Lydia Mansel

Lydia Mansel
Title: Writer
Education: College of William & Mary, Bachelor's Degree in American Studies
Location: Charlottesville, VA

Lydia Mansel is a freelance writer with over eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel and lifestyle. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, InStyle, Real Simple, Shape, Garden & Gun, and PEOPLE, among others.

Highlights:

  • 8+ years as a professional writer and editor
  • Founder of the travel site justpacked.com
  • Bachelor’s degree from the College of William & Mary

Experience

Lydia Mansel is a travel and lifestyle writer who has been professionally editing and writing since graduating from the College of William & Mary in 2014. She began her career at Elite Daily, where she worked as a copy editor, a news editor, and a social media editor. After transitioning to an in-house content role at a fashion brand, she entered the world of freelance writing, focusing mainly on travel and eCommerce. From there, she founded the travel website justpacked.com, which publishes packing lists and product recommendations. Lydia’s writing has appeared on several of Dotdash Meredith’s sites (including Travel + Leisure, Brides, InStyle, Real Simple, Shape, and PEOPLE) as well as those outside the company (including Condé Nast Traveler and Garden & Gun).

Education

Lydia received a Bachelor's Degree in American Studies from the College of William & Mary.

About Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is a top travel media brand with a mission to inform and inspire passionate travelers. Our expert team includes a network of hundreds of writers and photographers across the globe, all providing a local eye on the best places to stay, eat, and explore. We reach an audience that takes 76 million round trips annually, offering valuable travel tips, ideas and inspiration, and products you need to get you to your destination — whether it’s a small town or big city, beach or lake, national park or theme park, road trip, cruise, or long-haul flight, and everything in between. Learn more about us and our editorial process

Latest from Lydia Mansel

Famous buildings along Ringastrasse in Vienna
20 Best Things to Do in Vienna, From Palace Strolls to Sachertorte
Roundup Genius Travel Essentials Deals (
I'm a Professional Packer, and the 10 Foolproof Items I Use to Free Up Suitcase Space Just Went on Sale
Cityscape scene of downtown Huntsville, Alabama, from Big Spring Park at sunset
10 Best Places to Live in the South, According to Local Real Estate Experts
Yacht anchored near Coast Guard station at Block Island, Rhode Island, USA, shortly after sunrise
15 Most Beautiful Places to Visit on the East Coast
Exterior of The Caledonian
The Best Hotels in Edinburgh
pack personal products
10 Things You Should Never Pack in Your Personal Item for Flights — and What to Bring Instead From $12
Pool area at St Regis Bermuda
The Best Resorts in Bermuda
Boardwalk view of Ocean and dunes, South Carolina, USA
10 Best Beach Towns in South Carolina, According to Locals
The back of a person in front of a large lake and mountains
Everything to Know Before Visiting Grand Teton National Park, According to Experts
View of the harbor, Livadi village and Sifnos island in the distance from Chora, Serifos island in Greece.
13 Cheapest Islands to Visit Around the World
Aerial view of the pool at Pelican Grand Beach Resort
The Best Hotels in Fort Lauderdale
Main street in Helen, GA
10 Best Mountain Towns in Georgia, According to Locals
Asian man packing her clothes into a suitcase, getting ready for a trip.
The One Suitcase Hack That Will Keep Your Clothes Wrinkle-free, According to a Professional Packer
The sunken garden and view of Commodore Perry Estate in Austin
This 10-acre Texan Retreat Is Unlike Anything Else in the State — Here’s Our Review
Packing Expert, and These Are the Best Amazon Memorial Day Weekend Deals
I'm a Packing Expert, and the 14 Travel Accessories That Help Me Double My Suitcase Space Are on Sale From $7
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
10 Best Mountain Towns in Tennessee, According to Locals
Kayakers on Pamlico Sound, Salvo Day Use Area, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, NORTH CAROLINA,
10 Best Beach Towns in North Carolina, According to Locals
Beach with Umbrellas-Hilton Head Island,South Carolina
12 Best Beach Towns on the East Coast
Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Bath Towel folded on top of a digital scale
The Best Luxury Bath Towels to Make Your Home Feel Like a Five-star Hotel
Empty wooden chairs in autumn fall foliage season countryside at Charlottesville winery vineyard in blue ridge mountains of Virginia with cloudy sky day
10 Best Mountain Towns in Virginia, According to Locals
Downtown Richmond Virginia, Shot From The Steps Leading Up To The Capitol Building
This Historic City Is One of the Best Places to Live in Virginia — With Incredible Museums, Delicious Restaurants, and Diverse Neighborhoods
Guest room at Loews Philadelphia
The Best Hotels in Philadelphia
A group doing yoga on a rooftop overlooking mountains
10 Best Mountain Towns to Visit in North Carolina, According to Local Experts
Aerial view of the pool at MarBella Elix
25 Best Affordable All-inclusive Resorts for Families and Couples