School
University of Southern California
Expertise
LGBTQ+ Travel, Solo Female Travel, Greece
- Olivia has, according to her Greek friends, seen more of Greece than anyone else, thanks to her love of driving, hiking, and solo traveling that takes her to places many people have never heard of. Upon graduating from college, 22-year-old she decided to walk the Camino de Santiago on her own, crossing over 500 miles in a month, which was the catalyst for her sense of adventure and exploration of travel writing. As a former documentary researcher, Olivia has honed her skills to be able to find the most interesting, unexpected places to visit and to discover their histories as well.
Experience
Olivia is a writer and screenwriter living in Athens, Greece, where she spends half her time writing and the other half traveling. She spent four years writing and editing for the travel site kimkim, where she focused primarily on Greece, as well as Spain, Portugal, and Iceland, and she spent several weeks visiting and writing about hotels in Crete and Athens. She has become the go-to travel expert in Greece for family, friends, and friends of friends, and has helped guide and enhance many trips to Greece thanks to her Taurus sun's well-rounded taste and her Virgo rising's organizational skills. She is currently writing her first novel, a queer historical fiction book about the Greek Civil War and intergenerational family trauma.
Education
Olivia graduated magna cum laude from the critical studies program at USC's School of Cinematic Arts.
Islands content is created by a team of veteran writers and editors passionate about travel. Outside experts with deep field knowledge sometimes inform our work with additional context and perspectives by way of exclusive commentary. Our goal is to offer readers well-rounded and diverse articles that inform, entertain, and inspire.
Our editors consistently review and update articles to ensure they're providing current, relevant, and useful information. Complete information on our editorial process is available here.
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Kansas
By Olivia Typaldos
This popular shopping mall was met with thousands of visitors on its opening day, but after strings of unfortunate events, the mall's fortunes suddenly shifted.
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New York
By Olivia Typaldos
This cozy lodge in New York offers quick access to outdoor recreation, charming rooms with modern amenities, and impressive views of the Adirondack wilderness.
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United States
By Olivia Typaldos
These abandoned and nearly-abandoned ghost towns along Route 66 connect the dots between Illinois and California, and each has a unique history.
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Europe
By Olivia Typaldos
This Parisian restaurant, just named the 'World's Most Beautiful' for its elegant and sparkling design, boasts delicious cuisine from three award-winning chefs.
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Canada
By Olivia Typaldos
This waterfront gem in Western Canada is the perfect place to hide away, tucked along the stunning Upper Arrow Lake and surrounded by steaming natural pools.
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Montana
By Olivia Typaldos
This small Montana mountain town serves as a gateway to forested mountains for hiking and camping, to rivers for fishing and camping, and to ghost towns.
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Arizona
By Olivia Typaldos
Few things in nature are as stunning as a canyon lined with brightly colored sandstone, which makes this a perfect spot to camp (and a great daytrip from Vegas).
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Camping
By Olivia Typaldos
A stuck zipper can really ruin a camping experience, whether it's on your sleeping bag or jacket. Luckily, there's a nifty hack that can work in a pinch.
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Washington
By Olivia Typaldos
The Pacific Northwest is a prime region for ghost towns, with its desert areas preserving long-abandoned structures. Reddit users recommend five of the best.
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Arkansas
By Olivia Typaldos
Park your car and enjoy these Little Rock neighborhoods on foot so you won't miss any of the trendy cafés, shops, and coffee houses the area has to offer.
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Arizona
By Olivia Typaldos
If you're looking for a combination of great views and less foot traffic, don't miss this hiking trail nestled in Sedona, Arizona, atop its tallest peak.
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Air Travel
By Olivia Typaldos
Some American airports were once vital travel hubs before noise complaints, expansion limits, or sudden closures changed their future entirely.
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Camping
By Olivia Typaldos
Whether it's your own or you're using a shared one, you don't want to cook on a dirty grill. Luckily, all you need is this common food item.
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Virginia
By Olivia Typaldos
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a spectacular landscape that every traveler should see at least once, and one county has everything you could expect from the area.
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Colorado
By Olivia Typaldos
The lore of this Colorado mining town named after a gold prospector is worthy of a Hollywood Western, and its remnants are preserved in an unexpected place.
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California
By Olivia Typaldos
Just a day trip away from LA you can find a surprising amount of snow, and have yourself a perfect play date in a wintery wonderland. We've got a list for you!
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Phoenix, Arizona
By Olivia Typaldos
This award-winning Italian pizzeria in Phoenix, Arizona, has been around since 1988 and always has a lineup. Try its iconic pies made with superb ingredients.
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Thanks to its innovative bagel-making techniques, this award-winning Texas shop makes the best bagels in the country (even better than those in New York).
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Oregon
By Olivia Typaldos
The Swick Old Growth Interpretive Site inside Oregon's Malheur National Forest is a great place to have a picnic or go on an easy hike this fall.
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South Carolina
By Olivia Typaldos
Tucked away in the Lowcountry, this haunting destination features a crumbling Victorian-style house nestled among the wetlands of South Carolina.
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Virginia
By Olivia Typaldos
Featuring a few short hikes and ruins of a town once visited by George Washington, this destination in Virginia makes for an exciting excursion.
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Washington
By Olivia Typaldos
This small Washington destination hides a fascinating past, with vintage architecture, vibrant shops, and a sweet treat that’s gone world famous.
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Arizona
By Olivia Typaldos
Sedona is home to dozens of iconic trails, but if you're hoping to avoid crowds while still soaking in the red rock views, this one near Uptown is worth a look.
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Tennessee
By Olivia Typaldos
The phenomenon only occurs a few weeks each year and entry is limited, but watching thousands of fireflies light up simultaneously is a magical experience.
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Arizona
By Olivia Typaldos
There's something undeniably cozy about staying in an underground space. If you're traveling near Phoenix, this unique desert stay might just be for you.
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Denver, Colorado
By Olivia Typaldos
Yes, of course, you think of the Southwest when you think about great tacos, but don't miss this Denver spot with a delicious selection and a cool backstory.
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Georgia
By Olivia Typaldos
A short car ride from Atlanta, Athens, and Augusta, lies a Georgia town steeped in historical sites that both history and architectural buffs will love.
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