First solo trip in October – need advice on planning
Hi everyone,
I’m planning my first solo trip in early October (around 5–11 October) starting from Munich.
I’m looking for a destination in Southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, the Canary Islands, or Greece) where I can stay active: exploring the coast (by scooter or bike), enjoying local food, and going out in the evenings to bars to meet people and socialize.
I have a few questions:
1. Duration / timing:
I’ll be visiting a friend in Munich for Oktoberfest on October 3rd, so I could fly out the next day or on Monday.
I’m unsure what makes more sense:
stay until Sunday and do a full week trip, or
return on Friday/Saturday and spend the weekend back in Munich with my friend.
2. Destination / travel style:
I find the Algarve in Portugal really interesting. However, since it’s more of a region than a single city, I’m worried that 4–5 days might not be enough to properly explore it.
Would it make more sense for a short trip like this to focus on a single city, or choose a place like Gran Canaria where you can stay in one base but still have plenty of variety?
3. Accommodation:
I usually book Airbnbs, since I’m out exploring most of the day anyway and don’t need hotel facilities or full board.
Would a hotel actually be more convenient for this kind of trip?
Hostels or shared dorms are not an option for me.
I’d really appreciate your experiences and any general tips for first-time solo travel.