Hey there, and welcome!

I’m Baia, a 30-something girl behind this blog who is obsessed with travel and finding unique, quirky, and interesting places worldwide.

My mission is to inspire your wanderlust and help you discover the popular and hidden gems of my homeland – Georgia – and beyond, focusing mainly on Europe and Southeast Asia.

My Story

Born and raised in Tbilisi (and currently living here), I’ve always been fascinated by the diverse cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and rich histories our world offers. This curiosity led me to embark on countless adventures, both within Georgia and across the globe.

Turkey was the first country I traveled to at the age of 10, and when I was 20 years old, I enrolled in the University of New York in Prague to study at the faculty of Mass Media and Communications and lived in the city for four years.

As a student, I traveled around Europe for a bit, but my four-month backpacking trip to Southeast Asia with my best friend Mariam in 2014 made me realize that traveling and writing are two things I enjoy the most.

Therefore, I officially registered this blog in 2016 to share my experiences and local insights as a hobby of mine.

With a background in journalism, I strived to become a freelance travel writer for international magazines and online publications and have successfully contributed to Lonely Planet, National Geographic, The Wanderlust, Passion Passport, Skyscanner, The Culture Trip, etc.

However, since the COVID-19 Pandemic, I decided to take this blog as my full-time job and concentrate on providing in-depth guides to the places and countries I explore.

Over time, what started as a personal blog has become a comprehensive travel resource, especially for those exploring Georgia’s beautiful corners.

Through this blog, where I play a “tourist” in my own city, I discovered another passion – Tbilisi’s bourgeoise and art-nouveau architecture that many locals and foreigners often miss. Thus, I have started offering Architecture Walking Tours in two neighborhoods.

I have a soft spot and love for discovering the less explored and quirky places and devotion to Soviet history, especially its architecture and mosaic art. I am a foodie with a fondness for flavorful cuisines of the world, with Thai food being my absolute favorite.

I also greatly appreciate gorgeous murals and street art, and I always hunt them down when visiting a place. In this world of mass production with a global environmental crisis, I have become a conscious and responsible traveler with eco-friendly, sustainable, and zero-waste products in my backpack.

When I am not roaming the streets, you’ll find me snuggled with a cup of tea, watching thought-provoking and educational documentaries, spending time with friends at a cafe, reading a book (mainly doing research for future posts), hiking nearby Tbilisi, or having a picnic in the park.

While I am the soul of the Red Fedora Diary blog, my husband, Oto, has become a “behind-the-scenes” partner and helps me manage the platform and content for social media.

Why did I call the blog Red Fedora Diary?

My blog name choice might not be easy to hear if I say it fast; it’s slightly tricky to remember and is not a typical name for any travel blog. But it holds deep meaning and unforgettable memories for me.

This journey began in 2014 when I spent #213DaysInAsia with my childhood best friend and a “twin,” Mariam (we both have birthdays on the same day, month, and year).

We embarked on an incredible backpacking adventure, starting in Nepal and making our way through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Back then, this blog had a different name and purpose. However, the experiences we gathered along the way shaped the birth of the Red Fedora Diary.

The name stems from a simple story. Before we departed, Mariam gave me a red brim hat to shield myself from the relentless Southeast Asian sun.

That hat quickly became my constant companion, perched on my head in nearly every photo we shared on social media. Friends jokingly compared me to Indiana Jones, as the red hat became my signature accessory.

When it came time to name my blog, I wanted something that captured the spirit of our journey and its profound impact on me. The Red Fedora Diary was a perfect fit, a tribute to those life-changing moments and memories.

After Mariam’s untimely passing in September 2023, this name has more meaning and depth to me than ever before. 

What’s the approach of Red Fedora Diary?

Mariam’s and my trip to Southeast Asia was a whirlwind of chaos—unplanned, often penniless, and full of lessons learned the hard way. We traveled thousands of kilometers and spent 108 days navigating the unknown, all due to inexperience.

But that journey taught me more than I ever expected.

Now, I’m here to make sure you don’t have to endure the same stress or repeat the mistakes we made!

Ever since, I have evolved and believe in slow, mindful travel that allows genuine connections and a more profound understanding of the city/country we visit.

My goal is to showcase not just the popular tourist spots but also the lesser-known and quirky treasures that make each place unique. I share practical tips, personal experiences, and honest advice to help make your adventures smoother and more enjoyable.

Every recommendation comes from first-hand experiences that Oto and I have tried ourselves—unless explicitly mentioned otherwise. We are transparent about sponsored content and hosted stays, always providing unpretentious opinions.

Through my writing and our photography, we strive to capture the essence of each destination, helping you experience it as a traveler, not just a tourist.

Here’s a short overview of what you’ll find on the blog:

• In-depth guides to Georgia, Poland, Croatia, Turkey, and Spain. You can also look at my big list of destinations for inspiration.
• Honest reviews of restaurants, bars, accommodations, and products.
• Cultural insights and historical tidbits that bring destinations to life.
• Practical travel tips to help you plan your perfect adventures.
• Personal stories and reflections from my journeys.

There you go. Now that you have gotten to know me a bit better, why not stay connected and follow me along my journeys and daily life updates on social media?

You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest. I also send out a monthly recap newsletter email on the last day of the month if that’s your cup of tea.

I love hearing from fellow travel enthusiasts and your messages truly warm up my heart! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions about visiting Georgia or any other country I cover, want to share your own experiences, or just fancy a chat about travel.

Thank you for being the reader and joining me on this journey. Here’s to many more adventures ahead!

And if you are a representative of a company, venue, or product and looking for collaboration opportunities, check out this page for more details. 

Much love,

Baia