Solo Female Travelers

#11 | The Ethics of Tourism Under the Taliban

In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Mar sits down with Fatima Haidari, Afghanistan’s first female tour guide, for a deeply personal conversation about courage, displacement, identity, and rebuilding a life after unimaginable loss. Fatima’s story is also part of our own. When she first left Afghanistan, she worked with Solo Female Travelers during those early, uncertain moments of starting over. This conversation feels especially meaningful because we get to reconnect with her a few years later, hear where life has taken her, and witness the strength, clarity, and purpose she continues to carry forward. Fatima shares what it was like growing up in rural Afghanistan, teaching herself to read by listening to lessons from outside a classroom, and the journey that eventually led her to become a tour guide, journalist, and women’s rights advocate. She also speaks about the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, escaping Afghanistan on an evacuation flight, and the difficult reality of rebuilding her life from scratch in Italy while navigating grief, culture shock, trauma, and the weight of leaving home behind. Together, Mar and Fatima talk about what life is like for women and girls in Afghanistan today, why Fatima continues to fight for education and women’s rights, and how her organization, Alefba, is helping girls keep learning despite the restrictions they face. The conversation also explores the growing popularity of tourism in Afghanistan and the complicated questions that come with it. Can travel support local communities? Where is the line between cultural exchange and normalizing oppression? And what responsibility do travelers and content creators have when sharing stories from places facing serious human rights challenges? This is an honest, thought-provoking conversation about resilience, survival, education, and the power of refusing to give up on a better future, for ourselves, for Afghanistan, and for women everywhere. Connect with Fatima: Instagram: @fatimahaidari [https://www.instagram.com/fatima.haidari786/] Support her school for girls in Afghanistan: Alefba [https://alefbaassociation.org/], instagram: @alefba_for_women [http://instagram.com/fatima.haidari786] YouTube: @fatimahaidari [http://www.youtube.com/@fatimahaidari] www.solofemaletravelers.club

#10 | Greece Beyond Mykonos and Santorini

When most people think about traveling to Greece, they picture Santorini sunsets, Mykonos beach clubs, and crowded whitewashed streets packed with tourists. But what if some of the best Greek islands are actually the ones you've never heard of? In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Mar sits down with Stella, our Greece tour host and a travel industry expert who has spent more than 25 years working across the Greek islands as a wedding planner, tour leader, cruise director, and travel specialist. Together, they talk about what tourism is really like in Greece today, the impact cruise ships have on small island communities, and why some of the most memorable experiences happen away from the country's most famous destinations. Stella shares her favorite alternative islands, including Folegandros, Sifnos, and Milos, and explains why they're perfect for travelers looking for beautiful beaches, charming villages, incredible food, and a slower pace of life without the crowds of Santorini and Mykonos. We also chat about island hopping, ferry travel, Greek hospitality, local food, why dinner starts surprisingly late, and why Greece might be even better outside of peak summer season. If you're planning a trip to Greece, dreaming of island hopping, or simply looking for a more authentic experience beyond the Instagram hotspots, this episode is full of practical tips and local insights from someone who knows these islands inside and out. www.solofemaletravelers.club

#9 | The Magic of Packing with Mar

Packing light sounds simple in theory, but for many travelers, fitting everything into a carry-on can feel almost impossible. In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Meg sits down with Mar to unpack the strategies, mindset shifts, and practical tips that have allowed her to travel carry-on only for more than 20 years. While Meg openly admits to being a lifelong overpacker, Mar has refined her packing system through thousands of flights, years of business travel, and countless trips around the world. From capsule wardrobes and versatile clothing to choosing the right suitcase and avoiding "just in case" items, Mar shares exactly how she consistently travels with only a carry-on, even on multi-week trips. Together, Meg and Mar discuss the psychology of overpacking, common packing mistakes, how to choose clothing for different climates, and why most travelers bring far more than they actually need. They also dive into practical topics like packing cubes, laundry on the road, toiletries, carry-on weight limits, favorite travel gear, and how to handle shopping while traveling light. Along the way, Meg shares some entertaining stories about traveling with multiple suitcases, navigating airports with a toddler, and learning firsthand why packing light can make travel easier, faster, and far less stressful. Whether you're attempting your first carry-on-only trip, looking to streamline your packing process, or simply curious how Mar manages to fit weeks of travel into a single suitcase, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world experience to help you travel lighter and more confidently. Here are the products they mention in this episode: * My TUMI carry on [https://amzn.to/4uKt7tp], the one I have been using for 13 years and have re-bought and have at home as back up when the current one breaks down completely * My TUMI tote bag [https://amzn.to/4eiX4e4] that I have also had for over 13 years and which keeps everything that is delicate (laptop, wallet, chargers, cameras, drones, GoPro, etc.) * Foldable TUMI tote bag [https://amzn.to/4nXGZha] that packs really small, for when I know I may shop. This is my "just in case" bag that my mother gifted to me. It's a really useful bag. * This crossbody sling bag [https://amzn.to/4elGwkP] is almost like the one I have to keep all my personal items and valuables. * Ear plugs [https://amzn.to/4vmbJeg] * Sun Bum face stick [https://amzn.to/4a4MeGa] * Another sole shoes [https://intl.anothersole.com/?ref=MARPAGES]. All of their range of shoes are amazing, but I wear the original Anytime flats * I have exactly these laundry soap sheets [https://amzn.to/49BqykS] for travel which come in their own tiny box and occupy little space * Phone lanyard [https://amzn.to/3See4tq] * Oakley sunglasses [https://amzn.to/4elGkC7] * Wide brim hat [https://amzn.to/4utnPBL] * Adaptor with USB ports [https://amzn.to/49vrEPc] * Bose noise cancelling headsets [https://amzn.to/4o84sg0] * Anker power bank 20,000 mAh [https://amzn.to/3PTsNcE] * Airplane phone holder [https://amzn.to/4utoinv] * Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro – LED Face Mask [https://amzn.to/4x4SOX7] www.solofemaletravelers.club

#8 | Bali Beyond Social Media

Bali is one of the most visited islands in the world, but beyond the traffic, beach clubs, and Instagram photo spots, there is another side of the island that many travelers never experience. In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Mar sits down with Henni, our local Bali host, to talk about what Bali is really like from a local perspective. Mar has visited Bali 13 times over the last 16 years and has watched the island change dramatically. While overtourism, traffic, and destructive development have dominated headlines in recent years, much of Bali still remains untouched by mass tourism if you know where to go. One thing many travelers don’t realize before visiting is just how big Bali actually is, and how concentrated tourism is in only a few small areas of the island. With a little more effort and intention, it’s still possible to find quiet waterfalls, ancient villages, local temples, and incredibly beautiful places far away from the crowds. Together, Mar and Henni discuss overtourism, influencer culture, spirituality, Balinese ceremonies, water purification rituals, and how travelers can experience the island more thoughtfully and respectfully beyond the crowded hotspots of Canggu and Seminyak. Henni also shares why respecting temples and local customs matters so much, how tourism impacts local communities, and why supporting local women-owned businesses can make a meaningful difference. If you’ve ever wondered whether Bali is still worth visiting, how to avoid the crowds, or how to connect more deeply with Balinese culture beyond the social media version of the island, this episode offers an honest and nuanced perspective from someone who calls Bali home. www.solofemaletravelers.club

#7 | Dating, Desire & Solo Travel

What happens when romance, solo travel, and modern dating collide? In this episode of the Solo Female Travelers Podcast, Meg sits down with Sabrina, a sex educator, TEDx speaker, and founder of After Sex Ed, to talk about dating, intimacy, boundaries, and safety while traveling solo. Meg shares some of her own experiences with travel and dating, while Sabrina explains why travel can feel so freeing emotionally and psychologically, and why so many people are drawn to romance while away from home. Together, they discuss vacation romances, solo travel dating safety, setting boundaries, trusting your instincts, online dating abroad, consent, STI prevention, cultural differences around sex and relationships, and why “no” is indeed a complete sentence. Sabrina introduces us to what she calls the third sexual revolution,” and discusses why younger generations are increasingly craving emotional intimacy and real connection, and how confidence, self-worth, and body image shape the way women approach dating and relationships at every age. If you’ve ever experienced a vacation romance, wondered how to date more safely while traveling, or wanted a more honest conversation about intimacy and solo female travel, this episode offers thoughtful, practical, and empowering perspectives. Connect with Sabrina: Website: www.aftersexed.com [http://www.aftersexed.com/] TikTok: @LearnwithSabrina [https://www.tiktok.com/@learnwithsabrina] Instagram: @afters3xed [https://www.instagram.com/afters3xed/] www.solofemaletravelers.club