United Airlines is dreaming of moussaka and ouzo as the airline prepares to launch a new seasonal flight from Chicago to Athens this spring.
Solo travel doesn’t have to be lonely: Here’s how I make friends on the road
06.01.2024 - 23:43 / euronews.com
I was walking along the Guadalquivir River in Seville, where I had just begun my latest solo travel adventure.
The weather was warm, the riverfront was bustling with people, and the view of the golden Torre Del Oro was breathtaking. But something was missing - even surrounded by all this beauty, I was incredibly lonely.
Solo travel can be empowering, providing a sense of freedom and adventure, but there’s also a downside. I looked around at couples holding hands and friends laughing, and suddenly, I longed for connection. It was the beginning of my two-month stay and I knew I would end up hiding under the covers in my Airbnb if I didn’t make an effort to meet new people.
I decided it was time to get connected.
I headed back to my apartment, opened up my laptop, and joined an online expat group, where I introduced myself as a writer and inquired about events.
The next evening, I was sitting at an outdoor cafe with five new friends participating in a language exchange trying to remember a few words I had learned from high school Spanish class.
That one online post also led to meetups with other travellers and locals at music venues and flamenco shows. I learned about the American Women’s Club too, which helps connect women of all ages and nationalities around the globe.
Facebook and Meetup are both great for finding traveller and expat groups, as well as local events.
Strolling my local Sevillian neighbourhood, I found a yoga studio, introduced myself and signed up for classes.
These were conducted in Spanish, but it didn’t matter - I knew enough yoga to wing it and everyone was warm and inviting.
Then I bravely decided to sign up for boxing classes. This proved to be much more difficult, but the woman next to me was so helpful. We walked home together and made plans to meet for dinner the following night, which soon turned into a regular occurrence.
Staying in an apartment with a shared outdoor space was a lifesaver. I sat outside at my little table each morning sipping cafe con leche and chatting in Spanglish with my neighbour Carmen as she watered her plants.
She introduced me to another neighbour who invited me over for wine and pizza. Then Carmen’s daughter-in-law began inviting me to the finest restaurants in Seville, including hidden gems that I never would’ve discovered on Yelp.
Even without a good command of Spanish I made friends by making an effort and knowing that a smile can bridge almost any language gap.
We live in a global world and when I tell my trusted friends where I’m going, I’m almost always introduced to someone else living in or travelling to the same place.
Having just one connection at your destination can take the awkwardness out of trying to make new friends.
I had coffee with a couple from
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