Despite visiting over 40 nations, I’ve not often traveled on my own.
Usually, I can discover buddies or household to tag together with me, whether or not I’m backpacking via Portugal or road-tripping in Chile. Yet after loving my first solo journey to Australia, I needed to plan one other — this time, to Spain.
I spent per week touring alone via Spain’s Catalonia area, visiting all over the place from Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf to Girona’s Catedral de Santa Maria.
The sights have been unimaginable, however I did not have as a lot enjoyable as I anticipated. I felt lonely exploring the cities, and the nation’s eating tradition felt tough to navigate as a solo traveler.
In the tip, just a few small adjustments may’ve improved my expertise. Here are three issues I’d do in a different way on my subsequent solo journey.
Next time I’m touring alone, I’ll join excursions to satisfy different vacationers.
Jenna DeLaurentis
On my first solo journey to Australia, I joined a gaggle scuba-diving tour on the Great Barrier Reef. I met dozens of different vacationers on the boat, which helped curb any emotions of loneliness.
In Spain, I did not ebook any group actions, and finally regretted my choice.
I nonetheless loved strolling across the cities myself, however missed mingling with different vacationers doing the identical. After just a few days alone, I longed to share the expertise with another person.
Now, I do know that planning a structured exercise right here and there retains my social battery charged when touring alone.
I additionally plan to deliver a ebook or exercise to cafés and eating places.
Jenna DeLaurentis
Throughout my week of solo touring, I felt essentially the most lonely when consuming meals on my own.
Spain’s eating tradition is exceptionally social, and I felt misplaced as a solo traveler at eating places. The nation is known for its bite-sized delights, like tapas and pintxos, however these are greatest shared and loved within the firm of others.
I caught to fast, informal eating places as a substitute of prolonged sit-down meals. Without anybody to speak to, although, I really feel like I spent most meals scrolling on my cellphone.
Next time, I’ll deliver my Kindle or a sketchbook to assist move the time when eating solo.
I’d swap up the best way I spent my days solo touring, too.
Jenna DeLaurentis
Before my journey, I learn journey guides, watched YouTube movies, and browsed TikToks for suggestions about methods to spend my time in Spain.
More typically than not, these assets touted sure points of interest and eating places because the “best” method to expertise the nation.
What I discovered after my week in Spain, although, was that I ought to tailor my expertise to my very own private journey model. Just as a result of one thing is taken into account the “best” factor to do does not essentially imply it is an important suggestion for each kind of traveler.
In Barcelona, for example, many guides and vacationers recommended strolling round locations like Park Güell and La Boqueria market. These websites have been fascinating, however I want I’d deliberate one thing extra lively, corresponding to biking across the shoreline.
Next time, I’ll plan my days to higher go well with my pursuits, even when it means “missing out” on a prime attraction.
Though solo journey has a studying curve, it may be enjoyable.
Jenna DeLaurentis
Traveling alone may be intimidating and nerve-racking, but it surely can be rewarding.
During my journey, I felt pleased with myself for taking the leap to discover alone, even when it meant powering via occasional bouts of loneliness.
I nonetheless desire touring with buddies or household, however I’m constructing the boldness I have to go locations on my own once I cannot discover somebody to tag alongside.
Plus, I discovered so much throughout my time in Spain about what I can do to make my subsequent solo journey expertise even higher.