Watch the fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland

Ode To Disneyland

Once upon a time I went to the Happiest Place on Earthand fell in love with every inch of its wonder and worth Now I go back all the time to relive that happy dayand feel like a kid again or ‘Disney adult’ as we say As we pass through the front gate we leave today and magicallyenter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy Then depending on how early I managed to get therewill…
Posted inDisneyland, Theme Parks
Visit Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park in Valencia, California

Ode To Magic Mountain

How do I love thee Thrill Capitol of the WorldLet me count all the ways you make my heart awhirl Stepping through your entrance, I feel such a blendOf grateful and gleeful to be here once again I make a beeline for the back of the parkWhere I’ve learned it’s often the best place to start But still I will routinely check wait times in the appTo strategize my route and which direction to lap…
Posted inSix Flags Parks, Theme Parks
The Wizarding World at Universal Studios Hollywood

Ode To The Wizarding World

Here we come a wizardingamong this magical world.Riding thrills and casting spellsand feeling my heart awhirl. Exploring the secrets ofThe Forbidden Journey inside.Or soaring on a Hippogriffon a brief but gripping ride. It’s the closest thing to beinga student at Hogwarts school.Hanging with Harry, Hermione, and Ronand feeling instantly cool. Here you can be a big kid again,run around and play and be merry.You’re not too old to pretendyou’re a wizard just like Harry. I…
Posted inTheme Parks, Universal Studios Hollywood
Read all about Rebecca Ahn's adventures of a professional career changer and nomadic multipotentialite on Tough Cookie Travel

The Adventures Of A Professional Career Changer

To say I’ve had an unconventional career is an understatement. I’m a professional chameleon and multipotentialite… which, in other words, means I’m in a constant state of work identity crisis. I don’t know if I’d even characterize it as a “career” since it hasn’t stuck to one clear career path. I’ve gone from theatre to wildland firefighting to Google to film stunts to video & event production to teaching self defense to business consulting, many…
Posted inEntrepreneurs
Watch iconic female led travel movies like Eat Pray Love and Thelma & Louise to feel inspired from the comfort of your home

Best Travel Movies With Female Leads

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our Disclaimer here. As an avid traveler AND cinephile, I'm constantly on the hunt to find and watch all the best travel movies like it was my job (and often instead of doing my job). That's especially true right now, as we quarantine ourselves at home with less work or outside activities to occupy and entertain us. As a result, I've admittedly been filling…
Posted inMovies
How To Avoid Travel Scams

How To Avoid Travel Scams

Watch out, Cookies! These are the most common types of travel scams you will encounter on your travels that are designed to con you out of your money, possessions, and/or physical safety and control of your body. Of course, you want to do your research and find out what scams are more common in the areas you’ll be traveling. But this list of the most common travel scams and con archetypes to avoid will get…
Posted inSafety Tips
This is my story with self defense and being attacked

The Rape Joke by Patricia Lockwood

The rape joke is that you were 19 years old. The rape joke is that he was your boyfriend. The rape joke it wore a goatee. A goatee. Imagine the rape joke looking in the mirror, perfectly reflecting back itself, and grooming itself to look more like a rape joke. “Ahhhh,” it thinks. “Yes. A goatee.” No offense. The rape joke is that he was seven years older. The rape joke is that you had known him for years,…
Posted inReal Cookies
My travels to Amsterdam, Netherlands - Tough Cookie Travel

The Safest Cities In The World

Okay you’re ready to travel solo, but where to? Where are the safest cities in the world to visit by yourself? I’ve put together my favorite list of top 10 safest cities for solo female travelers like you and me. Not only are they super safe, but they’re also pretty fun and interesting. Nothing boring about this list. Safe doesn’t have to mean boring. You can have your cake and keep it safe too. So…
Posted inDestinations, Safety Tips
My New Year’s Realizations

My New Year’s Realizations

We did it! We made it through another year full of uncertainty and un-safety. And now we have a chance to reflect, reassess, and resolve to make some new changes and take some new chances in the new year. I'm determined to make 2022 an even better, brighter, braver year. Who’s with me? Let’s start 2022 on our own terms! Make big travel plans. Set some ambitious New Year’s Resolutions. Or as I like to…
Posted inTravel Inspiration
Your Ultimate Travel Safety Packing List from Tough Cookie Travel

Travel Safety Packing List

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our Disclaimer here. Packing for your next trip and wondering what you’ll need to keep yourself safe? Make sure you’re fully prepared to protect yourself - your body, mind, and belongings - on your solo travels with your ultimate travel safety packing list. I’ve organized this packing list into categories for easy navigation and checking off. So dive on in and happy packing. Your next adventure…
Posted inSafety Gear, Safety Tips
How To Set Your Boundaries, the Tough Cookie Way. Photo by Nadine Shaabana on Unsplash.

How To Set Boundaries

As we know all too well, it can be very hard for womxn to set and enforce our boundaries - and not just when we're facing violence and sexual assault. We're conditioned by society to believe that we are acting rude or bitchy whenever we speak up for ourselves or try to set our boundaries. But that’s bullshit. And just plain disrespectful. You are always allowed to say no, or tell someone to stop, or…
Posted inSafety Tips
COVID-19 Travel Tips Photo by Daniel Norris on Unsplash

Coronavirus Travel Tips

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our Disclaimer here. Ah COVID-19, that stubborn travel buzzkill that just won't quit. We've been feeling the pang of longing for adventure here at Tough Cookie Travel, and I'm sure you have too. Thankfully, things do seem to be getting better bit and bit. Vaccinations are finally getting around, conditions are improving, and restrictions are lifting. Slowly but surely, it's looking like we might be…
Posted inSafety Tips