Hi, I’m Nikol — and I Believe Every Day Can Be an Adventure
- Nikol Allee
- Jan 15
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 20
My name is Nikol Allee, and I’m a very happy wife and proud mom of two beautiful children. Travel has always been a huge part of who I am — not just big international trips, but the way I approach everyday life. I’ve always believed that adventure doesn’t have to be far away. Sometimes it’s across the world, and sometimes it’s just trying a different sushi restaurant every week and ranking them (yes, we’ve done that).
Before any trip — even one within my own state — I dig deep. Researching, planning, and uncovering hidden gems is something I genuinely love. My husband and I have explored the top 100 cities in Indiana, and along the way we’ve discovered some wonderfully unexpected experiences — from Indiana’s world’s largest paintball to visiting Peru, Indiana, the Circus Capital of the World. We believe adventure exists in every day, for those willing to notice it.
Indiana, Sports, and Finding Fun Everywhere
Indiana holds a special place in our hearts. We love sports — high school, college, and professional basketball and football — and we travel all over to see top high school athletes play. Did you know that Indiana has 10 of the 12 largest high school basketball gymnasiums in the United States with the world's lares being the New Castle Fieldhouse. Indiana’s gym culture reflects how deeply basketball is woven into the state’s identity, especially at the high-school level — a tradition often referred to as “Hoosier Hysteria".
We are also big Indiana Pacers fans! The Pacers’ Finals run in 2025 was one of the most memorable in recent history, and the entire city rallied around the team—Indianapolis was buzzing. Sports often drive where we travel, giving us the perfect excuse to explore a new city along the way.
Making it to the 2025 NBA Finals marked only the franchise’s second Finals appearance. While Haliburton’s first-quarter injury led to a heartbreaking loss, the pride across the city was undeniable—and we’re ready for a comeback!
Fall in Indiana is our favorite season — and we truly believe it’s the perfect time to visit. That said, Indiana offers something to enjoy year-round, from sports and the Indy 500 to conventions, festivals, and local events. There’s far more to experience here than most people expect. One of my favorite things is helping people see how any destination — even one close to home — can be full of excitement when you know where to look.
Art, Music, Nature, Road Trips and Exploring on Foot
In addition to sports and travel, I have a deep love for art, live music, vintage clothing, dive bars, amusement parks, comedy, animals and nature. We are especially drawn to local music shows, small venues, and community art events — the kinds of experiences that give you a real feel for a place. No matter where we are, we always try to seek out local creativity.
We also absolutely love road trips. One of our most recent adventures was a three-week road trip where we truly embraced slow travel and discovery. We started with hiking at Garden of the Gods in Illinois, followed by a peaceful cabin stay along the Ohio River. From there, we made our way through three cities in Alabama before spending an entire week in New Orleans, soaking up the music, food, and culture. On the way home, we followed the Mississippi Blues Trail, staying in three different cities throughout Mississippi. Road trips allow us to explore places we might otherwise miss, and they’re some of our favorite ways to experience the heart of a destination.
I also love exploring destinations on foot. Wandering neighborhoods, discovering quiet streets, scenic trails, parks, and hidden corners is one of my favorite ways to experience a city. Whether it’s stumbling upon a street performance, finding a tucked-away café, or spending time outdoors, those moments often become the most meaningful parts of a trip — and they strongly influence how I recommend destinations and experiences to my clients.
Horror Movies, Drive-Ins, and Three Very Spoiled Cats
Outside of travel, we have a deep love for horror movies. We try to see every horror release that hits theaters, and twice a year we camp out at the Skyline Drive-In Theater in Shelbyville, Indiana for special horror movie events. It’s one of our favorite traditions. I also love getting creative at home and spend every fall designing and making homemade Halloween costumes, which has become one of my favorite traditions. Annually we go to the annual Irvington Halloween Festival in Indianapolis, which is widely considered one of the largest and longest-running Halloween festivals in the United States. The festival features weekly events leading up to the parade, including the annual horror movie trivia where my friends and I—The Scary Team—compete each year. I’ve won best costume multiple times, and our team has taken first place once and consistently finishes in the top third in trivia. It’s stiff competition!
We stay very active in October with hayrides, pumpkin patches, haunted houses, pumpkin beers and sipping coffee at our favorite horror-themed coffee house, Black House Cafe. Our passion for the scary is year-long and no matter where we go, we’re always digging a little deeper. Yes, we hunt down the best views and the must-try restaurants, but also track down ghost stories, creepy legends, haunted buildings, and all the weird history that didn’t make the brochure. We love finding the perfect balance between stunning scenery, great food, and the darker, stranger stories that give a destination its edge—because every trip is better with a little beauty, a good meal, and just the right amount of spooky.
That love of horror even extends to our pets. We have three cats, all of whom I’m completely obsessed with:
Freddy Cat Krueger
Norman BooBerry Bates
Luna Bear "Fangs"
If my husband ever gave me the green light, I would definitely have more!!
Japan: The Trip That Changed Everything
The best trip we’ve ever taken — and the greatest travel experience of my life — was spending an entire month in Japan. It was an absolute dream. Japan is incredibly clean, safe, and endlessly fascinating. The people were so kind and helpful — many spoke English, and if you even looked a little lost, someone would walk right up to help with directions. Public transportation was seamless, and there was always something incredible to do.
We attended a sumo tournament, which was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We also went to a baseball game, and it was nothing like baseball in the United States. The fans were unbelievably engaged. Each team had a live band that played custom at-bat songs for every player, cheerleaders, and coordinated chants. When we watched the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, fans waved tiny umbrellas every time someone scored — something I’ll never forget.
We spent the most time in Tokyo, but also visited Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, and Yokohama. One of my personal highlights was having fire ramen in Kyoto — unforgettable. I’m also obsessed with animals, and Japan has so many unique animal experiences. We met capybaras, visited micro pig cafes, and in Nara, we walked among the famous free-roaming deer — who really do bow to you in exchange for a cracker.
And then there is Shibuya Crossing — one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world, where hundreds (sometimes thousands) of people cross from all directions at once, surrounded by towering screens and lights. It’s iconic, electric, and unforgettable.
It was right there — in the middle of Shibuya Crossing, after our baseball game — that my husband dropped to one knee. At first, I thought he had dropped something. Then he asked, “Will you marry me?” — in Japanese. I didn’t fully process what was happening until everyone around us started cheering. It was surreal, chaotic, perfect — and completely us.
I could go on endlessly about Japan, and I promise there will be many more blog posts dedicated to that trip.
Why I Became a Travel Advisor
Over the years, I found myself constantly sharing my adventures. People would always comment on how much we do on trips — how no stone goes unturned, how we find local spots and hidden gems, and how much we experience in one place. . Eventually, I realized: why not do this professionally? I love helping people and I love sharing helpful tips.
Since 2010, I have worked as the Education and Outreach Lead for the INDATA Project at Easterseals Crossroads. The INDATA Project is Indiana’s Assistive Technology (AT) program, housed at Easterseals Crossroads. Its purpose is to help people with disabilities, older adults, caregivers, educators, and service providers learn about, access, and use assistive technology to live, learn, work, and participate more independently. Assistive technology includes both simple and high-tech tools and devices that support people in performing everyday tasks they might otherwise find challenging.
Through my work with the INDATA Project at Easterseals Crossroads, I’ve seen how access and inclusion directly impacts independence and quality of life. That same belief drives my passion for accessible travel. Travel should be designed with everyone in mind, and reliable accessibility information makes that possible. In the future, I will share blogs focused on inclusive, accessible travel to help more people explore the world with confidence.
In short, I decided to get paid for something I already loved doing—and it truly feels like a dream. I love planning, research, and all the little details that turn a good trip into a great one. I’m always the one organizing our annual girls’ trips, monthly brunches, and every adventure with my husband. After every trip, I usually think… yep, I’m definitely a planner.
I also love sharing what I learn along the way, hoping to make travel easier, less stressful, and more meaningful for my clients—so they can focus on enjoying the journey.
I am also a certified Fora Travel Advisor and through Fora, I work with a global network of advisors located all over the world—many of whom live in popular travel destinations and provide valuable local insight you can’t find online. We also partner with a wide range of preferred hotels and travel suppliers, which allows me to offer perks and amenities clients may not be able to access on their own. Together, this means better recommendations, added value, and a more seamless travel experience from start to finish.
What You’ll Find Here (and What You Won’t)
This blog is where I’ll share:
Personal travel stories
Travel advice and planning tips
Destination insights
Sample itineraries I’ve created for clients
Honest expectations — what to expect and what not to
What you won’t find is a perfectly curated, Instagram-style blog with flawless photos of me and my travels. That’s just not me. I don’t spend time creating the perfect image. If someone takes a photo of me and asks if I want to check to see if I like it, my answer is always, “Oh no, that’s okay — the moment is captured.”
While gathering photos for this blog, I realized I don’t have many pictures of just myself—most of them are group shots with my incredible friends and family, capturing moments as we’re all living them together. I may need to work on getting a proper headshot someday, but for now, the memories matter more.
Historically, I’ve used social media as a place to store those memories, and one of my favorite things is logging in to see the daily reminders of moments past. Now, that space will also be where I share travel insights, tips, and inspiration to help my clients plan easier, more meaningful trips. I would love for you to follow along on Facebook or Instagram.
My Philosophy on Travel
I truly believe that travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.
At Alleeways Travel, my goal is to help you dream, plan, discover, explore, and immerse — while taking the exhaustive planning off your plate. I want you to travel knowing the details are handled, the research is done, and you can simply enjoy the experience.
I hope this blog inspires you, helps you, and maybe even encourages you to look at everyday life — and travel — a little differently.
Welcome. ✈️ ⛰️ 🇯🇵 🏖️ ☀️🏨 🚢 🌍
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