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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Oklahoma
By Olivia Typaldos
Omaha, Nebraska, may not sound like the most exciting destination, but it's home to all kinds of natural beauty, including at this forest right outside of town.
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Hiking
By Olivia Typaldos
This daunting but highly popular 2.2-mile hike to the mountain's granite peak rewards visitors with incredible wilderness views and sweeping Georgia panoramas.
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Arkansas
By Olivia Typaldos
Escape the crowds at this tiny Arkansas town, where towering bluffs, cascading waterfalls, and the Buffalo River create an unforgettable outdoor getaway.
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Arizona
By Olivia Typaldos
Explore this small Arizona town where historic homes, cowboy culture, pioneer traditions, rodeos, and a quirky festival provide fun for the entire family.
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Arizona
By Olivia Typaldos
This trail in the Superstition Mountains combines local legends of stashed gold with stunning desert landscapes and impressive rock formations.
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Georgia
By Olivia Typaldos
Atlanta is a famously busy airport, but it does not have the highest percentage of cancellations in the state, due in part to its prominence.
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North Carolina
By Olivia Typaldos
Home to numerous potteries and seasonal events, this town in North Carolina is a fun stop for creative types, and it's close to both Raleigh and Charlotte.
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Disney Parks
By Olivia Typaldos
Disney Parks are popular around the world, and digital tools like apps can make them more enjoyable, but what do apps (and other tools) reveal about you?
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Between Cleveland and Akron, explore a former quarry with hiking trails, canal ruins, river views, fishing, and fascinating history.
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Arizona
By Olivia Typaldos
Visit Arizona's Becker Lake, a peaceful, artificial reservoir in the White Mountains. It's a catch-and-release fishery with a lot to offer for nature lovers.
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Canada
By Olivia Typaldos
Want the natural beauty of Banff without the huge crowds? Then head to this special place nestled in the Canadian Rockies for outdoor adventures galore.
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Washington
By Olivia Typaldos
Make a stop between Seattle and the North Cascades to enjoy a peaceful day of fishing or boating in an idyllic lake setting, surrounded by verdant trees.
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Zion National Park is full of scenic drives, but the roads are often dangerous, and traffic is heavy. Recently, some changes have been made to improve this.
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Travel Gear
By Olivia Typaldos
If you were a child of the 1980s, you might already know all about this iconic camping knife, made popular by one tough action hero, and now a valuable find.
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Illinois
By Olivia Typaldos
A nationally beloved riverside byway through Illinois passes by spectacular scenery, including natural wonders and charming Midwest towns.
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Illinois
By Olivia Typaldos
Not only does this forest preserve offer hiking, fishing, and river views, but the region has ties to Abraham Lincoln, making it a historic destination.
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Alabama
By Olivia Typaldos
Historic streets, artesian wells, Southern comfort food, and one of America's most significant industrial landmarks make this Alabama town worth exploring.
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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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