EXCLUSIVE I've spent the last four months traveling the world full-time... it's not as glamorous as you'd think
Talia Schreiber, 21, from Belmont, California, has had the travel bug since she went on her first solo trip at age 18.
All throughout college, she would jet off on vacations whenever she had a break from her classes.
So when she graduated from University of California Santa Barbara, instead of entering the workforce, she decided to get out and see the world more.
She left home in February with just one bag and has yet to return, spending the last four months moving from country to country, living out of hostels, sleeping in vans, and documenting it all on her Instagram account, where she's gained over 214,000 followers.
And while her lifestyle looks quite glamorous on her Instagram - where photos show her watching the sunset in Morocco, soaking up the sun on the beach in Portugal, and splashing in a river in Colombia - she confessed to the Daily Mail during an exclusive chat that it's not always as nice as it seems.
She explained that having no steady job means she has to travel very cheaply, which means she's sometimes forced to sleep outside on the beach, in an airport, or on strangers' floors.
'I travel super budget-friendly - hitchhiking, camping, staying in hostels, and volunteering,' she explained.
'I also collaborate with brands and hostels to cut costs. But I've slept on beaches, in airport corners, on stranger's floors.'
Talia added that 'constant goodbyes' are emotionally draining and that she misses having a 'consistent, in-person support system.'
She also said it's sometimes hard not having a 'routine' and pointed out that she can never go on 'autopilot' because has 'always has to be alert' as a solo female traveler.
Thankfully, Talia said she has never found herself in an unsafe situation, and stressed the importance of trusting your gut and asking for help when you need it.
'Travel has shown me over and over that 99 percent of people are kind and willing to help if you give them the chance,' she explained.
Her advice to other solo travelers is to walk with confidence, learn a few local phrases - 'it helps so much' - and stay sober in unfamiliar environments.
'Being assertive is never rude - it's a form of safety,' she added. 'If something feels off, leave. No explanation needed. Trust your instincts, even if they don't make sense.'
She estimated that she spends about $942 on average per month on food, flights, and accommodation.
But she confessed to the Daily Mail during an exclusive chat that it's not always as nice as it seems
She makes money from her social media partnerships, as well as travel company Go Granola, in which she takes strangers with her on vacation.
'I take groups of strangers on off-the-grid adventures around the world - from remote treks in Guatemala to the Sahara desert in Morocco,' she dished.
'Watching people connect, open up, and grow together is what keeps me on the road. It's the most fulfilling thing I've ever done and my greatest passion. Being able to influence others to travel is incredible.'
Since leaving home in February, she's lived in Brazil, Colombia, England, Morocco, and Portugal.
She's been to a whopping 31 countries in total, and she usually stays in one place for about a week.
And while her lifestyle is 'exhausting' and somewhat chaotic, she said the positives far outweigh the negatives.
'I feel like I've lived 71 different lives in the last four months. It's incredible and exhausting,' she joked.
'Eventually I want to slow down and find a home base somewhere that feels right. But I honestly love this style of travel - it's cheap and spontaneous. I've met the best people who have given me faith in humanity.
She's been to a whopping 31 countries in total, and she usually stays in one place for about a week
'The trade-off is Incredible. I've made the deepest friendships, lived out my wildest bucket-list dreams, and grown more than I ever could've staying still.
'I've learned to love and trust myself , ask for help, and create a life for myself that feels intentional and meaningful. I figure I can always settle later - but now is for exploring.'
She also said living on the road has forced her to become 'detached from material things,' which she described as 'so freeing.'
As for her tips to others who want to cut down costs when traveling, she recommended volunteering at hostels or small hotels for free accommodation or food, travel during the off-season, avoid taxis and rideshares and take public transportation instead, cook your own meals instead of eating out, and most importantly - don't over-plan.
'Spontaneous plans are often the best and the cheapest,' she gushed.
She added, 'And talk to locals: waiters, bus drivers, hostel staff - I've been offered places to stay, home-cooked meals, and local tips just by being friendly.
'And hitchhike if you feel safe! I've met the kindest people this way.'
Her favorite destinations so far have been Albania and Morocco, which she described as 'magical.'
'Albania has these stunning hikes and the warmest people, and Morocco feels like a dream - I did van life, surf towns, and summited the tallest mountain in North Africa,' she told the Daily Mail.
Her least favorite? London.
'It's beautiful, but a little too fast-paced and disconnected for me,' Talia said. 'I'm used to the hospitality and warmth of Latin America and Africa.'
In the end, she hopes by sharing her journey it will encourage others to take the plunge and travel full-time like her.
'Life isn't guaranteed, and I want to experience as much of it as I can while I'm young and healthy,' she concluded.
'I learn so much while traveling - about people, cultures, language, and life itself.
'There's never going to be a perfect time to start. Just go. Book the one-way flight. There's always a flight back home.
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Read our full review of the Wild Hotel by Interni • More great hotels in Mykonos Winner Santorini Sunset is a highlight when you visit Santorini, whether it's viewed from an Oia hotel suite's pool, a cliff-edge Imerovigli restaurant or even at sea on a sunset cruise; but there's much more to do here besides. A vineyard tour will uncover the secrets of Santorini's assyrtiko grapes; the hike along the crater from Fira to Oia is fantastic; or check out Akrotiri, an ancient settlement that, like Pompeii, was smothered by volcanic ash. Tour the site, then see its treasures in Fira's archaeological museum. Sunsets are just as spectacular in Mykonos; favourite spots to watch them include Mykonos Town's Little Venice and windmills, or the lighthouse at Armenistis. Summer winds bring ideal conditions for kitesurfing, especially at Ftelia and Korfos. There's history on the neighbouring (uninhabited) island of Delos, which makes for delightful day trips; or step back into less ancient times at Rizes, a working farm that serves up homegrown produce. And while those with kids tend to holiday on cheaper isles, the beaches of Mykonos are that bit more family-friendly than Santorini's. Trafalgar's two-week Best of Greece tour takes in the country's most memorable spots, from Athens to historic Meteora. You'll have five days to explore Santorini and Mykonos, staying at stylish boutique hotels. Learn all about (and taste) Santorini's indigenous wines on a half-day tour. • Best things to do in Santorini• Best things to do in Mykonos OK, so both isles are pretty evenly matched in terms of their standout appeal, but if we have to pick an overall winner, there's only one contender. 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