Solo Travel: How to Embark on Your Journey Alone

Solo Travel: The Ultimate Gift to Yourself

Solo travel is the best experience you can gift yourself. It’s a time to slow down, listen to your inner self, and see the world anew—without rush, expectations, or others’ opinions.

Mariana Yanko, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of SEPTEMBER, on Her Solo Travel Experience

When we are alone with our thoughts, we immediately feel a completely different state. Imagine being in a city where you know no one, perhaps for the first time in your life. You feel like a child again, eager to explore this world. In this state, we begin to hear ourselves like never before, and these thoughts are truly ours.

I have practiced solo travel many times, and these have always been the best trips with the deepest realizations. My last journey was to the island of Santorini. I had always dreamed of going there. My husband couldn’t accompany me for obvious reasons, and none of my friends could make it. So, I decided to go alone.

I booked a car, reserved an apartment on Airbnb, and bought tickets for a direct flight from Warsaw to Santorini. I set off to explore myself and the world around me. For me, this was not just a solo trip; I challenged myself. I had only been driving for a month, with breaks. But I decided to take a car and drive around the island anyway.

Imagine my emotions when I found myself alone on the island, surrounded by water, behind the wheel of a car. It was just me and my thoughts. I could only rely on myself. It was a crazy test of self, followed by immense trust in myself.

My Tips for Solo Travel

• Before traveling, be sure to study the city and the place you are going to. Take a virtual walk on Google Maps to explore the area. Choose a location that you like and where you feel safe.
• Choose your apartment or hotel based on location. The main thing when traveling alone is to feel safe. To do this, take a virtual walk around the neighborhood to see and evaluate everything around.
• Plan your route and desired locations. Leave room for spontaneity and exploring new areas by simply walking around new places.
• Write down your thoughts and experiences. Just record everything. It’s like a conversation with yourself.
• Take a timeout from social media and communication with others to fully immerse yourself in the experience.
• Take care of internet access in advance.
• If traveling to distant countries, get insurance. Full car insurance is a must. And importantly, I don’t know English or any other language. Everything can be resolved with a translator.

Anna Ishchuk, Creative Editor of SEPTEMBER, on Her First Solo Trip

My first solo trip abroad was a year ago to Copenhagen when I was 21. I had dreamed of Scandinavia and felt inside that I wanted to go alone. I flew from Warsaw directly to Copenhagen; the flights, by the way, were cheap. Unlike the city.

I took a minimum of things with me, just a backpack on my shoulders, where everything fit. I lived in a cool hostel, walked around the city all day long. I enjoyed the architecture, the style of the locals, and the number of interior design showrooms (my weakness). I allowed myself not to think, just to be in the moment. Accidentally stumbling upon interesting places, spontaneously booking a boat trip along the canal because I felt like it at the moment.

On this trip, I cried a lot. Above Copenhagen, a large Ukrainian flag was flying, and it was so painful for me to see how people just relax. Just live. They looked extremely happy and carefree.

What Gave Me Confidence in Solo Travel?

• Knowledge of English. Knowing the language everyone speaks here, I understood that I would definitely not get lost and could find help if needed.
• I love spending time alone. At that time, I had been living alone for 2 years. So, this trip was just a change of routine.
• Feeling safe in the city I was going to. Copenhagen is one of the safest cities in the world.

Going alone doesn’t mean being lonely. It’s about trusting yourself, inner strength, and the joy of your own company. Solo trips are not always easy, but they are always genuine. And if somewhere deep inside you think, “What if I can do it too?”—maybe it’s time to pack your bags.

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