I went on my first solo trip in July and it was one hell of an experience. I went to Naples, Italy for 4 days, and got caught in the global Microsoft software crash. This post is solely about what I did and a little bit about how I handled myself. My next post will be about the prep and my lessons for next time (because I am so travelling again).
Travelling CV
My travelling background is very minimal. I am a chid of immigrant parents who has had the fear of humanity instilled in her. Also, my parents were very protective and wanted me to put my studies ahead of anything else. So, travelling was not in the cards for me. My family does not go on international holidays. We only travelled back to our country of origin to visit family, and I did that for 24 years. I have also always been a nervous flyer, and never thought I could fly alone.
So, you best believe in my 25th year of existing I went on a holiday, alone, with no family to visit, just because I wanted to experience something new. After this experience, I will definitely travel again. I don’t know if it will be solo or not but, it will happen.
Why I did solo travelling?
I had been planning this trip since I was 18. I have always wanted to visit Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius and eat Italian food (because who hates pasta and pizza). When I first started planning, it was with uni friends, but plans change, things change and it’s not like I was ready to travel with people I was still getting to know. So, why not go solo? I enjoy my own company, I have been doing mini solo trips these past few years – so what could go wrong.
Solo travelling: What I did there?
I stayed in Naples for 4 days. I thought it was a short enough time to get me to enjoy the place, without feeling trapped, and booked on to at least 1 tour each day.
The tours I booked on to were (not affiliate links):
- The secret food tour
- Sorrento, Positano and Pompeii
- Underground Naples
- Mt Vesuvius
- A hop on, hop off bus tour
Day 1 solo travelling:
I took a flight that got me into Naples at lunch time. I did not pre-book a taxi and spent 50 euros to travel 20 minutes (I’m pretty sure I was scammed). After checking into my B&B, I went for a walk around the area. The aim was to find the meeting points for first tour (food tour), and get to know about the area a little more.
I did the food tour first, because I wanted to know all the ‘good’ places to eat on my first day, so I knew where to go/what to do on my other days. The tour was an English-speaking tour, and the tourists were all American (excluding myself). It was great to chat to them and interact and hear their travel stories. In my own opinion, I didn’t really enjoy the food as much as I thought I would. I found it to contain too much salt for my tastebuds, this includes the pizza dough and the pasta. It was not to my taste, but that doesn’t mean it’s not to yours. The perk was since it was a tour, I had paid for its month’s ago, so free food is better than no food. We sampled so much that I still was full by the end, so I tasted it all even if I concluded that I wasn’t a fan of it. (I did an reel on what I ate on this tour here).
Day 2 solo travelling:
The original tour I had booked for this day was cancelled, because there weren’t enough people who had booked on, but they found me another tour which equally better (in my opinion). I had an 8-hour day travelling between Sorrento, Positano and Pompeii. Positano was the last town before reaching the Amalfi coast and was purely a photo opportunity at the view. But damn that pic was worth it. Sorrento was the home of lemons and olive oil (my description not fact). All the shops were selling tourist items that were decorated in lemons. I tasted limoncello and it was a strong alcoholic shot for a Wednesday morning. Again, not great on my tastebuds but worth the experience. The driver was so nice and talkative and was happy to take pictures for us.
Day 3 solo travelling:
Since my original tour was cancelled I didn’t get to see Vesuvius, so I booked on a separate one for a 3 hours round trip to the top. The roads are so windy, and they take you up the majority of it, so you’re left with a 1-hour hike to the top and back. The views of Naples from there were gorgeous, and I got my iconic screensaver pic on top of Vesuvius. You best believe I did my hair for my birthday, so that I could get this picture.
In the afternoon, I did a tour of ‘underground Naples’. This was exploring the caves they have built under the city and the olden structures from its origins. It was really cool to see, and refreshingly cold since the weather was so hot outside. There were also 157 stairs to enter and leave the caves which were not fun (absolute leg workout).
Day 4 solo travelling:
The day I was supposed to leave. I booked a hop on hop off bus tour since it was light and easy. I had a small carry-on luggage, so I checked out my B&B and carried it with me the whole day (evening flight). The views were gorgeous (duh) and thankfully, the bus was air conditioned. They even had a specific tourist picture stop because the view was breathtaking at one point. I got off and walked along the promenade and waited for my airport bus to take me back. This bus was 5 euros one way compared to the taxi driver at the start. I was tired by this day, so I sat for 2 hours waiting for my bus, because I didn’t have the energy to do more. I was at the airport and with 2 hours left till take off, I was told my plane was cancelled.
Bonus few hours:
The first thing I did was let my family know (so then they wouldn’t come looking for me at the airport). I then booked a hotel, because logically, once I am in a room I can think straight. My flight provider had originally offered to rebook me (free of charge), but once I had checked into my hotel, they said they had no flights. So, I booked a last-minute flight with someone else (you bet your bottom dollar I am getting that cancelled flight refunded). I ended my night on a rooftop hotel for dinner (which was romantic, even though I was alone haha).
Barely slept (since my new flight was a morning one). Took the 5 euro bus back to the airport (3 trips totalling 15 euros and that taxi cost me 50 euro one way!) and went straight to security.
TL;DR
- I solo travelled! This was a huge adulting milestone for me and was many years in the making. I would recommend to anyone willing to try it at least once.
- I had a good trip and I would travel again – I ‘m not summarising the 4 days here, if it’s too long to ready, then jump to a different post.
