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"I just came from your TikTok live. I just wanted to say thank you for your wealth of information, it’s truly valuable for young, ambitious women!"
Connie, 18
Connie, 18
"Hi Gabby! I’m one of your Twitter followers. I’ve been solo traveling for one year. Your content helped me when I was a newbie 🥺 Solo travel has changed my life, career, and friendships for the better. Keep shining!!!"
Monica, 24
Monica, 24
"Gabby, I appreciate your posts and you have taught me so much through the years. You inspired me to apply myself and take control of opportunities right in front of me, which allowed me to travel the world through various scholarships like the Gilman! Thank you so so much."
Tatum, 22
Tatum, 22
"literally my favorite influencer on [Instagram]- you’re so inspiring and your content brings such joy to so many!!"
Maddy Mackarey, 22
Maddy Mackarey, 22
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Gabby Beckford Packs Light_Cell Phoe Home page

ABOUT GABBY

I'm Gabby “Packs Light”—award-winning Gen Z Travel and Opportunity Addict Expert 🤓✈️ I took my first solo trip at 17 and part of me never came back. My story is one of delusional confidence (my TEDx Talk topic!), perseverance, adventure, and curiosity, and wonder.

 

I'm on a mission to help every young person fall in love with travel ASAP—because I know it changes lives! 

MORE ABOUT ME & PL

FOLLOW ME!

SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL FAQ💞 ◇ I don’t think it SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL FAQ💞

◇ I don’t think it’s more dangerous being abroad than being anywhere else in the world. Of course, I’ve been traveling like this for years, so I picked up safety tips and habits that help keep me safe! (I share them on this account, and in the articles linked in my bio!)

◇ Sometimes. Personally, I don’t think any lonelier than the average 20-something American woman. I was a lot lonelier at a job. I hated, in Virginia, surrounded by friends of convenience. If I’m lonely while traveling I call my true friends, or go out and meet new people!

◇ I get asked this a LOT - everyone wants to know the worst case scenario. But my answer is no (knock on wood). Like I said I try to keep myself safe. But l’ve also found that I 1) researching the places I travel is essential 2) despite the chaos and stress of the world, the avg human is more likely to help than hurt you 💗

◇ Generally: Iceland, Ireland, UAE, Japan, Costa Rica, South Korea! But there are many many more. I also felt safe in parts of Mexico, Kenya, Thailand, and the Republic of Georgia.

◇ Start small. Go to dinner alone and make conversation with someone new. Do a staycation in the town over alone. Go to a solo travel meet up. Join a group trip (I recommend @intrepidtravel for small, sustainable group trips!). But ultimately; just book the trip. Go!
See for yourself! If you’re like me, you’ll be instantly hooked

👇🏽Drop any more solo female travel questions you have in the comments below, or tag a friend that has been talking about taking their first solo trip!
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#solotravel #solofemaletraveler #solofemaletravel #traveltips
Pro tip: literally pack NOTHING 😌 [SHARE WITH Pro tip: literally pack NOTHING 😌

[SHARE WITH YOUR THOUGHTS!]

Jk. But fr - Mediterranean summer trip otw?! youre gonna be shopping anyway babes! Skip the packing stress and save your money for the good clothes, shoes, accessories, etc. when you get here. Just leave space in your luggage to get it home 😍🛍️

My favorite international cities to shop in so far:
Mykonos, Greece 🇬🇷
Tarifa, Spain 🇪🇸
Istanbul, Turkiye 🇹🇷

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#europetravel #summertrip #traveltips #packlight
getting to the 2nd page of Google 🌎 [SAVE + SH getting to the 2nd page of Google 🌎

[SAVE + SHARE THIS POST!]

I spent a week in COSTA RICA this year🌴🇨🇷
If I had gone to this new country and…
• done a yoga class
• went to the beach
• partied

It would have been a fun trip! Buttt… I could do all of those things anywhere, right? I travel to do the things I can only do in that location 🫶🏽 Like…
‣ going to a local-owned, sustainable farm + meal
‣ going on a hike through the nature preserve (ethical sloth spotting! 🦥)
‣ learning about Costa Rican masquerade 🎭
‣ learning about the Black population, gospel music, and Caribbean culture of the country
‣ eating a traditional Costa Rican meal at a home stay
‣ sleeping at a hotel at the base of a volcano 🌋

THOSE are the experiences beyond the pretty pictures that I carry with me, personally. They go beyond the first page of Google!!!

Thank you @intrepidtravel x @nomadnesstribe for such an intentional, BIPOC-women focused group trip of Costa Rica! Truly a once in a lifetime experience.

I always ask myself: what can I ONLY do//see//eat here? Do you travel this way too?

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#intrepidtravel #nomadnesstribe #visitcostarica #sustainabletravel #travel #travelgram #grouptrip #grouptripsforwomen
“Breakfast in one country, in the next by dinner “Breakfast in one country, in the next by dinner” vibes 🥹 Beyond blessed.

[SHARE + SAVE!]

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#travelgoals #bucketlist #travelbucketlist #visitpanama
BLACK SAND BEACH 🖤🌊 [SAVE + SHARE!] I fina BLACK SAND BEACH 🖤🌊

[SAVE + SHARE!]

I finally saw my first black sand beach on my group trip with @intrepidtravel x @nomadnesstribe this year and now I’m OBSESSED. The sand is black because it’s extremely fine and soft, and it’s mineral rich because it’s actually volcanic material! There’s so much iron in the sand that it is actually magnetic and will stick to your phone, keys, etc! 😮 

📍Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo (9.6551376, -82.7568062)

Here are a list of 13 more black sand beaches around the world to keep an eye out for in your travels:

🇺🇸 Black Sands Beach, Sausalito, California
🌺 Hawaii, Punalu'u Beach
🇬🇷 Greece, Perivolos Beach, Santorini
🇬🇷 Greece, Kamari Beach, Santorini
🇯🇵 Japan, Miho-no-Matsubara, Shizuoka City, Japan
🇮🇸 Iceland, Reynisfjara Beach
🇳🇿 Karekare Beach, Auckland, New Zealand
🇮🇩 Indonesia, Senggigi Beach, Lombok, Indonesia
🇵🇫 Tahiti, Taharuu Beach, Papeete, Tahiti
🇮🇨 Canary Islands, Playa Jardin, Tenerife, 
Canary Islands, El Golfo, Lanzarote
🇲🇶Martinique, Anse Couleuvre, Saint-Pierre
🇩🇲Dominica, Mero Beach, Roseau

What’s on your summer bucket list?!

#nomadness #intrepidtravel #bucketlistadventures #bucketlisttravel #travelgoals #traveltips #blacksandbeach #blacksand #visitcostarica #costarica
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Packs Light
  • Start Here
    • About
    • My Travel Bucket List
    • “Where I’ve Been” Map
    • FAQ
  • Destinations
    • Bucket Lists
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Mexico
      • Puerto Rico
      • United States
      • U.S. Virgin Islands
    • Middle East
      • Oman
      • United Arab Emirates
    • Europe
      • England
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • The Netherlands
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • Spain
        • Canary Islands
      • Sweden
    • Asia
      • Japan
      • Republic of Georgia
      • Sri Lanka
      • Thailand
    • South America
      • Colombia
    • Africa
    • Antarctica
  • PTO
    • PTO – Start here!
    • PTO Dashboard
    • What is a “PTO”?
    • PTO Winners Wall 👑
    • Send in to the dashboard!
  • Gen Z
    • Join the YTN Facebook Group!
    • Young Travelers Network Interview Series
    • Young Travel Tips
    • Study Abroad
    • Budget Travel
  • Solo Female Travel
    • Solo Female Travel – Start here!
    • Black Travel
  • Digital Nomad
  • FREE PTO 101 COURSE