The best activities for solo travelers in Europe

Solo Travel Europe
Solo Travel Europe

 

Are you planning on going it alone on a vacation in Europe? Fear not: besides the dreaded solo supplement (the bane of all single travelers), there are plenty of advantages to traveling light on company. You won’t have to compromise on your hotel, restaurant or sightseeing choices, and if you get a little tetchy, the only person to argue with is yourself. You can make new friends, develop your personal confidence, and spend more time interacting with the locals. Read on for some travel activities that are simply better in the singular.

Self-improvement

Many solo-travelers choose to travel alone to challenge themselves, so a solo trip is a great opportunity to learn a new ability. Whether you choose to take up cookery classes in Rome, a painting holiday in the South of France or a wine appreciation trip to Crete, you’ll be able to pursue your passions, without distraction. What’s more, you might be more likely to hone your language skills, as you’ll be forced to communicate with the locals!

Solo Cruise Ship travel
Solo Cruise Ship travel

Cruises

Whether you’re scudding through the spectacular fjords of Norway or drifting down the River Douro in Portugal, being on your own truly allows you to appreciate the majesty of a scene, find the best angle for your camera, and soak it all in without being dragged away to the ship’s buffet.

Art

If your tastes lie with Renaissance, Romantic or Modernist art, you can indulge them to your heart’s content without feeling that you’re inflicting dullsville on your traveling companion. After all, you might be content to sit, chin in hands and contemplate Monet’s Water Lilies for hours, but your friend or partner might be plotting your demise the entire time.

Eating out

Sure, it’s nice to have someone to split the bill and chew the fat with over a decadent dinner, but some mealtimes, it’s nice to not have to make conversation. Traveling alone means you can enjoy a favourite magazine, pore over your guidebook or progress with your travel reading at lunch, and no-one will judge you or interrupt.

Evenings out

If you have always wanted to throw on your best clothes and go to the opera on vacation, indulge in a retrospective of Italian neo-realist cinema at Studio 28 in Montmartre or take in your favourite musical at a London theatre, there’s no-one and nothing to stop you. What’s more, an enjoyable evening out on the town needn’t necessarily involve other people: the cinema, especially, is a great, failsafe solo activity.

Whether you want to get away with a loved one or go it alone, make sure that you book with a reliable travel company such as Saga Tours. This way you are guaranteed great deals, accommodations and excursions.

Image by Roderick Elme and Mac Hotels, used under the Creative Commons license.