Laura Olds

Laura has been wandering the globe for over a decade. She's an early bird and backpacker at heart and can often be spotted with a dog or ten that she's befriended along the way. Much of the content Laura writes on A Piece of Travel includes details on solo female travel and wheelchair accessibility, with the support of her brother-in-law and sister.

Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: 16 Similarities & Differences

A temple in Hanoi.

If you’re like me, you enjoy visiting a country’s capital. But if you’re short on vacation days or the travelers in your group have varying interests, Vietnam poses an interesting problem: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have both been Vietnam’s capital. So, what’s the difference between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City? Hanoi has …

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Is Déjà Vu in Travelers a Thing? Experts Weigh In

Blocks reading "Deja Vu."

Déjà vu is the feeling that you’ve already experienced the situation or place you’re in even though you know you haven’t. If you’re among the approximately 3% of people who’ve never had déjà vu at least once in their life, it may be easier for you to think of it via the French translation, “already …

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Is Chiang Mai Safe? A Solo Female Perspective

Chiang Mai is home to countless hiking opportunities, amazing night markets, and restaurants serving khao soi, a regional northern dish. But if you’re traveling to Thailand for the first time, you understandably want to know—Is Chiang Mai safe? Chiang Mai is very safe. Petty theft is uncommon, and violent crime is rare. The most dangerous …

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Travel Bucket List for Retirees (Active & Low-Impact Options)

A magnifying glass looking at pins on a map.

Retirement comes with many perks, but for those with wanderlust, among the best is being able to travel. So, whether you’re looking to add destinations to an already established list or want to start a bucket list for retirees, the ideas below will help you out. But first, let’s turn to financial experts to ensure …

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Responsible Tourism 101: Examples of How to Be a Responsible Tourist

Responsible tourism, child holding bracelets.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, travel spending increased by 4% in January 2023 compared to January 2019. While there’s reason to celebrate that, an increase in travelers can spark responsible tourism issues for destinations, many of which are still recovering economically from the pandemic. A Piece of Travel reached out to experts in the …

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