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!

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Meet Winky Wonk, Your Giraffe Son

by Lauren Haas
Playtime

Earlier this year, Indie Travel Guru adopted a giraffe named Winky Wonk. We don’t support him alone, he has a whole collection of adoptive “parents,” but we are helping.

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Women’s Adventure in Peru

Join me in August of 2020 for an epic women-only adventure in Peru.

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How to Stay Safe While Traveling Alone

Once you’ve proven to yourself that you can stay safe when traveling alone, you’ll develop tremendous confidence in your ability to take care of yourself… Read More »How to Stay Safe While Traveling Alone

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Poached eggs with greens – in the microwave

Have you ever tried to make a healthy breakfast in a kitchen with no stove or oven? This is one of my favorite solutions — high in protein, only about 150 calories, tasty, and satisfying.

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Women’s Adventure in Istanbul

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

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Women’s Adventure in Spain

Join this small group of women for tapas, flamenco, snorkeling and more in the south of Spain in June 2020.

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How to Travel for Free as a Volunteer

Would you like to fit more travel into your budget? Experience a closer connection with the local culture? Make a difference in a far-flung corner of the world? Volunteering might just be the perfect option for you!

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Travel Ethics Meets Colonialism

I’m on the coast of Bali, enjoying a sweet little resort for a week. It’s the perfect spot to relax and get some work done — and yet, I’m having a lot of mixed feelings about being here.

<img width="930" height="620" src="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC05031-1-930x620.jpg" class="attachment-neve-blog size-neve-blog wp-post-image" alt="Fresh tomato sauce on pasta" srcset="https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC05031-1-930x620.jpg 930w, https://indietravel.guru/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC05031-1-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px" />

Fresh tomato sauce on pasta

Fresh Tomato Sauce

This homemade fresh tomato sauce is usually ready before the pasta is done! I learned to make this in a cooking class in Firenze, and I haven’t bought a jar since.

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The Nomad Kitchen

No spices. No staples. Limited tools. Cooking in a travel kitchen can be a problem, but with a little creativity, it’s a good problem!