Itineraries and ideas for great trips on a shoestring
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About lisa xia
I’m a Chinese-born, Chicago kid, who is a career woman by day and a vagabond at heart. For 15 years, I’ve been backpacking the world (while working in corporate strategy, marketing & sustainability), without breaking the bank. This site is a way to share my tips & itineraries for amazing places on- and off- the beaten path.
Where I have been? ~75 countries across 6 continents; I’ve lived in China, the U.S., France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands–where you can find me today (Update: I’ve been in the French Alps since Covid).
I love feeling the heartbeat of a place, and often choose buses, trains, rickshaws, you name it… I believe in spending tourism dollars to support local economies and splurging on unforgettable experiences. These days, I’ve been seeking the best places to ski, dive, surf and kiteboard, so there are sections for that. I’d love to hear from you, so please get in touch or answer a few quick questions about what you’d like to read!
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my travel essentials – shop my pack
Check out the things I don’t leave home without