• Wednesday 22 April 2026

How Solo Travel Changed the Way I See the World

Our team member Dara gives us a personal look at how taking that first solo trip led to greater confidence, freedom and a completely different way of travelling:

"Solo travel has completely changed the way I travel. Yes, it was terrifying to begin with. Now it is one of my favourite ways to travel. I can go at my own pace, do whatever I want to do, whenever I want to do it. There’s no compromising.

There’s a particular confidence I’ve found in navigating the unfamiliar by myself. Small wins like finding my way through a new city, ordering food in a language I don’t fully speak, navigating public transport on my own, even if that means I end up on the wrong bus. I can just hop off at the next stop, take a breath and try again. I am reminded that I can rely on myself in ways I hadn’t fully trusted before.

Another thing I’ve come to appreciate is not having to wait on someone else to visit a place I’ve always wanted to see. There’s no putting plans on hold until schedules align or interests’ match. If a destination is calling to me, I can just go. That sense of immediacy feels empowering. It turns “maybe someday” into something real. I don’t have to convince anyone, compromise, or miss out. I get to follow my curiosity as it comes, and that makes each trip feel more intentional and deeply personal.

In the end, solo travel has become less about the places I visit and more about the relationship I build with myself. One shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a quiet kind of courage.

I’m really glad I pushed myself to take that first solo trip, it changed everything for me."

Dara's Recommended City Breaks

Dara's put together a list of her top recommended cities in Europe for a solo travel break:

• Dublin to Copenhagen - Great for wandering, cafés, and solo dining
• Cork/ Dublin to Seville – Walkable, solo dining friendly (tapas), sights close together
• Cork/ Dublin to Amsterdam – Compact, walkable, safe
• Cork/ Dublin to Valencia - Safe, easy to navigate, great art and architecture

Click here to browse our city breaks.

Dara and the rest of our expert, experienced teams in Cork, Bantry and Clonakilty are here to give you advice and recommendations. Get in touch:

Cork City: info@shandontravel.ie, 021 4277094 or 01 6965135

Bantry: (027) 50341 or bantry@shandontravel.ie

Clonakilty: (023) 8833220 or clonakilty@shandontravel.ie