Explore with Gaia

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Education

Master’s degree, International Tourism
Bachelor’s degree, Linguistics and Intercultural Communication

Expertise

Solo & Budget Travel Planning
Cultural & Historical Destinations
Authentic Travel Experiences
Practical Travel Guides

Favorite Travel Quotes

I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.

About

Hello and welcome! I’m the traveler behind Explore with Gaia – an Armenian wanderer who caught the travel bug in 2014 and never looked back. So far, I’ve traveled through 30+ countries across Europe and beyond, mainly as a solo, budget-conscious traveler.

This blog is my digital travel journal, filled with personal memories and helpful firsthand tips on what to see, where to eat, where to stay, and how to plan unforgettable adventures. I may not be a full-time traveler, but I make every opportunity count – proving that you can explore the world one trip at a time, even with a 9-to-5 life.

What’s in a Name? (Why “Explore with Gaia”)

Choosing the name Explore with Gaia was no accident. In Greek mythology, Gaia is the goddess who personifies Mother Earth, the ancestral mother of all life. Her name inspired me because it reflects my deep love for our planet and its diverse cultures. Gaia symbolizes nature, roots, and the interconnectedness of all living things – exactly what travel means to me.

My Journey So Far

I grew up in Armenia with a fascination for faraway places fueled by books, maps, and TV travel shows. As a child, I even pretended to host my travel show – crafting imaginary travel videos in our living room and narrating adventures to an “audience” of family. Traveling the world was a dream I cherished from a young age.

Over the years, exploring solo through dozens of cities and towns, I’ve learned to navigate unfamiliar metro systems, savor local street foods, and talk with people despite language barriers. Every destination has taught me something new about the world and myself. My passport stamps might now count over 25 countries, but each journey is unique, bringing lessons, challenges, and incredible memories.

Travel Philosophy & Inspiration

Travel, to me, is more than just checking places off a list – it’s about immersing myself in other cultures, histories, and ways of life. I’m endlessly curious about different cultures and people. I spent countless hours in my youth watching travel documentaries and flipping through National Geographic magazines, dreaming of far-off lands. These days, I often find fresh inspiration in movies, books, and history. I’m the traveler who will watch a film or read about a historical figure like Vincent van Gogh or the Medici family and then feel compelled to trace their footsteps in real life. Stories and visuals like these fuel my travel plans and keep my bucket list ever-growing.

Outside of blogging, I have a regular life and career, but I maximize every vacation day and long weekend to explore new places. Whether a quick getaway to a neighboring country or a longer journey across continents, I take every opportunity.

Travel doesn’t always go perfectly – I’ve missed trains, gotten lost in labyrinthine alleys, and confronted my fear of flying more times than I can count – but I’ve learned that every obstacle is part of the adventure.

My Travel Style: Solo, with my Boyfriend & Budget Adventures

Before meeting my boyfriend, I traveled mainly as a solo explorer, an incredibly empowering and transformative experience. Solo travel pushed me out of my comfort zone, taught me self-reliance, confidence, and showed me the joy of discovering the world entirely on my terms. Of course, solo never meant “lonely”—I’ve made friends on the road from all corners of the globe, proving that travel is truly one of the best ways to connect with people.

My boyfriend shares my passion for travel, adventure, and meticulous trip planning. In fact, we met by chance during one of my solo journeys—on a train bound for the charming city of Bruges, Belgium. Since then, we’ve embraced a wonderful blend of independent solo travels and memorable journeys together. We both value the unique experiences solo travel offers, but there’s something special about exploring new destinations side-by-side, creating shared memories, and mapping out adventures together.

To give you a better picture of who I am as a traveler, here are a few fun facts and quirks:

Budget Traveler at Heart: I’ve mastered the art of stretching a dollar (dram or euro) without sacrificing amazing experiences. Cozy hostels, local guesthouses, and delicious street food often lead me to more authentic and memorable interactions.
Map Nerd & Itinerary Enthusiast: One of my favorite pre-trip rituals is creating detailed Google Maps lists of must-see landmarks, hidden gems, and carefully researched local eateries. Planning builds excitement and ensures I make the most out of each destination.
Balanced Planner (With Room for Spontaneity): Though I love detailed planning, I always leave 1–2 days free in every itinerary. These unplanned days often become my favorites, as I wander freely, get delightfully lost, and discover hidden treasures not listed in any guidebook.
Quick Packer: I can pack a backpack in 30 minutes flat. Years of last-minute trips have turned me into a lightning-fast packer who knows exactly what (and what not) to bring.
Fearful Flyer (Who Still Flies): Ironically, despite all my travels, I’m afraid of flying. But my love for exploring outweighs the fear, so I face it every time – because the reward (a new place to discover) is always worth it.
Movie & History Buff: Many trips are inspired by movies I’ve loved or historical figures who fascinate me. If a place has a cool story or was the setting of a film, it’s instantly on my list.
Culture & People Watcher: I’m fascinated by culture, history, and people, so when I travel, I observe little details—like how locals greet each other in the market or the traditions that shape their daily lives. It’s my way of understanding a place’s soul.
Museum Lover: I’m a confessed museum nerd. Be it art, history, or even a quirky niche museum, I can spend hours exploring it. One of my most memorable days was getting lost in Florence and discovering art I’d only read about in books.
Detailed Planner, Happy Wanderer: I adore detailed planning (color-coded spreadsheets and all!), but I always keep those flexible days to just go with the flow. Some of my best travel memories – like stumbling upon a small village festival or finding a breathtaking view by taking a wrong turn – happened on unplanned days.

What You’ll Find on This Blog

Explore with Gaia is more than just a personal diary; it’s a resource-packed travel blog for anyone who loves adventure. Here, I combine immersive storytelling with practical travel guides and tips. Each article comes straight from my journeys–whether hiking through the Caucasus Mountains or navigating the streets of Paris, you get the real scoop on what it was like. You can expect detailed advice on what to see, where to eat, and where to stay in the destinations I’ve visited. I share my honest recommendations (the good, the great, and the not-so-great) so you can plan your trips with confidence.

Travel isn’t always Instagram-perfect, and that’s okay! By being transparent about my experiences (the good and the messy), I hope you’ll feel you can trust the tips and stories you find here.
Explore with Gaia is about connection—connecting with new places, diverse people, and you, the reader, as we share our love for exploring this beautiful world.