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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Tennessee
By Olivia Typaldos
This Tennessee town offers access to a top-tier whitewater rafting river that was even the site of kayak and canoeing competitions during the Olympics.
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Colorado
By Olivia Typaldos
Get out into the great outdoors and cast those eyes skyward in one of Colorado's most underrated towns, a hotbed of adventure and excitement.
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One place was named the healthiest city in the Midwest for its 300-plus green spaces, top-tier health care access, trails, and nutritious food options.
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Alabama
By Olivia Typaldos
This location has a fascinating connection to the Civil War, and visitors can go see the traces left behind for themselves.
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Wisconsin
By Olivia Typaldos
Some abandoned towns offer nothing but derelict storefronts and homes, but not far from Madison is one ghost town whose offerings are slightly broader.
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Ohio’s Kings Island is home to the world’s longest wooden roller coaster, known for record-breaking length and a nighttime experience riders rave about.
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Georgia
By Olivia Typaldos
The U.S. is home to many ghost towns and abandoned sites, but this once-thriving village between Atlanta and Augusta has some unique history behind it.
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Tennessee
By Olivia Typaldos
A rural Tennessee stop between Nashville and Chattanooga draws visitors with underground concerts in a natural cave, plus trails, waterfalls, and camping.
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Tennessee
By Olivia Typaldos
This high elevation mountain escape where 'Hilltops kiss the sky' blends history with mountain woodland adventures, rock climbing, and delicious food.
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Illinois
By Olivia Typaldos
This Illinois village, an hour from Chicago and 40 minutes from Springfield, has a nostalgic diner and ice cream parlor, plus a surprising Route 66 connection.
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Europe
By Olivia Typaldos
This city in Hungary is only 2 hours from Budapest and offers plenty of beautiful views and great wine. Plus, it's endorsed by travel expert Rick Steves.
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Montana
By Olivia Typaldos
One of the most famous scenic drives in Montana is a stunning road with epic views. So why is there an uptick in drivers who choose to avoid it?
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Kansas
By Olivia Typaldos
Perched along a sprawling lake, this tiny Kansas city is a wonderful spot to go fishing, boating, or enjoy a sunset as it reflects off the water.
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Canada
By Olivia Typaldos
If you find yourself between Toronto and Barrie, make a beeline for the fascinating history and deliciously diverse eats of this charming village.
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Canada
By Olivia Typaldos
For a relaxing, small-town vacation filled with art, scenic parks, and festival experiences, this Canadian prairie town should definitely be on your radar.
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North Carolina
By Olivia Typaldos
The mountains of North Carolina are home to this small but family-friendly theme park that only operates for a limited number of days per year.
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South Carolina
By Olivia Typaldos
Visit the site of this former South Carolina vacation spot to see its abandoned hotel tower, now a symbol of a televangelist empire's dramatic collapse.
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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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