School
University of Southern California
Expertise
Abandoned sites, Greek islands, LGBTQ+ travel
- A former documentary researcher, Olivia uses her well-honed research skills to deep dive into the histories of the ghost towns and nature destinations that she often writes about for Islands.
- Olivia is a frequent solo traveler, who hikes to abandoned and lesser-known sites all around Greece that even her local friends have never heard of or visited.
- When she was 22, Olivia walked 500 miles alone across Spain on the Camino de Santiago and kept a daily journal for the entire trip, which marked the start of her travel writing.
Experience
Olivia is a writer who lives in Athens, Greece, where she spends half of her time traveling. For four years, she worked as a Greece specialist for the travel site, Kimkim, where she published write-ups of over 100 hotels in Athens and Crete that she visited. She is the go-to travel expert in Greece for family, friends, and readers, thanks to her extensive travels around the country and her detailed, organized information about both alternative and mainstream destinations. Her specialty is Crete, where she spent nine months doing field research for her first novel, a queer historical ghost story about the Greek Civil War and intergenerational family trauma.
Education
Olivia has a bachelor's degree 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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Outdoor Adventure
By Olivia Typaldos
Bird-watchers and road-trippers are finding new reasons to visit this remote southeastern Colorado recreation area after years of drought transformed it.
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Travel Guides
By Olivia Typaldos
Island hopping is a glamorous way to vacation, but this nostalgic travel trend is making a comeback in 2026, offering travelers freedom and flexibility.
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Air Travel
By Olivia Typaldos
Flight attendants greet every passenger before takeoff, but the routine airport interaction serves a little-known purpose most travelers never notice.
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Oregon
By Olivia Typaldos
Escape from light-polluted city skies when you visit this unique destination that shines brightest after the sun goes down. Here's what to expect there.
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Cruises
By Olivia Typaldos
Although boomers may see this interaction as polite, Gen Z has had enough of the habit, especially when sharing a boat while on vacation.
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This Texas town became famous for its storytelling festival, but it also has a unique line-up of restaurants and historic buildings downtown.
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North Carolina
By Olivia Typaldos
A quick drive from Charlotte, this park lets visitors gaze out over the surrounding mountains and down into an abandoned quarry that nature is reclaiming.
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Illinois
By Olivia Typaldos
America’s first planned shopping center features European architecture, a 1920s family-run boutique, and a local institution famous for Chicago-style hot dogs.
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Virginia
By Olivia Typaldos
The garden has been restored to capitalize on its uniqueness, with added spaces for contemplation, winding paths around beautiful koi ponds and cascades.
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Delaware
By Olivia Typaldos
This Delaware mall was once one of the most successful shopping centers in the country. Now, shops are closing, and its future is uncertain.
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If you're looking for a jaw-dropping view of Utah's Bear Lake, head over to this nearby rest stop where you can stretch your legs while taking in the sights.
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Nevada
By Olivia Typaldos
This once-thriving pioneer town in Nevada disappeared under the waters of Lake Mead but has recently reappeared due to drought, with ruins ready to explore.
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Montana
By Olivia Typaldos
If you're looking to escape the chaos of Glacier, this state park in Montana offers excellent camping and boating opportunities along with stunning views.
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Europe
By Olivia Typaldos
Greece's 'Untrodden Beaches' rule places some serious restrictions on activities. So what are they and how will they impact tourists visiting the Greek islands?
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Though it's only open seasonally, this highly-rated hotel restaurant in Asheville offers stunning mountain views and a food menu filled with premium meals.
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Massachusetts
By Olivia Typaldos
This charming boutique hotel near Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just recently opened for business. Here's why you'll want make plans to visit.
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Oregon
By Olivia Typaldos
A long-standing museum in Oregon is growing, along with its visitors. It's one of the best things to do in Bend and a great place to see wildlife.
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Hotels and Resorts
By Olivia Typaldos
AI slop and fake reviews are everywhere these days, so it's important to know how to avoid being misled by fake ratings before booking your next hotel.
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North Carolina
By Olivia Typaldos
This lesser-known North Carolina destination offers vineyard tastings, foothill scenery, and historic sites within easy reach of major cities.
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North Carolina
By Olivia Typaldos
Experience panoramic views of one of the country’s most picturesque mountain ranges via a quick 20-minute hike less than an hour from Asheville.
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Michigan
By Olivia Typaldos
Michigan's Upper Peninsula contains a small, abandoned mining town that's like a time capsule from the 1800s, and you can see it all with a self-guided tour.
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South Dakota
By Olivia Typaldos
Situated in the Black Hills of South Dakota was once an up-and-coming mining town that quickly dissolved into a friendly ghost town oozing with Old West charm.
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Grand Canyon
By Olivia Typaldos
There's more behind the Grand Canyon's striped layers than meets the eye, and some of the best places to see them aren't from up from the top.
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Missouri
By Olivia Typaldos
Missouri is home to thousands of caves, but this one in the Ozarks stands out among the rest. It dates back to the Ice Age and includes mammoth bones.
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Virginia
By Olivia Typaldos
Take a short hike around this park to see evidence of quarry workers' tool marks, wildlife, and lovely vistas of the peaceful creek and surrounding area.
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Canada
By Olivia Typaldos
Experience iconic cowboy culture in this Western Canadian province that highlights dude ranches, huge rodeos, and badlands that are all reminiscent of Texas.
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New York City is famous for its pizza, and if you want to get a deal on it, you can head to this pizza joint that popularized the dollar slice.
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