Location
Santiago De Compostela, Spain
School
University of Santo Tomas
Expertise
Solo female travel, Cultural exploration, Slow travel
- Jianne believes the world is made up of stories, and this perspective shapes her approach to both writing and connecting with people.
- Her first taste of a broader world came through international writing forums, where she has been honing her editorial instincts since she was 11 years old.
- She thrives on spontaneous exploration, often choosing to wander without a fixed itinerary.
Experience
Jianne grew up moving between the Philippines and Taiwan, a childhood that gave her an early awareness of how wide the world really is. At 22, she moved to Spain and began solo traveling across Europe with nothing but her purple backpack, often meeting up with strangers-turned-friends to better understand how people see their own corners of the world. She has worked both ends of the travel spectrum, from a luxury travel company to a short stint in a hostel, and remains convinced that — no matter the budget — the best trips are the ones shaped to the traveler. She's especially drawn to diaspora food scenes, curious about the stories behind how people build community far from home.
Education
Jianne holds a bachelor's degree in mass communications from the University of Santo Tomas.
Islands content is created by a team of veteran writers and editors passionate about travel. Outside experts with deep field knowledge sometimes inform our work with additional context and perspectives by way of exclusive commentary. Our goal is to offer readers well-rounded and diverse articles that inform, entertain, and inspire.
Our editors consistently review and update articles to ensure they're providing current, relevant, and useful information. Complete information on our editorial process is available here.
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This nine-block neighborhood in Austin, Texas, was founded in 1871 and has since become a hub of world-class dining, excellent shopping, and vibrant nightlife.
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This Bavarian mountain village in Colorado is entirely pedestrian-centric featuring heated cobblestone streets lined with endless restaurants and quirky shops.
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The central New York town makes the perfect getaway, with plenty to see and do in its welcoming downtown area and comfortable, historic inns to lay your head.
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Pennsylvania
By Jianne Uy
Hidden in the Pennsylvania hills of Allenwood is a series of World War II-era military bunkers and the remains of a town that once stood on the land.
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A once-bustling town on the Kansas-Oklahoma border now sits abandoned, evacuated due to extreme contamination and left as one of America's eeriest ghost towns.
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Discover NASA's iconic space center just outside of Houston, Texas, where visitors can see artifacts, spaceships, and peek into actual science labs.
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In Hawaii, this tiny fish can climb 330-foot-high waterfalls to find love in the streams above. Here's everything you need to know about this wonder of nature.
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With easy access to New York City, plenty of green space, and undeniable Latin charm, this New Jersey city is one of the best places to live in America.
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Cruises can be both exciting and relaxing, but it's very easy to get homesick on a cruise ship -- especially if you've left furry companions at home.
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The oldest restaurant in Michigan has a traditional aesthetic, classic comfort foods that haven't changed in generations, and an iconic mascot.
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A sprawling Spanish food hall in New York pairs culinary genius with affordability, serving classics, small plates, and vibrant social energy.
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This little-known California destination enchants with smooth granite, plunge pools, and waterfalls in a wild forest setting untouched by modern development.
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Though you might not expect to see one, within New York's Central Park is an often-overlooked Victorian castle that offers visitors spectacular views.
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If you're looking for a spooky destination filled with history, this ghost town in Arizona features gold mining artifacts and tales of hauntings.
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Hopping on an expensive overseas flight to see world-class natural beauty isn't always an option. Thankfully, Vermont's lake country is a lot closer.
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Pennsylvania
By Jianne Uy
All forests are beautiful, but some, like this one in Pennsylvania, feel like they've come right out of a fairy tale with moss-covered trails and ancient trees.
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Anthony Bourdain loved good food, and his favorite barbecue city was an underrated Midwestern foodie paradise with an up-and-coming restaurant scene.
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The development of Chicago into the large economic center that it is today has a lot to do with one small suburb full of galleries and its scenic canal.
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At this Arkansas town, enjoy Southern soul food at a restaurant open since 1964, fish for bass at a 1,520-acre lake, or dig for retro finds at the local market.
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Not to be mistaken with the Nordic country, this Maine town is home to many local stores, quaint streets, old pines, and opportunities for lakeside adventures.
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