My very first solo trip started with Italy. I was so excited about the art, culture, cuisine & all the other charms this Mediterranean gem had to offer, that neither my at the time occupied with other plans or interests friends, nor the fact that I never flew in an airplane before, or my zero-knowledge of Italian could stop me. I decided to just do it alone. I have to admit, I was a little afraid, had some mild anxiety about all the uncertainty, and a bunch of “what if” scenarios were playing out in my head. But after some online research I convinced myself that I can and should dare doing it! It is now about 10 years since that very first time, and solo traveling became my very dear habit, which I repeat even several times a year. From being extra cautious and careful back then in Italy, to now very relaxed, and navigating the new places next to locals with growing curiosity every time. Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, New York are just some of the destinations I discovered all on my own, and as the Covid-19 pandemic calms down, so the further and more exotic destinations are already on my solo list. There are many good reasons for why I would recommend others to do it, while National Geographics tried to sum it up into at least 6 Things Solo Travel Teaches You: