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Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

Travel
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May 19, 2020

What if we don’t go back to normal?

Normal is overrated, and honestly not much to aspire to. What if we aspired to something better instead?

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Travel
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April 29, 2020

From Travel to Politics And Back: Lessons Learned

Travel can be a way to immerse yourself and learn about the realities of the world and others. What you do next is what matters most.

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South America, Travel
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January 7, 2020

A Day in Cusco, Peru

Plaza de Armas Cusco Peru

The best way to experience a city is to walk it with a local guide. Here is my day on a walking tour with Urban Adventures through Cusco, Peru.

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South America, Travel
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December 4, 2019

The Best of Peru with Intrepid Travel

The experience of traveling through with my first South American country with a travel company that empowers locals to own their narrative.

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North America, Travel
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July 23, 2019

Finger Lakes History: A Treasure Trove for the Curious Traveler

Though the outside consensus is that the rural areas of the United States don't have much to offer the curious traveler, I have found that not to be true at all.

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Travel
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June 30, 2019

Travel photography: what my kid taught me

My son has taught me to view the world and capture our memories in a way that is more enjoyable than doing it for the 'gram will ever be.

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North America, Travel
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June 27, 2019

Grounds for Sculpture: A stroll through art in New Jersey

A hidden gem in New Jersey for the art- and nature-lovers of all ages.

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Public Relations & Branding
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June 22, 2019

Don’t call it Branded Engagement When It’s Really a Curated Lie

Branded content is not the same as a curated lie. The difference between authentic influencer marketing and a deceitful campaign.

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Travel
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May 15, 2019

Women and Travel: When the sexual predator is in your travel group

I saw an inquiry from a fellow female travel blogger in a closed, private group asking about a press trip she had been considering but had heard rumors about. When she mentioned the destination I realized I had heard some stories too - and I refuse to call them rumors because a rumor has the potential of being a lie, something made up, distorted from truth. These stories are ones I he[...]

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Public Relations & Branding
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February 28, 2019

What brands are still getting wrong about working with influencers

When I first started working in public relations, I was most excited about identifying the stories and narratives of a particular client that would most connect with their audience - or when working as an in-house communications team, finding interesting ways to share the narrative selected by our executives with the community it aimed to reach. Not much about that work has changed. Thoug[...]

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Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
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  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe54 Post(s)
  • North America318 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Contact

  • caincarol@gmail.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

This time of year is a joyous one but it can also This time of year is a joyous one but it can also be terribly overwhelming and draining. 

As someone managing two small businesses and all that life throws my way, I felt I needed a little escape, and Rochester always delivers!

We booked a hotel room, hit up all of our favorite spots, and a couple of new ones. On the list of musts:

📍Highland Park Diner- a must for a hearty breakfast to start the day. Best on weekdays for no crowds. 
📍Siren and the Sea - new cafe bookstore full of good reads, cozy vibes, and yummy drinks
📍Happy Earth Tea - where I picked up some delicious chai and matcha (also a sweet little yap spot with friends). 
📍Lamberton Conservatory - especially this time of year as it’s decorated for the holidays. Was a lovely spot to sit on a bench and zen out for a bit.
📍Winter Swan Coffee - afternoon cafecito, gift and plant shopping
📍Ugly Duck Coffee - the main reason we were inspired to come to Rochester on this specific day, for their Industry Night, where we nerded out about coffee “and beyond”. Of course we went back the next morning for coffee!
📍Rochester Public Market - for some evening holiday market strolling and hellos to our friends Sylvan Farm and Cidery who were working the market!
📍Lucky’s for dinner - yummy, but man oh man do I miss their onion rings!

Absolutely love this city for it’s ability to make me feel happier and lighter. Happy place 🫶🏾.
I’ve seen some pretty spectacular sunsets in my I’ve seen some pretty spectacular sunsets in my travels. Some of my absolute favorites have been on a beach in Mazatlán, Mexico, behind The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, while sitting on a fisherman’s dock in Seoul, South Korea, along the rugged seashore of La Perla, Puerto Rico, and here in the Finger Lakes. Not an exaggeration. The sunsets here are stunning. Breathtaking even. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #citygirlinthecountry #sunsethour
As a Brooklyn girl, born and raised, I never could As a Brooklyn girl, born and raised, I never could’ve imagined a reason to stray too far from my beloved city…and then, I found the Finger Lakes. Never say never. 🤷🏾‍♀️

Bonus: Brooklyn feels like a world away from all this peace and beauty, but it’s only a 4 hour drive. 🫶🏾

#fingerlakes #newyork #citygirlinthecountry #roadtrip
During my recent jaunt to @visittheberkshires I im During my recent jaunt to @visittheberkshires I immersed myself in @massmoca bliss. With 250,000 square feet of gallery space, it’s easy to understand how with three visits thus far,  I still haven’t seen all there is to see. 

Strolling the interconnected buildings and walkways leads you into a new experience, and with each ticket allowing for two consecutive day visits, you are encouraged to take your time. 

Another thing to note is that in between my visits (separated by a month’s time) I got to see new installations that weren’t there before, as many of the exhibits are ever-evolving. 

I have yet to visit during warmer temps, when the outdoor spaces are activated with more art and events, so am definitely excited to return. It would also be cool to catch a live performance there! 

Bonus: the coffee shop adjacent to the museum - @tunnelcitycoffee - serves up some good sips, and I highly recommend reservations to @casitaberkshires, the Mexican restaurant also on campus.

#berkshiresma #roadtrip #museum #massmoca #visitberkshires
This winter promises to be a snowy one and honestl This winter promises to be a snowy one and honestly, I couldn’t be more excited. Experiencing true four seasons is one of the things I love about living here because everything changes each time. The energy is more serene and mellow. The world is so chaotic and sad in many ways these days, it’s really healing to be surrounded by the quiet and stillness of nature on a snow day in the Finger Lakes. 

#fingerlakes #upstateny #snowday
Almost 6 months ago, and after a few months of hos Almost 6 months ago, and after a few months of hosting just family and friends at home, I launched to the public a “little something” I felt was really bringing me joy and really made others happy too…a reason to come together. 

I wanted something that allowed for more in-person connections in a way that I loved to do so the most…by serving something yummy to strangers and friends alike. Café Cómodo has become more than I expected, faster than I imagined, and some of the hardest work I’ve done to date. But I love it. 

And now, we’ve secured a long term partnership with @sulfurbooks, in Clifton Springs, NY. 

Started January 10, 2026 and every second Saturday of the month till December 2026 (with a few extra events sprinkled in between), we will be serving a community of growing fans in a community bookstore we all adore. 

I look forward to continued growth, more meaningful partnerships, and making people happy, one cafecito at a time. ☕️

Thank you to everyone who has been supportive of my little café dreams from day 1. Look what you helped make possible!! 

Thank you to Sarah and team for this opportunity and to the Clifton Springs community for the warm welcome. 🫶🏾

#cafecomodo

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