Woman spends $17K a year on solo vacations

By Emma Dunn via SWNS

A woman has spent $17k on traveling this year alone and leaves her boyfriend at home to go on solo trips.

Skylie Shore, 21, has loved traveling since she was a teenager and now prioritizes it over anything else.

This year she has been to five countries and done four solo trips - spending $7k.

Skylie is leaving her boyfriend, Stephen Pogorilich, 24, behind at the end of August for a two month trip around Europe, Japan and Canada - costing her a further $10k.

The pair still love to take trips together but travel-obsessed Skylie doesn't want a relationship holding her back from exploring the world.

Skylie, a corporate event planner, from Cranston, Rhode Island, US, said: "I have spent $7k on places I've already been this year.

"But in my mind I really love to travel. I work to travel.

"I'm obsessed with travel. It consumes my life.

"I would never stop that just because I'm in a relationship.

"He [boyfriend Stephen] is super supportive. He never holds me back."

Skylie fell in love with traveling after going on a 'mission trip' to Costa Rica aged 14.

Two years later she went to China on a school exchange trip and she has prioritized travel ever since - even if that means going alone.

Skylie has been to Italy aged 18, Switzerland and Ireland in 2024 by herself and loved it.

She said: "I really love trying new things and getting out of my comfort zone.

"I love to learn.

"You're learning without realizing it.

"My favorite is a tie between Switzerland and Iceland.

"I love the greenery and being outside with nature."

When Skylie met Stephen, a security guard, he didn't have a passport.

She said: "He's a beginner.

"He likes to go a few times a year."

This year the couple have been to the Bahamas, Saint Thomas and Puerto Rico together.

Skylie has also been to Ireland and Switzerland without him - leaving Stephen with her dog - a Corgi and Labrador mix called Dobbie.

She aid: "The whole trip revolves around what I want to do.

"It's all good memories.

"The trip is what you make it.

"He [Stephen] loves getting the pictures.

"He wants to make sure I'm safe. He checks in and FaceTimes."

Skylie is embarking on a two-month solo trip at the end of August.

She is visiting Portugal, Spain, France, Moscow, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Japan, Indonesia and Canada.

She said: "I have everything planned out."

Skylie hopes to inspire others to take trips or time out for themselves.

She said: "Do it when you're young - time is never promised.

"Start small if you need to.

"Get comfortable with being with yourself."