Julie Went Anyway is the travel corner of Gravy Stains and Tall Tales — a collection of funny, honest and story-led adventures for women who stopped waiting. From solo cruises and sun-drenched islands to pilgrim trails, hidden food finds and glorious travel chaos, this is where confidence meets curiosity. Real journeys, real laughs, and proof that the best trips often begin when you simply go anyway.
Woke up leisurely — because I’m on pilgrimage, not parole — packed my suitcase, and shipped it ahead like a dignified traveler who refuses to carry unnecessary weight (because that’s what my emotional baggage is for). Caught the 0910 bus to Takijiri-Oji, the gateway to the Kumano Kudo, a World Heritage pilgrimage trail. Sounds serene,…
Buying a train ticket in Japan is an adventure in itself — three different colour-coded machines, each seemingly requiring a degree in cryptography. After a bit of button-mashing and soul-searching, I finally secured my ticket and made my way to Tanabe, the gateway to the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage. Checked into @Shin Kumano Guest House, a…
Woke up at 0500 to a symphony of alarms that weren’t mine. Thanks, fellow travelers. Nothing like an unsolicited wake-up call to kick off an overambitious day of sightseeing. Nara Park: First stop — ancient temples, stunning scenery, and… bowing deer? Yes, the deer bow for cookies. It’s adorable. Until it isn’t. Give one a…
Checked out of my dinosaur hotel this morning — and yes, the velociraptor at reception was as polite as ever. I appreciate a hotel that embraces the “prehistoric reptile meets customer service” aesthetic. Honestly, the robot dino had more warmth than most front desks I’ve dealt with. Then came the train. Japan’s train system is…
There’s a moment — standing stark naked in a Japanese onsen — where you question everything. Not in a deep, philosophical way. More like, “How did I end up here, stripped of all dignity and clothing, surrounded by strangers pretending none of this is weird?” Let’s rewind. The onsen (Aqua Ignis Onsen) is a sacred…
I braced myself for China Eastern Airlines like a woman walking to the gallows — thanks to a million reviews promising discomfort, despair, and maybe a loss of faith in humanity. But surprise: none of that happened. Loads of legroom, shockingly good food, and a flight crew so nice they felt imported from a better…
Walking the streets of Glasgow feels like stepping into a narrative, each cobblestone and corner store humming with stories. The city—pedestrian-friendly and buzzing with an understated charm—invites exploration. It’s a place that asks you to slow down, not because it’s sleepy, but because the treasures here demand savoring. This is Glasgow, bold and alive, where…
There’s something about a smell. The way it punches you in the gut and tickles your brain before you’ve even crossed the threshold. That was my first introduction to Pho Thu Do on Somerset Street in Ottawa. I was fresh-faced, working for Environment Canada, and clueless about what lay beyond the unassuming door of that Vietnamese restaurant….