#femalesolotravel – Bri Right Back

Hey there! Haven’t written in a while but have been meaning to write this post forever. My first solo trip was to the beautiful city of Chicago and it helped spark my love for travel. You hear so many horror stories of solo travel, especially female solo travel, but I put those fears aside and had an amazing time. Not only was this my first solo trip, it was my first time using Pack Up and Go to plan my vacation. This travel company specializes in creating surprise getaways for their customers. As an often spontaneous trip planner, their bespoke service piqued my interest and I knew I had to give it a try.

How Pack Up and Go Works:

Pack Up and Go has various budgets and types of trips to choose from. The prices are better for double occupancy so it definitely isn’t the least expensive option for solo travelers. So if you’re conscious of your budget, bring an adventurous friend or significant other along! They offer road trips (with fun stops along the way), outdoor road trips, staycations, and bus, train, and plane journeys. There’s different price points for each type of trip and a survey to fill out with interests, preferences, your past or planned trips.. basically any information that will help them plan the perfect trip for you.

And the best part is…

The trip is a surprise until the day of the trip! You’re given a sealed envelope with all the information you could possibly need on your destination. Don’t worry about packing because they’ll send you the weather for your planned locale and let you know if you need to bring anything special.

When the day of my trip finally came, I couldn’t wait to find out where I was going. I was full of jitters the whole ride to the airport.

I opened up my envelope to see I’d be flying to Chicago! I’d never been there so I was psyched to see what the city had to offer.

Pack Up and Go booked me at Palomar Chicago Hotel in the heart of Chicago. I loved how spacious my room was and how I could easily walk to all the sights. There was so much room that I probably could’ve shared it with 2 or 3 more people! It was a way nicer room than I’d ever get for myself so I was pleasantly surprised.

I couldn’t wait to explore Chicago so I ditched my bags at the hotel and headed out, after checking my packet of information from my envelope. I went to Millennium Park to see Cloud Gate, a public art piece commonly referred to as the Bean. Its reflective design shows the city landscape and sky. The reflective nature of it also attracts a big selfie crowd so I took some photos and moved along.

Next, I checked out Magnificent Mile, Chicago’s commercial district. This area has all types of shops and restaurants.

The next day, I went to Lincoln Park Zoo. Admission is donation-based, so it’s a great budget-friendly way to spend the afternoon. The grounds are really pretty too.

After the zoo, I went up to the 360 Chicago observation deck. I’m not the biggest fan of heights but I wanted to be able to see the views from over a thousand feet up. If you’re braver than me, you can even get a ticket to get tilted toward the glass to see the view from up close.

For my evening plans, Pack Up and Go had extra funds in the budget and used the money to book tickets for a Second City Comedy Show. The show was sold out so I probably wouldn’t have been able to get tickets on my own with the trip’s short notice. I’d highly recommend catching a show when you’re in town. Zanie’s would also be a great option if you’re a fan of stand-up comedy or improv.

Second City’s Fantastic Super Great Nation Numero Uno

Now for the best part.. the food! I knew that I had to try some deep dish pizza while in Chicago. I opted for Giordano’s because I could order a personal pie there. I kept it simple with just green peppers on top. The pizza was pretty good, but personally, I’d prefer a thin crust and not waiting so long for it to cook. Definitely worth sampling this style while in town.

It’s safe to say I loved Broken English Taco Pub! I returned there a second time in three days. The restaurants themselves have a super cool aesthetic and the food and drinks were delicious. I wish there was one near me.

When I heard about a cupcake ATM, you know I had to check it out. Sprinkles has the world’s first cupcake ATM that can supply your sweet craving 24/7. I chose a vanilla frosted and a salted caramel and they didn’t disappoint.

Getting the opportunity to see Chicago was a fantastic surprise! I really enjoyed all of the thought and personal touches that Pack Up and Go included to make my trip extra special. I can’t wait to return someday and see how the city’s changed.

Thanks for reading and happy travels! 🙂

I was greeted at the airport by a large vending machine exclusively selling Irn Bru. Orange is an offensively bright color when you spent your night and early morning sleeping in an airport. There’s a guy in a kilt just wandering the airport, no luggage or anything- I could’ve sworn this was a fever dream but nope, it was just my weird welcome to Scotland.

Castle Rock, the hostel I booked in Edinburgh, was situated right next to Edinburgh Castle. You couldn’t ask for a better view (or a bigger hill to drag yourself and backpack up). The famous Victoria Street was very close and made me feel like I just stepped onto Diagon Alley from Harry Potter. If you’re a big fan of Harry Potter, you have to see Edinburgh. The inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s books is all over town. The Royal Mile was right near the hostel too, with bagpipers playing and lots of shops to check out.

I went on three free tours- an Edinburgh one, a Harry Potter one, and a spooky tour. I’d recommend the Potter one run by The Potter Trail. It was very interesting to learn about the places J.K. Rowling incorporated into her writing and the guide was charismatic and knowledgeable. I had lunch at the Elephant House, where Rowling penned some of the series (but not the first book, despite what they say in all the signage). From the window, you can see the Edinburgh Castle which, along with a nearby school, contributed to how Hogwarts would be described in the books and portrayed in the movies.

Gravestone from the Spooky Edinburgh Tour

Museum Context, a store with Harry Potter merchandise and photo op

Whilst in Edinburgh, I also climbed up to Calton Hill to get a panoramic view of the city and (almost) climbed up to Arthur’s Seat. It was raining pretty heavily and between the slippery terrain and my fear of heights, I decided against trekking all the way to the top of the ancient volcano. The views from where I surrendered were enough for me. This will probably serve as a pattern for the rest of the trip. I didn’t pay extra for the adventurous travel insurance. Plus, I had a band to see in Glasgow!

The view from (almost the top of) Arthur’s Seat

Glasgow was a tough place to find hostels that seemed decent, but I booked Euro Hostel off of a recommendation and it was fine. My favorite part was that they had a bar attached so I could eat, drink, and charge up devices whenever I needed to. The food was very inexpensive as well which was a big help for my budget.

I went to see the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. You could spend an hour or so here. I mostly liked the Floating Heads art installation that was suspended from the ceiling. I also spent some time at the Botanic Gardens, which were very nice to see during springtime. I walked Glasgow Green but other than the beautiful archway and being adjacent to the River Clyde, it wasn’t anything too interesting.

I found a self-guided tour online of Glasgow’s street art called the Mural Trail. Hunting for all these pieces was a highlight of my trip. Along the trail, I stumbled upon the Glasgow Cathedral and Glasgow Necropolis, which I had planned on visiting anyway. The Necropolis, an enormous graveyard, was eerie but strangely beautiful. The immense size and detail that was put into each gravestone was unlike anything I’d ever seen.

My main reason for being in Glasgow was to see one of my favorite bands, Paws, play in their hometown at the Centre for Contemporary Arts. The venue reminded me of the smaller rooms in New York where I love to see concerts so I was psyched. The show was an awesome way to end my time in Scotland!

Tag: #femalesolotravel

Flashback to Chicago 2017

Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland (or that time I forgot to eat a deep-fried Mars bar)