It had been too long since my last solo trip! This time it was to Italy. It was my first time there and I want to tell you all about it.
This is especially for those of you who are maybe thinking about a solo trip but too scared, or it sounds intimidating.
There is no doubt traveling with friends is usually going to be a lot of fun. I say usually because I’ve been on trips and it hasn’t been fun and found myself being stressed out more than anything. So now I just go alone and that way I don’t have to wait on anyone or make plans for anyone but myself. As most of you already know I’m single with no kids so it makes it really easy to travel alone. And since I was way overdue for a vacation I decided to go to Italy and visited three major cities, Rome, Florence and Venice.
This is my third international trip and second time going solo. Italy was pretty awesome. I got to see all the sites that probably come to mind when someone mentions Italy. The Colosseum, The Vatican, The Pantheon, and The Leaning Tower of Pisa and Venice Canals just to name a few. I absolutely loved it and I want to give you some tips especially to those who may be thinking about traveling alone, but haven’t quite decided to.
First off, I suggest you give it a positive spin and think of it as “traveling with yourself” and not, traveling alone. I think it will take some of the pressure off.
I booked a trip through a travel company where you have a set itinerary, they book your flight, hotels and transport and make all the arrangements for your tours, transfers, etc. While I was on this trip I thought, “This is totally the way to do it as a solo traveler who might be hesitant to travel to an unfamiliar city or for the first time.” There is always a guide and you are usually accompanied by other people if you’re on the same tours, so you’re never really alone. A bonus has been that on every solo trip I’ve been able to meet some amazing people.
Here are some of my tips for your solo trip if you decide to take it:
- Always research the destination first. Make sure it’s what you have in mind and it’s a place you can see yourself enjoying.
- If it’s your first solo trip, begin with 2-3 days max. A short trip is ideal to give you a chance to see how you like it. Anything longer may seem too long and you definitely don’t want to ruin your chances of becoming a solo traveler extraordinaire.
- Share your trip itinerary with someone you trust and do check-ins often, especially if your trip involves international travel.
- Pack light. You don’t want to waste time waiting for baggage and certainly don’t want to risk a lost luggage incident. You have places to be, so pack light and get going!
- Fill your day with activities and full day tours. You will avoid feeling bored or lonely when you have fun filled days.
- As I mentioned earlier, if you care able to book through a travel company that offers guided tours, do it! There are many that are solo female friendly. Just Google and do your due research and check out reviews, etc.
Last but not least, go confidently on your solo trip. Stay in public areas and take tons of photos to share and encourage someone to take their own solo trip because my opinion is, its something everyone should do at least once in their life.
If traveling solo just doesn’t sound like the thing for you, then by all means follow your instinct and don’t go alone. But my suggestion is, still travel. Travel to make memories, to learn new things, to explore new places, to eat amazing food.
BTW, every single meal in Italy was just so good and my absolute favorite was the pizza, gelato, pistachio spaghetti, risotto, tiramisu, gnocchi…I can actually go on and on because it was all delicious and it just tasted better over there!
May you be safe and have all the fun in the world no matter where or how you travel ♥️✈️
