Roaming With Rachel

Roaming With Rachel ❁ Solo traveler, photographer & videographer
❁ Travel ideas, tips & inspo

04/09/2026

I made a few mistakes on this road trip so you don't have to 😂👇

💾 Save this for your future Washington State adventure!

Follow Rachel Isabelle ❁ Solo Travel & Photography for more itineraries and solo travel ideas and tips!

Washington State is one of the most underrated road trip destinations I've ever visited. You get national parks, alpine lakes, waterfalls, mountains, cute towns and even desert landscapes—all in one trip. 🤯

Here's the route I'd recommend after doing it myself last fall (with a few changes to fix my mistakes 😂):

✈️ Seattle — 1 night

Food tour at Pike Place Market + sunset at Kerry Park.

🏔️ Mt Rainier — 3 nights

Base yourself in Ashford and explore Paradise, waterfalls, Reflection Lake and some incredible hikes.

🥨 Leavenworth — 1 night

A ridiculously cute German-themed mountain town. Add extra time if you're brave enough to tackle Colchuck Lake!

🍁 North Cascades — 3 nights

My biggest change! I only stayed 2 nights and it wasn't enough. Base yourself in Winthrop and don't miss Diablo Lake, Blue Lake and Maple Pass.

🏔️ Mt Baker — 3 nights

Ideally stay in Deming for easy access to Picture Lake and Artist Point.

💡 A few tips:

- 🚗 Drives between destinations are generally only 3–3.5 hours.
- ⏰ Factor in extra driving time from your accommodation into the parks.
- 🍂 Always check seasonal road openings, closures and trail conditions before your trip!

This is genuinely one of my favourite US road trips I've done. ❤️

31/08/2026

New Zealand completely ruined my expectations for beautiful landscapes 😍🇳🇿

Hi 👋🏻 I’m Rachel, a solo traveller and photographer sharing travel inspo, itineraries, hidden gems and everything you need to travel the world with confidence! Follow Rachel Isabelle ❁ Solo Travel & Photography for more ✨

I knew New Zealand would be beautiful, but I genuinely wasn't prepared for just how incredible it would be. From dramatic mountain peaks to turquoise lakes and epic fjords, it's easily one of the most stunning countries I've ever visited 🌿🏔️

These are 5 places I'd love to experience again for the first time:

🏔️ Aoraki / Mount Cook
Home to New Zealand's highest mountain and some of the best hiking trails in the country.

🚢 Milford Sound
One of the most breathtaking places I've ever seen. The boat cruise is 100% worth it.

🥾 Roys Peak
A challenging hike near Wanaka with one of the most iconic views in New Zealand.

💙 Lake Hawea
I could not get over how vibrant blue this lake was! It's located near wanaka and it's a great drive along the shoreline. There's a lot of pullover spots and if you're lucky you'll spot a rainbow!

🌸 Lake Tekapo Lupins
If you visit during lupin season (Nov/dec) the colourful flowers around the lake make the scenery even more magical.

New Zealand is one of those places that truly lives up to the hype ✨

Save this for your New Zealand bucket list and send it to someone you'd road trip around NZ with 🚗🇳🇿

04/08/2026

Japan's best nature spots aren't where you'd expect... 👀🌿

Hi 👋🏻 I’m Rachel, a solo traveller and photographer sharing travel inspo, itineraries, hidden gems and everything you need to travel the world with confidence! Follow Rachel Isabelle ❁ Solo Travel & Photography for more ✨

Japan is so much more than Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Some of my favourite places were actually the quieter nature spots. 🌿

🥾 Nakasendo Trail
🌲 Hike the historic Magome → Tsumago section (7km).
💦 Expect forests, waterfalls, mountain views and charming Edo-period villages.
🥾 Perfect if you want a taste of rural Japan.

⛩️ Nikko
🚆 An easy day trip from Tokyo.
🍁 Home to stunning shrines, waterfalls, lakes and mountain scenery.
📸 One of the most unique places I visited in Japan.

🗻 Mt Fuji (Kawaguchiko)
🏡 Kawaguchiko is the perfect base for exploring the Mt Fuji region.
🌸 Don't miss Oishi Park, Chureito Pagoda, and the lakeside walking paths.
🌅 Stay at least 2 nights if you can—Mt Fuji is often hidden by clouds, so having extra time gives you a much better chance of seeing it.

💦 Nachi Falls
📸 One of the most magical places I've ever photographed.
🌧️ It was raining when I visited and it was still absolutely breathtaking.
🛏️ Stay overnight in Kii-Katsuura if possible, rather than rushing it as a day trip from Osaka.

💾 Save this for your Japan itinerary 🇯🇵✨ and send it to someone planning a trip!

31/07/2026

🌸 Some places are worth the hype 😍 👇🏻

Hi 👋🏻 I'm Rachel, a solo traveller and photographer sharing travel inspo, tips, itineraries and everything you need to travel the world with confidence, so follow Rachel Isabelle ❁ Solo Travel & Photography for more!

📍If you're visiting Mt Fuji, don't skip Oishi Park. 🗻✨

💙 My thoughts

- One of my favourite viewpoints of Mt Fuji.
- The seasonal flowers and colours made it even more magical.
- I got incredibly lucky on my last day when the clouds cleared just in time for sunset. Seeing Mt Fuji glowing in the evening light was unforgettable! 🥹

ℹ️ Useful info

- 🕓 Visit in the late afternoon and stay until sunset to avoid the busiest crowds.
- 🚌 You can easily get there by bus from Kawaguchiko, or walk if you're up for a longer lakeside stroll.
- ☕ There are cafés, walking paths, open grassy areas and a playground, so it's a great stop for all types of travellers.

💾 Save this for your Mt Fuji itinerary! Would you rather visit at sunrise or sunset? 🌅

Shot on Phlow App

28/07/2026

I knew it was was beautiful... but I didn't know it was THIS beautiful. 🤯

Hi 👋🏻 I'm Rachel, a solo traveller and photographer sharing travel inspo, tips, itineraries and everything you need to travel the world with confidence, so follow Rachel Isabelle ❁ Solo Travel & Photography for more!

📍Welcome to the South Island of New Zealand 🇳🇿

A few things that made me fall in love with New Zealand:

🏔️ The scenery is unreal. Snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, glaciers, waterfalls, beaches... it's one of the most diverse countries I've visited.

🚗 It's made for road trips. Every drive felt like a scenic route, with incredible views around almost every corner.

🥾 You don't have to be a hardcore hiker. There are so many epic viewpoints and short walks that are easy to access.

📸 If you love photography, you'll be in heaven. I genuinely struggled to put my camera away!

🐑 Get off the main highways where you can. Some of my favourite moments came from the smaller roads, tiny towns and unexpected stops along the way.

💙 If you're deciding between the North and South Island... I'd personally recommend the South Island if you're chasing dramatic scenery.

✨ New Zealand completely exceeded my expectations, and I'd go back in a heartbeat.

💬 Have you been to New Zealand, or is it still on your bucket list? Let me know below! 👇

26/07/2026

Don't leave Japan without experiencing Tokyo like this🇯🇵✨

Hi 👋🏻 I'm Rachel, a solo traveller and photographer sharing travel inspo, itineraries, hidden gems and everything you need to travel the world with confidence! Follow Rachel Isabelle ❁ Solo Travel & Photography for more 🌿

I spent 4 days exploring Tokyo solo and honestly... it exceeded every expectation. If you're looking for a first solo trip, this city is hard to beat 💛

Here's my mini guide:

✨ Safety
• One of the safest cities I've travelled to
• I even felt comfortable walking around at night

🚆 Getting around
• The train system is incredible, but you'll do lots of walking!
• Google Maps works perfectly for navigating
• Just pay attention to the station signs—they're HUGE and it's easy to take a wrong turn 😅

💰 Budget
• Surprisingly affordable for a major city
• Great food, transport and attractions without completely blowing your budget

📍 Don't miss:
🌇 Shibuya Sky for sunset (my favourite city view!)
⛩️ Senso-ji Temple & the Asakusa area
🌃 Wander the streets of Shinjuku at night
🍣 Take a sushi-making class
✨ TeamLab Planets (worth the hype!)
🛍️ Go shopping, it's next level
🌸 Visit the parks if you're there during cherry blossom season

Tokyo is one of those cities that somehow manages to feel exciting, peaceful and incredibly easy to explore, all at the same time.

Save this for your Japan itinerary 🇯🇵✨ and send it to someone who needs to book that Tokyo trip!

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