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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The choice of accommodation on this jewel of a Mediterranean island is vast, so before you start your search decide on the type of holiday you want: easy and all-inclusive; down by the beach or up in the mountains; close to Unesco world heritage sites or within walking distance of bars and clubs. To make the most of your trip you'll need a car, as the public transport infrastructure on Cyprus isn't as comprehensive as in some destinations. The capital, Nicosia, as well as Paphos and Limassol are always popular; the south and east coasts have beautiful beaches; while the Akamas peninsula, in the northwest, is still untamed and a great place to explore — follow those rugged trails to explore secluded bays where you can skinny-dip and soak up views you'll want to remember for ever. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue £ | SPA | Best for tech heads Map ranks among the top hotels in the capital, despite having opened only a few years ago. 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The choice of restaurants is outstanding, there's a heated pool for off-season stays and if all that still isn't enough you can upgrade to the even fancier Amathus Residences next door. • Read our full guide to Cyprus £ | POOL | Best for a cultural immersion Lovely Lefkara is one of those time-stood-still discoveries that add character to Cypriot holidays. It is the island's centre for handicrafts, particularly lacework and silverware, and the village is also known for its cobbled streets and Venetian architecture. One former market has been transformed into the Agora: an adults-only boutique beauty dressed with bespoke furnishings and traditional touches that is as characterful as the village in which it stands. Guests can visit the weekly market or pop into workshops to learn about (or try their hand at) pottery, embroidery or beekeeping. It's a world away from the beach resorts, yet just 30 minutes' drive from Larnaca. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for country-club vibes In the hills above Paphos, yet only 20 minutes' drive from town, this refined and indulgent retreat feels far removed from the mega-hotels on the coast. It offers more of a nature-based holiday, surrounded by countryside and golfing greens, with the added advantage of having one of the best spas on the island. Even the entry-level rooms here are suites, decked out in earthy shades and with lovely views of the landscape. Travelling en famille? Upgrade to a two-bedroom, suite or even a larger villa or residence, all with first-rate facilities and five-star service. £ | Best for a peaceful haven Managed by the same family since 1929, this charming heritage hotel — with rooms, maisonette suites and self-catering studios — is a jewel. Near the Kalidonia waterfalls, and surrounded by the pine trees of the Troodos Mountains, its recent renovations have given it a nip here and a tuck there, while keeping its fine features intact. Its natural attractions include the 250-year-old pine tree that grows through the bar, but guests more interested in its facilities and services will be impressed by the quality of the dining — a banquet breakfast, a Cypriot menu drawn from family recipes, and international fare in the gorgeous Veranda restaurant. Snacks, soups, mountain tea and sandwiches filled with locally made halloumi are served in the social lounge. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for grown-up getaways For a country that loves children, Cyprus certainly has a lot of child-free accommodation, with the Cali Resort & Spa adding to the choice of five-star hotels for those who would sooner stay home than go anywhere with a kids' club. You can walk to Coral Bay's thriving restaurant and shopping area in mere minutes, with the blue-flag beach just a few more steps away. All rooms are beautifully furnished and finished — no corners cut here — and the spa treatments are heavenly. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for the eco-conscious Despite its considerable size, this elegant, modern hotel has built its reputation on its warm hospitality, sustainability credentials and first-rate services. These include an award-winning spa, tennis courts, pools (one with a waterslide), several restaurants (one of which is plant-based), and great evening entertainment. An added bonus is that many rooms have a balcony or terrace to make the most of the sea or marina views, and all have tea and coffee-making facilities — something that many new hotels are doing without. The location is fab, too, just 15 minutes by car from Limassol. £ | SPA | POOL (indoor) | Best for spa lovers Anyone travelling this deep into Cyprus's interior could be forgiven for wondering if the winding roads and extra transfer time are worth it. Such doubts are soon dispelled on arrival at this remarkable property in the Troodos Mountains. A collection of traditional houses converted into a spa hotel, it sits next to a Unesco-listed, 1,000-year-old church and monastery complex, complete with Byzantine frescoes. Hiking and sightseeing are popular here, especially at this cooler altitude, but the hotel is no slouch when it comes to luxury. Its spa is outstanding, the rooms are gorgeous, and its diners — Byzantino restaurant, serving traditional Cypriot dishes; Byzantino café, for lighter meals; Pantheon for pizza, pasta and salads, and Loutraki, the grill restaurant — are all excellent. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for fans of boutique hotels With just 100 rooms, this intimate hotel is more focused on seaside relaxation than partying — hence its indulgent spa, which champions organic Greek brand Aegli. Flanking a white, sandy beach, Alion has tennis courts and an outdoor pool ringed by shady seating areas. Among its numerous dining venues are the Deck Terrace restaurant with a Mediterranean menu, poolside Akti serving relaxed lunches, and Symposion, which offers an international buffet that includes an abundance of choice for vegetarians and vegans. Pale-wood and white finishes render bedrooms bright, and there are private balconies. 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Anyone with a car really doesn't have to go far east to explore the ruins of Kourion, with its ancient Greco-Roman amphitheatre, while to the west you can find Petra tou Romiou, the site where the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, was said to have emerged from the waves. You could be forgiven for not exploring at all, though — this 169-suite hotel has a version of everything, but never lets its standards drop, whether that's in its spa, its quieter adults-only areas or the considerably less serene kids' club. Read our full review of Columbia Beach Resort £££ | SPA | POOL | Best for luxurious experiences Conflict may seem like a strange bedfellow to serenity, but so it is on the Akamas peninsula. Occupying British forces carried out training exercises for so long here that development stalled and left behind a sumptuous national park, home to endemic flora and fauna. On the very edge of this unspoilt land sits the Anassa, one of the finest hotels on the island. 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Read our full review of Amara £ | SPA | POOL | Best for R&R Despite being in the heart of the Cypriot party capital, the Napa Plaza is an outlier — an adults-only hotel that's a cut above anything else in town when it comes to refined debauchery. Though almost lying in the shadow of Ayia Napa's church and monastery, its Pepper Bar has DJs playing most nights in summer, while offering a wonderfully diverse cocktail menu and shisha pipes galore. The wilder side of the town awaits just outside the property's high walls. £ | POOL | Best for an early flight/proximity to the airport If you don't want to delay your holidaymaking by any more than five minutes, then Larnaca's adults-only Hotel Indigo is for you. Its proximity to the airport is matched by that of Finikoudes beach and its famous, palm-lined promenade that lies a short stroll away through town. The beautiful ninth-century Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Lazarus is even closer than that. 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That's the only kind of reservation possible here, in the heart of Paphos, making it popular with honeymooners and fraught parents escaping their offspring for a well-earned break. The cocktail bar has an inspired menu, while the popular pool bar is well-staffed all day. Downtown Paphos is just a 15-minute walk away, with its ancient harbour never entirely quiet. The hotel can also lay on day trips to vineyards in the Cypriot interior, should you fancy getting away from the coast. Read our full review of Amavi ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for Greek ruins If you don't mind waking up next to the dead, then this is the hotel for you. Right beside the storied Tombs of the Kings Unesco world heritage site, Elysium sets a lofty standard for the living. The hotel's design takes its inspiration from Cyprus's later Byzantine period, but the spa is thoroughly modern, as are the pool and gym. If you'd like to meet some of the locals, then take tea, or enjoy a cocktail, at the recently refurbished Café Occidental — it has proved a hit with the community. There's also a kids' club and direct beach access, while the sunset views across the Mediterranean haven't changed since the days of the ancients buried next door. • Best villas in Paphos• Best all-inclusive hotels in Cyprus £ | SPA | POOL | Best for an adults-only vibe Sitting atop a promontory in the south west of the island, this hotel is simultaneously conspicuous and private. It overlooks both the Med and a 3,000-year-old Mycenaean settlement, and is a very short walk to the golden sands of Coral Bay. Downtown Paphos will require a 15-minute drive, but many guests choose to relax on site, with romantic sorts particularly keen on the Psari restaurant, with its alfresco tables offering views either side of the peninsula. With no kids allowed in the hotel, the only background noise you should have to worry about is audible swooning from your fellow guests. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for a special occasion One of Southern Cyprus's most exclusive and expensive resorts, Parklane may not take much inspiration from the wider island and its rich history, but it does provide a sense of luxury not easily found elsewhere. It's managed by the behemoth Marriott Group, and a wealth of international experience has created a sleek resort delivering a combination of villas and hotel rooms, multiple pools and sprawling private grounds hosting tennis courts and a football pitch. 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There's still plenty of outdoor focus here, with three swimming pools (including a hydro contact spa pool), large sun deck and resplendent gardens throughout the grounds. Many of the rooms are in an apartment style with their own kitchenettes, while elsewhere in the resort you'll find a library, as well as bike-hire facilities. The spa offers a wide selection of treatments, as well as its own quiet pool with a big focus on relaxation. Recent renovations have energised the public areas, including the main restaurant, lobby and library, and have upgraded 77 rooms and suites with chic, contemporary furniture and soft lighting. £ | SPA | POOL | Best for nature If you want to be close to some of Cyprus's most satisfying nature but don't fancy the serpentine roads of the interior, Grecian Park may be the perfect choice. Several trails begin from the hotel, including a ten-minute option that leads to the beautifully secluded Konnos Beach. The wild expanses of the Cape Greco National Park lie beyond, so it will come as welcome news that Grecian Park has an excellent spa for recovery after your long walks. Elsewhere around the property you can find a kids' club, tennis courts, a steam room and, if you've somehow got energy left, a small nightclub. Open seasonally from the end of March to November. £ | POOL | Best for solo travellers Offering excellent rates for individual travellers, the Sveltos is a 46-room affair just north of central Larnaca. With the small size comes just one main restaurant, although the buffet-operated Fanari runs themed Indian, Italian, Mexican, Japanese and — with singing and dancing — Cypriot nights in summer; the lounge and pool bars both serve food. Rooms are simple but cheerful and there's a 20m outdoor pool, a smaller children's paddling equivalent and loungers aplenty. Many cafés are within walking distance and the nearest beach is 200m away. £ | SPA | POOL | Best for families Children love this Thanos family-run, 187-room residence on Paphos's bustling esplanade. From the Baby-Go-Lightly service, which lets parents order items such as nappies, wipes and car seats ahead of travel, to a mighty, age-divided kids' club, every consideration has been made. Sleek, interconnecting seafront suites are available, one of the freshwater pools is devoted to youngsters, and restaurant meals can be tailored — be it Japanese-Mediterranean fusion in Notios or waterside Ouzeri's halloumi salads. Adults-only pool and spa areas provide rejuvenation; alternatively, a tennis court or olive oil-making excursions allow for fun family afternoons. £ | SPA | POOL | Best for a budget-friendly break On Cape Greco near Ayia Napa, 243-room Cavo Maris delivers a good standard of luxury at bargain prices. Landscaped gardens front a golden-sand shore with blue-flag status, while a two-minute walk will take you to another pair of coves. Fig Tree Bay, one of the island's most beautiful beaches, is just a mile away. You won't have to leave the estate to find a pool or tennis court, however. Rooms are bright and breezy in style and Argo Burger Bistro is among the à la carte restaurant choices. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for sporty types This hotel — near Aphrodite's Rock, the birthplace of the goddess of love — covers a large expanse between Paphos and Limassol. Around it you'll find an 18-hole, Cabell B Robinson-designed golf course — look out for the seventh hole's dramatic gorge — plus football, riding, the Village Square's various dining venues, the Tennis Academy's clay and Plexicushion courts, and a grand, Greco-Roman-themed spa. Its plateau setting means most of the 290 rooms or suites have sea views. Children are very well looked after, including in the hotel's restaurants, which feature Asian, Mexican, Italian and Mediterranean fare. £ | POOL | Best for an authentic escape There's such a resolute focus on the Cypriot coastline that its interior often goes unexplored, its traditions ignored. Surrounded by vineyards, the Vasilias Nikoklis Inn will feel like an anomaly to some — a small, quaint property with no beach, and even the idea of a nightclub very distant. Instead, you'll find a local taverna as part of this family-run inn and personalised, friendly service that many of the big coastal resorts advertise but rarely deliver. Hire a car if you can — the inn is off the beaten track — to explore even more of the island's mountainous heart. • Best villas in Cyprus• Best beaches in Cyprus Additional reporting by Richard Mellor, Oliver Berry, James Litston and Xenia Taliotis What's your favourite place to stay in Cyprus? Let us know in the comments
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12 hours ago
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