A sense of adventure is what keeps many of us going forward. There are few things in life as exciting as traveling and discovering new places. Europe is my favorite destination. So many cities to explore, so many tastes to experience. I love to travel solo which gives me lots of freedom but also comes with a couple of disadvantages. Feeling lonely is just one of them, along with the usual financial considerations that plague every person who has ever decided to experience the sights and sounds of the world.

Compare transportation methods & avoid overspending on tickets

Traveling solo is, obviously, a lot more affordable than going on a trip with your entire family. Still, this does not mean that you should not pay attention to all the costs involved. A mere comparison between car and train travel should give you a clear idea of the numbers. Getting from one end of Europe to the other can be extremely affordable or frighteningly costly. When comparing train vs car travel, also make sure to consider plane flights. Some could be surprisingly cost-effective. Hopping from Moscow to Berlin and then to Madrid, I have managed to save quite a bit with low-cost flights, coupled with the now indispensable unrestricted Eurail pass.

Meet fresh new faces so that you don’t feel lonely traveling on your own

Going across half a continent on your own inevitably means that you will sometimes feel a bit lonely. Luckily, Europeans tend to be very friendly folk and you should have no trouble meeting interesting new faces along the way. A female traveling through Europe alone may find it slightly easier to make friends or even have a fling than her male counterpart. The difference, however, is minimal. A male traveling in Europe alone will not feel starved for attention either. In case you are not a fan of bar hopping or clubbing, apps created to help you find friends or even a date could connect you with your perfect match. I know I have relied on them on more than one occasion to make my travels a bit more exciting.

Plan your itinerary & don’t miss any of the sights you wish to see

Traveling across the globe, year-round, would be a dream. Unfortunately, I can barely manage 2 or 3 weeks per year due to my busy work schedule.  This is why I always plan my solo European trip itinerary well in advance. I was lucky enough to find a list of smartphone apps that should be of great help if you intend to do the same.

Best Apps to Travel Europe Solo

These will prove useful, regardless of whether you are looking to organize a 2-week itinerary or solo travel that will last for months. Plan well ahead, know your priorities, consider all your European road trip itinerary ideas and don’t forget your sunscreen.

Conclusion

Europe needs to be seen to be believed. I don’t think I will ever have a chance to spend as much time exploring it as I wish – at least not until I retire. I encourage everyone to visit at least a couple of countries on this magical continent. Transportation tends to be reliable so there is little need for renting a car. Several apps and online resources can help you with everything from buying tickets and organizing your itinerary, to finding a date in Paris. Pick up your smartphone or tablet and embark on an adventure.

You may think that you know Europe well, after all, some of its sights and cities are among the world’s most loved and visited tourist attractions. You’re sure to know the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Sagrada Familia of Barcelona and Rome’s Colosseum, and may have visited many of them, but there are hidden gems of Europe that are just as easy to get to. Once seen, they’re never forgotten, and yet many tourists don’t know how close they are to such spectacular places.

Discover Ancient Italy In Comiso

Italy is famous for its ancient Roman sites of course, as well as masterpieces of the Renaissance period to be found in beautiful cities like Florence. A flight to Comiso, on the Italian island of Sicily, however allows you to experience treasures that are far, far older. In the scenic hills surrounding the town are fragments of Neolithic settlements that are believed to date from at least the seventh century BC, and which may be all that remains of the legendary city of Kasmenai. Comiso has other gems to explore, including its Roman fountain, and a Gothic castle with an octagonal tower. Sicily as a whole is a beautiful island to see and explore, and much friendlier than you may imagine from certain films.

Beautiful Bratislava

Central Europe is home to many cities of exquisite beauty, with the likes of Vienna, Budapest and Prague attracting huge numbers of visitors every year. If you want somewhere a little less crowded, but no less alluring, you should head to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. It’s a city that is full of history, with much of its architecture unchanged by the centuries. Through its centre runs the mighty River Danube, with an imposing fairytale-like castle nearby, and the Carpathian moments stretching away beyond it. Bratislava is less than two and a half hours from Birmingham Airport, which has a host of free parking facilities including its highly convenient hotel park and fly Birmingham Airport scheme.  For more information, visit birminghamparking.com.

Invigorating Pertisau

A relaxing beach holiday is all well and good, and Europe certainly has lots of great beach destinations to choose from, but sometimes an invigorating holiday is just what you need. If you enjoy walking, outstanding scenery and clean, crisp air, then Pertisau in Austria would be an ideal choice. It’s easy to see why Pertisau is known as ‘the jewel of the Tyrol‘ for few sights across the world are more breath-taking than its mountains reflecting in Lake Achensee. This is also Europe’s biggest nature reserve, so it’s a must-see for nature lovers, but there are also plenty of activities from sailing to climbing available for more adventurous visitors.

Comiso, Bratislava and Pertisau are three very different destinations, but all of them can be the basis of a holiday you’ll never forget. There are regular flights to these destinations, and many more, from Birmingham Airport and other UK and international airports, so reaching them is easy. The only difficulty comes in tearing yourself away from these European hidden gems at the end of your vacation.