After having been to Europe a handful of times, I was ready for a new challenge! I (sort of) started planning a trip to Ecuador – I really want to check out the Galapagos Islands. After months of dreaming (and deliberating), I finally decided to hold off on this trip. I will get to Ecuador […]
10 cities, 10 lessons. I spent two months exploring Europe and wanted to share some of my reflections and some of the life lessons I learned. Whether or not you’re traveling, every day is an adventure and every day you learn something new. These lessons are not necessarily earth-shattering. They can be more subtle but […]
When traveling solo, you really have no one to report to, no one to check in with, no one to be on time for and no one to be accountable to – except yourself. This can sometimes be really easy or really hard. When traveling on your own, some days will be easier than others. […]
The idea for this post came to me while I was at the Barcelona train station – after getting on the wrong metro towards the train station and after having my water bottle leak in my purse (and on my computer). While emptying my purse and wiping the water from every item, I thought to […]
You get a lift to the airport from a friend or a family member (maybe even a group of your loved ones). You pass customs smoothly and wait patiently to board. You update your Facebook status; post a photo on Instagram, text back and forth with a couple of your friends/family. Eat, sit, maybe read […]
Traveling is the bomb. I love it; you love it – that’s why we’re both here right now. There are different types of travel from luxury to camping, different ways to or purposes of travel and different people to travel with. Every travel experience is unique and is a learning experience. One year ago, I […]
Solo travel is exciting and spontaneous. But sometimes you can and will get a little lonely. If you struggle to start conversations and make connections with new people, if you’re an introvert or a formerly shy person (like me!) then read on. After two solo trips, I have come up with a few ways to practice […]
The first time you decide to travel solo you are sure to experience an overwhelming amount of conflicting emotions: excitement, fear, delight, regret and then excitement again. It’s important to acknowledge those feelings and experience them – and know that they are completely normal and okay. In fact, they are to be expected. You are […]
In 1977 I had just turned 19. I did something very unusual and very brave, something that was unheard of for a daughter of Italian immigrants. I convinced my parents to allow me to study in Perugia, Italy at the Universita’ per Stranieri. I would board with a family and study and stay abroad from […]
My thoughts, uncensored about what traveling solo means and why I choose to travel solo. For me, traveling (solo) is about listening to my true self (desires) and no longer responding to the world to (and through) my ego. I’m no longer saying no to myself, no longer letting the fear of rejection or failure take control of me. I don’t […]