This is your sign to take a solo trip

Hello! It’s been a minute since I wrote a newsletter and I’m suddenly all self-conscious now I’m sitting down to write it? I’m sure it’s like riding a bicycle 😂

How are you? What have you been up to? What are you looking forward to most this Summer? Let me know! I am back from my solo trip to Italy and I thought I’d share how it went. This is your sign to take a solo trip too, and if it’s to Italy, even better 🇮🇹

I booked this trip in February/March of this year, deeeeeep in the depths of a breakup and determined to have something to look forward to, and I am so very glad that I did.

1. Planning it gave me something to think about

2. I knew I’d be doing something entirely for me, no compromise

3. I’d be visiting a dear friend I hadn’t seen in years

Have you ever taken a solo trip? For me it comes quite easily, and I know for others too, but if you’ve never done it, it can seem very daunting.

Read on to find out how my trip went and my recommendations for feeling comfortable traveling alone 😊

Highlights of the trip!

My itinerary was: Milan → Como → Varese → Genoa, and once in Genoa I did day trips along the coast to Cinque Terre and Portofino. This isn’t a travel blog, but for anyone with questions about how to get around, getting tickets for things, etc. just let me know!

There were so many moments on this trip where I literally said “wow” out loud, I’ve wanted to visit that area of Italy for years, I mean at least a decade, and I finally did what I actually wanted to do, went where I actually wanted to go, booked it when I wanted to go, and it was every bit as beautiful (and the food as delicious) as I had imagined.

• Book your Cinque Terre hike pass here and wear your sports gear, it’s not an advanced hike as such, but you do not want to be doing it in your flip flops.

• The boat trip from Genoa to Portofino was stunning, you can book your tickets here.

• I ate tonnes of incredible food, the great thing about Italy is there’s a lot of street food, so you can improvise without spending too much money or needing all your restaurants booked. I don’t like to be too organised, but one place I absolutely booked was dinner on the lake in Como at Giulietta al Lago.

Thank you everyone for your recommendations! Here’s my list on Google Maps so you can save the restaurants too.

My tips for solo travel

I was away 8 days, 7 nights, and broke it up in the middle by visiting a friend, and that was perfect for me. I like spending time by myself, but honestly after a while you’ve done all the reflecting and you’ve read your book and you’ve caught up on podcasts, and it’s nice to have a chat to someone 😂 

1. Take your book so you’ve always got something to do if you feel awkward at a bar or having dinner.

2. Tell people the hotels you’re staying in and what you’re up to that day (safety first and all that).

3. Embrace the time alone, whether it’s to catch up on podcasts, listen to Brat the whole way through, or to think about something or plan your goals, embrace the time to yourself and the trip will have a whole new meaning.

4. I like staying in hotels, then you’re never entirely alone - in the general sense or if you need anything.

5. Act confident, and if you’re not, fake it ‘til you make it. No one cares you’re alone, honestly if anything they’re more likely to wish they were as strong, free and independent as you.

I am so glad I took this trip, my cup is filled, my heart is full, I am in the right place at the right time. I did something entirely for me and did exactly what I wanted when I wanted for a week straight. If you’re thinking about a trip or always say to yourself you’ll do it and never do, book it right now.

Thank you as always for reading! If you like it, don’t forget to share on IG and let me know if you have any feedback or topics you want me to write about! 💖

Besos, Amy xxx