About Me | Collecting Coordinates 🌎

Hi, I’m Melanie! I’m a 23-year-old college student, travel enthusiast, and firm believer that life is too short to keep waiting for plans to make it out of the group chat.

After one too many trips that never made it past the planning stage, I decided I was done waiting for someone else’s schedule to line up with mine. Instead, I booked the trip, packed my bags, and decided to see the world on my own. What started as a decision to stop putting off my travel dreams has turned into a passion for exploring new places, meeting new people, and discovering just how much the world has to offer.

With 9 countries visited and counting, I created Collecting Coordinates as a place to share the adventures, lessons, and little moments that make traveling so special. Here, you’ll find travel stories, photos, helpful tips, recommendations, must-see locations, hidden gems, and everything in between. Whether it’s an itinerary that saved me time, a place I can't stop thinking about, or a lesson I learned along the way, I want to share it all.

Most importantly, I want to show other young women that solo travel isn't nearly as intimidating as it might seem. I know the idea of traveling alone can feel overwhelming, especially when you're young and stepping outside your comfort zone. But you don't have to wait for the perfect travel buddy, the perfect timing, or the perfect circumstances to start exploring. There is so much freedom in realizing you are capable of seeing the world on your own.

My goal is to inspire you to book the flight, take the chance, and stop waiting for the group chat to make it happen. You don't have to have it all figured out to get out there.

Here's to collecting passport stamps, unforgettable memories, and coordinates from all over the world.

Welcome to Collecting Coordinates! ✈️