Solo travel through Europe sounds romantic, but what few people talk about is how much of a balancing act it can be — especially if you’re someone who loves people. As an extrovert, I spent much of 2023 learning the true meaning of being alone, from cozy cafés in Switzerland to sunrise strolls through Florence. What started as a solo adventure turned into a masterclass in self-connection, community, and slowing down.
Let me take you along on what it really feels like to embrace solo travel as a chatterbox-at-heart — and why it might just be the best gift you can give yourself.
Finding Comfort in Being Alone
Before trying to solo travel in Europe, I thought being alone simply meant killing time between catch-ups with friends. I didn’t realize that true solitude — traveling, dining, exploring completely solo — would push me into a new kind of growth.
Sometimes, it wasn’t glamorous. Like dragging a heavy suitcase up a hill in the rain in Zurich. Or eating pastries solo while editing videos in a tiny Swiss café. But other times, it was pure magic — running my fingers across old book spines in Florence, lost in thought during long train rides, and feeling like the main character in my own indie film.
Being alone is an art. Some days are heavy. Some days you’re skipping through European meadows, your heart as light as air.
How Staying Connected Strengthened My Solo Adventures
Funny enough, the secret to thriving alone is having strong social ties. It was knowing I could FaceTime my mom after seeing something she’d love, or spill tea with my best friends mid-train ride across Milan.
My people weren’t physically with me — but their presence was stitched into the fabric of my solo journey. Community doesn’t end just because you’re far away; it evolves.
Having that support made every espresso sip sweeter, every bookstore visit richer, and every quiet moment a little less lonely.
Milan: Learning to See More By Slowing Down
In Milan, the fashion capital of the world, I naturally drifted towards the glamorous storefronts. But being alone gave me space to notice the tiny things too — a couple’s early morning stroll, the way sunlight spilled across the cobblestone streets.
Instead of rushing to buy something shiny, I found myself reflecting on how often self-care gets tangled with consumption.
Was I shopping for joy? Or to fill a void?
In choosing restraint, I got to know myself a little better — understanding my personal style, my real needs, and how to experience cities without chasing material things.
Florence: Wine, Sunrises, and Serendipitous Encounters
Florence stole my heart with its golden sunrises and gentle rhythms. After a heavy pour of white wine (thank you, generous Italians) and an accidental twelve-hour nap, I woke up to a brand-new day. No itinerary, just a slow wander through winding streets, spontaneous bookstore visits, and lazy cups of coffee.
It was in Florence, headphones tucked in, that I met two fellow travelers — college students and, unbelievably, viewers of my videos. A beautiful coincidence, reminding me that even when you think you’re alone, you’re part of something bigger.
Safe Spaces and Small Joys
Wherever I went — whether it was Switzerland, Milan, or Florence — bookstores became my anchors. Even if I couldn’t understand every title in Italian or French, the familiarity of sociology sections and manga shops made foreign places feel like home.
It’s these little safe spaces that remind you: you’re never truly alone when you carry pieces of your passions with you.
Final Thoughts: Solo Traveling As An Extrovert
Solo travel taught me that being alone isn’t just about missing people — it’s about appreciating yourself in new dimensions. It’s wandering without an agenda, sitting with discomfort, noticing beauty in the mundane, and letting serendipity find you.
Whether you’re an extrovert, an introvert, or somewhere in between, solo travel isn’t just possible — it’s transformative, especially a solo travel through Europe. You don’t have to know all the answers before you go. You just have to be willing to show up for yourself, suitcase in one hand, hope in the other.
Here’s to skipping through more meadows, one solo journey at a time.
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