Meet Me
I didn’t start traveling until my late 30s, but once I did, everything changed. What began as a step outside my comfort zone quickly became a passion for the freedom, confidence, and perspective that solo travel brings. Now, through The Independent Wanderer, I share guides, resources, and inspiration to help other women realize it’s never too late to start exploring the world on their own terms!
Hi, I’m Kalina… the voice behind The Independent Wanderer.
Travel has always been part of my life, just not in the way you might expect.
I was raised in the Navy, which meant moving every few years and living in different countries while growing up. Experiencing new places became normal to me early on, but those moves were simply part of life… not something I ever thought of as traveling.
As an adult, real travel didn’t come easily.
In my 20s, most of my trips were small visits to see friends rather than big adventures. Then in my early 30s, I went through a period where finances were tight and travel simply wasn’t possible. For a while, exploring the world felt like something that belonged to other people.
But life has a way of changing when you least expect it.
After working hard to climb out of debt and rebuild my financial footing, I finally reached a place where travel became possible again. In my late 30s, I took the leap and started traveling solo—and it completely changed my life!
Solo travel showed me a level of freedom, confidence, and independence I had never experienced before. Navigating new places on my own reminded me that the world is far more accessible than we often believe, and that sometimes the only thing standing between us and adventure is the courage to begin.
That realization inspired me to create The Independent Wanderer.
Why I Created This Site
I created this space to help other women feel confident exploring the world on their own terms—especially those who feel like they’re starting later than everyone else.
So much travel content focuses on people who began exploring in their early 20s, but the truth is:
There is no age limit on adventure.
Whether you’re planning your very first solo trip or simply dreaming about where you might go next, my goal is to make solo travel feel approachable, empowering, and achievable.
Here you’ll find:
Practical solo travel tips
Detailed itineraries and destination guides
My favorite solo travel gear and essentials
Resources designed to help you travel confidently and independently
My Mission
My mission is simple:
To inspire women to discover the freedom and confidence that comes from traveling solo, no matter when they start!
Because sometimes the most powerful journey you take isn’t just across the world… it’s the one that proves to yourself that you’re capable of more than you ever imagined.
Let’s Wander
If you’re ready to start planning your own adventure, you can explore:
Solo travel gear and essentials
Ready-to-use itineraries
Resources to help you become a confident solo traveler
Your adventure doesn’t have to start in your 20s.
It doesn’t have to start with the perfect plan.
It just has to start!
