Viable Ways to Travel, Tested by Travelers.
Free Multi-Destination Itineraries
In-depth itineraries, itinerary templates, stateside guides, activity lists, hidden gems, travel documentation, and downloadable/printable PDFs included.
Routes Recently Tested by Travelers
Itineraries are curated by humans; we meticulously handpick hidden gems and authentic experiences. We remove outdated information. We’ve actually stepped foot in the places we recommend. Our selections, from establishments to stays to activities, are tested firsthand - not simply derived from a Google search.
Easily Personalize Our Recommendations with Printable Activity Lists and Deep Dive Guides
Everyone has a different travel pace and trip in mind. Not all activities and recommendations fit everyone. Our extensive guides categorize activities by type so that you can easily tailor your trip to your exact preferences. When we test a route, we also test the neighborhoods we stay in as well as the proximity of activities, stays and establishments so that you utilize as much time on your trip as possible. Our activity lists are available to download, print or use digitally for free. See our downloadable content page and our itinerary guide page.
Unconventional Routes: We Avoid Tourist Traps
We’ve researched hidden routes, cozy nooks, walkable streets, local shops, and national foods found at small eateries. We avoid crowded tourist areas, long lines and large corporate brands. Our routes can guide you to authentic experiences within local culture by traveling off the beaten path, and allow you to connect with the locals as if you are a resident.
Travel Prep Resources; the Ultimate Travel Readiness Kit
Travel pointers covering weather prep, packing smart, utilizing layovers, cultural awareness, transportation and currency information, preparation check-lists, destination photography, and links to essential informative resources.
Small Business Highlight
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Small Business Highlight •
Magia Botanica Herbal Apothecary is a small business based out of Denver, Colorado that offers nourishing, high-quality organic and herbal products to help support the physical body as well as the mind through a folk and community herbalist lens.
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About
I'm Katya, a traveler from Colorado. Katya’s Thoughts is a chronicle of my adventures abroad. Follow along for some travel documentation and high quality photographs. Documentation includes travel itineraries with the intent to foster a love for adventure while removing most of the travel preparation stress. Please do not repost or use my content without permission.
Freelance Work
I can assist with all your writing and design needs. Click here to see what I specialize in and what services I offer.
Why Content is Free
Information should be readily accessible to everyone. Traveling is expensive and although there are ways to travel while spending less money, it can help to not have additional costs. This site is meant to foster a love for traveling and adventure. There will be no pay walls for viewing documentation. Some content in the future may require subscribing to our email list and providing an email address. Account creation will not be necessary.
How Itineraries are Curated
The content originates from collaborative trip-planning endeavors. The actual trip is carried out and tested; the highlights of the trip as well as the documented plans are then composed into an online itinerary. Additionally, the time of year is noted within the itinerary as certain destinations are beneficial to visit at certain times of the year, and certain activities do not always exist year-round.
Donate to Katya’s Thoughts
This is here is because traveling is expensive and it’s the way we gather data authentically. Please do not feel obligated to donate. We would rather people save money if they need to.
From Katya:
I genuinely see traveling as a way to benefit humanity; it changes our perspectives while informing us of global and social issues that exist within the world. If we aren't aware of the issues, how can we change them?
Traveling off the beaten path has taught me that many of us are not aware of the struggle, poverty and corruption around the world, at least not from a first person perspective. It’s easy to see things in the media and briefly empathize but I believe seeing it first hand changes people.
Travel is good for humanity. I think the documentation here will give seekers a blueprint to explore outside of what is comfortable to them. I think people who see what happens around the world will push for change rather than be complacent at home. That is my hope anyway; I can be a bit of an idealist.