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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Missouri
By Olivia Typaldos
Slide through billion-year-old volcanic chutes, swim in turquoise pools, and camp under the stars at arguably Missouri's wildest natural waterpark.
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Arizona
By Olivia Typaldos
While hiking through Arizona’s mystical red rock landscapes, you’ll find one of the state’s top swimming areas, perfect for cooling off from the summer heat.
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Discover the otherworldly-looking state park in Utah that will make you feel like you're on Mars, complete with magnificent landscapes and outdoor activities.
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Europe
By Olivia Typaldos
Away from the tourist crowds of the Greek islands, this adults-only resort is made for friends and couples looking for a luxury escape with top amenities.
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California
By Olivia Typaldos
Discover the town near Los Angeles that has a delightful vineyard close to a popular movie and TV show filming location, particularly for sci-fi and westerns.
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Japan is filled with awe-inspiring natural landscapes, and one island features incredible hiking trails that traverse unique geological wonders.
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Oregon
By Olivia Typaldos
This beautiful river is a must-visit swimming spot -- if not for the hue of the water, then for the unique animalesque rock!
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Alaska
By Olivia Typaldos
Take a scenic trip exploring Alaska’s pristine, wild landscapes while navigating the state’s backcountry roads just a short drive from Anchorage.
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California
By Olivia Typaldos
A Joshua Tree National Park hiking trail hides a secret abandoned shelter that offers visitors who can find it a glimpse of California's mining history.
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For those who want an unconventional outdoor adventure, this small town in Texas has an eerie and mysterious hiking trail through a long-abandoned zoo.
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Alaska
By Olivia Typaldos
Stand in awe while admiring the constantly changing, absolutely stunning Alaskan landscape, which includes the largest tidewater glacier in the country.
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Montana
By Olivia Typaldos
For great views on the water (and under the water when it comes to this lake's beautiful multicolored rocks), this Montana underrated spot is a must-visit.
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New York
By Olivia Typaldos
Set up camp on Woodstock’s historic grounds with RV, tent, and glamping options in the heart of the Catskills.
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Tennessee
By Olivia Typaldos
If you're traveling through Tennessee, stop at one of the state's friendliest towns for some breathtaking scenic views and a welcoming atmosphere.
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California
By Olivia Typaldos
Once called "the coolest street in Los Angeles," this iconic boulevard is now home to several closed storefronts and a tarnished reputation.
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Oregon
By Olivia Typaldos
These vibrantly blue pool can be found in the wild forests of Oregon. Here's why the waters are so gorgeously blue and what you should know about visiting.
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Washington
By Olivia Typaldos
A lava tube is a cave that forms after a volcanic eruption. You can visit the country's third-longest tube in Washington state, formed after Mount St. Helens.
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California
By Olivia Typaldos
While ghost town enthusiasts can't visit this crumbling deserted California town that was once a desert oasis, they can learn all about its fascinating history.
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Oregon
By Olivia Typaldos
The Pacific Northwest is home to a number of enchanting waterfalls, but perhaps none so underrated as Oregon Coast's Golden and Silver Falls.
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United States
By Olivia Typaldos
Changes have been made impacting those who listed "X" as their gender on ID, and this means traveling with an X-designated passport might get complicated.
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California
By Olivia Typaldos
Escape the tourist crowd and mingle with the locals at this lesser-known Hollywood strip, filled with international food and classic LA nightlife spots.
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Islands
By Olivia Typaldos
Not far from Ibiza is a remote Spanish island that celebrities love to use as a luxury retreat, complete with sand dunes and gorgeous beaches.
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South Carolina
By Olivia Typaldos
This unique, swampy garden outside of Charleston looks like something out of a movie, and, in fact, it is. Stroll or boat around this stunning destination.
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Colorado
By Olivia Typaldos
A delightful underrated Colorado canyon state park a stone's throw away from Denver has plenty of dog-friendly hiking trails for any skill level.
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