I struggle finding good hiking pants that are quick drying and lightweight for plus size women. I also would like people’s opinions on a puffer jacket that also fits a bustier plus size woman does Patagonia XL actually fit plus size woman that is a 16 to 18 size.
Last trip I did Copenhagen and loved it — the seafood, herring, and the buns were amazing. Also visited Sweden and loved that too.
This time I'm planning to add Oslo and Helsinki to the mix. A couple questions for anyone who's done similar trips:
Traveling solo, so also open to any general tips for that route this time of year (early-mid September). Thanks in advance!
Hey girls! I’m 31F and flying to Madrid in a few days for a 10-day trip to Spain. I was originally supposed to go with my boyfriend and do a road trip around northern Spain, but I 4 days ago I found out he cheated on me… so yeah, plans have changed 😅
I’ve decided to go anyway and make the most of the time off, but now I’m completely open to changing my itinerary and exploring somewhere else in Spain. I will definitely spend a couple of days in Madrid but don’t know where to go next.
The one thing I definitely want is to be by the water and spend as much time at the beach as possible! 🏖️🌊
Where would you recommend I go? I’d love to hear your suggestions, especially for places that are fun and easy to explore solo! I am up to rent a scooter if it is needed.
My first mistake, I thought tennis shoes would be enough traction with basically a sheet of ice and snow on the ground while going down an actual cliffside. It was the beginning of February and I did not think to bring ice resistant boots, or even boots in general for that matter (I don’t own any). I also did not account for the fact that there had just been a massive blizzard, like actually was in a level 2 snow emergency the week before. So the hiking situation was not exactly what I hoped for, entirely my fault. I still got some great shots on my film camera though. The landscape was stunning with the frozen waterfalls.
I have been getting a lot of outdoor content recommended to me lately on TikTok and somehow ended up down a rabbit hole that led me to Wendy Eden, who has a YouTube channel called Wendy Outdoors. She is 77 years old and solo camps, hikes, and road trips through British Columbia and the Yukon all alone. Her whole thing is "just go." I watched her videos straight for four days and immediately started thinking this sounds so cozy and fun, I wanted to try it.
I get bored easily which is something I was always worried about with solo travel. What if I run out of things to do? What if it’s just me sitting there with my thoughts and I hate it? I had been telling my boyfriend about Wendy and that I think it would be so fun to try traveling solo. (I wasn’t entirely ready to camp, since I don’t have the gear, but figured this is a good first step with just going somewhere totally on my own) So he gifted me the stay for my birthday at the Hocking Hills Inn in Logan, Ohio, which he booked through Super.com for $100 a night (I get cashback, plus I work there so you know, gotta use the perks 😂)
I needed to hear my own thoughts for a few days and driving out into the woods sounded like the move.
Now, did I let my not being able to really explore the woods and see the sights ruin my trip? Absolutely not. I will admit I may have basically skated down a few hills in my tennis shoes, but I still got some hiking in. Since I wanted to keep busy with exploring and I love going to second hand stores, I found Logan Community Thrift and Consignment right in the middle of Hocking Hills and it was enormous. Set prices on everything, all shirts $2, jeans $5. (Don’t quote me, but I remember being shocked by the deals) I left with way more than I planned to. The antique stores nearby are massive and worth the detour.
And honestly? A lot of people told me I would get lonely and that I needed to ditch my phone to fully immerse myself. But I never once felt lonely and the only person I had to think about was me. Where I wanted to go, when I wanted to eat. Nobody to compromise with. And when it came to phone time, I let myself scroll when I wanted to, didn’t guilt trip myself about it, just stayed mindful of my time. Turns out when you’re not forcing yourself to disconnect you naturally just don’t feel like being on your phone that much anyway. Instead, I spent most of my time reading my cozy mystery.
Came home feeling like a person again.
TLDR: Went to Hocking Hills alone for my birthday in February with tennis shoes and no plan for a blizzard. (Not my smartest move.) Still had the best time. If you have been on the fence about solo travel, just go. You’ll figure it out.
Hi there, I fiiinally decided where I’m going during my time off in september. I have about a week (a bit longer even) and was looking into going to Porto.
However, I want to also visit nature and maybe do a little hike because I cannot deal with a week in a city.
So questions:
- are train connections in Portugal easy? Or is another form of transportation more efficient?
- I would like to visit Sintra but it’s quite far away from Porto. Should I take the trip and stay in Lisbon and take the plane back from there? Is it worth the trip?
- Any recommendations for doing trips in nature around Porto? (Or Sintra)
For those of you who have solo travelled, where would you recommend visiting? I'm looking for somewhere that's safe, easy to get around, has great food, plenty of things to do, opportunities to meet other travellers, beautiful scenery, and is ideal for a short trip (Preferably in Asia/near Asia)
I'd love to hear your favourite solo travel destinations and what made them so memorable. Thank you!
I'm a woman in my 40s traveling solo as an extension to a work trip. I want to make the most of a free flight to Japan, even if it's in August. This will be my second time in Japan. I did most of the main touristy sites on the golden route last time (2018) so less interested in that this time.
This time I've fallen into the FOMO trap and have a million things I'm trying to cram in. Part of me says that indoor, scheduled activities are better than wandering around aimlessly in 100 degree heat, but I know I probably need to scale back. Generally, I like experiences, hands on workshops, food. I'm less into museums, castles, fighting crowds of tourists (I know somewhat unavoidable, but hoping to minimize)
Most of it is either not booked yet or refundable, so not much set in stone. What's worth keeping and what should I skip? Anything I'm missing that's worth adding in?
Sat, Kyoto
Morning: train to Kyoto, arrive late morning. Sanjusangendo.
Midday: sushi lunch in Higashiyama.
Afternoon: wander Shichijo - mitarashi dango, warabimochi, iced matcha, kakigori etc.
Late afternoon: check in to a temple stay in Higashiyama
Sun, Kyoto
Early morning: morning service, temple breakfast, checkout.
Late morning: kumihimo braiding workshop
Afternoon: Drop bags, wander, light lunch.
Evening: fancy kaiseki dinner
Mon, Wazuka tea farm
Mid morning: shuttle from Kizu Station out to Obubu Tea Farm.
Day at the farm.
Late afternoon: shuttle back, train to Kyoto.
Early evening: taiko performance, 45 minutes.
Evening: walk in dinner near hotel
Tue, Kyoto to Tokyo
Morning: shinkansen to Tokyo, arrive late morning. Bag drop at hotel near Ueno Station
Midday: sushi lunch near Ueno
Early afternoon: check in, shower, rest
Late afternoon to evening: Super Kabuki Princess Mononoke, 16:00 to 19:40.
After: Ueno summer festival stalls at Shinobazu Pond.
Wed, Asakusabashi, Kuramae, Ginza
Early morning: lotus in bloom at Shinobazu Pond.
Morning: 2 hour tatami making workshop in Asakusabashi.
Late morning to early afternoon: wander Asakusabashi wholesale supply streets, then Kuramae maker shops. walk-in light lunch
Early afternoon: back to the room, shower, rest.
Late afternoon: Ginza. Jazz kissaten, shopping
Evening: fancy tempura dinner.
Thu, Yanaka
Mid morning to late afternoon: Yanesen neighborhood food tour, 10:00 to 16:00.
Late afternoon: Himitsudo for kakigori.
Early evening: back to the room, shower, pack.
Evening: Kabukiza single act ticket, dance program, 19:00 to 20:50. Light dinner/dessert after if hungry
Fri, departure
Early morning: sumo stable morning practice, 8:30 to 10:30.
Mid morning: hoping to get a late check out and a shower before storing bags. If not, check out before sumo.
Midday: Lunch or souffle pancakes near Ueno.
Early afternoon: Skyliner from Keisei-Ueno.
Evening: 18:00 flight out of Narita.
Other stuff of interest that didn't make the cut:
Hello ! Im travelling from Valencia to Madrid soon, and i’ve been looking into hostels. I’m currently staying with friends and family but none of them have ever stayed in hostels in Madrid so they can’t really guide me towards the best decision. It would be my first time staying in a hostel, for around 7 to 10 days, and i don’t really know where to start looking. I would like to stay in a quiet hostel with the basic necessities, and i don’t necessarily want to party, more just exploring and doing cultural stuff. I’ve never ever stayed in a hostel, so i don’t know the culture around them, and the safety measures or accommodations. Are there lockers in every hostel ? Should i bring my own lock or will it be provided ? What are the fundamental rules that need to be followed as to not disturb other people ? How do i stay safe ? I hope some seasoned travelers will have answers to my many questions ! Thanks for reading, i’m looking forward to learning everything i can !
I'm 23, and just got dumped. We were planning on visiting their family on the other side of the US later this year so I booked a flight. I got a refund for most of my money so I have like 600+ dollars to use with American Airlines. I've never been abroad and I am a bit nervous about going solo.. Does anyone have any recommendations on places that I should go to/ advise for my first solo trip?
¡Hola! I am traveling to Mexico City in September and looking for recommendations on the best/safest neighborhoods to stay for cheap. I would ideally like to keep costs under $100/night for a hotel.
Background: I am a very experienced solo traveler and have been to 20+ countries (traveling solo roughly 30-40% of the time). I am US American but speak intermediate/conversational Spanish.
I enjoy practicing my Spanish language skills with my coworkers and my Mexican colleague sort of gasped when I said I was going to Mexico City solo and told me it's very dangerous.
I know it's a massive city, but large, urban areas are where and how I prefer to travel and I generally feely pretty safe in major cities.
I am going to attend a swing dance festival, but I will also probably be vising art/history museums, theaters, gardens, etc.
Let me know your recommendations for places to stay, things to do, and any one or two day trips outside of the city you think are worth checking out! I don't plan on renting a car, but am comfortable on foot or using public transit. Thank you in advance!
I have an opportunity to go to Zion for a weekend in September but my usual travel buddy can't go with me. I'm a hiker and usually don't like going alone but I'm also postpartum and desperately need a trip like this. Is it too dangerous to do alone?
I wouldn't camp, which makes me feel a like safer.
I’d casually mentioned my birthday countdown during check in last night and was pleasantly surprised to be roused an hour ago with this treat and a note card.
I’m staying in Taksim and walked around a bit in the wee hours of the morning (0100/0200), but today will have to be a quiet, shut-out-the-world kind of celebration. Still exhausted from yesterday’s travel day (travel days are always stressful for me) and staying out dancing until 0600 on my last night/morning in Athens. Plus, said dancing and travel day triggered a sciatica flareup, so I’m more than content to elevate my legs and rest today.
It’s now 1633, and I’m still in my bathrobe, the blackout shades remain drawn, and I’m rewatching favorite movies at full volume with the aid of noise-cancelling headphones. Sciatica is flared up like a motherfucker, and my chin hairs keep multiplying, but, by golly, I am grateful to be alive, ecstatic to be on the last leg of my birthday month trip (London-Lisbon-Athens-Istanbul), and geeked to be in Istanbul.
So, a robust round of applause and drum rolls, please, as I debut my updated demographic marker/identifier: *43*F. YAY!!
Yes, the cheesecake is now in a better place (it didn’t stand a chance, truly), and now that I’m awake, a pressing matter demands my attention: what will comprise my birthday feast, and how much of it will I order in? Decisions, decisions…. Well, until I decide, V for Vendetta, Constantine, and John Wick are up next.
Happy and safe travels, everyone.
so how r solo female travellers making friends with other women… im (18f) solo travelling for the first time and im struggling to make female friends except at queer spaces. im definitely introverted so its hard for me to strike up a conversation but im good at carrying it. Im so so so sick of men twice and thrice my age hitting on me even though i explicitly state my age in the first sentence, followed by my explicit uninterest due to me being a lesbian.
so far ive had luck with bumble bff out of all the apps.
Hello! As the title indicates, I'm traveling solo to Amsterdam this September. I will be attending a conference for work in the middle of the week but am planning to arrive a few days beforehand and stay a few days later. I have traveled extensively and been to Amsterdam once before on a brief stop during a larger tour.
Does anyone have any suggestions on lodging? I'm middle aged but willing to stay in a hostel or hotel.
Suggestions for restaurants, outings and day trips? I've been to the Anne Frank house, Red Light District, and the cafes 🌱 I'm planning on going to the Van Gogh museum while I'm there but am looking for additional activities! I love museums, nature, the arts, beer/ wine, and yummy eats.
Thank you in advace! I'm always reading the solo posts but never had a reason to post before.
I’m trying to think about this less as which bag is safer and more as how I’ll actually use it all day. I’ll be pulling out my phone for maps and photos, stopping at cafes, going through museum security and probably buying random little things. A locking zipper sounds useful on a packed train, but possibly annoying if I’m opening the bag 20 times a day. for solo trips in Europe, what setup worked in practice? regular zippered crossbody, anti-theft bag, small carabiner, phone pocket, something else?
hi there! I'll be taking my first solo international trip to Guatemala soon, and while I'm really excited, I'm also a little nervous.
I'm not staying in hostels - I've booked private hotels/Airbnbs because I know I'll appreciate having my own space to recharge and nervous about bed bugs and stuff loll. That said, a few of my accommodations are close to hostels (for example, I'm staying within walking distance of Free Cerveza at Lake Atitlán), so I'm hoping I can still be social when I want to be.
I can be a little shy when I'm by myself, but my plan is to join a few group tours, hang out at casual bars or social spots, and just be open to meeting people. I'd love to hear from anyone who traveled solo to Guatemala without staying in hostels. Was it still easy to make friends?
My current itinerary is:
Antigua: 2 nights
Fly in early and explore.
Daytime volcano hike the next day.
Explore a bit on the third morning before taking a shuttle to Lake Atitlán.
Lake Atitlán: 3 nights
Relax and explore the different lake towns.
Staying within walking distance of Free Cerveza.
Shuttle back to Guatemala City, then fly to Flores.
Flores: 3 nights
Relax after arriving.
Tikal tour the next day.
Possibly do a sunset boat tour (I'm not a big drinker, but it looks fun).
After that I'll either spend one night in GC or just catch my flight home after flying back from Flores.
Originally I wanted to include Semuc Champey too, but it seems like a lot of travel for a 9–10 day trip. For anyone who's done a similar itinerary, do you think this is a better balance? Would you change anything?
I'd especially love to hear from anyone who tends to be a little introverted or shy while traveling solo.
Has anybody done this and can share what it was like and whether it was possible to get much rest? I'm planning a trip and it seems the most efficient way but I'm in my forties and losing a night's sleep has a bigger impact than it used to!
Are the seats comfortable? Is there room to stretch your legs out?
I'm on a 3rd world passport and the carribean is one of the few places I can go visa free. I'm 24 abd I've just gotten the opportunity and funds to travel on my own for the first time. I'm deciding between Jamaica, Barbados and fiji. Is it safe for me to go alone? This is my first travel experience at all (not even staycations) and first time leaving my home country. What should I be aware of before I go? Of these countries, which eould be safest for a solo female traveller?
Hi ladies! I've got about 10 days off late Nov/early December and I'm trying to decide where to go. For context, I'm mid-fifty's, a white/blonde American. I've been to Europe several times and want to expand my travel horizons. Due to time and logistics constraints, plus weather considerations (I just don't feel like schleping around with a heavy coat this trip), I've narrowed it to...
Bogota
Tunis
Marrakech
Dakar
I've traveled solo quite a lot, including around Türkiye which I thoroughly enjoyed. So, do you guys have any thoughts? TIA!
Can you please critique my itinerary? I plan on doing north Vietnam next year. I will be going to HCMC a few more times in the future.
Day 1 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (9 pm)
Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3 Mui Né
Day 4 Travel to Hoi An by sleeper bus
Day 5 Hoi An
Day 6 Hoi An
Day 7 Hoi An
Day 8 Da Nang ba na hills day trip
Day 9 Da Nang
Day 10 Hải Vân Pass
Day 11 Hue
Day 12 Return to Ho Chi Minh City sleeper bus
Day 13 Ho Chi Minh City
Day 14 Ho Chi Minh City
Day 15 Fly home
