It’s a privilege to be able to solo travel as a woman — and an even bigger one to choose happiness on your own terms.
People told me, “Traveling with a partner to the most romantic spots in Italy is perfect.” Hmmm… maybe. But for me? You can make anywhere perfect in your own way. When I decided to take this trip, many warned me: “Italy in July? Peak summer?” And I was like, “Gurl, if I could choose the timing, I would — but I’ll make it worth it anyway.”
The moment I landed in Paris, went straight to the Eiffel Tower, and whispered to myself,
“Thank God for giving me the freedom to have my back, to live, and to be happy — even when I’m alone.”
Solo traveling teaches you things no guidebook ever will: how to trust yourself, how to embrace spontaneity, and how to stand tall in your own company. Sure, I had watched a million TikToks warning me about pickpockets in Paris, but instead of stressing out, I walked with my headset on, smiled at strangers, offered to take their pictures, and asked them to take mine in return. Life’s a give and take, right? 😉
Travel Smart, Travel Free
Of course, there are downsides — like not being able to split bills (hello, Euro conversion 😅). But here’s how I made it work:
- Stay smart: cozy 2‑3 star hotels with good AC and essentials.
- Walk or take public transport: trains, trams, buses — Uber’s expensive and hard to get in some of the cities.
Plan ahead: I started four months before my flight.
I built my itinerary around my passions: food and wine.
- Wine: Champagne in Reims (Ruinart), Bordeaux’s Old World reds, Antinori’s Chianti Classico in Tuscany.
- Food:
– Parisian rotisserie, Mamiche bakery, Bouillon Chartier
– Florence’s iconic bistecca alla Fiorentina made from Chianina beef
– Bari for pasta all’assassina and legendary focaccia
– Modena for Al Gatto Verde at Casa Maria Luigia, walking past Osteria Francescana by Chef Massimo Bottura like a fangirl
– yes, plenty of local gems that didn’t break the bank.
After mapping every food and wine stop, I connected the dots geographically for efficiency: landed in Paris, flew back from Milan. Best decision ever.
The Visa Hustle
Summer Schengen visas are insane. My tip? Apply through France.
I submitted via TLS agency at The Plaza Jakarta — hands down, the best decision. France loves paperwork, but once you’ve nailed it, approval took only 5 working days. Pro tip: dummy flights, trains, and buses work for submission — just ensure your insurance and documents are legit.
The Route & Highlights
My route: Paris → Reims → Bordeaux → Bari → Rome → Amalfi Coast → Florence → Tuscany → Modena → Milan → Lake Como → Lugano → back to Jakarta.
I tried everything — flights, trains, trams, buses — because Uber is too pricey and unreliable. Shopping? Milan, Bordeaux, and Modena had the best finds at the best prices.
- Least Favorite City: Rome 😬. Beautiful history, chaotic everything else: dirty streets, rising homelessness, and confusing train routes.
- Most Underrated Gems: Bordeaux and Modena. Bordeaux felt like old money elegance — incredible transport, safe vibe, and L’Entrecôte’s legendary steak that lived up to the hype. Modena? My personal heaven. The pasta… life-changing. Small city, massive flavor. Gnocco fritto has my heart forever.
Spending & Reality Check
Four months of planning.
21 days across Europe.
70–80 million rupiah spent.
Was it cheap? Nope. Worth it? Every single rupiah.
As a wise monkey once said:
“Your happiness is your responsibility. If you can’t make yourself happy — no one can.”