My Solo European Adventure

I had a goal. While I had traveled before – domestically, to Canada, and on cruises – I had not traveled “over the pond” as they say. I promised myself I’d go to the European cities I had only dreamed of and seen on TV. So, for my 35th birthday I set off to do London and Paris in only 5 days.

I heard it was doable but difficult. But after having done it, I’d say it wasn’t difficult at all. I guess that depends on what you want to do. I’m pretty simple when it comes to travel. I don’t like to be gone too long and I typically only have two or three things I really want to do. This trip was no different. In Paris, all I wanted to do was see the Eiffel Tower and have dinner at the Moulin Rouge on my birthday. In London, I wanted to see the royal palaces and go on the London Eye. I was able to do all these things plus some.

Kensington Palace 👆🏾

Buckingham Palace 👇🏾

The palaces were something I always wanted to see. I follow the Royal Family and watched all the royal weddings so this was at the top of my list. Buckingham Palace is easier to get to if you’re staying in central London. It’s within walking distance or just a short taxi ride away. Kensington Palace was a longer hike. I had to walk to a bus stop and ride a bus about 20 minutes near Hyde Park. It is located inside a nice park where you’ll see people jogging and walking their dogs, and see kids playing. Unfortunately, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge did not come say hi to me! Oh well. Tours of the palace are also available for a small fee.

To get around, I purchased a hop-on-hop-off bus tour as well as took taxis and Uber. I took the tube aka train to and from the airport. I flew in to Heathrow which is a bit of a ride to central London. I’m not usually a fan of renting a car unless you’re comfortable driving in a different country. I exchanged only a small amount of money as usual.

To get to a Paris, I bought a ticket for the Eurostar. It was about a two-hour train ride from London. In Paris, I also took a hop-on-hop-off bus there since it was about the same price as taking an Uber everywhere. I made it to the Eiffel Tower and around to all the historic sights. Paris is such a beautiful city. It is one place I want to explore more so I will likely be back.

My hostel (SoHostel ) offered free walking tours daily. So I took advantage of that and walked to Parliament Square which was near the London Eye. I was able to ride the eye and pose by the popular red phone booths. I also had the opportunity to go through the Christmas market, another thing I’ve been wanting to do. The free tour also took us by the St. James and Buckingham Palaces. It gave good information about the history and traditions of London. I ended up having fish and chips for lunch and doing a London pub crawl in the evening.

On my first day, I had time to have afternoon tea at Oblix on the 32nd floor. It had great food and a great view. A fancy high tea indeed. In London, afternoon tea is held at several venues between 2 and 4 in the afternoon. It is an English tradition that was meant to be a snack between lunch and dinner. It turned into a social gathering for the elite. It usually includes crustless finger sandwiches, jams, creme, scones, sweet pastries, and champagne. It’s definitely something to try when in London.

Finally, I ended the night in Paris with dinner and a show at the Moulin Rouge. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I heard that it was probably the best cabaret show in the world and it did not disappoint. I felt fancy, sexy, and entertained! The price of the show includes half a bottle of champagne and a three-course meal. It was a dream come true and a must-see for my first time in Paris. If you’re wondering if it’s awkward to do this solo, the answer is no. I had a great time and even met another solo traveler who was seated at my table. Coincidentally, she was also from Florida. Talk about a small world!

As far as food, I must admit I was not impressed with most things I ate on this trip. The best treats were the French pastries. There’s just something about those chocolate croissants!

The only bad thing about this trip was the horrible weather! It was cold and rainy the whole time. Since my birthday is in November, I must understand it will be cold if I choose to go to Europe. I’m a Florida girl so I was super uncomfortable. But I didn’t let that stop me from having an unforgettable trip.

If you are contemplating taking that trip Europe but are hesitant to go alone, just do it. It’s an amazing feeling. Don’t miss out on these beautiful cities because of your fear I’d doing it alone. Take the normal precautions and plan your vacation. You only live once. Go for it!

Questions or comments? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.