#16 | Your Most Asked Questions Answered

#16 | Your Most Asked Questions Answered

This week’s episode brings your favorite co-founder duo, Mar and Meg, back together for a fun and very honest conversation answering all the questions you have about Solo Female Travelers and our trips. They answer the most asked questions they get: Am I too old or too young? Does everyone really come solo? Will I fit in? They also get into the practical details, including payments, what is included in the trip price, dietary requirements, when tours are confirmed and how Meg carefully matches roommates. She is quite the matchmaker, hopefully helping you find your bestie and travel buddy along the way. Mar and Meg also share more about what being female-powered really means at SFT, and the non-negotiable principles they will never compromise on. From only ever working with female guides who are from the places they visit, to intentionally creating experiences that directly support local women and communities. They explain how these values shape every decision they make, why meaningful, responsible travel matters so deeply to them, and how their commitment to transparency and staying personally involved with every guest is rooted in those core beliefs, because they are building something they truly believe in and are here for the long run. Of course, it would not be a Mar and Meg episode without plenty of laughs, questionable photography skills, unexpected tangents and a brand-new trousers-versus-skirt analogy that even Meg had never heard before. It is a fun behind-the-scenes look at how SFT trips work, the care that goes into every detail and the two women behind it all. www.solofemaletravelers.club

#15 | How to Take Photos of Yourself When Traveling Solo

Travel photography doesn't have to be complicated or intimidating. In this episode, Meg sits down with professional photographer Anastasia Novosyolova-Blatt to share practical, beginner-friendly tips for taking better travel photos, especially when you're traveling solo. They cover everything from choosing the right camera setup (spoiler: your phone is probably enough) to finding the best lighting, asking strangers for photos with confidence, using simple accessories like tripods and remote shutters, and deciding when it's worth hiring a professional photographer. Anastasia also shares her favorite editing tips and explains why mindset is often the biggest factor in getting photos you'll actually love. Whether you want beautiful vacation memories, better social media photos, or simply more confidence in front of the camera, this episode is packed with realistic advice you can use on your very next trip. www.solofemaletravelers.club

#14 | How to Be a More Thoughtful Traveler

Thoughtful travel can sound like a fancy buzzword, but it does not have to be complicated or hard to achieve. In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Meg sits down with Amanda Kendle, travel writer, podcaster, and host of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast, for an honest conversation about what it actually means to travel with more intention. Amanda shares how her love of travel began with a six-month campervan trip through Europe as a child, how moving to Japan in her twenties helped shift her anxiety and open up her world, and how one simple comment about not riding elephants in Bali changed the way she thinks about ethical travel. Meg also reflects on her own travel evolution, from early backpacking trips and checklist-style planning to the ways Solo Female Travelers now approaches social impact, animal welfare, child photography, locally owned businesses, and helping travelers prepare more intentionally before they go. Together, they talk about moving beyond top 10 lists, planning trips around your actual interests, making space for spontaneity, being a guest in someone else’s home, and why thoughtful travel does not mean perfect travel. They also reflect on how travel does not really end when you get home, but continues in the way you carry those experiences forward. We hope this episode inspires you to pause when planning your next trip, stay open-minded, and remember that even small, thoughtful choices can make a difference along the way. Connect with Amanda: Podcast: Not a Ballerina [https://www.notaballerina.com/podcast] Instagram: @amandakendle [https://www.instagram.com/amandakendle] www.solofemaletravelers.club

#13 | Planning a Trip to Antarctica

Antarctica is one of the most remote places on Earth, but visiting it isn't as simple as booking a cruise. From choosing the right expedition to understanding the rules that protect this fragile environment, there's a lot to know before you go. In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Mar sits down with expedition guide and Antarctica expert Lori Gross, who has spent nearly 20 years guiding travelers across the White Continent. Together, they talk about what it's really like to visit Antarctica, how to choose the right expedition, the differences between ships and itineraries, what to expect throughout the season, and why flexibility is one of the most important things you can pack. They also discuss responsible tourism, wildlife etiquette, IAATO, biosecurity, social media, and how every traveler can help protect one of the last truly wild places on the planet. If Antarctica is on your bucket list, this episode is packed with practical advice, insider tips, and everything you wish you knew before planning the trip of a lifetime. -- Connect with Lori: Website: The Antartic Experience [https://antarcticexperience.com] Facebook Page: The Antarctic Experience [https://www.facebook.com/theantarcticexperience] Facebook Group: The Antartic Experience [https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheAntarcticExperience] YouTube: @theantarcticexperience [https://www.youtube.com/@theantarcticexperience] Instagram: @theantarcticexperience [https://www.instagram.com/theantarcticexperience/] www.solofemaletravelers.club

#12 | Multisensory Travel

So much of travel is built around what we can see. We talk about sightseeing, bucket-list views, and must-see attractions. But what happens when you experience the world differently? In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Meg sits down with author, speaker, podcaster, and disability advocate Lois Strachan to talk about travel, independence, and what it means to truly be present in a place. After losing her sight in her early twenties, Lois continued pursuing her lifelong love of travel, visiting more than 20 countries and developing what she calls a different way of seeing the world. Through sound, touch, smell, conversation, and curiosity, she experiences destinations in ways many travelers rarely stop to consider. We talk about navigating new places as a blind traveler, accepting help without sacrificing independence, the role technology plays in making travel more accessible, and why curiosity is one of the most important qualities any traveler can have. Lois also shares practical advice for becoming more present while traveling and challenges us to think beyond photos, viewpoints, and social media checklists to create deeper, more meaningful travel experiences. Whether you're a frequent traveler or simply looking for a new perspective, this conversation is a powerful reminder that there are many different ways to experience the world. Connect with Lois:  Website: Lois Strachan [https://www.loisstrachan.com/] Podcast: A Different Way of Seeing Podcast [https://www.loisstrachan.com/podcast/] Facebook: @Loisstrachanspeaker [https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker/] Youtube: @LoisStrachan [https://www.youtube.com/@LoisStrachan] www.solofemaletravelers.club