wanderlust and a rucksack

Collecting memories and passport stamps

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December 18, 2025

Valbona-Theth Hike, Albania

From the day I arrived in the Balkans last summer, this was the trip everyone was recommending. I resisted changing my plans for 3 weeks, saying I wasn’t going to be able to fit it in before I…
Read more: Valbona-Theth Hike, Albania
December 9, 2025

Prague at Christmas

Prague is one of the best European cities to visit at Christmas – a stunning market, amazing warm food and complete Christmas vibes. I spent (I have to admit) a little longer there than I probably needed to…
Read more: Prague at Christmas
November 3, 2025

Lake Ohrid: Activities, Accomodation and Recommendations

Lake Ohrid has to be one of my all-time favourite destinations. It’s in the east of North Macedonia. Think crystal blue water, watching sunsets from boats with your hostel friends, cheap lakeside coffees and sunrise swims. It’s a…
Read more: Lake Ohrid: Activities, Accomodation and Recommendations

With both personal travel stories and plenty of ‘how to’ guides for you to be able to make the most of your travelling

wanderlust_and_a_rucksack

Caitlin 🩵
Collecting Memories and Passport Stamps
A girl exploring the world
Links to blog posts on my highlights
#travelblogger #travel

2025 travel wrapped New travel series coming in

2025 travel wrapped

New travel series coming in the new year, for now a Christmas travel focus on my blog (link in bio). 2025 has been an amazing year travelling around Europe and having my first solo backpacking trip. Can’t wait for 2026.

#travelgirl #travelwrap #travelwrapped #travelcontentcreator #travelblogger #travel #eurosummer #2025

🩵🌎✈️ #2025wrapped #travelgirl #travelco

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#2025wrapped #travelgirl #travelcontentcreator #travelblogger #food #foodlover #foodtraveller

If you need a sign to solo travel it’s here 🩵

If you need a sign to solo travel it’s here 🩵🌎✈️

Unfortunately for my bank account, I’ve realised that as well as trips with friends, I need to fit more solo travel into my life and it does live up to the hype it gets on social media. However, solo travel is definitely a challenge to make that first step and book the flight or bus.

FINALLY both jumping on this Instagram trend and getting out my article on my thoughts on solo travel (link in bio and copied below)

https://wanderlustandarucksack.com/2025/09/26/is-solo-travel-worth-the-social-media-hype/

Caitlin ✈️🌎🩵

#travelgirl #travelblogger #travel #summer #backpacking #travelcontentcreator #solotravelgirl #solo #solotraveller #traveler #newchapters

The Balkans is one of the best places to start bac

The Balkans is one of the best places to start backpacking - it’s beautiful, friendly and cheap and has plenty of hostels with people solo travelling.

I first started backpacking properly last year starting off in Sofia, Bulgaria and went on my first big solo trip this year, starting in Montenegro (going on a really weird loop round) and then finishing in Greece after going in literally every direction and doubling back on myself a bit.
Expect to be eating burek nearly every day - felt like a change of diet when I tried apple burek rather than the normal option of feta vs meat.

The Balkans also has the perfect mix of some places that don’t feel as touristy as Italy or Spain but still good enough transport links and a range of hostels that can suit whatever you want - mix of party and hiking hostels anyone?

If you’re looking for the your next place to discover - go to the Balkans. As always, loads of posts on my blog on this, for each country, a few weeks itinerary and some hostel recommendations.

Caitlin 🩵✈️🏝️

#balkans #backpacker #backpacking #montenegro #albania #greece #bosnia #northmacedonia #croatia #balkan #balkantrip #travelgirl #travelblogger #travel #europe #easterneurope #travel #travelinspo

One of the best countries in my opinion for solo f

One of the best countries in my opinion for solo female travellers, backpacking group trips, a great first place to start backpacking and SO MUCH MORE!!!

Finally got a post out to put together a quick route for you on how to travel to my favourite places in Montenegro!

Podgorica > Ulcinj > Kotor > Perast > Budva

Link in bio to my blog as always or copy and pasted below to the exact page.

Caitlin 🩵✈️🏝️

https://wanderlustandarucksack.com/2025/09/13/your-one-stop-guide-to-planning-your-montenegro-trip/

#montenegro #travelblogger #travelgirl #backpacking #balkans #kotor #kotormontenegro #travel #europe

Life is meant to be lived. Travel. Hike. Swim. Liv

Life is meant to be lived. Travel. Hike. Swim. Live.

#travelgirl #girls #travel #travelcontentcreator #backpacking #hiking #outdoors #nature #albania #live #authentic

Lake Bled, Slovenia Perfect for a September geta

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Perfect for a September getaway or to add to your inter railing list. One of the best places for swimming, sociable hostels and a perfect break from the business of cities.

Post on Lake Bled up now!

https://wanderlustandarucksack.com/2025/09/01/lake-bled-backpacking-guide/

Link in bio!

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#travel #lakebled #summer #septembertrip #travel #travelvibes #eurosummer #lake #bled #slovenia #travelslovenia #slovenia🇸🇮 #wanderlust #backpacking

Reminder to see the world if and when you can 🩵

Reminder to see the world if and when you can 🩵🏝️✈️

To anyone new: welcome to my blog of adventure travel and backpacking featuring lots of hiking, underrated cities and places to connect with the world.

#travelgirl #travel #travelcontentcreator #summer #backpacking #travelblogger #adventure #inspiration #travelinspo #travelling

Day 6 - Budva 🩵✈️🏝️ Nearly at the end

Day 6 - Budva 🩵✈️🏝️

Nearly at the end of the Montenegro travel blog series (days 1-4 are up on the blog!!!)
Next country… CROATIA!!!

#travelgirl #travelblogger #travel #solotravels #solotravel #traveldiaries #travel #travelcontentcreator #backpacking #montenegro #budva

Montenegro day 5 - new destination! This day for

Montenegro day 5 - new destination!

This day for me was definitely when solo travel started to feel real - having left my friends in the last hostel and genuinely started wondering if I was just really lucky that first time. However, saw someone from my hostel on the beach and then feeling completely social again. @high_hostel_budva was also a great place to stay and watch sunset from the roof here! (The walk was worth it for the views!)

At this point, still loving solo travel!

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#budva #montenegro #solotravel #solotravelgirl #solotraveldiaries #summer #travelcontentcreator #backpacking #travelblogger #travelgirl #travel #eurosummer #travelblog

Genuinely didn’t realise how difficult it would

Genuinely didn’t realise how difficult it would be to leave such an amazing hostel. I met so many awesome and interesting people here who made me fall instantly in love with solo travel. @piratebackpackersulcinj definitely coming back!

What may also need to be added here as a solo travel tip 2 - make sure you have plenty of time to get to your next hostel, it’s not fun to chase the last of the light to try and make it before sunset trust me. Even if your first hostel is so good you just want to stay as long as you can.

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#solotravel #travelgirl #travelcontentcreator #summer #travelblogger #travel #backpacking #montenegro #ulcinj #budva #kotor #eurosummer #europe #traveldiaries

Post of these expanded on my blog coming on Friday

Post of these expanded on my blog coming on Friday!

My first stop off for my solo travel in Montenegro was Ulcinj - https://wanderlustandarucksack.com/2025/07/07/the-hidden-gem-in-montenegro-thats-not-kotor/

If you’re going to Montenegro (and it’s the perfect place to start solo travelling!) make sure you stop off in Ulcinj!

#ulcinj #solofemaletraveler #solotraveller #travelgirl #travelblogger #travel #summer #travelcontentcreator #backpacking

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