By India Madsen
When I told my friends and family that I was planning a trip to Greece this summer, the first question I always got asked was "who with?".
"Just by myself," I would respond.
Many of the people in my life were concerned about the idea of me travelling solo. They suggested that I take a trip with my boyfriend, one of my friends, or a family member. However, despite both their doubts and my own personal fears about travelling solo for the first time, I was determined to independently take this step into the unknown.
I left home feeling optimistic, but after stepping out of the airport in the city of Heraklion, Crete, all my fears came crashing over me. I struggled to navigate the winding cobblestone streets, which were often not marked by clear signage. Dragging my suitcase along these streets, I fell and injured my knee. However, my biggest concern was that I was identifiably a tourist, I could not find the bus station I was looking for, and it was getting dark.
I eventually found the bus stop, and after a long (motion-sickness-inducing) ride across the length of the island, I found my hotel.
When laid my head on my pillow that night, I wondered, was this whole trip a mistake?
Now, I can safely say that I could not have been more wrong.
In the morning, the city that had seemed so intimidating was beautiful and exciting. From my window, I could see pink flower petals floating down from oleander tress. In the streets, craftspeople sold pottery and clothing. Far in the distance, crystal blue waters lapped at the shores of the island.
I had always been interested in travelling to Greece, but I was inspired to travel to Crete because of one of my professors at York. He had told the class about Crete's rich history and explained that myths of Icarus and Theseus and the Minotaur took place on this Greek island.
Over the course of the trip, I saw lots of ruins, tried new foods, and explored natural areas. The highlight of the trip was hiking the Samaria gorge, which contained amazing rock formations, centuries old ruins, and even baby goats!
I was so glad that I had pushed past my initial fears and went on this trip.
If you are a student interested in solo travelling but are feeling unsure, I would encourage you to go for it! When travelling solo, you save money, you only do the activities you are interested in, and you meet new people from all over the world.
Here are my tips for those considering taking their first solo trip:
Don't choose an overly long flight
This was a mistake I made! Flying eats up a large portion of your vacation, so make sure that your travel time is somewhat proportional to the time you are planning to spend in an area.
Keep your trip confined to 1-2 specific cities or areas
Solo travelling can be overwhelming, so it is helpful to focus your trip on a few key locations that you can get used to and explore slowly.
Don't eat out for every meal—go grocery shopping
Although vacation is a time to indulge in great food, eating out for *every* meal is extremely expensive. Plus, grocery stores are an interesting perspective of what everyday life is like for locals.
Keep money in multiple places
If your wallet gets stolen (knock on wood!), it is convenient to have a separate stash of emergency cash in your suitcase. Make sure to hide the money in an unusual place, like a sock, for example.
Find a balance between exploring and relaxing
Don't plan major excursions for every day of your trip. You will tire easily. Instead, schedule in a few "do nothing" days. It is your vacation, after all!
Solo travelling is an amazing way to develop independence and confidence, and your university summer vacations provide some of the best travel opportunities. Good luck travelling, Lions!