In June of 2017, Local Guide Vandana ( @vvbellur ) boarded a plane by herself, leaving her native Bangalore behind for Norway, and began the trip that would change her life. It washer first solo vacation, but despite some nerves and concerns from her protective parents, it would not be her last. In fact, soon after her second solo trip, she would quit her job and embark on a 58-day, 15-country European tour all on her own—plus a little help from Google.
Vandana’s amazing story is being spotlighted today in honor of International Women’s Day on Google’s YouTube channel and on Google’s blog The Keyword. Watch her YouTube video below, which was shared with Google’s 7.3 million subscribers, to see how she hopes to inspire other women to travel on their own. Then, head over to The Keyword to read Vandana’s top tips for solo travel and how she uses Connect to share info with other Local Guides about traveling.
Thank you, Vandana, for sharing your inspiring story, and thank you to all the other amazing women who make the Local Guides community so special!
Do you know a woman Local Guide who is doing incredible things? Tell us about her (or maybe it’s yourself!) in the comments below to keep the International Women’s Day celebrations going!
I am passionate about seeing changes for the better in my community by joining a local nature conservation group which plants flower beds and plants in a local park and that instils in others a sense of belonging to a community which cares about the environment on a small scale.
My passion for nature and for inspiring others to see the outdoors as a way of living, is carried over to my nature and writing blog, anaturespath.blogspot.com
Being a Local Guide and thanks to Google, I have met a community of local guides and a moderator, Ermes, whose vision of seeing a better and cleaner world, is changing how we see waste and rubbish around us. I have done two Cleaning the City day 1-person act to make others aware that having even bus stops drink stained free, is important in maintaining a place that pedestrians don’t stay long at.
I am extremely proud to say I belong to a community of Local Guides and moderators who care about the standards of life through helping paying customers get a better service and quality of food for even a moderate price.
£5 may not seem a lot for a coffee and a cake but it’s still money and paying customers deserve quality service and food even if the bill doesn’t come up to much. Similarly, consumers deserve to shop in an area that looks clean and welcoming, even if just window shopping.
Exactly @Jesi it’s so refreshing to see a woman travel solo. It surely is encouraging for others to follow and I like the fact that @vvbellur adds additional comments to her reviews letting women know which country is safe for them to travel solo. That is the next step forward for female travellers.
which countries they can visit knowing they are going to be safe
travel as long as they like, on a solo trip without feeling they need another person with them
feel free of burdens like electricity and gas bills looming over their shoulders each month
That’s so awesome @Haruki that @user_not_found takes care of animals and cares for lots of pets.
It’s so rewarding to know of how many women there are out there who do amazing works in all fields.
Hence International Women’s Day and a big shoutout to all the amazing women here and elsewhere who are doing fantastic work whether as a solo traveller or as a vet or even a cleaner. Everyone is so important in every way.
@vvbellur is such an amazing person and you could see her passion radiate at every moment. She was one of the inspiring women I met in San Francisco and I can’t stop admiring her travel photos.
Yes @HenryDragoo it’s often we hear of achievements of men who face up to the most difficult challenges and do so extremely well, which must make you very proud to work so hard at achieving so much all the time.
Yet to hear of solo female travellers is a step forward and @vvbellur says herself, she’s accomplished what she wanted to accomplish as a solo traveller. Going to different countries as a solo traveller must be difficult so I see this as a major achievement for women!!
I see so many women, come Friday, have a suitcase with them on their way to work, which shows @vvbellur is an inspiration to many and can be an inspiration to many more by letting others know of the countries they can travel to solo.
That’s a must for all female travellers as it is difficult to journey from one end of the city to the other end, let alone another country and countries!
many thanks @kmajewski for sharing this inspiring story for inspiring @vvbellur , personally i follow her on Instagram and waiting her wonderful informative posts about her adventures around the world
You’re welcome @user_not_found@Haruki mentioned your contributions through your vet work.
It’s so inspiring to see amazing females doing incredible work. I think being a solo traveller must be tough and challenging especially as even in the city, it is not advisable to go to some areas.
So many female office workers travel with suitcases all the time which shows they are doing jobs which are more rewarding for them than just sitting at a desk all day, not having the opportunity to travel cross country for work. Now because of women empowerment, many can do jobs only male colleagues did in the past.
to make others aware that having even bus stops drink stained free, is important in maintaining a place that pedestrians don’t stay long at.
