Hello! I'm Holly Smith, founder of Holly Abroad, and I'm so glad you're here.

Travel has always been more than checking destinations off a bucket list for me. It's about standing where history happened, experiencing cultures firsthand, and discovering the stories that make every place unique.

By profession, I'm a college history professor. My academic background spans history, anthropology, public history, and Irish studies.

But that's only part of my story.

My day job is working as an Airport Communications Specialist and police dispatcher in Reno, Nevada; seeing the world of aviation from behind the scenes. That experience has given me practical insights into travel that most people never get to see.

Holly Abroad grew out of the place where all of my passions meet—history, travel, teaching, and a genuine desire to help others explore the world with confidence.

Over the years I've learned through plenty of trial and error. I've over-packed. I've worn the wrong shoes. I've been pickpocketed (while visiting my favorite travel home away from home, Ireland). I've worried about fitting comfortably on long flights. Every trip taught me something new, and those lessons became the foundation of this guide.