Hi, I’m Annie — a traveler, storyteller, and the person behind Annie’s Travel Mindset.
For the past 10 years, travel has been a huge part of my life. I’ve trekked to Machu Picchu, slept under desert skies in Morocco, swam with manta rays in Bali, explored the Canadian Rockies, island-hopped through the Philippines, gone on safari in Kenya and Tanzania, and spent time living by Lake Atitlán in Guatemala.
This blog is where I share the places I’ve been, the lessons I’ve picked up along the way, and the practical tips I wish I had before going.
You’ll find honest travel guides, destination ideas, itineraries, trip-planning advice, and personal recommendations based on real experience — not rushed checklists or copy-paste travel advice.
I like to keep things helpful, clear, and accessible.
Some posts are more practical, like where to stay, what to do, how to book a tour, or how to plan a realistic itinerary. Others include little reflections on what travel has taught me: how to slow down, be more present, step outside my comfort zone, and create a life that feels more aligned.
Because for me, travel isn’t only about seeing beautiful places.
It’s also about how those places make you feel, what they teach you, and how they change the way you move through the world — even in small ways.
But don’t worry, this isn’t a blog where every hike turns into a life lesson.
Sometimes you just need to know if a place is worth visiting, how much time to spend there, what to pack, or whether the tour is actually worth the money. I’ve got you there too.
On Annie’s Travel Mindset, you’ll find:
Travel guides based on real trips and honest experience.
Itineraries that help you plan without overpacking your schedule.
Practical tips for tours, transportation, budgeting, and where to stay.
Destination inspiration for places like Guatemala, the Philippines, Canada, Kenya, Tanzania, Portugal, Bali, and beyond.
A light mindset thread woven through the journey — because travel has a way of teaching us things when we let it.
My goal is simple: to help you plan meaningful trips that feel exciting, realistic, and true to you.
Whether you’re planning your first big adventure, dreaming about your next destination, or trying to build a life with a little more freedom in it, I hope this space helps you feel inspired, prepared, and ready to go.
Where I’ve Lived / Traveled
To date, I’ve spent months living and adventuring in different corners of the world, mostly as a solo female traveler. I rarely “pass through” – I like to settle in, soak up the culture, and let each place teach me something. My expertise lies within the following destinations:
🌎 The Americas
📍 Guatemala – San Marcos La Laguna (Lake Atitlán)
📍 Peru – Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca
📍 Mexico – Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cancún, Cozumel
📍 Canada – Montreal, Quebec City, Bruce Peninsula (Ontario), Canadian Rockies, Whistler, Vancouver, Gaspésie, Revelstoke
📍 USA – New York City, Chicago, Florida, Hawaii, Jackson Hole
📍 Honduras – Roatán
📍 Nicaragua – San Juan del Sur
🌍 Europe
📍 France – Paris
📍 Spain – Barcelona, Málaga, Torremolinos, Marbella, Mijas, Nerja, Menorca, San Sebastián, Bilbao, Gibraltar
📍 Austria – Vienna, Krems an der Donau, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Alpbach, Mühlbach am Hochkönig, Pertisau, Mayrhofen, Matrei in Osttirol, Gamlitz
📍 Norway – Oslo
📍 Greece – Athens, Meteora, Santorini, Mykonos
🌍 Africa
📍 Morocco – Sahara Desert (overnight camp), Marrakech, Fez, Chefchaouen, Taghazout
📍 Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar – Safari
🌏 Asia
📍 Bali, Indonesia – Ubud, Gili Air
📍 Philippines – Cebu, Palawan, El Nido, Coron
Fun fact about me : I’m a Technical Scuba Diver
When I’m not hiking mountains or chasing sunrises, I’m often underwater. In 2017, I fell in love with scuba diving — and it quickly became more than a hobby. Over the years, I’ve earned 11+ PADI certifications, including:
• Open Water Diver
• Advanced Open Water Diver
• Rescue Diver
• Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver
• Deep Diver
• Wreck Diver
• Drift Diver
• Dry Suit Diver
• Sidemount Diver
• Emergency Oxygen Provider
• Tec 40 & Tec 45
Why i Dive?
For me, scuba has never been about chasing bucket lists or ticking off sites. It’s about presence. It’s about stepping into a world where silence speaks louder than noise, and every breath becomes a reminder to slow down. And maybe it also makes sense that I’m drawn here — after all, more than 70% of our planet is water, a whole world that’s barely been explored. Every dive feels like unlocking a secret, catching a glimpse of something most people will never see.
