Make Travel Happen.Solo backpacking guides
built from real experience.Less stress. More adventure.Solo travel is life-changing.
Planning is exhausting.
You want adventure, authentic experiences and real stories - not hours lost down a research rabbit hole trying to figure out where to go, where to stay and what’s actually worth doing.Happens Travel does the research
so you don’t have to.Every guide is built from real travel,
not internet research - real places visited,
real mistakes made, real experiences tested.You get a trusted starting point, with enough freedom left to make the trip your own.
What’s Inside Every Guide
A full breakdown of everything you need for that destination - from the moment you book your flight to the moment you land and beyond.Start with a destination overview to get your bearings, a before-you-fly checklist covering the logistics and documents you need sorted, the apps you actually need on the ground, and handy local phrases to help you feel confident from day one.Then dive into the real detail: the best hostels to stay in, cafes and restaurants worth your time, where to work out, where to chill out, the best social hotspots, activities, nightlife, hidden gems, and a suggested route to tie it all together - every recommendation hyperlinked straight to Google Maps so you can cross-check and navigate with zero guesswork.No filler, no generic “top 10” lists. Just real recommendations from someone who’s explored these destinations first hand - so you can spend less time planning and more time living it.Everyone travels differently, and wants different things out of the same destination. That’s why I’ve created three core travel styles, so you can experience the same place through a guide tailored to your travel style and personality - in a way that feels like you.
The Free Spirit Explorer
For the traveller who wants a bit of everything.You’re not travelling just to tick places off a list - you’re here for the stories, the unexpected moments and the experiences you’ll still talk about years later. A mix of adventure, connection, culture and freedom - with enough guidance to feel confident, but enough space to create your own journey.
The Social Adventure Seeker
New friendships, big nights out and saying yes to everything.You love meeting new friends, joining the random plans, trying something you’ve never done before and turning strangers into travel memories -
the party energy, the group activities and the thrill-seeking moments that make a trip unforgettable.
The Wild Soul Wanderer
For the traveller who wants to feel a destination, not just see it.You’re here to slow down, wander with intention and take in the moments that make a place special - connecting with nature, meaningful experiences and the kind of memories that stay with you long after you leave.
Find your travel style
Not sure what type of traveller you are?
I created this free 60-second quiz to help you discover your travel style, so you can start exploring in a way that feels authentic to you.
Guides available now: Bali
(Sri Lanka coming soon)
Hi, I’m Maddie - the creator of Happens Travel.The idea for Happens Travel came to me while backpacking through Southeast Asia for five months. I met so many other travellers experiencing genuine travel fatigue - the constant decisions about where to stay, where to eat, what to do next. It’s a great problem to have, but it’s exhausting, and I knew there had to be a better way.I got my first taste of solo travel when I moved to Canada by myself at 19. That’s where I fell in love with the freedom of solo travel - and have been fortunate enough to do many solo trips since. That feeling of endless possibility, of not knowing what the day might bring, not knowing who you might cross paths with, and having a chance to really get to know yourself, is what makes solo travel so alluring to me.If this is your first solo trip and you genuinely have no idea where to start, or you’re a seasoned backpacker who’s just running on empty, Happens Travel guides are for you. Happens Travel exists so you can have that same freedom, without the burnout of planning every single detail yourself.Go make it happen.
FAQs
What format do the guides come in?
Each guide is a downloadable PDF, so you can access it anytime -
on your phone, tablet or laptop. No app or account needed.
Do I need to pick a travel style before buying?
Yes - each guide is built around one of three travel styles: Free Spirit Explorer, Social Adventure Seeker or Wild Soul Wanderer. Pick whichever sounds most like you, and the guide is tailored to that experience. Not sure which fits?
The Free Spirit Explorer is a great all-rounder if you want a bit of everything.
What’s included in each guide?
Each guide covers everything you need for that destination - hand-picked hostels, the best cafes and restaurants, activities, nightlife, hidden gems and a suggested route to tie it all together. Every location is hyperlinked straight to Google Maps, so you can check reviews, look at photos, see distances and never get lost along the way.
Is this a strict itinerary I have to follow?
Not at all. Think of it as a curated menu of the best options for your travel style - you choose what fits your trip, with plenty of room left for spontaneity.
How do I get the guide after purchasing?
Delivery is instant through Gumroad - you’ll get access to your PDF straight after checkout.
Do you cover destinations outside Bali?
Bali is live now, with Sri Lanka coming soon - and plenty more destinations planned beyond that. Join the mailing list to be the first to know when new guides drop.
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