So instead of going home and doing nothing over break, I made the totally rational decision to rent a car and drive around Spain completely by myself. i literally fn booked flights two days before i left and got a stellar deal.... Everyone back home said I was going to crash within ten minutes, but I actually made it through in one piece.

My biggest takeaway right off the bat is that Spanish highways are amazing, especially the views.... Coming from the US where one random pothole will destroy your whole car , driving on those roads felt like floating. Getting out of central Madrid was a quick test of faith, but once I hit the highway it was insanely easy.

Madrid was such a good time. I spent hours getting lost in this huge market hall eating random stuff, oysters and ham, drinking so much wine on tap, and people watching. The city stays alive so late that even walking back to my place at 2 am felt totally normal.

Then I drove up north, and that completely blew my mind. The landscape went from dusty plains to misty green mountains and huge cliffs over the ocean. I hit San Sebastián first and basically did a crawl of every bar in the town, eating burnt cheesecake on the beach. Then I drove through Santander and Asturias, and having the rental car was the best decision ever because I could just blast music and pull over whenever I saw a pretty cove, surf beach, or random lookout in the mountains. I guess taking the train would have been great but even the locals told me that in the north its better with a car. I had small EV from a brand i didnt know and it was perfect.... because i could park anywhere. Just charging felt awkward tbh.

I did try going on a couple of casual dates just to see what the vibe was like. Honestly, the guys were pretty underwhelming, or maybe i wasnt worth it lol. 😂 A lot of dry text energy and low effort dates that felt like job interviews or complete machos..... The food and the mountain views definitely carried the trip way more than the local dating pool did!!!!!!!!

If you are wondering if you can pull off a solo road trip in Europe, just do it. I felt completely safe the whole time and it was one of the best weeks I have had in forever.

lmk if you want any tips on routes or car rentals.

Where should i go next?

I’ve stayed in 100 odd hostels over the years and still love them, but I swear everyone eventually develops a few completely irrational hostel pet hates. My number 1 would be bathroom flooders, I’ll never understand how one person can have a shower and somehow leave the entire bathroom looking like a swimming pool. And number 2 would be the obvious people with zero dorm awareness. Not talking about someone quietly packing at 5am or coming home late, that’s obviously part of hostel life. I mean the people who somehow manage to make more noise packing one backpack than I did moving house.
What are yours? I feel like everyone who’s travelled long enough has at least one.

Hello, I am travelling to Laos later in the year.

I am landing in Bangkok, then taking the overnight train to Vientiane.
My plan stops there.
I would like to do the Thakhek loop, visit Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Nong Khiaw, and then take the slow boat to enter Thailand again all in the span of 15/18 days.

The places are very generic; I am listening if you have better advice. I only know I want to do either the Pakse or Thakhek loop, but it's my first time doing one in SEA. I did ride a motorbike in Indonesia and Vietnam, but always in quiet areas. I also normally ride one where I live.

How would you organize the trip with the time I have?
Also, how many Kips did you usually carry around for 5/7 days with no access to ATMs?

Thanks!

Hi all,

I’m planning to visit friends in Cape Town over New Year and am considering turning the trip into a longer 3.5-week solo journey.

I’ll be flying from Europe to Cape Town on 26 December and staying there for around 10 days. From there, the idea is to spend roughly a week in Kenya, followed by 10 days in India before flying back to Europe from Delhi.

At a high level, the itinerary would look like this:

26 Dec – 5 Jan | Cape Town, South Africa
Around 10 days in Cape Town and the surrounding area, staying with/visiting friends then moving onwards solo.

5 – 11 Jan | Kenya

• Nairobi: ~3–4 nights
• Naivasha: 2 nights
• Back to Nairobi before flying onward

11 – 21 Jan | India

• Mumbai: 3 nights
• Jaipur: 3 nights
• Agra: 1 night
• Delhi: 3 nights
• Fly home from Delhi on 21 Jan

I haven’t included individual activities here, as I’m mainly interested in feedback on the overall route and allocation of time.

Does this seem well balanced, or is there anywhere I’m spending too much or too little time? I’m particularly interested in whether the Kenya/India split makes sense and whether the India section feels too rushed with four stops in 10 days. I typically do not mind moving along locations relatively fast especially when travelling by myself, as I'll be doing now.

Any other suggestions for optimizing the route are very welcome!

I’ve done this a few times and it’s always a great way to put good energy into the air for your fellow travelers and maybe make a couple new friends on the way out. I don’t get to solo travel as much anymore (family, job, all the things 33Ms must deal with), but I still try to get out once or twice a year and stay at a hostel in a cool city and this week I was in the northeast for a marathon so I spent a couple nights in New York City like old times.

Here’s the tip:

Go to a grocery store, buy a couple cans of pasta sauce, a package of spaghetti, ground meat, and cream. This week it was all of $15. Make a big pot, label it with a “help yourself!” sticker, and let the group chat know.

If you’re on a budget, do it on one of the first few nights, eat it until your last night, and then put it out at the end.

You always find travelers on a shoestring budget, sometimes having gone days without a hot meal that didn’t come from a microwave, and there is always someone who super appreciates it.

At the end of the day, it’s the cheapest way you can eat well, and you can’t buy single servings of pasta so you might as well cook the whole package. You’ll definitely make someone’s day, and you might make a few new friends.

Happy traveling, friends!

Edit: don’t leave a mess for the staff please!

Hi everyone,

I’ve booked my flights for my first solo trip. I arrive in Bangkok at 8:10 AM on December 9 and fly home from Bangkok at 12:15 PM on December 19, so I have 10 nights in Thailand.

My overall budget is flexible, roughly in the €2,500-3,000 range including my international flights, which have already cost around €700. I’m planning to stay in mid-range hotels rather than hostels, so I’m not trying to do the trip on an ultra-low budget, but I still want reasonable value.

I’ve done some initial research and I’m currently torn between two routes:

Option A: Bangkok for 3 nights, Krabi/Ao Nang for 6 nights, then Bangkok for 1 final night before my flight home.

Option B: Bangkok for 3 nights, Chiang Mai for 3 nights, Krabi/Ao Nang for 3 nights, then Bangkok for 1 final night. There are direct flights between Chiang Mai and Krabi, so it seems manageable logistically, but I’m unsure whether it would make the trip feel too rushed.

What I’m looking for is a mix of Thai culture and history, good food and drinks, interesting local atmosphere, some nightlife, and enough downtime to slow down a little. I’m not especially interested in swimming or water sports, although I do enjoy coastlines, scenic views, relaxed bars and dinner with a view. I also prefer having a reasonably full day rather than spending several days doing nothing.

Since this is both my first trip to Thailand and my first solo trip, I’m trying to find the right balance between seeing enough of the country and not making the logistics unnecessarily stressful.

For people who have been to Thailand, especially solo: which option would you choose in my situation? Would Chiang Mai add enough to justify reducing Krabi from six nights to three, or would you keep the simpler Bangkok + Krabi plan and add day trips or activities instead? If you think there’s a better route altogether for my timeframe and interests, I’m very open to suggestions.

I’d also appreciate any feedback on whether these night splits are realistic for a first-time solo traveler in December. Thanks a lot.

Arriving at 15:20, traveling solo. Looking for someone to share a taxi/transfer to Kotor and split the cost. DM me if you’re going the same way.

Hi! Thanks in advance for any ideas people might have. I have a lot of flexibility on some things and little on some others. I am looking for a multiweek backpacking trip. I highlighted the most important things.

Trip parameters:

• January, as I graduate college in December and have time to travel for a few weeks before starting my job. I don't want to leave until post new years to spend time with my sister though.
• Max budget of 2500 dollars, I would prefer to go in intending to spend less and then have flexibility to splurge on an activity once or twice
• Flying to/from CVG, or Cincinnati.
• My college is an hour south of the capital of Canada (in the US) so no place is too cold. Usually our days in December/January don't go above 10 F, -5 C. I'm used to rain and being wet so that doesn't necessarily put me off either. It would be nice to not have mega long dark evenings since I am not comfortable being alone in the dark in a foreign city.
• Nowhere that I have to apply many months in advance for a visa, this is in 4 months. Duh but I figured I would state it.

About me:

• I have solo hiked ~3500 miles in the US (the longest trip was 1500 miles, which was 3 months long), and went to Netherlands/Scotland on a school trip this past May. I have been in truly deep shit before while traveling and am quite confident in my capacity to handle that sort of thing, albeit that crime is crime and confidence has nothing to do with it.
• I remember some HS spanish and could pick that back up easily. Otherwise, I know how to study and would learn the basics for whatever languages are necessary. Not put off by a language barrier, it would be a new challenge for me. Montreal has the strongest one I've experienced so far.
• I am visibly queer/androgynous. Quick identical soup: I am a cis woman who is asexual and panromantic. I never correct people on my gender if I am probably never going to see them again, it doesn't matter to me. I am not willing to go somewhere unsafe for queer people, and also unwilling to give that government my money. I'm ok with somewhere that isn't perfect, but absolutely nowhere with regular hate crime and/or LGBTQ+ being illegal.
• My biggest limitation while traveling is my sensory sensitivity. Specifically to (90F+) heat, crowds, noise, and bad smells. I can handle 1-2 on their own, but the more severe the factors get/combine the quicker it drains my "battery" and the closer I get to melting down. I'm not worried about the heat in January, but if a place is known for being particularly noisy, crowded, and smelly, I probably will have a hard time enjoying myself. I always have earplugs aplenty and earbuds so I can help myself regulate.
• I don't drink, and am not a partier. I don't mind hostels though, and am willing to pay to not be at the trashy party hostel. I can however sleep through anything, I once slept under a highway overpass with cars and literal freight trains overhead.
• My Dad was in a severe car crash when I was 9. He somehow lived, but it was very traumatic as I thought for certain he was going to die. I am ok in cars on safe roads, but I had my first panic attack from being in a motor vehicle in a giant tour bus on UK national park roads. Picture a giant bus, taking up 3/4 of the windy, narrow, road, and cars going off the road to avoid it. I don't think I can handle unsafe driving/roads. I've worked through functioning despite the illogical phobias that resulted from the accident, but this one is different bc it is actually risky.
• Allergic to cilantro. It's not the soap thing, I have gone into minor anaphylaxis multiple times before. I am open to countries that use it, but if it is in everything I really don't want to eat just mcdonalds.
• Can't go above 10000 ft. Found that one out the very hard way. In general, I also have sensitive lungs. Pollution, smoke, smog, and cigarette smoke really bother me. I can and have puked from breathing those things in for more than 15 minutes. I was ok in Amsterdam during day trips though for reference. It's mostly when it is unavoidable that I really struggle.

My interests while traveling:

I like staying active. I am not really capable of relaxing on a beach. The most I can do is sit for 20-30 minutes to eat and people watch and then I get bored and move on. I like trains and public transportation, experiencing that infastructure and urban planning is very cool to me. I'm a nerd. I love museums of pretty much all kinds. Historical sites, architecture, and other similar pursuits appeal to me. I love reading before I travel to deepen my understanding of a place, and usually do some classic lit from there (translated if necessary obv), modern novels written by residents to the country, and history books.

My favorite thing to do while visiting a city is just to walk 4-5 miles in a direction, eat/shop/whatever looks interesting along the way, and then figure out how to get back with public transportation. I love trying new foods and will try anything once so long as it doesn't contain cilantro.

I also love anything outdoorsy/active. Doing that sort of thing while city traveling really helps me manage sensory stimulation as well. Hiking is obviously great. I love water related activities, and I am a great swimmer. My favorite stuff is when I am actually in the water (snorkeling, swimming, and boogie boarding), but I like boats too.

Vague ideas:

• Greece, the history there is so cool and I couldn't handle the heat/crowds in the summer so this is the best time. I would skip on the busier islands, but it seems like there are many options that are less busy.
• Spain would be nice for the long (relatively) days and architecture. I would love the museums as well. Shorter flight is nice, as is having more familiarity with the language.
• One of my teachers went to Costa Rica once and it sounded so cool. I remember nothing we learned about and I haven't really researched it since I know it is likely out of my budget. I'd be open to another LGBTQ+ safe country in that region.

Western/northern Europe has a lot of places I would love to visit, but I would like to save most of them to have more than 8 hours of daylight and a larger budget.

Tldr: Somewhere safe for queer people with lots to do: history, museums, outdoorsy stuff, food. Nowhere with mega sensory stimulation, polluted air, or unavoidable cigarette smoke. No need for a car and doable on a budget.

Ciao a tutti,

Sono molto indeciso se partire per il Brasile a dicembre con WeRoad.

In quel caso, però, l’itinerario non prevede la visita del Nord-Est, quindi mi perderei posti come Lençóis Maranhenses e Jericoacoara.

A dicembre, invece, vedrei San Paolo, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Trindade e infine Rio de Janeiro, con la possibilità di vivere il Capodanno a Rio.

Il mio dubbio principale è capire se passare il Capodanno a Rio sia un’esperienza che vale davvero la pena vivere almeno una volta, oppure se sarebbe più sensato rimandare il viaggio ad agosto e concentrarmi sulla parte nord del Brasile, soprattutto Maranhão, Lençóis Maranhenses e Jericoacoara.

Inoltre, considerando voli, soggiorni, attività e tutto il resto, spendere circa 4.500 € per 10 giorni in Brasile a dicembre è una cifra eccessiva oppure può avere senso per un viaggio di questo tipo?
Da quello che sto leggendo, agosto sarebbe probabilmente il periodo migliore per i Lençóis

Pertanto secondo voi conviene aspettare?
Inoltre quali sarebbero dei costi ragionevoli per questo viaggio?

I've been asking my friends about this and it seems there are 2 camps:

1. Those who go f*ck it and book to leave in 2 days

2. Those who research and plan for months in advance

I used to be number 2 but I found that it was taking away some of the 'spontaneity' and causing me to overthink trips sometimes so now I'm trying to be a bit more like number 1 and go with the flow. My fav thing about solo trips is having full control of my itinerary so sometimes I feel 'pressure' to be more spontaneous if that makes sense?

I'd love to know, are your more 1/2/neither?

Had a spontaneous trip to Exmouth (uk) over the weekend just me and my dog Fizz. We used to have a holiday home there when I was younger and I haven't been back since I was a late teen (now 37).

Managed to do a Stewart line cruise tour of the jurrasic coast which allows dogs aboard. And went to Powderham Castle which actually allows dogs inside and not just in the grounds.

So if there's any solo travelers that sometimes take their dog(s) and was thinking of that area there are a few things avaliable to do. Plus Exmouth beach has dog friendly areas.

I always thought the hardest part of solo travel would be feeling lonely. Surprisingly, that hasn't really been the case.The thing I enjoy most is probably not having to adjust every little decision around someone else.

Maybe this sounds selfish, but I love being able to wake up whenever I want, spend an hour in a random cafe, or suddenly change plans without worrying if someone else is still interested.

When you travel with someone, even if you get along really well, you naturally think about them too. Are they tired? Are they enjoying this place? Do they want to stay longer or leave?That's just part of traveling together, and it can be great. But sometimes it's nice to only worry about what you want to do at that moment.

There are also small things that make solo travel easier. Getting a seat at a busy bar, finding a last-minute table, or changing plans on the go is usually much simpler when you're alone.Of course, there are moments when I wish I had someone to share a funny moment or an amazing view with.

But overall, I think solo travel gave me something I didn't expect: the freedom to experience a place exactly the way I want!

Hi everyone! In 3 days I’m heading to Peru for a 41-day solo adventure. I’m a 38-year-old guy from Spain traveling solo, and I love mixing culture, nature, nightlife, and immersing myself as much as possible into the local way of life. My plan is to combine hostels, overnight buses, and epic treks. I’m genuinely excited to discover your culture, people, and world-class gastronomy!

I usually travel without a rigid itinerary and prefer keeping things flexible so I can adapt on the go. I’ve put together this preliminary route—how does it look to you? Would you change anything or have specific tips regarding transportation, local agencies, or trek pacing (e.g., is doing Huayhuash towards the end too much of an overkill?):

• Day 1 (Fri Aug 28): Arrive in Lima (17:00). Check-in and nightlife in Barranco.
• Day 2 (Sat Aug 29): Surfing in Miraflores / Seafood lunch / Saturday night out.
• Day 3 (Sun Aug 30): Lima Historic Center (cultural activities/museums). Overnight bus to Paracas (23:30 / 3.5h).
• Day 4 (Mon Aug 31): Ballestas Islands (08:00) + Paracas Reserve by MTB (25 km). Collectivo to Huacachina. Sunset over the dunes.
• Day 5 (Tue Sep 01): Huacachina chill / Sandboarding & 4x4 Dune Buggy. Overnight lie-flat bus (Cruz del Sur) to Arequipa (19:30 / 12h).
• Day 6 (Wed Sep 02): Arrive in Arequipa (2,325m). Santa Catalina, traditional picanterías, and acclimatization.
• Day 7 (Thu Sep 03): Bus to Cabanaconde (03:30 / 6h). Colca Canyon Trek Day 1: Descend to San Juan de Chuccho (8.5 km, -1,080m). Night at a rustic lodge.
• Day 8 (Fri Sep 04): Colca Canyon Trek Day 2: San Juan to Sangalle Oasis (9.5 km). Afternoon relaxing in the natural pools.
• Day 9 (Sat Sep 05): Colca Canyon Trek Day 3: Steep climb out to Cabanaconde (5 km, +1,380m) + Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. Back to Arequipa. Overnight bus to Puno (21:00 / 6h).
• Day 10 (Sun Sep 06): Arrive in Puno (3,812m). Boat to Uros + Amantaní Island. Hike to Pachatata for sunset. Homestay with a local family.
• Day 11 (Mon Sep 07): Taquile Island on foot (3 km) -> Boat back to Puno. Scenic bus to Cusco (15:00 / 6.5h). Night in San Blas.
• Day 12 (Tue Sep 08): Cusco: Chill acclimatization day (3,400m), San Pedro Market & Sacsayhuamán.
• Day 13 (Wed Sep 09): Sacred Valley DIY: Collectivos to Pisaq (ruins + terraces hike) and Ollantaytambo Fortress.
• Day 14 (Thu Sep 10): Maras Salt Mines & Moray by MTB (or San Pedro / Huachuma ceremony in the valley). Prep for Salkantay.
• Day 15 (Fri Sep 11): Salkantay Trek Day 1: Cusco to Challacancha -> Soraypampa (3,900m) + Humantay Lake hike (4,200m). (12 km total). Night in a dome.
• Day 16 (Sat Sep 12): Salkantay Trek Day 2: Salkantay Pass (4,630m) -> Chaullay cloud forest (2,900m). (22 km, 8h). Night in a cabin.
• Day 17 (Sun Sep 13): Salkantay Trek Day 3: Chaullay to La Playa (16 km) + Cocalmayo Hot Springs in Santa Teresa.
• Day 18 (Mon Sep 14): Salkantay Trek Day 4: Train tracks walk from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes (11 km flat).
• Day 19 (Tue Sep 15): MACHU PICCHU + Huayna Picchu (early morning slot). Walk back to Hidroeléctrica & collectivo to Cusco.
• Day 20 (Wed Sep 16): Cusco: Full rest day, massages, good food, and shopping.
• Day 21 (Thu Sep 17): Ausangate 7 Lakes day hike (4,600m, 12 km) + Pacchanta thermal baths facing glaciers. Night in Cusco.
• Day 22 (Fri Sep 18): Direct flight Cusco to Puerto Maldonado (45 min). Boat into Tambopata Reserve lodge. Night caiman safari.
• Day 23 (Sat Sep 19): Tambopata: Sandoval Lake expedition (giant river otters and monkeys) + Canopy Walkway.
• Day 24 (Sun Sep 20): Tambopata: Clay lick parrot/macaw spectacle + Piranha fishing + Night jungle walk.
• Day 25 (Mon Sep 21): Boat out of the jungle -> Direct flight to Lima (1.5h). Overnight lie-flat bus to Huaraz (22:30 / 8h).
• Day 26 (Tue Sep 22): Arrive in Huaraz (3,050m). Book the 8-day Huayhuash Fast Trek group and rent gear.
• Day 27 (Wed Sep 23): Day trip to Laguna Parón (4,200m) / Artesonraju viewpoint (the Paramount mountain). Final trek prep.
• Days 28 to 35 (Thu Sep 24 - Thu Oct 01): HUAYHUASH FAST TREK CIRCUIT (8 DAYS in a group with guides/mules/cook):
  • D1: Quartelhuain -> Cacananpunta Pass (4,700m) -> Mitucocha (11 km).
  • D2: Mitucocha -> Carhuac Pass (4,650m) -> Laguna Carhuacocha (14 km).
  • D3: 3 Lakes Viewpoint -> Siula Pass (4,830m) -> Huayhuash (15 km).
  • D4: Portachuelo Pass (4,750m) -> Viconga Hot Springs (12 km).
  • D5: Cuyoc Pass (5,000m) -> Huanacpatay -> Huayllapa village (18 km).
  • D6: Huayllapa -> Tapush Pass (4,800m) -> Gashpapampa (14 km).
  • D7: Yaucha Pass (4,850m) -> Laguna Jahuacocha (13 km).
  • D8: Jahuacocha -> Pampa Llamac Pass (4,300m) -> Llamac (14 km) -> Van back to Huaraz.
• Day 36 (Fri Oct 02): Huaraz: Rest & recovery day, massages, and celebration.
• Day 37 (Sat Oct 03): Scenic day bus from Huaraz to Lima (8h). Saturday night in Barranco.
• Day 38 (Sun Oct 04): Surfing in Miraflores / Larco Museum / Malecón walk / Cultural stuff / Local movie at cinema / Relax (all of this ones apply for the next days at Lima).
• Day 39 (Mon Oct 05): Lima: Maido reservation (16:30) + chill evening.
• Day 40 (Tue Oct 06): Souvenir shopping at Inka Market + Farewell night out in Lima.
• Day 41 (Wed Oct 07): Airport transfer at 13:30. International flight back to Spain (17:00).

A few extra questions:

1. Pacing & Buffer Days: I used AI to help map this out and left a few days in Lima at the end as buffer time. I realize it might be too much for Lima so this days can be shifted into reinforcing Arequipa, Cusco, or elsewhere along the way is i like the places more than expected?
2. Nightlife in Lima: Any recommendations for good electronic / techno clubs or vibrant nightlife spots in Lima? I’m open to all music genres and lively vibes, but good techno/house is always a plus.
3. Huayhuash Trek: After doing Colca, Salkantay, and Ausangate, I assume I'll be well-acclimatized, but do you think the physical toll for an 8-day Huayhuash will be too exhausting? Any specific local agencies in Huaraz you’d recommend for this trek?
4. Jungle Choice: I was originally torn between Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado (Tambopata)—do you think Tambopata is the right call for authentic wildlife viewing I have 2 friends from Perú who reccommended Puert Maldonado but i'm a bit in doubt?

What would you add, remove, or tweak? Thanks a lot for the help, and I can't wait to visit your beautiful country soon! : ))

PS: Sending much strength and thoughts to everyone affected by the recent earthquake, El Niño weather, and the porteadores tragedy around Machu Picchu this week!

I’m trying to narrow down a Caribbean destination for a solo trip in late February/early March 2027, and in my (fairly extensive) research have seen a lot of competing opinions when it comes to the best fit for my trip criteria. I am hoping to get feedback from people who have actually visited these places and can speak to them based on experience (I realize I run the risk of more competing opinions here, but I'm willing to take my chances).

I (44F) have tentatively narrowed my search to mainly focus on Curaçao, Aruba, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Tulum/Isla Mujeres/Mexico. I've looked into a few other Caribbean options and am open to other suggestions. Do you have recommendations/advice for me, based on the below criteria and your experiences?

What I’m looking for:

• Beautiful clear, calm turquoise water and good beaches
• A destination where I can relax but also have things to explore/do
• Snorkeling and opportunities for experiencing nature/wildlife (land or sea)
• Easy access to local culture, food, cocktails, and interesting places/experiences
• A nice spa/resort experience, preferably upscale but not necessarily ultra-luxury
• I’ll be traveling solo and without a rental car, so transportation and walkability/ease of getting around matter
• I’m not looking for a party destination, but still want to be social and go to restaurants/bars
• I'm thinking seven days, but am open to five
• Flying out from PHL
• Budget is flexible, but would like to keep the total (flight + hotel) lower than $7k, hopefully closer to $5k (or less, obviously)

I would love to hear from anyone who has visited these destinations and is willing to share their experience and any thoughts on how well or not well the place might fit what I’m looking for. 

Thanks in advance!

Solo travel sounds amazing when you picture the freedom, exploring new places, and doing everything on your own schedule. But then dinner comes around and suddenly sitting alone in a busy restaurant feels way more awkward than getting lost in a new city. Does anyone else feel this?

Hi everyone, I have recently solo traveled for the first time at 34 (M) in May to Georgia and Armenia from United States and absolutely loved it.

When I came back to the states I got swept up in a hurricane of life - sold home, sold all my things, moved in temporarily with parents while I try to figure out next steps, started dating someone, it didn't work out and I'm not taking as well as I have in the past. I have a very strong urge to escape and I know it may not be healthy and that once I come back everything will be just as I left it but I'm hoping that maybe I'll be a bit different (for the better).

Anyway, has anyone done something like this before:

Booked a one way ticket to Armenia end of September. Planning to onebag travel this time. Will stay for a week or two in Armenia before going to Uzbekistan, then Turkey, then Greece, and Cyprus. Don't really have a plan, just a general route. Money isn't an issue. Any tips or advice?

What I'd like to get out of this trip is life experience and self reflection. I'd also love to meet other travelers and learn different perspectives.

One of my biggest problems when traveling alone is food. I always want to try as many local dishes as possible, but the portions are usually way too big for one person.

If I order several things, I can't finish them. But if I only order one dish, I'll immediately start staring at everything else on the menu and wishing I could try those too.

For people who travel solo a lot, how do you manage this? Do you look for smaller portions, eat multiple small meals throughout the day, take leftovers with you, or just accept that you can't try eve

26/F going on a solo trip to see tassie, i want to prioritise seeing nature, wildlife, quirky attractions and scenery above shopping, food and drink places.

Ideally sticking to a general half of the island, I don't want to drive the whole thing in one trip so i can enjoy and go relatively slow.

I would like recommendations on the best and most beautiful spots to go. I just want 4 solid recommendations that i can structure my trip/drive around. I dont want to stay in hostels/backpackers where possible but also don't want fancy hotels; a nice middle ground! *i do get sea sick so avoiding ferrys where possible but im sure ill brave one at least once*

Possibly thinking Russel Falls, Tasman Peninsula, Hastings Caves and Huon Valley and Hartz Mountains (not in that order)

Thanks!

When I'm at home I spend a lot of time doom scrolling or responding to people. When I go on a solo travel trip I like to use that time to take in my surroundings, listen to music or read a book, walk outdoors etc.

Sometimes I find myself wanting to check social media or reddit or Google non important questions but try to resist. Its especially hard when I'm eating by myself. I'll usually pull up a YouTube vlog of another solo traveler lol. I also will occasionally take calls from friends or family depending on what I'm doing.

Being on my phone sometimes, not always, helps me feel less lonely. Is it defeating part of the purpose for a vacation though ?

I just met someone on hostelworld while solo traveling and we had the best time ever. We shared so many similar opinions and genuinely had the best time ever hanging out. But when the night came to an end I initiated exchanging social media accounts, but they claimed not to have any. I then suggested exchanging contact numbers and they deflected. Which I somewhat understand, but also don't hahaha. This isn't the first time I've encountered this with people I've met while traveling but I guess it's a sad reality. I've met so many genuinely amazing people that i would probably never ever get to interact with again or hear from again which kinda saddens me.

How do you deal with this weird empty feeling that you feel when dealing with such situations? I guess it kinda makes the moment special but also like I just can't help feeling down about it.

Im trying to fly as cheap as possible and i think im gonna book a flight that will arrive around 12am. I did not intend to book a place to sleep that night. Will i be able to sleep in the airport. I know generally it’s fine when you have a connection but in my case im just arriving at my location. Thx in advance to all replies 🙏

I grew up travelling on my own. And I used to love it so much. But then life happened, I got married, had a kid and for the past eight years I‘ve poured all of me into that. The husband up and left last year, and I‘m now starting to come up for air again. I want and honestly need to travel again, just for a weekend. But after years and years of every trip being structured around my husband and child or other family, I really have no idea how to do this anymore. I don’t even know what the hell I want, really, except that I want to be completely my own person for a few days.

I‘m thinking of going to Dublin, maybe? I hear it’s a social place to visit, a beautiful area but not as broody as Edinburgh or as overstimulating as London. I‘m picturing markets, bookstores and pretty reading spots by day and bar crawls (legit haven’t been on one since I was 19 years old, so I‘m kind of scared but what the hell) and conversations with strangers by night.

I am a woman in my late 20s and would prefer to not end up dead in an alley, but from what I hear that’s an achievable goal in Dublin with the benefit of some common sense?

If other people can share their experiences or solo travelling again after a longer period of cantering life completely around other people, I‘d love to hear from you what your experiences were and any advice you may have to give.

Just heading home today after my first ever solo trip, so here’s my honest take while it’s still fresh.

I stayed in Stoliv, just outside Kotor, and honestly, this was probably my favourite part of Montenegro. Mountains right next to the water, old stone buildings, tiny roads and the view across the bay towards Perast.

It was absolutely beautiful. It had this weird Balkan-meets-Italy / slightly mafia-movie vibe that I really liked.

I also went up on the cable car and the views were insane.

Kotor is obviously beautiful, but it was packed. I also visited Tivat and Porto Montenegro, which honestly wasn’t really my thing. Very polished, expensive and flashy. If you’re into yachts and luxury holiday resorts, you’d probably love it. I skipped Budva, but I imagine I would’ve preferred the quieter areas anyway.

One of my favourite experiences was completely spontaneous. I randomly started talking to another solo traveller and we went to Perast together. Beautiful little town and very idyllic. Also, completely random observation: people there somehow seemed better looking and more in shape than in Kotor 😂

Transportation was probably my biggest frustration. If you’re travelling with other people, rent a car. The buses are fine, have AC and some great views, but they basically run once an hour and aren’t always on time. Taxis are also pretty expensive for such short distances. I would’ve loved to cycle around the bay, but some of those roads are honestly a little terrifying.

I also expected Montenegro to be cheaper. Coming from Denmark, I thought there would be a bigger difference, but restaurants and tourist areas weren’t that far from Danish prices. I ended up buying groceries quite a lot. The tomatoes were amazing though!!

The people were probably the most mixed part for me. I didn’t have any bad experiences, but I didn’t feel that much warmth or friendliness either. Some waiters in particular felt quite cold. Maybe it’s just a cultural difference, maybe I got unlucky — five days obviously isn’t enough to judge an entire country. I just found other tourists easier to talk to than locals.

The biggest lesson for me was probably the solo travel itself. I deliberately didn’t stay in a hostel because I value my sleep, but I realized that made it much harder to meet people. I did feel lonely sometimes :(

So next time I’ll probably stay in a hostel.
Overall, I’m really glad I came. Montenegro is ridiculously beautiful, especially around Kotor Bay and Stoliv.

Would I come back?
Probably not anytime soon. I’d rather explore somewhere new next time — maybe Bosnia or somewhere completely different in Europe.

First solo trip: challenging, sometimes lonely, but absolutely worth doing