I absolutely adore traveling alone—maybe even more now, as a mom. Grace nailed it: that feeling of being beholden to no one, of letting the day unfold in a hundred possible directions, with only you as its arbiter.
These days, I can’t often swing a full solo trip (I’m incandescently jealous of your creative retreat, Grace!). But for anyone in a similar season, craving just a sliver of that same magic—a quiet night dining solo at the bar hits some of the same notes for me. Small freedom. Big joy.
I love this! I just traveled alone for a week to Amsterdam and Copenhagen — kind of unintentionally because we have two small children and finding childcare for a week felt like a pain, otherwise my husband would have loved to join — but I loved it, it was just what I needed and for all the reasons you shared. Now, I'd love to plan more solo adventures, even if it's just sneaking off for a night or two here and there. It's so rejuvenating!
Love this post and can relate a bit. As I have often said,I am prob. much older than the majority of your readers. My husband does not enjoy travel (and 2 grown sons who travel with their spouses/no daughters) and I LOVE to see new places. He did go to Italy for a 35th wedding anniversary and although he said he enjoyed it no interest in other trips. After that, I gathered up all my courage and booked a trip to Provence. It was so empowering as other posters have said; to do what you want when you want...to make yourself happy. Last fall I traveled with the same tour group to Wales and London. I have found that on the tours with this company most people are not single travelers and although friendly ...want time with the people they came with. I am not sure I would do another international trip alone (at my age) but def. within the states.
I LOVE solo travel! I'm single and finding someone with the same time, budget, and travel style is not easy to do. If I waited for a travel companion for every trip, I'd hardly go anywhere. My biggest solo trip turned into a move abroad. I left home in fall 2024 for what was supposed to be a 3 week trip that turned into 6 months of solo travel and now I am signing the lease on an apartment to have a new home base in Europe!
I've done solo trips as short as a staycation at a fancy hotel, weekend escaping the oppressive Arizona summer heat, and the above six month Europe trip. For those concerned about safety traveling solo, I find that I feel safer in most foreign countries compared to my time in the US.
Since I am all about e-books, I love using Hoopla and Libby to have ready access to downloadable books, audiobooks, etc. that I keep on my phone and iPad so I can read on the go.
Thanks for sharing this and encouraging solo travel!
I’m in the same boat - as a single woman in my late 30s, it’s increasingly difficult to find people to travel with, everyone else is focused on travel with their partners/kids. And it’s hard to find people with the same budget or who want to visit the destinations I do. I honestly don’t love traveling alone, anything over 3 nights I start to really crave a companion to discuss and experience things with. But if I didn’t travel alone I wouldn’t have been to the majority of countries I’ve visited!
When I'm on longer trips, I will schedule FaceTime calls with people at home to share my adventures. I also started a Substack to share them more widely. If you ever find yourself in Vienna, let me know and I'll show you around my new city :)
Have a wonderful vacation. We just got back from 2 weeks in Italy and I said to my husband one of my favourite things we did is sit on patios have a drink snack and people watch. It’s a gift from god. Safe travels, have fun!
As an only child I have always enjoyed my own company! I love traveling alone anywhere, anytime. I do my monthly DC trips for work and have increasingly avoided "business" dinners in favorite of solo dining in my favorite spots. Long weekends in NYC and the Bay Area are two favorite treats. I've traveled all over the world by myself and have always found it satisfying and relaxing!
My fave place to travel to solo is Venice!! Have been many times alone. In winter. End of November - early December. It’s so quiet and serene in the off season. Especially at night. Can be a be eery and spooky walking around alone at night down the small empty streets… but it’s very safe and just gorgeous. I tend to spend most of my time in Venice just wandering! And treat myself to a nice hotel and a water taxi to or from the airport. I also love wondering Rome alone. Been many times and I have my fave little restaurants. I’ve also traveled solo a lot to Paris and London. Even the Cotswolds and the south of France alone. Anywhere solo is fabulous! You can just do what you want when you want. I’ve done a solo road trip along the PCH in California. And a solo ski trip in Alberta. And a few Caribbean solo beach vacas. It is nice sometimes to have memories with friends traveling together - my favorite girls trip was to Iceland. We had some many wild adventures it’s fun to have that memory together. But I find I much prefer traveling solo to my fave places in Europe. My first ever solo trip (besides during studying abroad in college) was over thanksgiving and my birthday the fall after finishing college. I drove to Maine for the holiday weekend and stayed solo at a quaint Inn on a beautiful cove. It was off season and I was the only guest! The restaurant was closed but the inn keeper told me if I bought a live lobster for myself at a local store, he’d cook it up for me. It was so special and delish! I spent most of that weekend just lounging around the Inn and walked through the little town. I remember getting suckered into doing Jell-O shots with some locals at a town bar. But otherwise it was so chill. That was my 23rd birthday. And now I’m 47 and travel to Europe every year sooo for my birthday! And so many other places. It’s the best!!! Never ever wait for someone to travel with you. The best part of staying in nice hotels solo - you can usually finagle a nice upgrade and are treated like a princess! :)
Europe is the best for solo travel!!! I turned my last trip (initially 3 weeks then 6 months) into a move and am adjusting to life over here. May I suggest Vienna for a trip if you haven't already visited?
I LOVE traveling alone. I was afraid at first that it would be sad lonely girl vibes but I wanted to go places and didn’t have the right travel buddy so got to the point where I stopped waiting. It’s a great reset and now I’ll even do a night here or there for a quick hit. For anyone who is on the fence. Just do it. Now my married friends are itching for solo trips
I’m also listening to the JT book and feel the same. Beautiful vintage finds! Love the coral orange nail polish. A night in at a fabulous hotel after a day of solo exploration sounds like perfection.
This was so beautifully written, Grace! There is so much to be said for traveling alone and leaning deeply into who you are after a breakup. I had a tough breakup when I was living in Brooklyn, with someone who told me I could never live in New York on my own. It was so liberating to prove him wrong and to spend that time by myself learning who I really was and who I wanted to be moving forward. So glad that you were able to invest that time in yourself and can't wait to hear about your trip to Paris and your retreat. I hope it's everything you're looking for.
You mentioned "creative retreat" with a bookend night in Paris on both ends - is the retreat solo, or with a group? Either way, sounds amazing! Really enjoyed reading this post. Also, even just going to Greece alone is a big deal IMO, and you make it sound like it was no biggie! I think many many people (myself included, except for plenty of work travel in a previous life) don't travel alone, especially for pleasure and especially out of the country, so don't discount yourself.
I’d traveled “alone” a ton for my jobs in my 20s but had never taken a true solo vacation until my 30th birthday. I cashed in approximately ten trillion points and took myself to London & Paris for a week.
Such a good thought provoking post! I married later (35) and traveled solo and for work before that. I’m such an introvert I loved it! It was not something I did the first 10 or so years of marriage and then Covid hit and husband did adventure trips that no but thank you so I started again! It’s not easy but I try and do one a year BUT I may add a night on to girls trips. And it may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I love Vegas for my pure solo trips!
I really never travelled alone. When I was divorced from my husband. I drove from NJ to Amherst, Massachusetts and stayed with a good friend because I had moved back to NJ from there. I drive at night and loved it. . We went out for dinner and we went dancing. I was you and in my thirties. I didn’t have anxiety or take any drugs for that but I hated flying . I know alone now I just could not do it . I’m sad about that because he’s still alive . Now I’m going today for a blood test and a UTI test and I feel like I need a mini tranquilizer . Plus I’m sick and I have to really push through the day. That must be so freeing to solo travel ! I wish.
The timing of this couldn't be more perfect. I'm trying to determine my solo trip later this year. I'm thinking Christmas markets in Vienna or Prague. Or somewhere else? I've done London twice on my own, and they were the best trips.
I went to Vienna and Prague late November last year! Flew into Vienna, took the train to Prague, and then flew out of Prague. I was slightly too early for the Prague Christmas markets, but the ones in Vienna were up and running. Prague is a gorgeous city with a rich and quirky history. I highly recommend taking the Free Walking Tours and going to hear classical music somewhere. I also felt like 2 days was the right amount of time to fully explore Prague. As for Vienna, I was there for 4.5 days and could have stayed longer! The museums were phenomenal, and so was the concert in the basement at Mozart House. Go to both and enjoy!!
I absolutely adore traveling alone—maybe even more now, as a mom. Grace nailed it: that feeling of being beholden to no one, of letting the day unfold in a hundred possible directions, with only you as its arbiter.
These days, I can’t often swing a full solo trip (I’m incandescently jealous of your creative retreat, Grace!). But for anyone in a similar season, craving just a sliver of that same magic—a quiet night dining solo at the bar hits some of the same notes for me. Small freedom. Big joy.
Such a good idea, Rena, for a quiet night dining at the bar as something that's a bit easier to achieve when you're a mom!
I love that little trick for small freedom! Smart.
I love this! I just traveled alone for a week to Amsterdam and Copenhagen — kind of unintentionally because we have two small children and finding childcare for a week felt like a pain, otherwise my husband would have loved to join — but I loved it, it was just what I needed and for all the reasons you shared. Now, I'd love to plan more solo adventures, even if it's just sneaking off for a night or two here and there. It's so rejuvenating!
I love that!! Good for you!
Ooooh... I'm going to Amsterdam and Copenhagen (and Brussels) alone this Fall! Is there anything you recommend?
Love this post and can relate a bit. As I have often said,I am prob. much older than the majority of your readers. My husband does not enjoy travel (and 2 grown sons who travel with their spouses/no daughters) and I LOVE to see new places. He did go to Italy for a 35th wedding anniversary and although he said he enjoyed it no interest in other trips. After that, I gathered up all my courage and booked a trip to Provence. It was so empowering as other posters have said; to do what you want when you want...to make yourself happy. Last fall I traveled with the same tour group to Wales and London. I have found that on the tours with this company most people are not single travelers and although friendly ...want time with the people they came with. I am not sure I would do another international trip alone (at my age) but def. within the states.
Wow, I love this... good for you!!!!
I LOVE solo travel! I'm single and finding someone with the same time, budget, and travel style is not easy to do. If I waited for a travel companion for every trip, I'd hardly go anywhere. My biggest solo trip turned into a move abroad. I left home in fall 2024 for what was supposed to be a 3 week trip that turned into 6 months of solo travel and now I am signing the lease on an apartment to have a new home base in Europe!
I've done solo trips as short as a staycation at a fancy hotel, weekend escaping the oppressive Arizona summer heat, and the above six month Europe trip. For those concerned about safety traveling solo, I find that I feel safer in most foreign countries compared to my time in the US.
Since I am all about e-books, I love using Hoopla and Libby to have ready access to downloadable books, audiobooks, etc. that I keep on my phone and iPad so I can read on the go.
Thanks for sharing this and encouraging solo travel!
Good for you!!!! I wish I could read on a screen!
I have blue-light blocking glasses that make a HUGE difference!
awesome!
I’m in the same boat - as a single woman in my late 30s, it’s increasingly difficult to find people to travel with, everyone else is focused on travel with their partners/kids. And it’s hard to find people with the same budget or who want to visit the destinations I do. I honestly don’t love traveling alone, anything over 3 nights I start to really crave a companion to discuss and experience things with. But if I didn’t travel alone I wouldn’t have been to the majority of countries I’ve visited!
When I'm on longer trips, I will schedule FaceTime calls with people at home to share my adventures. I also started a Substack to share them more widely. If you ever find yourself in Vienna, let me know and I'll show you around my new city :)
Have a wonderful vacation. We just got back from 2 weeks in Italy and I said to my husband one of my favourite things we did is sit on patios have a drink snack and people watch. It’s a gift from god. Safe travels, have fun!
Nothing is better!
As an only child I have always enjoyed my own company! I love traveling alone anywhere, anytime. I do my monthly DC trips for work and have increasingly avoided "business" dinners in favorite of solo dining in my favorite spots. Long weekends in NYC and the Bay Area are two favorite treats. I've traveled all over the world by myself and have always found it satisfying and relaxing!
I love that -- it really is so relaxing.
Fellow only child here!!! I think it’s a life skill that gets overlooked as a benefit for only children. We are excellent at entertaining ourselves.
So true, Ash!!
yes, agree!
My fave place to travel to solo is Venice!! Have been many times alone. In winter. End of November - early December. It’s so quiet and serene in the off season. Especially at night. Can be a be eery and spooky walking around alone at night down the small empty streets… but it’s very safe and just gorgeous. I tend to spend most of my time in Venice just wandering! And treat myself to a nice hotel and a water taxi to or from the airport. I also love wondering Rome alone. Been many times and I have my fave little restaurants. I’ve also traveled solo a lot to Paris and London. Even the Cotswolds and the south of France alone. Anywhere solo is fabulous! You can just do what you want when you want. I’ve done a solo road trip along the PCH in California. And a solo ski trip in Alberta. And a few Caribbean solo beach vacas. It is nice sometimes to have memories with friends traveling together - my favorite girls trip was to Iceland. We had some many wild adventures it’s fun to have that memory together. But I find I much prefer traveling solo to my fave places in Europe. My first ever solo trip (besides during studying abroad in college) was over thanksgiving and my birthday the fall after finishing college. I drove to Maine for the holiday weekend and stayed solo at a quaint Inn on a beautiful cove. It was off season and I was the only guest! The restaurant was closed but the inn keeper told me if I bought a live lobster for myself at a local store, he’d cook it up for me. It was so special and delish! I spent most of that weekend just lounging around the Inn and walked through the little town. I remember getting suckered into doing Jell-O shots with some locals at a town bar. But otherwise it was so chill. That was my 23rd birthday. And now I’m 47 and travel to Europe every year sooo for my birthday! And so many other places. It’s the best!!! Never ever wait for someone to travel with you. The best part of staying in nice hotels solo - you can usually finagle a nice upgrade and are treated like a princess! :)
Europe is the best for solo travel!!! I turned my last trip (initially 3 weeks then 6 months) into a move and am adjusting to life over here. May I suggest Vienna for a trip if you haven't already visited?
Ooh, good for you! I went to Venice with my bf two years ago and loved every minute. Such a beautiful place to wander around.
I LOVE traveling alone. I was afraid at first that it would be sad lonely girl vibes but I wanted to go places and didn’t have the right travel buddy so got to the point where I stopped waiting. It’s a great reset and now I’ll even do a night here or there for a quick hit. For anyone who is on the fence. Just do it. Now my married friends are itching for solo trips
It’s the best!
I’m also listening to the JT book and feel the same. Beautiful vintage finds! Love the coral orange nail polish. A night in at a fabulous hotel after a day of solo exploration sounds like perfection.
It’s heaven! xx
This was so beautifully written, Grace! There is so much to be said for traveling alone and leaning deeply into who you are after a breakup. I had a tough breakup when I was living in Brooklyn, with someone who told me I could never live in New York on my own. It was so liberating to prove him wrong and to spend that time by myself learning who I really was and who I wanted to be moving forward. So glad that you were able to invest that time in yourself and can't wait to hear about your trip to Paris and your retreat. I hope it's everything you're looking for.
Ugh what a loser, who says that!!!!!
Ha! Totally! It did really solidify my decision to leave him. 😂
You mentioned "creative retreat" with a bookend night in Paris on both ends - is the retreat solo, or with a group? Either way, sounds amazing! Really enjoyed reading this post. Also, even just going to Greece alone is a big deal IMO, and you make it sound like it was no biggie! I think many many people (myself included, except for plenty of work travel in a previous life) don't travel alone, especially for pleasure and especially out of the country, so don't discount yourself.
It’s a planned group retreat! xx
I'm currently on a trip alone. A friend had to fly back home unexpectedly. I'm taking long walks, enjoying the weather, and doing a lot of reading.
ENJOY!
I’d traveled “alone” a ton for my jobs in my 20s but had never taken a true solo vacation until my 30th birthday. I cashed in approximately ten trillion points and took myself to London & Paris for a week.
It’s still my favorite trip I’ve ever taken ❤️
Ah, that sounds incredible - good for you!
Such a good thought provoking post! I married later (35) and traveled solo and for work before that. I’m such an introvert I loved it! It was not something I did the first 10 or so years of marriage and then Covid hit and husband did adventure trips that no but thank you so I started again! It’s not easy but I try and do one a year BUT I may add a night on to girls trips. And it may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I love Vegas for my pure solo trips!
Adding a night on to a girls trip sounds like a perfect way to do it!
I really never travelled alone. When I was divorced from my husband. I drove from NJ to Amherst, Massachusetts and stayed with a good friend because I had moved back to NJ from there. I drive at night and loved it. . We went out for dinner and we went dancing. I was you and in my thirties. I didn’t have anxiety or take any drugs for that but I hated flying . I know alone now I just could not do it . I’m sad about that because he’s still alive . Now I’m going today for a blood test and a UTI test and I feel like I need a mini tranquilizer . Plus I’m sick and I have to really push through the day. That must be so freeing to solo travel ! I wish.
I hope you feel better soon!
Thank you so much . I’m waaay to talkative but I’m really an indoor cat.
The timing of this couldn't be more perfect. I'm trying to determine my solo trip later this year. I'm thinking Christmas markets in Vienna or Prague. Or somewhere else? I've done London twice on my own, and they were the best trips.
I went to Vienna and Prague late November last year! Flew into Vienna, took the train to Prague, and then flew out of Prague. I was slightly too early for the Prague Christmas markets, but the ones in Vienna were up and running. Prague is a gorgeous city with a rich and quirky history. I highly recommend taking the Free Walking Tours and going to hear classical music somewhere. I also felt like 2 days was the right amount of time to fully explore Prague. As for Vienna, I was there for 4.5 days and could have stayed longer! The museums were phenomenal, and so was the concert in the basement at Mozart House. Go to both and enjoy!!
Ooh, thanks for the tip! My coworker went to Prague two years ago and was recommending I do both, too.
Good for you!!!! ENJOY!