Another Adventure Begins with a FlashPack Review

This year I decided to try a new travel experience. I always love going abroad, but I’m not quite comfortable enough to make my own travel plans in countries that don’t have Rick Steves books 😂 (IYKYK).

Last summery friend Jenny and I traveled to South Africa, but I spent an entire flight speaking with my seatmate, Sarah, about her travel expeditions. Her husband does not love travel like she does, so she travels with different tour companies that focus on solo travelers. I don’t know the name of her company, but I remember it being a women only trip.

This thought helped light a fire in me. My traveling partner Jenny could not travel this year, so I started the research. Then my computer algorithm took over and many companies focused on solo travel came across my screen.

After all my research, the company I chose is FlashPack. First, the dates of their trip lined up with my availability. Second, they offered locations I hadn’t been and interested me. And third, their co-ed tours were designed for specific age ranges, so I could travel with others who might share similar experiences. This factor spoke to me more than any. Each tour is rated by activity level, and I always wonder if traveling with people who are decades younger than me will create pain for them (I worry I can’t keep up, and their moderate rating might look different than mine).

It took a while to book because I kept asking if I wanted to take the risk and travel with total strangers. FlashPack told me their magic number is three. If three people sign up, the tour moves from probable to guaranteed. I continued monitoring the trip, and it started with one person on the trip then moved to no travelers on the trip. Now, FlashPack gave a small discount for the first and second travelers. I hemmed and hawed too long for that bonus.

There are refund policies set up for FlashPack tours, but I signed up with less than 90 days to go and did not qualify. I also had to pay in full.

Communication with the company was generally good, however, it was through online chat channels. I did schedule a phone meeting with them, but we never connected. I think they felt my issue could be resolved via text, so that’s what they did.

Once you have paid for your trip, a portal on their app opens for you. The company provides links and information for you to get visas and decide what to pack.

Additionally, a few weeks out FlashPack sets up a WhatsApp account for everyone to join. This provides the opportunity for everyone to “meet”. My group consists of for women and two men. We did not use it much, but pertinent information was shared.

Ten days out a spreadsheet is sent with arrival times. Three of us will arrive the day before, and the other three will arrive the first day. FlashPack picks everyone up, so this information is for us to verify its accuracy.

Four days prior to Day One, our guide joins us to answer any last minute information. Hoang Lee will be our guide. The only thing I asked concerned a reliable ATM.

And, today my journey begins. I am headed first to South Korea because there are a few Dambo trolls to see! From there I’ll fly into Hanoi. However, if you’d like to know where my plane is…here you go! More to come!

BONUS: I never noticed windows in the bathroom before. Today I did, and I opened it for the view. Guess where I am now???