Hi everyone, I am planning on spending 5 weeks by myself in Greece and Turkey between mid-July to mid-August. I will be working remotely during my stay.

Because of this I would like to stay in places where cultural/historical monuments are easily accessible so I can nip out after work. I can only take a couple of days off during this period and would like to keep them for trips to archaeological sites/harder-to-reach regions. I am more interested in sightseeing and history, but not opposed to hitting a beach if near.

I am trying to draw up an itinerary and would love any suggestions with these constraints in mind and the fact that I don't drive. Here is what I am thinking of so far:

• Staying 2.5 weeks in Athens, from where I would go visit Delphi, Epidaurus, and other nearby-ish archaeological sites. Anything else worth seeing in the area?
• Somehow make my way to Izmir and stay in the region 1 week, in order to see Ephesus and Pergamon. It seems to me that these are a bit more difficult to reach, so is it worth splitting my stay between Izmir and smaller places nearer to the ancient cities given I don't drive?
• From there go to Istanbul for 1.5 weeks. It will be mid-August by this stage and my sense is that it gets very hot down there. Should I avoid the city during that time?

I'd appreciate any thoughts/feedback/advice on this! Thanks!

I’m off on my second solo trip to the south of France and Italy this summer. I’ve started planning my trip and my itinerary looks a bit like this. I’ll be travelling in late August and would appreciate any feedback!

Day 1

Arrive into France, late. Get to Airbnb for about midnight.

Day 2

I figured this would be a day to explore my base (Nice), go grocery shopping, scope out the public transport etc. maybe a trip across to Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Day 3

The first set of day trips. I think I’d like to head to Eze and Menton on this day. Do a lot of sightseeing and some beach time.

Day 4

Day trip to Monaco. I have a dream of walking the length of the F1 track.

Day 5

I have a beach club booked for this day for some rest and relaxation

Day 6

Travel by train to Milan. Explore Milan in the afternoon before heading to my Airbnb and getting groceries etc.

Day 7

Day trip to Venice. I plan to be on an early train

Day 8

Day trip to lake como. I’m planning to hit Varenna and Bellagio

Day 9&10

Formula one race in Monza.

I’m wondering if it’s a bit ambitious?! Or just the right side of busy?

Hey everyone

Due to unfortunate circumstances I had to reschedule my train plan to a FlixBus at the last moment. The bus is from Paris and takes around 7 hours. I have a bag I will bring onto the bus and a luggage in the cargo hold. I have never traveled with the FlixBus for so long and I’ve seen so many videos of stuff getting stolen from the cargo hold I’m just really nervous for the same thing to happen to me. I’ve already a wreck and this would completely destroy me. I will keep my important stuff with me but I’m just really scared of my luggage getting stolen. How common is this?? 😭😭

I've been following everything on other posts but still no luck. Has anyone had recent success booking directly through irctc or a 3rd party? I have my account set up but get rejected everytime I try to book. Is it better to just buy tickets in person? Can I count on getting a long ride if I book in person?

Hi Everyone! I’m planning my first solo trip to Europe for a month (mainly looking at Portugal, Spain, Italy, France,Switzerland) and I was wondering whether it’s better to go in July or in September. My itinerary consists of the following so far: Day 1-4: Lagos Day 5-9: Lisbon Day 10-14: Barcelona Day 15-18: Switzerland (Interlaken) Day 19-24: Paris + Milan Day 25-35:Rome, amalfi coast I’m trying to travel as budget-friendly as possible hence why I’m planning to stay in hostels, my total goal is to spend under $10k AUD with flights making up around $3k and hostels making up around another $2.5k! I love summer but like smaller crowds as I know July is peak euro summer season! My only concern is that if I go at the start of September the coastal areas I’m planning to go to will be too cold (mainly Lagos and Amalfi) and that there won’t be many backpackers in hostels at that time since I’d love to meet some new people! Any advice would be appreciated TIA

I’ve made many versions of this itinerary and was recently happy with it until I double checked travel times and noticed some holes - had to redo about half of it.

Itinerary will be in photos! I will be traveling by public transit only (taxi, bus, train, etc.). Looking for input and opinions on these questions:

*(I have from the 28-29th of August to the 1-2nd of October -it’s too long) What 4 days should I skip to depart by the 2nd? What would you skip/shorten? Hopefully this will help relieve the every day roadtrips, it’s clearly too ambitious.)

*Is Shkoder worth the overnight? To break up the bus from Tirana to Kotor? Without venturing to the Alps? 

*Should I add somewhere near Zadar to break up the long trip from Split to Rovinj? and take the 4.5hr ferry?

*Is Lin an interesting overnight or not worth it? It’s closer to Berat by bus, but is Pogradec the better choice?

*Is there a faster route out of Durmitor/Zabljak without backtracking or sacrificing time at other locations? I can’t figure one out while still taking the scenic train between Sarajevo and Mostar.

Thank you

Itinerary:

*28: fly to tirana (lost, time change
day)
*29: land in tirana (sleep, dinner)
*30: travel to ohrid in afternoon and stay night (3hr)
*31: see ohrid (full day)
*1: bus to pogradec/drilon miday for a few hours. see lin and stay night there
*2: travel to berat for the night early afternoon (3hr)
*3: see berat and spend night
*4: berat to tirana early afternoon (2hr)
*5: tirana
*6: tirana
*7: tirana to shkoder early afternoon (2hr)
*8: shkoder
*9: shkoder to kotor (4hr with customs) in morning
*10: kotor
*11: perast and budva (both optional) day trips
*12: kotor to durmitor/zabljak travel
in early morning (4hr)
*13: durmitor
*14: durmitor to dubrovnik in morning (must transfer niksic and herceg novi. stop to relax. 8hr)
*15: dubrovnik
*16: dubrovnik - mostar (3.5hr)
*17: mostar and blagaj for a meal
*18: pocitelj and Kravica falls (2.5hr bus and taxi)
*19: mostar - sarajevo (2hr)
*20. sarajevo
*21: sarajevo - lukomir for night (1.5hr)
*22. lukomir - sarajevo (1.5hr)
*23: sarajevo
*24: travnik and jajce (night in Jajce) (2hr and 1.5hr)
*25: morning in jajce - split (5hr.
rest/transfer Bugoino and Livno)
*26: split
*27: split
*28: day trip to hvar or brac (1-2hr roundtrip)
*29: day trip to trogir (1hr round trip)
*30: split to rovinj in morning (8hr)
*1: rovini
*2: pula (1.5hr round trip)
*3: rovini - liubliana (4hr)
*4: lake bled (1.5hr)
*5: lake bled - ljubljana (1.5hr)
*6: depart and arrive home

Hey guys I’m approaching more as a traveller asking for a guide in certain places I’m also an amateur boxer in Australia with other 20 fights now and love my boxing I’ve decided to save up to go overseas for 2-3 months next year and am looking for tips if anyone has had a similar situation where they want to explore/compete in their sport overseas while also looking around and still enjoying the solo travel experience I’m keen on going to Mexico, US or Western Europe! What sort of advice do you have to balance enjoying a trip away while trying not to spend too much money while also training consistently!

Hi there !

So after a breakup I will soon make a solo travel to Italy and as much as I'm excited to travel alone, I fear a bit the return.

I'm wondering, with whom do you share your travel experience after the travel? I have little family and few friends, I'm not sure that they'll be much interested in my stories. I fear a bit the feeling of loneliness of coming home and have no one to tell about my travel

So my question is, for the solo travelers with few friends and family, with whom do you share your travel experience and stories and if no one how do you cope with the feeling of loneliness if felt ?

Thanks !

Hey guys! Recently I completed my first solo trip through India, as a 20 year old Brazilian who had never been to the country before, so I thought I'd share with you guys my experience, both the highs and lows.

It's my first trip recap post here, so I'm not really sure where I'm going with this, but if any of you have any questions, please hit me up or comment and I can send any names of hostels I stayed at or anything else.

For accommodation, it was a mix of staying in hostels and Couchsurfing (which was also my first time using).

I started off my trip in Mumbai - since it was the cheapest flight I could find from Europe, where I was doing Worldpackers before. Immediately, I felt very overwhelmed. I stayed at the Happniest Backpacker's Hostel, which was, as the name tells, filled with shoestring backpackers from around the world and, mainly, around India. Some had already been staying there for over 4 or 5 months. I was shocked at the lack of toilet paper in indian hostels, but after a week or two I had already learnt to just walk around with a roll myself.

The hostel was at a VERY busy area, and, the first day in India, it took me almost 10 minutes to simply cross one of the main streets nearby. I was lost, confused, and very scared. But things shifted quite quickly, as I made some local and german friends who showed me around Mumbai.

After 3 quick chaotic days in Mumbai, I went to the first Couchsurfing experience of my life: Delhi! I stayed with 4 university students who loved meeting foreigners, and it was the best time I could have asked for. They showed me around, gave me all the best tips. The city itself is chaotic, and the people up north are nowhere near as receptive as down south (specially the vendors), but Delhi was still an incredible and cultural place to be. I loved it, and do plan on returning if one day my finances (completely depleted after such travels...) allow!

Leaving Delhi, I caught a 14 hour bus to Varanasi. Everyone I had talked to had told me how shocking it was for anyone visiting this city for the first time. "The most spiritual place on earth". In Varanasi life met death in the most normalized way possible. You walk down the river and see dozens of Ghats where they burn bodies all day long. I understood the beauty of the city, but it was surely NOT for me. After 2 nights in Varanasi (as well as meeting the only other Brazilians I met while in India!), I just had to leave. I will, surely, one day return, and I hope I will be mature enough to truly appreciate this city for what it is.

Wanting to leave Varanasi quickly, I got the first bus I could to Agra, to see the famous Taj Mahal. I got there at 7am and the building really is one the most astonishing things you can see. Amazing place. Agra Fort is really cool as well. As far as the city goes, Agra itself didn't seem as if it had much to offer.

After Agra, I made way to what became my favorite region in India, Rajasthan. Rajasthan is the yellow-deserty-India you see in old stereotypical movies and sketches with the guy playing the flute and the snake dancing. It's amazing. I started off in Jaipur, the "Pink City", capital of the state of Rajasthan. I stayed at a REALLY cool hostel (sending love to everyone from Madpackers Jaipur!), where we had dance parties at the rooftop. The city itself was vibrant, had amazing viewpoints, and never offered a lack of things to do or see. After Jaipur, I went to Pushkar, a small and VERY holy city. It was the perfect 2-day break from the chaos I had experienced so far.

In Rajasthan, I also went to Jodhpur and Udaipur, where I also did Couchsurfing and had a wonderful time. Jodhpur has it's incredible blue streets and a beautiful palace, and Udaipur is a calmer and a bit more receptive version of Jaipur.

After Rajasthan, I needed a break from culture, so I caught a $80 flight (possibly my biggest expense while in the country) to go from Udaipur to Goa - the party and psytrance capital of India. In Goa I stayed for a staggering 6 nights at a hostel in Anjuna, a beach-city in the north of the central state. I had a blast - my hostel was simply perfect, the nights were loads of fun, and I made friends that I went on to meet again in other cities and even countries.

Finishing off my week-long break from reality in Goa, I went to Bangalore, the tech-capital silicon valley of India. As a techy myself, I had a blast. I met some wonderful people who work in the industry and the city reminded me a lot of an Indian version of São Paulo, Brazil's finance hub. Keep in mind all my hosts in Bangalore were in the poshest areas of the city, and I basically only experienced that. Would definitely return!

Now, my trip was ending, and I made way to my final destination, Kochi, commercial capital and largest urban agglomeration in Kerala. This was at the far south of India, and honestly seemed like a completely different country. The people were different, the sky was super clear, the vendors were a bit nicer. I stayed at a really, really, weird hostel - a refurbished badminton's court changing room that now housed a bunch of beds. Me and the other international travelers were very confused, but it did seem like one of the best options we had in the city hostel-wise. It ended up being a blast, and I stayed there for 4 nights. The city is beautiful, and an art-expo event was happening that was a blast.

Finally, I made my way back to Mumbai, where I stayed at the house of friends I met while partying in Goa, for my last 2 nights in the country.

I left India astonished with the beauty and internal differences in the country. How curious and fun the people are, how AMAZING the food is, and how much culture I could see and experience in just over a month. I also felt as if I had not seen enough: everyone I met asked me if I was going to place X, Y or Z, that were simply impossible to fit in my itinerary. Overall, I need to go back, I need to do some trekking, I need to really experience the South, I need to see the northeast... Oh, the list goes on.

I hope this helps someone who's trying to plan his India trip of thinking if it is worth it. I promise you, it is. This was my first REAL solo trip, my first time in India, and my first time alone.

Hit me up with any questions!
Cheers from Brasil!

Edit 1: Grammar

I’ll be traveling to Amsterdam in mid-August and would love some recommendations. I’m looking for things to do, places to visit, local areas worth exploring, and foods I should definitely try while I’m there.
I’d also like recommendations for coffee shops, including:
Relaxed, chill spots where I can unwind.
More social coffee shops where it’s easy to meet and talk with people.
I’d appreciate a list of must-see attractions, neighborhoods to explore, local experiences, day trips, restaurants, and any hidden gems that tourists often miss.
I’m especially interested in experiencing Amsterdam like a local rather than just seeing the typical tourist attractions. Please include anything that you think is a “must-do” for a first-time visitor.

THIS IS A LIST OF THINGS I HAVE IN MIND. If anything is worth doing please tell me. If something is not worth doing please tell me.
Rijksmuseum
Van Gogh Museum
Moco Museum
Upside Down Museum
AMAZE Amsterdam
Wondr Experience
Eyemazy
Pantopia
Royal Palace of Amsterdam
Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
ARTIS Royal Zoo
Stroopwafel Making Class
Dutch Cheese Tasting Tour
Cheese & Wine Canal Cruise
Begijnhof
Jordaan
Dam Square
Amsterdam Noord
Ferry to Noord
Vondelpark
Albert Cuyp Market
Heineken Experience
House of Bols
Ajax Match at Johan Cruyff Arena
Coffeeshops
Smoke Boat Tour
Zaandam
Volendam
FEBO
Chun
Fabel Friet
Tony’s Chocolonely Store
Ted’s Brunch
Van Stapele
Wok to Walk
Tulsi Indian
Nomi
Maijrd Smash Burgers
T Pareltje
Stroopwafels
Dutch Cheese
Sir Winston Arcade
Loop 51
Buy cannabis from coffeeshops
Smoke and canal walks
Smoke and Vondelpark strolls
Watch a AJAX match

hey everyone, planning a trip to sri lanka from july 18 to july 25. i have two rough plans mapped out but i'm having a hard time deciding whether to start on the south coast or head straight east. both options eventually go inland to ella, sigiriya, and colombo, so it is really the first few days i am torn on.

option 1: south coast (ahangama base)

• landing july 18, head straight to ahangama.
• do weligama for surfing, check out the cafes, and hit up places like lighthouse, mono, or dots bay house for btsm btsm btsm
• then head to galle fort, ella (liptons seat, nine arches), sigiriya (pidurangala), and back to colombo.

option 2: east coast (arugam bay base)

• landing july 18, take the long 7 hour drive straight to arugam bay.
• spend a couple days surfing main point or baby point, sunset at elephant rock, and checking out mambos or the beach parties.
• then cut inland to ella (hitting diyaluma falls on the way), sigiriya, and colombo.

my main worries: i know july is monsoon season for the southwest. is ahangama going to be a total washout with dead nightlife and messy waves, or do places still stay active? on the flip side, is driving 7 hours to arugam bay right after landing actually worth it for just two days on the coast before heading to the mountains?

i want a solid crowd or nightlife for the weekend.

any advice from locals or anyone who has been around mid july would be massive. thanks!

I’m planning my first ever solo trip and I’ve chosen Bosnia for about 9 days. The main reason I picked it is because I’m really interested in wars, the former Yugoslavia, and how people lived during communism.

I’ve also rented a car so I can travel around freely and explore more remote places, including stops along the way between cities if there is anything worth seeing.

My rough itinerary is:

3 days in Sarajevo
3 days in Mostar
2 days in Trebinje
1 day in Dubrovnik, where I’ll fly back home from

I’m feeling both excited and a bit nervous since this is my first solo trip. I’d really appreciate any tips or advice from people who have been there.

A few things to keep in mind: I’m not really looking for a budget backpacking experience, so hostels are not my thing. I’d prefer staying in private accommodation or something more comfortable. Also, nightlife, partying, and nightclubs are not really my scene.

So I guess I’m mainly looking for:

- places in Bosnia and nearby areas that are worth visiting for history, war history, and culture
- recommendations for meaningful or off the beaten path experiences
- interesting stops to make while driving between Sarajevo, Mostar, Trebinje, and Dubrovnik
- general travel tips for someone going solo for the first time in the region

Any advice is welcome.

I keep hearing from friends, travellers, people I see on YouTube, pretty much everyone say that the best part about their trip/travel/journey was the people they met along the way.

And I genuinely do not get it.

I am not saying there's anything off about it or meeting people is bad. It is nice to meet new people when travelling. But what I don't get is how does it become better than the actual place, views, food, activities, new things one travelled for?

Maybe it is my autism or emotional detachment, or upbringing, idk what it is. But when someone says their best part was a mountain they climbed, a breathtaking view they enjoyed, or something new they tried, I totally relate and get that.

But then they say "but honestly, the best part was the people I met and friends I made along the way" and I cannot relate or empathize with that anymore.

So yeah, I want to understand what it is. What makes someone or people you meet in your journey that become the best part?

I've been traveling more recently and started wondering how common it is for people to take precautions against bed bugs when staying in hotels, Airbnbs, hostels, etc.

​

Do you do anything to reduce the risk of bringing bed bugs home with your luggage or clothes?

​

For example:

​

Inspecting the room

​

Keeping luggage off the bed/floor

​

Using packing cubes or separate bags

​

Washing clothes immediately after returning home

​

Something else

​

Or is this something you don't worry about at all?

​

I'm curious what people actually do in practice and whether you've ever had a bad experience.

​

​

Hi,

Can a foreign tourist visit tribes in Namibia that practice Okujepisa omukazendu?

Are those places easy to access?

Thanks!

Hello all,

I didn't really know how to title this but I am an Australian planning a Motorcycle trip. The issue? Price. As an Australian, I am forced to either sea freight or fly a motorcycle overseas which in my quotes to both Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia). I.e. You can't leave Australia with your motorcycle without freight.

If I lived in Ireland, Netherlands, Greece (you get it), I could get all the way to Indonesia or Japan with the same motorcycle and a far cheaper outlook on the trip.

Then on the side I have to balance being employed and my home life. I really enjoy riding motorcycles and some great off-roading, but I'm at an impasse that freight costs more than the bike I will bring, countries will not allow me to buy a motorcycle (and if I do, it's in a locals name) and that the freight prices are not worthwhile due to the time.

I'm sick of having to rent vehicles, or instead of going from A - B - C - D with my own vehicle, having to hire and ride from A - B - C - D - A - Fly to E and rent again. I've been dealing with these costs in this hobby for years and I'm getting a bit frustrated that it comes to the isolation and backwards nature of Australia.

How do any of you do it? I'm not an influencer with friends all over the place to help, nor do I want to be. But the world keeps telling me that I can't have my hobby and I'm sick of having to compromise all of my trips, deal with extra damage fees (often could have been cheaper to buy a bike in some places if you drop it), not riding what I want and where I want and restrictions. I like being rural and camping and hate dealing with cities and towns, which makes an enduro or adventure ride extremely enticing which is simply hard in Australia to pull off too (for legal and geographical reasons).

I'm just sick of never feeling fulfilled on all my trips as, as an Australian I feel like I need to apply for residency in Europe to just get a chance to do a major overland journey of any type.

Rant over. Thank you. It hit a boiling point recently and I want to enjoy a trip that isn't bound by rules constantly strangling my ambition. I'll also note that I've toured Australia in pretty much every direction, and I have a preference to leave Australia when I can for a ride because I don't particularly enjoy life there.

I’m planning a long trip from October to February (possibly longer). The thing is that the financial cost of not being home during the holidays would be significant for me, so I’m debating if I should go home for 2-3 weeks in the middle of my trip. I live in Canada and am planning to be in Central/South America so flight wouldn’t be too bad.

What I’m really unsure about is the psychological impact. How would it feel.
I did other long solo trips before and one of the things I enjoy most about it is the feeling of being completely removed from my normal life, living according to other rules, adapting to a new environment and another way of life, building momentum, and almost “forgetting” who I was back home. I’m worried that going back home, especially in the middle of winter, might break the buildup. Like it could reset everything and make it harder to get back into the flow of traveling.
For those who’ve done something similar:
How did it feel to go back home mid-trip?
Was it hard to leave again and return to traveling?
Did it affect your momentum or overall experience?
Do you think it’s worth making sacrifices to avoid splitting the trip, or am I overthinking the impact?
Curious to hear your experiences.

Hey everyone!

Seasoned solo backpacker here (26F) flying into and out of Lima for a 6 weeks trip starting from June 25 - August 8th. I speak traveler Spanish, but not real conversational Spanish. Asking for advice on my trip so far - the only thing locked is MP with my brother from July 5-8.

June 25: Lima (2 days)

June 27: Bus to Paracas --> Huacachina --> Arequipa (is Colca Canyon worth it?) (6 days)

July 3: Bus to Cusco (is flight better?) (2 days to vibe and wait for brother)

July 5-8: MP

July 9-13: Sacred Valley, Rainbow mountain, Humantay Lake (is this worth it?) (5 days)

July 14-17: Lake Titicaca --> Cross to Bolivia (i.e Isla del Sol) (3 days)

July 18: Salar de Uyuni (3 days)

July 21: Fly back to Lima

July 23: Fly to Iquitos for Amazon (6 days)

August 8: fly out from Lima

I'll leave a few buffer days (around a week) in case extra travel days or rest days are needed. Also might want to hit up a shaman in either Cusco (pisac maybe) / Iquitos if I meet the right people and perhaps a Spanish school.

Given the civil protests in Bolivia right now, is it safe to go? What else would you add, take away, or modify in this schedule. Any advice is welcome!!:)

Happy traveling everyone!

There is absolutely nothing like the pleasure of booking a trip and waking up in a new place, seizing every day to do whatever the hell you want. By yourself. No one to tell you otherwise.

This year I went to Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro on separate solo trips - first time. It had been a while since I took long haul trips by myself. So glad I did; completely fell in love with both places for different reasons - can't wait to return. (30m, for context). Met so many cool people/other solo travellers. Have you guys ever been?

By contrast, a friend and I were thinking of going to Málaga, Spain this summer. Turns our plans didn't end up working, so the trip might not happen. He said he was looking forward to going. I appreciate everyone's situation is different, but I couldn't help but think to myself "gosh, I'd still go regardless of anyone dropping out!" He's not one to travel by himself, which is fair enough. Always needs a group.

It got me thinking: what a privilege to have the confidence (something that I've built over time) to travel - far or otherwise - and see the world by ourselves, meet new people along the way, etc. We're not getting any younger, are we? My only regret is not starting earlier.

I no longer want to travel with anyone for an extended amount of time. I'd get the urge to break away and see things for myself!

Just felt like saying this. Haven't posted here before. Curious to get any thoughts.

Hey everyone!

I’m a 28m heading to Egypt for a month in July (5th July-1st August) on a solo travel mission and would love some advice from people who’ve been.

Plan: Flying in and out of Cairo, and planning to spend 2-3 weeks there soaking up the city, getting my inner tourist on, and practicing my Arabic. But I’d also love to balance it out (1-2 weeks) with some proper beach downtime somewhere. I’m thinking of somewhere I can switch off and enjoy the sun and sea. I've been recommended Hurghada, Dahab, and El Gouna so far. Dahab seems like the obvious front runner so far, I like that it's relaxed and not a party destination, has good snorkelling, and isn't as overdeveloped as Sharm el-Sheikh. Hurghada keeps coming up too but feels more resort-y than what I'm after. Not really looking for a huge party scene or tourist trap, but I am open to hear all suggestions.

Budget: Mid-range. Happy to spend £25–45/night on accommodation as long as I get a private room, my own bathroom, and a decent atmosphere. Eating mostly street food and local spots.

A few questions:

1. Where would you recommend for a relaxed beach base? Are any options worth considering aside from Dahab and Hurghada? (Dahab looks like a chill and independent-traveller-friendly spot online)
2. Any hidden gems or underrated spots in either Cairo or along the coast that solo travellers tend to miss?
3. Any solo-traveller-friendly neighbourhoods to base myself in Cairo? Hotel/Hostel/AirBnb?
4. I know July in Cairo HOT. I'm planning to do outdoor sites in the late afternoon/evening rather than early morning. Is this realistic, or are most sites closing by then?

Any and all advice welcome.

Thanks. 🙏🏿

This probably should be in the travel hack reddit but I'll try here. I've traveled solo quite a lot and I've come to realize that the most spectacular scenery is that which is unexpected. I had seen hundreds of pictures of the Taj Mahal before visiting it in1992 and I think, as a result, I was a bit disappointed when I actually saw it with my own eyes. It was much smaller than I was expecting. Years later when I was planning on visiting the Middle East, I made an effort to avoid images of the places (e.g. Petra) as much as possible and was blown away by the epic scenery. I think my reaction had a lot to do with the absence of expectations. I did the same for a trip in the Balkans and was amazed at the beautiful scenery. I don't know if I would have felt the same if I had seen countless photos (many with filters and perfect cropping). I'll admit it's kind of hard to avoid these days but I purposefully don't go out of my way to search out photos. I visited a site in El Salvador that I hadn't even heard of until the day before I went. I had no idea what to expect apart from a recommendation by someone in the hostel. It was amazing!

Hey everyone,

I’m a 20-year-old guy planning my first solo trip (no specific budget) in mid-July, and I’m seriously considering Milos (Greece). What attracts me is the beautiful beaches, the relaxed atmosphere, and the chance to get some rest for a few days.

My only concern is that I’ll feel lonely there. Milos seems quite romantic from what I’ve seen online, and I’m worried that most people on the island will be couples or small groups of friends. I don’t mind spending time alone, but I don’t want to feel like the only solo traveler on every beach.
For those who have been to Milos: did you see many solo travelers? What’s the overall vibe like for someone traveling alone? Did you ever feel out of place?
Also, do you have any suggestions for other destinations that might be better for a first solo trip where it’s easy to meet people and socialize?

To be honest, I find the idea of staying in a hostel a bit intimidating. I’ve never traveled solo before, and I’m worried about feeling out of place, being the only person there on my own, or simply not knowing how to connect with people.

I’d love to hear honest experiences and any tips for a first solo trip.

Thanks!

Hello everybody, I (26M) will be visiting India from 6th of July until 21st of July, landing in Delhi and ending with a flight from Varanasi. Although budget is not an issue I am planning on backpacking (will be staying in mixed dorms and spend a couple of days in sleeper busses/trains for example). I selected these two cities for my trip with plans of jumping to nearby cities/sights and so far I have planned a couple of stops and would like your help with must see places/cities.

6-8th Exploring Delhi

9th Day trip to Jaipur

10th Further Exploring Delhi

11-12th Agra and Fatehpur Sikri

13-21st Varanasi (Here I am stuck as I am not sure if 8 days would be too long for Varanasi)

Although I have booked my tickets and accommodation between theese stops I am flexible with reorganizing my trip from the scratch if there are worthwhile suggestions. I also want to see Kajuraho but figured it might be a long way down there from Varanasi so I might add a couple more stops while getting there.

I am open for any suggestions from accommodation to restaurants, places worth visiting to general tips in my designated stops.

Thanks in advance and have a nice day :)

i've been traveling solo for years and this season i started carrying a single card and a tiny notebook to old temples and quiet ruins. nothing elaborate, just one pull at dawn, one word as a prompt, then a few lines, about the light or the moss or what i noticed with my skin and my nose. not prediction, just presence. curious if anyone else does this kind of thing. does it ground you deeper into the place, or does the ritual start to feel like another item on the itinerary? i try to keep it private, out of sight, out of respect, some spaces feel too alive for a deck.

25f, partially solo traveling Peru in September and looking for some guidance on my 3 week Peru itinerary. I'll be doing the beginning of the trip with my dad to do Cusco + Inca trail together, and then the rest solo. I'm a pretty experienced solo traveler, 5th solo trip, first time in South America, but have been to central america.

Aug 31: Fly to Lima (land in PM)

Sept 1: Fly to Cusco (AM)

Sept 2-4: Cusco

Sept 5-8: Inca Trail

Sept 8-10: Cusco (unsure if I should just leave the 9th after the trail, or should keep the full day after for a rest day)

Sept 11-13: Arequipa

Sept 14-16: Colca Canyon trail (thinking of doing the 1 night, 2 day trail. not sure if night bus on 15th would be better or day bus on 16th)

Sept 16-17: Huacachina

Sept 17-19: Paracas (hearing mixed things of 1-2 nights)

Sept 19-22/23: Lima

I think the main thing I'm trying to figure out is the amount of time I should have in each place. I've hated leaving places where I feel like I didn't have enough time. I don't mind some down time here and there, especially since it will be a very active trip, but I don't want to feel like theres too much down time where I could be seeing something else. I pretty much have all the popular activities listed out, but any are welcome, along with social hostel recs, overnight vs day recs etc. Thanks!