About Leila

I’m Leila Morgan, journalist, photographer, and forever student of the world. I don’t just collect countries; I collect conversations, shared meals, and the quiet in-between moments that never make it to postcards. This website is my way of weaving those moments into something you can hold onto, learn from, and use to shape your own journeys.

Where it all began

I grew up in Canada, where my earliest adventures were weekend road trips and long summer nights under the stars in the Rockies. My grandmother was my first travel guide. She packed too many books, brewed campfire coffee that was always a little too strong, and treated every trail like a story waiting to be told. With her, I learned that travel isn’t about rushing to the viewpoint, it’s about noticing the way the light changes on the way there.

Years later, that childhood curiosity led me into journalism. I started out writing local human-interest stories and eventually found myself on assignments that took me far beyond home: interviewing families rebuilding after natural disasters, talking with artisans preserving fading traditions, and walking through cities at dawn to understand them before the noise arrived. Journalism taught me how to listen deeply, ask better questions, and respect the weight of someone else’s story.

How travel changed me

Travel stopped being a “break from real life” the moment I realized it was the most honest mirror I had. Standing in a bustling market where I didn’t speak the language, sharing tea with someone who had lived a completely different life from mine, or watching a landscape change over a long, slow train ride, these moments challenged my assumptions and softened my edges. They reminded me that we are all both more fragile and more resilient than we think.

Over time, I noticed a pattern: the trips that stayed with me weren’t the perfectly planned ones, but the ones where I made space for connection, a shared recipe, a story told in halting English, a walk with no agenda except to see what was around the corner. That’s the kind of travel I want to help you experience.

My travel philosophy

I believe travel should be rooted in respect, curiosity, and responsibility. That means slowing down when we can, choosing local businesses when possible, and understanding that we’re entering someone else’s home, not just their “destination.” It means asking, “How can my presence here be beneficial, or at least gentle?” instead of “What can I get out of this place?”

I care deeply about ethical and sustainable travel, but I also know that not every traveler has the same budget, time, or background. My approach is practical, not perfectionist. I focus on small, realistic choices that add up: the neighborhood guesthouse over the faceless chain, the reusable bottle in a hot climate, the decision to learn a few words of the local language and use them often. I want you to feel both inspired and capable, not overwhelmed.

What you’ll find on this website

This space is where storytelling meets strategy. You’ll find many contents that bring places to life through the people who live there, journal-style reflections from the road, and honest accounts of what went right and what really didn’t. Alongside those stories, you’ll get practical tools: thoughtful itineraries, packing and planning guides, family-friendly tips, and resources for traveling more sustainably without sacrificing joy or spontaneity.

I write and photograph with one question in mind: “Will this help someone else see more clearly, travel more kindly, or feel less alone in their curiosity?” If the answer is yes, it belongs here.

Who I’m here for

If you’ve ever looked at a map and felt both excited and intimidated, this corner of the internet is for you. Maybe you’re planning your first big trip, traveling with kids, navigating a tight budget, or returning to the road after a long break. Maybe you’re already well-traveled but want to go deeper than checklist tourism. Wherever you are on that spectrum, I’m here to offer perspective, tools, and gentle nudges, not rules.

I don’t believe in “must-see” lists that shame you for skipping a famous landmark. I believe in helping you find the version of travel that feels true to you whether that’s sunrise hikes, museum marathons, café hopping with a notebook, or long, meandering conversations with strangers who become friends.

Why I created this space

After years of filling hard drives with photos and notebooks with scribbled impressions, I realized that keeping these stories to myself felt incomplete. The lessons I’ve learned about empathy, boundaries, safety, and wonder only truly matter if they’re shared. This website is the bridge between my journeys and yours.

I want this to be more than a travel blog. I want it to be a resource, a companion, and sometimes a gentle reminder that you’re allowed to travel differently. To go slower. To care more. To let a place change you in ways you didn’t schedule into your itinerary.

An invitation to journey together

So, welcome. Take your time here. Wander through the guides, linger over a story that tugs at you, save an itinerary for later, or simply let an image transport you for a moment. And when you’re ready, I’d love to hear your stories too, the trips that went perfectly, the ones that went sideways, and the moments in between.

Wherever you’re headed next, I hope this space helps you travel with open eyes, a soft heart, and just enough courage to follow your curiosity a little farther than you planned.