I recently worked my way around Europe in three weeks completely solo.\u00a0 Granted I have been travelling solo now for quite some time, I still take proper precautions to allow myself to feel comfortable in any new place, regardless the destination.\u00a0 This trip was one of my most planned-out trips I\u2019ve ever done.\u00a0 I had booked much of my accommodation and flights beforehand, allowing for less decision making when I arrived.\u00a0 After three weeks of travelling alone, I realised that I completely set myself up for success by planning ahead of time.\u00a0 But what I was most impressed with on my trip was how easy it was to travel solo.\u00a0 And being a woman, I never felt at danger. Not once.\u00a0 Not even at one of the biggest parties in the world I was able to attend.\u00a0 As someone who is constantly thinking, talking, advocating for solo travel, I went to Europe and walked the walk.\u00a0 I went alone and it was easy peasy.\u00a0 So easy, that I kept meeting solo women travellers along my trip and we all agreed; it\u2019s a lot easier than we anticipate.\u00a0 It\u2019s the fear of the unknown that gets everyone to doubt themselves.\u00a0 If you\u2019re in the ballpark of wanting to travel solo, but don\u2019t know where to go to, here\u2019s a great list to start with.<\/p>\n
Ireland has got to be on this list.\u00a0 It\u2019s easy to travel, locals are so nice, they might even invite you over for tea, and the majority of the Emerald Isle is completely safe.\u00a0 Learn traditional Irish dancing, grab a Guinness, and listen to a local tell a story so grand, you\u2019ll want to stay for another and another.\u00a0 The beautiful but rugged coasts, the legends, and the rich history of Ireland are great reasons to visit.\u00a0 I\u2019ve never once felt like an outsider in all my times coming to Ireland.\u00a0 They are a land of hospitality and wise cracks, which I believe, are perfect excuses to go.<\/p>\n
One of the most laid-back countries in the world, The Netherlands prides itself on being open to anything and every one.\u00a0 Amsterdam is a vibrant city, full of travellers, locals, and artists, all congregating in the city\u2019s vast number of cafes, coffeeshops, and museums.\u00a0 You will feel right at home here, with thousands of visitors arriving daily.\u00a0 Many of them are solo travellers as well.\u00a0 It\u2019s a place you that will start off as strange place and when you leave, it will have transformed into a new friend.<\/p>\n
Chocolate, beer, waffles anyone?\u00a0 Belgium is full of wonderful places, faces, and food.\u00a0 If you\u2019re any kind of foodie or beverage connoisseur, Belgium will be a wonderful delight for your solo travel mission.\u00a0 Learn to make traditional Belgian chocolate, take a tour of a world-famous brewery, or eat your way through the country\u2019s supply of waffles.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t matter what you do, you\u2019ll be welcomed by locals and beautiful architecture and landscapes along the way.<\/p>\n
Switzerland is pure beauty.\u00a0 The Swiss Alps are as majestic as they look in pictures.\u00a0 The country is overflowing with incredible landscapes and vistas, it\u2019s no wonder Switzerland is always a front-runner for the most beautiful country in the world. If you\u2019re travelling solo, this is a fantastic country to start with.\u00a0 It\u2019s travel-friendly, as it is bordered by five other countries, making it a tourist destination by geographic location alone.\u00a0 The Swiss are pretty magical themselves.\u00a0 They all speak multiple languages, and are ready available to point a tourist in the right direction when needed.<\/p>\n
All of Scandinavia is well worth visiting solo.\u00a0 Ranking at the top of the \u2018Happiest places to live in the world,\u2019 countries like Norway, Finland, and Sweden are becoming a must on the travel trail.\u00a0 For the outdoor enthusiast, Norway\u2019s Fjord region cannot be missed.\u00a0 With jaw dropping views, and rigorous hikes, this area is very popular with a variety of travellers.\u00a0 Sweden is a great country to visit for rich history and nightlife, as Stockholm is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in all of Europe.\u00a0 For a lush countryside holiday, check out Finland.\u00a0 All of these countries are vibrant, beautiful, and very safe to travel to and around.<\/p>\n
Iceland has been on everyone\u2019s travel radar for the last couple of years and there\u2019s a big reason why; it\u2019s ridiculously beautiful.\u00a0 This pocket-sized island is bursting with glaciers, waterfalls, and incredible music scene, and wild horses.\u00a0 Yes, wild horses.\u00a0 The dramatic backdrop of every photo you see is a million times more intense in person and well worth seeing up close.\u00a0 Iceland is entirely safe, with the capital city of Reykjavik having an average of 1.5 murders per year.\u00a0 If that\u2019s not enough for you, some people don\u2019t even know what a cop looks like there, because they are rarely needed.<\/p>\n
My love for Budapest still grows, even though it\u2019s been a few months since I\u2019ve been.\u00a0 But I was pleasantly surprised at how safe I felt walking the little streets alone in the middle of the night.\u00a0 The city has a pumping nightlife for every scene you find yourself wanting to be a part of.\u00a0 The food, the insane architecture, and the emotional viewpoints from Castle Hill of the the Parliament Building at night will make you want to move there. I have yet to meet anyone who has told me different.\u00a0 As a central European country still bouncing back from years of depression and war, Budapest is its shining light.\u00a0 And the millions of tourists that visit each year are a great example that it\u2019s on its way up.<\/p>\n
Sweet, cheap and easy is how I can describe this gem on the Adriatic Sea.\u00a0 Tourism is the driving force behind the country\u2019s economy, and there is no shortage of tours, restaurants, accommodation and activities there.\u00a0 It\u2019s hard to believe that they were at war only 25 years ago, and are still trying to regain their composure from the devastation it caused.\u00a0 But that hasn\u2019t stopped this country from showcasing it\u2019s undeniable beauty.\u00a0 Croatia is made up of thousands of islands, many of them being a short ferry ride from the bustling ports of Dubrovnik or Split.\u00a0 My favourite spot wasn\u2019t on the coast surprisingly.\u00a0 It was the UNESCO Heritage Site of the Plitvice Lakes that had me drooling.\u00a0 Even in the busiest of towns, getting lost in the narrow alleyways of ancient old town ruins, or staying out at the beach in the middle of the night, did I ever feel that my safety was being threatened.<\/p>\n