Travel

Lonely Planet writer Emily Luxton’s YOLO tips

Published February 28, 2025

Updated September 1, 2025

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Diver taking a picture of a sea turtle in a coral reef

Profile image of Emily Luxton on a pink circle background

Emily Luxton

Emily is a travel writer and blogger from Dorset. Her focus? Equipping and empowering women to get out and experience the world.

If you had to choose one YOLO experience, what would it be?

A Galapagos cruise. There’s nothing more magical than seeing animals in their natural environment, and having the chance to snorkel with sea lions, tortoises and penguins, or get up close to blue footed boobies and marine iguanas… it just sounds too wonderful for words.

Best active travel experience?

Hiking to the top of Mount Fuji – we hiked up overnight to reach the top in time for sunrise. The climb was seriously tough – hiking on loose volcanic rubble and scrambling over bigger rocks, while enduring thunderstorms and icy night-time temperatures – but the feeling of making it to the top was euphoric.

A women standing on mount fuji with a walking stick raised in the air

nighttime scene of a street in Seoul — Neon-lit streets of eastern Shinjuku.

Do you have a bucket list city?

Seoul. I’m dying to explore the history, traditional culture and food of South Korea, but I’m also excited for K-pop, crazy cafés, K-beauty and the incredible contemporary architecture.

Tips for a YOLO experience?

Do plenty of research: read blogs, speak to other travellers and fi nd out what to expect before you go. Create a savings fund and work towards it slowly. Finally, try to live in the moment – travel and YOLO experiences are about much more than getting the perfect shot for social media.