Kavya Subramanian

Took my first solo trip at 19 (Pondicherry, three days, told my parents I was at a friend's hostel) and have not stopped since. I write for the women who are scared their parents will never let them go — because mine were, and they did, and it changed my life.

I travel cheap, mostly south, mostly hostels. I will be the first to tell you that solo travel is not always magical and that some days you will sit in a hostel common room and miss your mother. That is also fine.