Lauren Haas

I'm Lauren, the founder of Indie Travel Guru. I'm living proof that a life of travel and adventure is available to anyone who wants it. At 40, I was a single mom with no passport, a poverty-level income, and big dreams. At 48, I started traveling the world with everything I own in a backpack. That was in 2013, and I'm still going strong!

Easy Indonesian Travel Phrases on Flash Cards

Want to learn enough easy Indonesian travel phrases to get by, without all the extras? I got you. More than… Read More »Easy Indonesian Travel Phrases on Flash Cards

<img width="930" height="620" src="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Can-you-drink-the-water-930x620.jpeg" class=" wp-post-image lazyload" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Can-you-drink-the-water-930x620.jpeg 930w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Can-you-drink-the-water-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Can-you-drink-the-water-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Can-you-drink-the-water-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Can-you-drink-the-water-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Can-you-drink-the-water-scaled.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" />

Can You Drink The Water?

Is it OK to drink the water where you’re going? Here’s how to find out — and what to do if it’s not.

<img width="930" height="620" src="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/gear-930x620.jpeg" class=" wp-post-image lazyload" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/gear-930x620.jpeg 930w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/gear-600x400.jpeg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" />

My Favorite Travel Gear from Amazon

If you have wanderlust in your soul, you already know that travel is glorious — when it’s not a pain… Read More »My Favorite Travel Gear from Amazon

<img width="930" height="620" src="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ITG-headers-930x620.jpeg" class=" wp-post-image lazyload" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ITG-headers-930x620.jpeg 930w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ITG-headers-600x400.jpeg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" />

SUITEDNOMAD Compression Packing Cubes Review

I’ve been using the SUITEDNOMAD Compression Packing Cubes Set for over a year now, and these ultralight cbags are making my travel life easier. Here’s my review.

<img width="930" height="620" src="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/pexels-samet-colakoglu-11397196-1-930x620.jpeg" class=" wp-post-image lazyload" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/pexels-samet-colakoglu-11397196-1-930x620.jpeg 930w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/pexels-samet-colakoglu-11397196-1-600x400.jpeg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" />

Easy Turkish Travel Phrases on Flash Cards

Want to learn enough easy Turkish travel phrases to get by, without all the extras? I got you.

Here are the phrases I use most when traveling to shop, dine, and make friends — all on flashcards so you can study & quiz yourself! I’ve given the pronunciation that an American can easily learn well enough to be understood.

<img width="930" height="620" src="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/cropped-Nomad-Life-1-930x620.jpg" class=" wp-post-image lazyload" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/cropped-Nomad-Life-1-930x620.jpg 930w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/cropped-Nomad-Life-1-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" />

How to become a Digital Nomad: Everything you need to know

In May of 2013, I sold all my worldly goods and became a digital nomad. That means everything I own fits in a backpack, and I live all over the world. The question I’m asked most often is how to become a digital nomad, so I’m gathering all the details in this one spot.

<img width="930" height="620" src="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-blue-mosque-in-istanbul-turkey-2-e1564043976597-1-930x620.jpg" class=" wp-post-image lazyload" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-blue-mosque-in-istanbul-turkey-2-e1564043976597-1-930x620.jpg 930w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-blue-mosque-in-istanbul-turkey-2-e1564043976597-1-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" />

Women’s Adventure in Istanbul (sold out)

Join me in Turkey for mosques, palaces, hamam bathing, and more.

<img width="930" height="620" src="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pexels-pixabay-259249-930x620.jpeg" class=" wp-post-image lazyload" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pexels-pixabay-259249-930x620.jpeg 930w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pexels-pixabay-259249-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pexels-pixabay-259249-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pexels-pixabay-259249-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pexels-pixabay-259249-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pexels-pixabay-259249-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pexels-pixabay-259249-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pexels-pixabay-259249-scaled.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" />

The Best Way to Exchange Currency

In the old days, travelers who wanted to exchange currency had to go to their bank and place an order weeks ahead of their trip — and banks built a profit into the transaction rate.

<img width="930" height="620" src="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/travel-style-header-930x620.jpeg" class=" wp-post-image lazyload" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/travel-style-header-930x620.jpeg 930w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/travel-style-header-600x400.jpeg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" />

What’s Your Travel Style? and why does it matter?

The best place to begin your budget travel planning is to know your travel style. Here’s how.

<img width="930" height="620" src="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-Machu-Picchu-Landscape-Lama-World-Heritage-Peru-2774925-930x620.jpg" class=" wp-post-image lazyload" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-Machu-Picchu-Landscape-Lama-World-Heritage-Peru-2774925-930x620.jpg 930w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-Machu-Picchu-Landscape-Lama-World-Heritage-Peru-2774925-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" />

What to Pack for Peru

Peru is one of the most diverse lands on earth, offering mountains, jungles, deserts, and coastlines in one breathtaking package. How are you supposed to pack for all that in one carryon bag? Here’s how to pack for Peru.

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