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Travel Lemming Logo

Lea Rose Allbaugh

Freelance Travel Writer, Travel Lemming

Instagram | LinkedIn

Lea Rose Allbaugh is a freelance writer from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She’s currently based in Chicago (except for when she’s on a traveling stint), and is obsessed with all things travel. She caught the travel bug back in 2015 during an exchange to the Netherlands, and has been traveling ever since. Through her writing, she hopes to inspire others to get up and go experience the world. Aside from travel, she loves reading, writing, and anything creative. She writes on her website Written World.

🏠 Local to: Asheville, North Carolina and Chicago, Illinois

📍 Currently: Traveling!

🌟 Favorite Destinations: Chicago, Illinois; North Carolina; Portugal; Italy; and the Philippines

🎓 Education: UNC Charlotte (B.A. in Communications Studies with focus in International PR), B.A. in Dance Performance, 2020

✔️ Fun Facts: I danced (mostly ballet) for about 18 years, I’m an avid journaler, and I can say “bless you” in 8 languages so sneeze away (but don’t actually).


Meet Lea Rose

Lea Rose Allbaugh with the Taal Volcano on her background in Tagaytay, Philippines
Tagaytay, Philippines
Lea Rose Allbaugh smiling for a photo during her visit in Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona, Spain
Lea Rose Allbaugh with skyscrapers in Chicago, Illinois on he background
Chicago, Illinois
Lea Rose Allbaugh admiring the view in São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

📚 What was Your Favorite Travel Experience or Story?

One of my favorite travel memories comes from the semester I spent in Florence, Italy during college. Every Thursday evening after my travel writing class, my friends and I would have dinner together at a nearby dim sum restaurant. It became a weekly tradition followed by a walk through Piazza della Signoria and the Duomo before heading home for the night. 

I adore this memory just for how ironically un-Italian it is. I loved immersing myself in the local culture through food, people, and language during my time in Florence, but something about this memory just makes me smile. It was one of the things that made the city feel like home to me. And to this day, I like to tell people “nothing reminds me of Italy the way that dim sum does.” 

It just goes to show that some of the most memorable travel experiences aren’t what you think they’ll be, and instead, they’re ones that you create by doing something a little unexpected.

🗺️ What’s Your #1 Expert Travel Tip?

Don’t be afraid of straying from your itinerary. In my opinion, some of the best, most meaningful travel experiences can come from the in-between moments; where you stumble upon amazing places and people you never would have encountered otherwise. So, while I love a well-researched list of things to do, I highly recommend allowing yourself the ability to wander so these special travel moments can find you. 

If there’s a vista you want to stay at for just a little while longer, do it. A street you want to wander down? Do it. A group of locals or other travelers you want to talk to? Do it. Be open, present, and allow a destination to tell you who it is. You never know what you’ll discover.

🧳 Backpack or Suitcase?

It depends on the type of trip (I’m a chronic overpacker), but I like backpacks just to *try* to keep things simple.

✈️ Window or Aisle Seat?

Window seat for short flights, but aisle seat for long flights!


Lea Rose’s Recent Posts

61 Best Things to Do in Asheville, North Carolina (in 2023)

61 Best Things to Do in Asheville, North Carolina (in 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 20, 2023
29 Best Things to Do in Charlotte, NC (in 2023)

29 Best Things to Do in Charlotte, NC (in 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 18, 2023
17 Best Coffee Shops in Asheville (in 2023)

17 Best Coffee Shops in Asheville (in 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 24, 2023
Where to Stay in Cocoa Beach (Best Places & Areas in 2023)

Where to Stay in Cocoa Beach (Best Places & Areas in 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 14, 2023
Solo Travel Packing List (20 Things to Not Forget in 2023)

Solo Travel Packing List (20 Things to Not Forget in 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedFebruary 26, 2023
North Carolina Packing List (24 Things You Might Forget to Bring)

North Carolina Packing List (24 Things You Might Forget to Bring)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedFebruary 26, 2023
23 Best Things to Do in Cocoa Beach (in 2023)

23 Best Things to Do in Cocoa Beach (in 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 11, 2023
38 Best Things to Do in Chicago in 2023 (By a Local)

38 Best Things to Do in Chicago in 2023 (By a Local)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 14, 2023
MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago) Guide for 2023

MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago) Guide for 2023

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedFebruary 16, 2023
Lincoln Park Zoo | 2023 Guide (By a Chicago Local)

Lincoln Park Zoo | 2023 Guide (By a Chicago Local)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 16, 2023
39 Best Restaurants in Chicago (Where to Eat, by a Local)

39 Best Restaurants in Chicago (Where to Eat, by a Local)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedFebruary 14, 2023
North Carolina Food (Local Guide to 19 Best Dishes to Try)

North Carolina Food (Local Guide to 19 Best Dishes to Try)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedJanuary 16, 2023
Asheville Itinerary – 5 Days Planned for You + Map (2023)

Asheville Itinerary – 5 Days Planned for You + Map (2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 15, 2023
23 Fun Facts About Asheville (Interesting Trivia & History)

23 Fun Facts About Asheville (Interesting Trivia & History)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedDecember 25, 2022
Facts About Chicago (29 Interesting & Fun Things to Know)

Facts About Chicago (29 Interesting & Fun Things to Know)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedJanuary 16, 2023
Peak Design Travel Backpack Review – Is The Bag Worth It?

Peak Design Travel Backpack Review – Is The Bag Worth It?

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 7, 2023
Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca (Best Places for 2023)

Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca (Best Places for 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 14, 2023
15 Best Hikes Near Asheville in 2023 (By a Local)

15 Best Hikes Near Asheville in 2023 (By a Local)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedDecember 25, 2022
18 Best Neighborhoods in Chicago for 2023 (By a Local)

18 Best Neighborhoods in Chicago for 2023 (By a Local)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedFebruary 8, 2023
17 Best Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca (in 2023)

17 Best Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca (in 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 6, 2023
The Best São Miguel Itinerary in 2023 (5 Days Planned + Map)

The Best São Miguel Itinerary in 2023 (5 Days Planned + Map)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 16, 2023
Where to Stay in São Miguel Island (Best Places in 2023)

Where to Stay in São Miguel Island (Best Places in 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 14, 2023
25 Things to Do in Sao Miguel Island (in 2023)

25 Things to Do in Sao Miguel Island (in 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 16, 2023
33 Best Things to Do in North Carolina in 2023 (By a Local)

33 Best Things to Do in North Carolina in 2023 (By a Local)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 18, 2023
15 Best Waterfalls Near Asheville in 2023 (By a Local)

15 Best Waterfalls Near Asheville in 2023 (By a Local)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedDecember 26, 2022
Where to Stay in Asheville in 2023 (Best Areas & Places)

Where to Stay in Asheville in 2023 (Best Areas & Places)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 21, 2023
17 Best Towns in Western North Carolina (in 2023)

17 Best Towns in Western North Carolina (in 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 18, 2023
Best Time to Visit Asheville, NC (in 2023)

Best Time to Visit Asheville, NC (in 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedJanuary 1, 2023
21 Best Day Trips from Asheville (in 2023)

21 Best Day Trips from Asheville (in 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 18, 2023
20 Chicago Travel Tips & Things to Know in 2023 (By a Local)

20 Chicago Travel Tips & Things to Know in 2023 (By a Local)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedFebruary 16, 2023
The Art Institute of Chicago (Ultimate Visitor’s Guide)

The Art Institute of Chicago (Ultimate Visitor’s Guide)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 16, 2023
Grant Park | A Chicago Local’s Guide to Visiting (in 2023)

Grant Park | A Chicago Local’s Guide to Visiting (in 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedFebruary 16, 2023
16 Best Coffee Shops in Chicago in 2023 (By a Local)

16 Best Coffee Shops in Chicago in 2023 (By a Local)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedFebruary 16, 2023
29 Best Places to Visit in North Carolina (in 2023)

29 Best Places to Visit in North Carolina (in 2023)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 18, 2023
15 Best Things to Do in Wicker Park (By a Local)

15 Best Things to Do in Wicker Park (By a Local)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedFebruary 13, 2023
How to Get Around in Chicago (By a Local)

How to Get Around in Chicago (By a Local)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedSeptember 3, 2022
5 Day Chicago Itinerary (Planned By a Local With Map)

5 Day Chicago Itinerary (Planned By a Local With Map)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedMarch 16, 2023
Chicago Packing List (29 Things People Forget to Bring)

Chicago Packing List (29 Things People Forget to Bring)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedFebruary 10, 2023
17 Day Trips from Chicago (By a Local!)

17 Day Trips from Chicago (By a Local!)

ByLea Rose Allbaugh UpdatedOctober 21, 2022

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