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Hal Your Travel Pal – Travel Blog

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Packing & Prep

12.12.24 | Hallie Pope Kielb | No Comments

Where to stay in Busan: Top areas for every traveler (2025)

Asia + Blog + Packing & Prep + Resources + South Korea

Discover where to stay in Busan with our guide to the best areas for every type of traveler, from stunning beaches to vibrant neighborhoods.

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04.23.24 | Hallie Pope Kielb | No Comments

South Korea packing list: A local’s guide to what to pack

Asia + Packing & Prep + Resources + South Korea

Prepare for your South Korea adventure with our essential Korea packing list, including must-have clothing, toiletries, and gadgets.

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12.29.23 | Hallie Pope Kielb | 3 Comments

Where to stay in Seoul, South Korea: A local’s guide

Asia + Blog + Packing & Prep + Resources + South Korea + Travel Guides

Explore the best neighborhoods and find the perfect accommodation with our local’s guide to where to stay in Seoul.

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12.18.23 | Hallie Pope Kielb | No Comments

What to know before going to South Korea: 33 tips from a local

Asia + Blog + Packing & Prep + Resources + South Korea

Wondering what you need to know before going to South Korea to ensure smooth sailing? A journey to Korea is an exciting adventure, filled with rich cultural and historic experiences, delicious cuisine, and stunning natural landscapes. However, like any adventure, proper preparation is key to setting your travels up for success. As someone who has…

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11.13.23 | Hallie Pope Kielb | 1 Comment

Women’s Taiwan packing list: A stylish and practical guide

Asia + Destinations + Packing & Prep + Resources + Taiwan

Whether you’re a solo female traveler or traveling with friends, family, or partners, Taiwan is one of the best travel destinations for adventurous women. From stunning national parks and historic old towns to bubble tea and street food galore, this small island in East Asia has so much to offer. Plus, it’s one of the…

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09.27.23 | Hallie Pope Kielb | No Comments

Essential apps to download before your trip to Korea

Asia + Blog + Destinations + Packing & Prep + Resources + South Korea

Discover a local’s picks for the best apps for Korea travel. From navigation to translation, these essential apps ensure a smooth journey.

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Hi, I’m Hallie - your travel-obsessed planning pal! I’m a travel advisor and blogger who’s lived in Seoul, solo traveled across Asia, and visited 33 countries. On the blog, I share destination tips, personal stories, and advice to help you travel smarter. As a professional travel advisor, I offer custom itineraries built around your travel style. Learn more about Hallie...

Recent Posts

  • My top 5 travel disasters (and what you can learn from them)
  • Southeast Asia backpacking route: The best 3-6 month itinerary
  • The 10 best things to do in Siem Reap: Angkor Wat & beyond (2025)
  • Thailand Itinerary: The perfect 2+ weeks for first-timers
  • The best islands in Thailand: Top 3 tropical escapes of 2025

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halyourtravelpal

🌏 travel blogger
🤸‍♀️ solo traveler
🎒 american girl backpacking the world
👇 travel tips, guides, & more

these might surprise you… usually, when you hea these might surprise you…

usually, when you hear about asia travel, you hear about japan and thailand. I LOVE those countries (have been to both twice), but the continent has so many underrated destinations that end up being really memorable because you don’t expect them to be as spectacular as they are

are any of these countries on your bucket list? if they aren’t… add them right now!
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#asiatravels #asiatravelgoals #asiabucketlist #travelbucketlistideas #underratedtravel
here’s your guide to summer in korea 🌞☔️🇰🇷

after living through 3 summers in korea, here are the best things to do in korea in summer 🌻 it’s hot, humid, and rainy, but these summer activities are perfect for seeing the best of the country while escaping the heat and rain a bit. come prepared so you’re not disappointed if the weather isn’t your friend!

🔗 in bio for full korea summer travel guide 💛
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#summerinkorea #summerkorea #koreainsummer #koreasummer #thingstodoinkorea
words that never get old: welcome to thailand 🥹 words that never get old: welcome to thailand 🥹🛺🇹🇭🏝️🐘🥭

thailand was the top country on my travel bucket list until I got to visit in 2023, and I went back earlier this year to spend a whole month there because I can’t get enough 💛 I’ll never check it off my bucket list because I could keep going back forever!! what country will you always keep traveling back to?

just want to say - I don’t support kanye west in any way shape or form, this is a trending audio and I had no idea it was him 👎
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#thailandbucketlist #thailandsolotravel #welcometothailand #thailandvacations #thailandvacay
cinco de mayo has me itching to go back to mexico cinco de mayo has me itching to go back to mexico 🇲🇽🌵🥑🌶 🌮🌯

did you know that cinco de mayo celebrates mexico’s victory over the second french empire at the battle of puebla in 1862? 40% of americans don’t - they think it’s mexico’s independence day but it actually isn’t a federal holiday at all!

I coincidentally spent cinco de mayo in mexico a few years ago and our resort went all out for the celebrations, including mexico themed drinks and a mariachi band at dinner 🎸🍹

mexico is way more than pretty beaches and good food (although those are great) - from swimming in cenotes to visiting one of the wonders of the world, there’s so much to discover. I can’t wait for my next mexico trip!
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#mexicotrip #mexicotravelphotos #mexicotrip🇲🇽 #traveltomexico #mexicogram
this restaurant in luang prabang is set on its own this restaurant in luang prabang is set on its own private section of kuang si falls, complete with a private natural swimming pool and delicious food 🌿🦋🌊

WHERE
carpe diem restaurant at kuang si falls, luang prabang, laos - walking distance from the entrance of the falls

WHEN
open 9am-5pm every day

WHAT
a western lao fusion restaurant set above a private part of the famous turquoise blue kuang si falls. the falls are an extremely crowded tourist attraction (for good reason - they’re beautiful) so this is the perfect place to escape for lunch with a view, take a swim in a private natural swimming pool, and enjoy the falls without crowds

a top thing to do in luang prabang that almost no one knows about - save so you can visit this hidden gem on your laos trip & link in bio for my full luang prabang travel guide
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#luangprabangtrip #luangprabangfood #luangprabangrestaurant #kuangsifalls #thingstodoinlaos
this is all you need to save for your seoul trip 🇰🇷₊˚⊹♡

…but if you’re a type A travel planner like me and want more info, I have 3 years worth of local’s suggestions for seoul travel at the link in my bio 🔗
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#seoultravel #seoultrip #thingstodoinseoul #seoultravelguide #koreatravel
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22 best things to do in summer in Korea 2025

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