Welcome back to our Meet and Greet Monday! Today Her Adventures get to have a chat with Rachel Anne Galvan, GWT editor and writer.
Quick-fire questions
GWT: What’s your favorite way to travel? Planes, trains, driving, etc?
Rachel: Planes
GWT: Hostels, hotels, or homestays?
Rachel: Hotels/AirBnBs
GWT: Are you a planner or do you go with the flow when you travel?
Rachel: Planner
GWT: Would you rather explore landmarks or local favorites?
Rachel: Both!
Soundbites
GWT: Tell us about the thing you do that you’re most proud of. Why are you proud of it? What about it is inspiring to you?
Rachel: As a dauntless traveller, I take pride in my resourcefulness, navigation skills, and good judgment. Qualities that are essential for any solo female traveller. On a trip to Wales with friends to summit Pen y Fan, I was feeling too ill to join the hike, so I chose what I thought would be a simple 30-minute circular walk around a nearby reservoir. With just my phone and AirPods – no water, snacks, or map – I set off alone, thinking it would be an easy stroll. But I severely underestimated the route; it turned into a two-hour trek with no phone reception, no help from Google Maps, and no clear way back. I had to rely entirely on instinct and problem-solving to navigate my way out. By the time I returned, I was dehydrated, exhausted, and slightly sunburnt but incredibly proud. What inspired me about that experience is the reminder that even in moments of uncertainty and underpreparedness, a woman’s inner strength, resilience, and trust in ourselves can guide her through anything.
GWT: What is your favorite travel tip, piece of advice, hack?
Rachel: Book 1–3 months in advance for domestic flights, 2–6 months for international flights. You’re welcome.
GWT: What is your travel style? How would you describe it?
Rachel: I enjoy travelling with a companion but I prefer solo travel.
Let’s get into the details
GWT: What’s your favorite place that you’ve ever travelled to? Why?
Rachel: My favourite place I’ve ever traveled to is Coron in Palawan, Philippines. I stayed in a boathouse the entire time, nestled between towering limestone cliffs and visited by the occasional curious monkey. Every morning, I’d wake up to calm waters and jump straight in for a swim — no commute, no crowds, just the sea at my doorstep. As a scuba diver, it was a dream. Coron is known for its incredible dive sites, especially the WWII shipwrecks, and everything was so accessible. I could go from morning coffee to underwater exploration in minutes. We even had a private chef who arrived by boat to prepare fresh, local meals, which we enjoyed while watching the sunset paint the cliffs gold. It was peaceful, surreal, and effortlessly immersive, my version of paradise.
GWT: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from travel that you’d like to pass on?
Rachel: I have learnt that travelling as a woman creates a domino effect, a continuous ripple of female inspiration and influence. As women, we carry a moral and societal obligation to uplift one another, to help our comrades become the best version of themselves, reach their goals, pursue their aspirations, and be each other’s heroes. I’ve learnt that by doing the thing I love most, which is travelling, I can also contribute to the feminist movement. I can support female-owned businesses, join women-led tours, and promote female-powered charities and foundations. Travelling, to me now, is more than just a passion; it is a way of life and a meaningful tool in the movement I stand for. I have realised that it can be more than sightseeing and experiencing new cultures. I now understand that I can enjoy travelling while also using it as a medium to break down barriers, challenge norms, and educate both myself and the people around me.
GWT: What’s your dream? What does your end game look like?
Rachel: My dream is quite straightforward: to live a stable life while doing the things I’m passionate about. Perhaps it’s the steps towards that goal that make it a little more complicated. I want a fulfilling day job, financial stability, and a regular travel routine. It might sound mundane, but achieving that balance is far more difficult than it appears. These days, having a degree and being multilingual no longer sets us apart. It’s a bonus, certainly, but one that millions of others also possess. In today’s world, being ‘successful’ often feels like playing the lottery. That’s why I know I have to work even harder to reach my goals and build the life I envision. I want to explore every nation on earth while maintaining a grounded and meaningful home life with my family. That’s the dream.
Follow Rachel on Instagram!
Her Adventures is an education and empowerment community dedicated to helping women explore beyond their boundaries. We welcome all people who identify as non-masculine/non-male to connect, educate and inspire each other with their stories, fears, knowledge, questions, and ideas. Because together we make each other strong. We hope you will join us and see the world.
