5 Solo Travel Tips That Actually Make the Trip Better
READING
I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately. Nothing is fully pulling me in, and everything feels… mediocre at best. I know I just need that one book to snap me out of it, but I haven’t found it yet.
House on FireThis one started strong for me. A family is torn apart after step-siblings are involved in an accident, and the emotional fallout was exactly the kind of story I wanted. I wish the book had stayed there. Instead, it branched off into multiple storylines that felt distracting and hard to follow, and I found myself losing interest. It didn’t quite land for me, though I will say, I loved the narrator.
Where the Girls AreI just started this and I’m really enjoying it, but it’s giving me a bit of anxiety. It might just not be the right book for me right now, which is very on brand for how I read.
WhidbeyI began this on audio and quickly realized the narration wasn’t working for me, so I’ll be switching over to Kindle. I still want to give it a fair shot.
FiveI have an ARC of this and will be starting it tonight. I’ve heard it’s the kind of book you read in one sitting, which is exactly what I need at the moment.
Lady TremaineStill making my way through this Cinderella reimagining. It’s really good, but again… I’m a moody reader, and this just isn’t matching my mood right now.
Come support me as I start playing around with video content, I posted my first one and would love your thoughts. Here it is!
MUSING
5 Solo Travel Tips That Actually Make the Trip Better
Solo travel, for me, is less about checking things off a list and more about how the trip feels. The small choices you make, where you stay, where you sit, what you pack, end up shaping the entire experience. These are the five things I come back to every time.
1. Where you stay matters
This is everything.
I always gravitate toward boutique hotels, especially ones that offer a cocktail hour. It’s such an easy, low-pressure way to be social without forcing anything. You can chat with other travelers, talk to staff, or just sit back with a really good drink and take it all in.
Some of my favorite stays:
Kimpton Fitzroy London — their cocktail hour was next level
The Darcy Hotel (Washington, D.C.) — one signature cocktail, no choices, but great conversation
86 Cannon Historic Inn (Charleston, SC)— cocktails, charcuterie, music, the whole vibe
The Hoxton Amsterdam — no formal cocktail hour, but a lively bar and guest-only spaces that made it easy to feel part of something
Perry Lane Hotel (Savannah, GA) — cocktail hour plus champagne available throughout the day… which says enough
2. Sit at the bar
Always.
Bring a book, your Kindle, or a notebook. It gives you something to do, but it also makes you approachable if you want conversation. I’ve had some of the best, most unexpected conversations this way.
And the bartenders? They know everything. Where to go, what’s worth it, what to skip. It’s one of the easiest ways to get a real feel for a place. (If you are ever in Washington, DC, and want an amazing cocktail experience, GO to Death & CO.)
3. Pack light
I will never not say this.
Traveling solo means you’re carrying everything yourself, and you don’t need as much as you think you do. I stick to:
a great pair of walking shoes
a few easy tops or sweaters
a lightweight raincoat (saved me in Amsterdam more than once)
You end up wearing the same favorites anyway, and moving through a city is so much easier when you’re not weighed down.
4. Stock your fridge
This is one of those small things that makes a big difference.
I’m mostly vegan, so I like to have a few basics on hand, non-dairy yogurt, oat milk, some snacks. It’s saved me so many times when I don’t feel like going out, can’t find what I need, or just want something easy in the morning.
It makes your hotel feel a little more like your own space.
5. Look for local events
If you want connection without pressure, this is the way to do it.
I’ll check Facebook events or Meetup wherever I am. When I was in Boulder, I joined a local hike and ended up meeting a few great people. It felt natural, low-key, and not forced in the way some social situations can be.
You can always leave, or stay longer than you planned.
Final thought
Solo travel doesn’t have to feel lonely or overwhelming. When you build in small moments, a good hotel, a seat at the bar, a walk, a familiar snack, it starts to feel less like “being alone” and more like being with yourself in a new place.
And honestly, that’s the best part. Also, always bring a portable battery charger for your phone. The last thing you ever want to be is STUCK with a dead phone in an unfamiliar place! I have this one and love it
RECOMMENDING
These juice glasses are adorable and 50% off ( I want the dachshund)
A pretty way to store your toilet paper
Still on a search for the perfect bag ( I love a slouch) This one is on its way to me now
If you are in the market for a new vacuum, this Miele is the one. I have it and LOVE it, currency 20% off
This would be so cute over a dress, or a bathing suit
My esthetician always says, SPF is the best and most important skin care. If you do nothing else, wear it! I am excited to try this serum and spf work horse, I’ve heard great things
I wish I had an event to wear this gorgeous dress to
ODDS & ENDS
Loved reading this Case Against Happy Hour
7 Most Walkable U.S. Cities – I love a great walking trip, where a car is unnecessary
