School
Appalachian State University
Expertise
Japan Destinations, European Culture, Solo Female Travel
- Sam has visited 12 countries and currently lives in Thailand, her birthplace.
- She has been studying Japanese since she was a child and has traveled to Japan eleven times.
- Sam speaks four languages (English and Thai fluently, Japanese and French conversationally), which has been an advantage for her adventures around Europe and Japan.
Experience
Sam has been a freelance illustrator, designer, and content creator for the past five years. She began a career in marketing and social media for a luxury hotel in Thailand, which sparked her interest in travel writing. After taking two years off to spend time traveling around Europe and Japan, Sam started her own personal travel blog to write about her experiences, offering tips and recommendations for other travelers to more easily plan their own trips. When she is not writing, Sam enjoys watching historical dramas like Downton Abbey, reading books, going to pub quizzes, and karaoke.
Education
Sam received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design from Appalachian State University in North Carolina, with a minor in communications.
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 underrated city was once the capital of Japan in the Middle Ages and is now a beautiful, tourist-friendly hub with beaches and outdoor adventures.
By Sam Scott
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Destinations
By Sam Scott
If myths and dragonslayers are your jam, add this hidden-gem island in Italy to your list, with a rich past, tranquil walking trails, and a legendary basilica.
By Sam Scott
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Destinations
By Sam Scott
Finland is known for its many lakes, but this massive lake is one of the country's gems. There's much to see and do in the region for the whole family.
By Sam Scott
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Destinations
By Sam Scott
Europe has plenty of ancient sites but these prehistoric gems in the Alps of Germany and Italy are still surprisingly underrated. Here's why you should go.
By Sam Scott
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Travel Guides
By Sam Scott
Avoid the typical Italian beach vacations this summer by visiting this charming, 'locals-only' town filled with things to see and experience.
By Sam Scott
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Destinations
By Sam Scott
Travelers to Japan should seek out this mirror-like lake near Mount Fuji that promises unbeatable views of the mountain and great cherry blossom-viewing.
By Sam Scott
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Travel Guides
By Sam Scott
An iconic floating shrine, a stunning pagoda, free-roaming deer, gorgeous nature, and cozy traditional inns can all be found at this ethereal Japanese island.
By Sam Scott
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Travel Guides
By Sam Scott
This small, underrated city in Louisiana is the place to go for spotting wildlife, peeping historical architecture, and filling up on comfort food.
By Sam Scott
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Destinations
By Sam Scott
Travelers should head to this digitally advanced European country for an unforgettable travel experience that might make you want to move there.
By Sam Scott
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Destinations
By Sam Scott
This popular European destination with incredible landmarks has a bad reputation for the unfriendliness of its locals, but does that hold up?
By Sam Scott
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Destinations
By Sam Scott
Superb views of the Grand Canyon from high up in a helicopter may sound out of your budget, but the experience might cost less than you'd expect.
By Sam Scott
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