm with a friend's ex-boyfriend. It all make the planet seem so much smaller, and makes your travel experiences all the more exciting.

After spending two weeks driving through France, Spain, Italy, and Germany and realizing that the five CDs you have burnt with music don't work, you're bound to go mad listening to the same five songs. Don't forget, Spotify doesn't stream without internet, so unless you've got a really good deal on data, make a very, very long summer music playlist to download.

When taking a long trip abroad, you can plan all you want, but something will always go wrong. Even as one of the most organized people — making sure all hotels are booked, all trains times are remembered, and emergency numbers and details written down — I have still been caught out so many times. Booking the wrong flight home, having passports and clothes stolen after skinny-dipping, and camping in a church garden after getting lost in Germany are just the highlights. But it's how you work in a crisis and solve problems that make you a stronger person. My biggest piece of advice is to always have backup money, a photocopy of your passport, and an emergency number. Then, whatever happens can be fixed!

My biggest problem is wanting to get the most out of a trip. This means booking excursions, ticking off the best restaurants, and exploring every part of the city to make the most of the time off. Sometimes, this break from the world ends up being just another task that leaves you coming back even more tired. My one vacation to Greece where I sat by a pool and read books resulted in me being the most well-rested I've ever been after a trip.

For me, it is always the travel adapter that fails to make it into my suitcase. But body wash, socks, hair elastics; something will always be missed. The frantic rush at the airport to replace things is inevitable, or perhaps you'll end up attempting to find a weird substitute (I once used shoelaces to tie my hair up in a hot country). As long as you have your passport and cellphone, you'll be fine.

Booking time off work to travel can be difficult, especially if working in a small team. You'll soon learn all the tricks to fit as much as possible into just 36 hours! One of the benefits of living in Europe is having so many great countries only a couple of hours away by plane. I discovered that both Norway and Ireland are perfect for a short trip from the UK: I flew in Saturday morning and left by Sunday evening. Not only is it cheap, as you'll only be paying for one night's accommodation, but a city can easily be explored in less than two days, with the best bits on show. If you love it, make a note to return for a longer trip next time.

Even now, as I am closer to 30 than 20, many of my female friends have never traveled by themselves abroad. Being lonely or the fear of something awful happening are often the two biggest concerns, but being a young woman by yourself allows you to be one thing we are often not persuaded to be: selfish. Solo travel means only doing what you want when visiting a city, without compromising for another person. It also means time spent without having to make small talk: you'll experience silence and a break from the hectic daily life, as well as seeing somewhere you wouldn't be able to if you waited for friends to become available to join you. It's amazing what a vacation alone can teach.