Booking a solo trip? Scary, but unforgettable! In February 2022, I finally took the leap and decided to truly traveling solo . After previously living and traveling abroad as an au pair, I felt ready for something new—a solo trip with no host family, no travel buddy—just me, my backpack, and an open ticket to adventure.
I had just quit my job and had some free time, so I started looking for cheap flights. Italy came up, a country I had visited before but never in this specific region. And so, on February 14, 2022, I flew from Eindhoven to Venice, with a return ticket from Pisa 1.5 weeks later. Everything in between? A blank canvas full of possibilities.
First Stop: Getting Lost in Magical Venice
My solo adventure began in Venice, a city where getting lost is almost inevitable—and that’s exactly what I did. My first stay was in a large hostel, which is usually a great way to meet other travelers, but this time, I found it a bit harder to connect with people. Luckily, I I loved wandering alone,strolling through the narrow alleyways, walking along the canals, and stopping at little trattorias for a cappuccino.
Since I wanted to capture myself in this journey, I had brought my tripod along for photos. Yes, it got me a few weird looks from strangers, but it felt good to be my own photographer.On my first evening, I decided to try something different: I downloaded Tinder. Not for dating, but simply to make connections. And it worked! I met up with a guy, who brought his friend along, and before I knew it, I found myself at his Italian grandfather’s home. A kind, chubby man who didn’t speak a word of English, yet welcomed me with open arms, offering me all sorts of food. It was an unexpected but wonderfully warm start to my trip.
The next day was my birthday, and I had booked something special: a day trip to Murano and Burano. In Murano, I watched a glassblowing demonstration, where the artist created a glass bowl and a tiny horse in just minutes—so impressive! Burano, with its colorful houses, felt like a fairytale. I couldn’t resist taking tons of photos, even if it meant setting up my tripod in the middle of the street. 😄
That evening, I treated myself to a solo dinner in a cozy Italian restaurant. I ordered lasagna and an Aperol Spritz—only realizing at that moment that Aperol is Italian! From that point on, it became my drink of choice for the rest of the trip.
On my last day in Venice, I took a day trip to Verona, the city of Romeo & Juliet. I visited Juliet’s famous balcony, but honestly, the real highlight was the best focaccia I had ever tasted. I climbed up to a viewpoint, let the sun warm my face, and felt completely at peace. Later that night, I finally connected with some fellow travelers in the hostel and started talking to a girl who was also heading to Florence —and staying in the exact same hostel!
Florence: From Bingo to Wine Tastings
Florence felt different from the start. The hostel was cozy, warm, and welcoming. I got a tour of the place, a a free welcome drink, and they told me that there were daily activities every evening. That night? Bingo. I decided to join. Surprise: I won the grand prize—a hostel T-shirt!
The next morning, I joined a walking tour. Italian cities feel like open-air museums, and Florence was no exception. Later that day, another traveler asked me if I wanted to rent an electric scooter and ride to a sunset viewpoint. I said yes. And that’s how I ended up at the most stunning spot, golden light reflecting over the city, feeling completely free.
The highlight of Florence? A wine tasting in Tuscany.. We took a bus to a vineyard in Chianti, where we sampled local wines and learned about the winemaking process. The way back was magical. The Italians on the bus spontaneously started singing, and I sat there with a huge smile on my face, soaking it all in.
Cinque Terre: Sharing Pizza with a Cat in Vernazza
My next destination was Vernazza, one of the five Cinque Terrevillages. This time, I didn’t stay in a hostel but in an Airbnb. I thought it would be harder to meet people, but I was wrong. While sitting in a local café, I struck up a conversation with an American couple and a Dutch guy. By the end of the day, we had explored the villages together, had dinner in a local restaurant, and—by pure coincidence—our Airbnbs were right next to each other!
My favorite moment of the entire trip was when I bought a pizza, sat on a bench overlooking the sea. And then, out of nowhere, a cat sat down next to me. We shared the pizza—I gave him a piece of the crust—and we just sat there together, enjoying the view. A simple, but perfect moment.
What I Learned from My First Solo Trip
This trip taught me so much about myself and traveling solo I realized that the type of accommodation makes a huge difference in how easy it is to meet people. In a hostel with organized activities you meet people instantly. But staying in a big, anonymous stay, not so much.
But the biggest lesson? I learned that I was completely fine on my own.
- I loved to plan my own trip, without having to consider anyone else.
- Eating in a restaurant alone? No problem! With a book, a glass of wine, and some people-watching—it was actually fun.
- Planning and organizing went better than expected. I had a list of hostels, must-sees, and restaurants, making the trip flexible yet stress-free.
There were moments when I felt ill, specially in Vernazza, but even that taught me something: listen to your body, rest when needed, and enjoy the moment without pressure.
When I flew back from Pisa, I knew for sure: This was just the beginning of my solo travel adventures.
Thinking About Solo Travel? Just Do It!
If you’ve ever considered traveling solobut weren’t sure if you could do it—just go.
- Choose a destination that feels safe & well-organized, like Italy.
- Book a hostel with social activities if you want to meet people easily.
- Plan, but stay flexible—some of the best moments happen spontaneously.
Solo travel isn’t about being brave—it’s about taking the first step. And trust me, you’ll always come back richer. ✨
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