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The first time I travelled solo to Italy I didn’t really know what to expect.
Was I nervous? Hell yes!!
To be honest I kind of figured that if I hated it I could just get on a return flight home.

But then I thought…it’s just Italy.

I’m not going to a war torn country in the Middle East. And as long as I’ve got all the essentials with me then I’ll be fine.

As it turns out I had an incredible week, staying at a glorious B&B in the middle of a small Medieval town in the centre of Lazio, about an hour North of Rome. https://www.latorrettabandb.com/en/

It was the stuff of fairy tales, and I’ll do a blog post about it at a later date.

For a start the owner of the 15th century palazetto I was booked into was English! (Although her husband was Italian). But it meant that I felt just that bit more comfortable for my first trip, knowing I wasn’t going to be stuck if I needed help.

The town had no cars (heaven!!), and every evening when I came back from a day exploring, I sat on the roof terrace just chilling with a cold beer from the honesty fridge, and took in the views. I’d stroll around the cobbled streets, half expecting a Montague or Capulet to walk round the corner, and make my way down to the main square to people watch before supper.

There were a few other Brits and a delightful Canadian couple that I met one evening in a local restaurant, but hardly a tourist to be seen otherwise. And that suited me fine.

I’m the kind of girl who likes to live like a local.

And that’s what I’ve done on every single trip since.

I’ve hired a car on every one of my Italian adventures except one, when I was staying in Milan for a week, and relied on my tiny size 3 feet and trains to get around.

I stay clear of really crowded places where possible, which is probably an ADHD thing as I get sensory overload really quickly. And having a car means I can get to places that aren’t really to be found in the guide books. On my last trip to Tuscany I covered 1200Kms in 7 days, and didn’t pay for one toll road!

I get up in the morning, open up maps on my phone and pick a destination for the day. And then I look at how to get in there the most interesting way possible. I’d much rather be driving through picturesque Italian villages, and past green velvet fields than stuck in the slow lane on the Autostrada terrified to overtake anyone!

I’m not really a planner (did you guess already!), but I am conscious that there are things you need to do as a solo traveller, especially a female one to make the experience more enjoyable and safer.

So here’s a quick list of things that I can’t be without when I’m travelling solo.

Comfortable footwear.
I have worn the same pair of Puma trainers on 3 Italian trips now. I have no idea how many miles I have walked in them. But footwear that feels like slippers is essential. And it’s one area where comfort overrules style! (Even in Italy..)
Portable power bank.
If I lost everything on a solo trip, this is the one thing I would hate to be without. I’ve been out for the day without one and my battery has run so low that I’ve been holding my breath to make it last longer. With a power bank in my bag it gives me a sense of security. I also take a lot of videos and hundreds of photos, so I always have to charge my phone at least once a day.
It’s worth investing a good quality power bank and this one from Anker is my top choice.
Lip balm!!
Flying on planes and driving with air con, or simply being out in the sun plays havoc with my lips. A decent lip balm is essential.
Guide book.
I am very old school, and never travel anywhere without a good old fashioned guide book. My favourites are The Lonely Planet travel guide books. When I did a week in Tuscany recently I only used my ‘Experience Tuscany’ book to tell me where to go. It has great recommendations for places off the usual tourist routes. It also means that if, God forbid I lose my phone I have something with a map in!
Eye Mask.
My bedroom at home is pretty dark, as I hate sleeping in light rooms. So an eye mask is a no brainer to take on a trip. You don’t know what the room you’ll be sleeping in will be like until you arrive. And it takes up very little space in your luggage. Win Win!
Ear Plugs.
As above. I live in a very quiet street and usually only hear owls at night, and the odd car coming back late. So when I’m in a hotel, or apartment I always take ear plugs. (The girl LOVES her sleep!)
Bank cards & Driving Licence
Having everything stored digitally is brilliant, but I never travel anywhere without my UK bank debit card, credit card, Post Office Travel Money card and driving licence. Back ups aren’t just wise, they’re essential.
Find my Iphone.
OK, I know it’s a virtual product, so to speak. But travelling alone means travelling safely. And having this function working on my iphone means my kids back home know where I am all the time.

*"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." - Saint Augustine*

I’m not only a Solo Traveller, I’m also an ADHD Queen, (I’ll do a separate post about how to travel as an ADHDer), and there’s loads of things I wouldn’t be without, even at home. Taking them abroad makes me feel less anxious.

So many people say to me that I’m incredibly brave for travelling on my own. But weirdly I never feel scared. I get more anxious in Central London than driving through the Italian countryside.

And fear is just a word anyway.

There’s a very big world out there waiting to be explored and memories to be made. I think I’m a far better solo traveller than going with other people. I can do what I want, go where I want, and see what I want.

And I cannot wait to get back in little Fiat Cinquecento and see where the road will take me next.

Baci,

Sarah x

Solo Italiano

One week in North Western Tuscany

Bella Italia