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.
-
Washington
By Olivia Typaldos
Known for its historic general store and blackberries, this charming Washington community is close to all of the most beautiful spots on the Olympic Peninsula.
Read More
-
Tennessee
By Olivia Typaldos
Escape the bustle of Nashville with a visit to Radnor Lake, a serene park with peaceful trails, wildlife, and scenic views just a short drive from downtown.
Read More
-
Hotels and Resorts
By Olivia Typaldos
A Washington resort treats guests to refurbished cabins, including one treehouse, with private Columbia River access including exclusive waterfront coves.
Read More
-
Virginia
By Olivia Typaldos
This tiny Virginia town near the Blue Ridge Mountains offers quiet hikes, rustic drives, and scenic rivers perfect for fishing and kayaking.
Read More
-
California
By Olivia Typaldos
While hiking the Sierra Nevada, you can see rainbows in the mist of a waterfall. This waterfall is also part of a national monument with a unique appearance.
Read More
-
New York
By Olivia Typaldos
Discoveries within these New York forests place them each at more than 380 million years old, making them the oldest known forests worldwide.
Read More
-
Tennessee
By Olivia Typaldos
This beloved roadside diner trades Nashville glitz for down-home charm, serving up world-class fried chicken, house-smoked barbecue, and fluffy biscuits.
Read More
-
Located in central Texas is a small city that seems almost straight out of a storybook: a place where deer roam as the state's loveliest wildflowers bloom.
Read More
-
Tennessee
By Olivia Typaldos
Straddling the line between Middle and East Tennessee, this Appalachian town is a must-visit for its historical significance and great dining.
Read More
-
Nevada
By Olivia Typaldos
This underrated state park offers the best of Nevada -- outdoor recreation, high-desert ambiance, and a respite from hectic urban congestion.
Read More
-
Colorado
By Olivia Typaldos
A trail just outside of Colorado Springs leads hikers down trails that were created during the region's last Gold Rush and toward spectacular views.
Read More
-
Oregon
By Olivia Typaldos
Home to rare, pink flowers, captivating hiking trails, and rugged landscapes, this wilderness area in Oregon is an outdoor adventure lover's dream.
Read More
-
Tips and Hacks
By Olivia Typaldos
Keep your campsite bug-free and serene with a simple, natural pesticide you can easily make with organic items commonly found in your kitchen.
Read More
-
Arizona
By Olivia Typaldos
Discover the area of Arizona between Phoenix and Sedona, once filled with Old West robberies. Today, it has shops, delicious pies, and river hikes.
Read More
-
California
By Olivia Typaldos
From neon signs and historic highways to scenic river trails and peaks, this vibrant SoCal destination combines Route 66 nostalgia with outdoor adventure.
Read More
-
Alaska
By Olivia Typaldos
This brilliant blue natural wonder will have you booking the next flight to America's Last Frontier and strolling across a glacier that is slowly disappearing.
Read More
-
Alaska
By Olivia Typaldos
While it's a gateway to many fantastic adventures in the state, this Alaskan city is also one of the world's best places to catch the Northern Lights.
Read More
-
Vermont
By Olivia Typaldos
Fans of corn mazes, sometimes known as "maze heads," will definitely want to check out this one, which can take a whole afternoon to navigate.
Read More
-
Oregon
By Olivia Typaldos
This Oregon lake is the perfect late summer escape, featuring dazzling turquoise waters, huckleberry patches for a sweet treat, and secluded campsites.
Read More
-
Arizona
By Olivia Typaldos
In Arizona’s surprisingly snowy landscapes, an alpine forest near Flagstaff boasts rigorous trails through lava fields, reaching the highest peak in the state.
Read More
-
California
By Olivia Typaldos
A historically diverse neighborhood is fighting extreme heat with colorful, innovative design, transforming streets into cooler, livelier spaces.
Read More
-
California
By Olivia Typaldos
Although Hollywood is the most iconic movie city, this beautiful destination in the Mojave Desert has a long history in the film industry.
Read More
-
Tennessee
By Olivia Typaldos
Beloved by fans but slammed by tourists, this Southern attraction draws millions, but reviews call it overpriced, overcrowded, and underwhelming.
Read More
-
Arizona
By Olivia Typaldos
The story of the discovery of these caverns near Tucson, Arizona is as fascinating as the caverns themselves, which house strange, striking cave formations.
Read More
-
Kentucky
By Olivia Typaldos
This quiet Kentucky town serves up legendary fried chicken and front-row views of a moonbow, a natural marvel found in just a few places on earth.
Read More
-
Alaska
By Olivia Typaldos
River runners seeking peak adventure flock to Alaska's mightiest river, where bears and moose roam the shores and cliffs tower 1,000 feet above the water.
Read More
-
Hiking
By Olivia Typaldos
Hike, hunt for waterfowl, or see the miraculous quantity of bird species at this underrated, under-the-radar wildlife area in Northeastern California.
Read More