Italian Escape: As a Woman Travelling Solo for the First Time

By Hannah Douch

Last updated: 16th July 2024

If you’re anything like me, then you’ve probably fallen head over heels for everything Italian. The food, the architecture, the vibrant cities and the Mediterranean coast… Name it and chances are, I’ve added it to a Pinterest board! After one too many daydreams that I was living “La Vita Bella” in Rome, Florence or wherever I ended up… It was time to make these travel fantasies a reality, even if it meant going alone!

I did our Italian Escape tour around a year before joining the Gap 360 team, and it was my first trip ever as a solo traveller. I was extremely excited and nervous before going, and stepping outside of my comfort zone paid off! 

Whether you’re curious to learn more about Italian Escape or need some extra encouragement to go solo travelling, I’ve been in your shoes before! So here’s everything you need to know before joining one of our iconic Europe tours. 

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Italian Escape

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How I prepared for my trip

Even though the benefits of solo travel substantially outweigh any negatives, it’s only human to feel nervous. Well, the good news is that you’re not the first traveller to feel this way, and you won’t be the last! 

While I was pretty confident that Italian Escape was the right fit for me, I still wanted to speak to a travel advisor first. Tess instantly made me feel reassured that I’d be safe as a woman travelling solo and have an immense amount of fun on this trip. If you ever have any questions, don’t feel too awkward to ask! Sometimes, a conversation is the only convincing you need to take a chance and book that dream trip. 

Thanks to the Gap 360 Facebook pages, I could also connect with other travellers before my trip. I found someone who was also going solo travelling for the first time, and it was so nice knowing that there was someone in the same position as me. 

Honestly, I was still quite nervous about meeting the rest of the group…But as it turned out, there was nothing to worry about. On my Italian Escape, I met a diverse range of travellers with varying interests and was able to have some pretty cool conversations as a result. I’m still in touch with some of them now!

My Top Five Trip Highlights

Florence

It’s only a matter of time before you fall in love with Florence like I did! Home to spectacular architecture, cultural masterpieces and mouthwatering Tuscan cuisine (hello truffle), you’ll be hard-pressed to find a city cooler than Florence. Aside from leading the Renaissance centuries ago, Florence gifted the world with gelato! 

If you’re doing the 10- or 15-day option of Italian Escape, you’ll visit Florence early in your trip. My first impression of this inspiring city was from Piazzale Michelangelo before we were whisked into the city for an evening of Italian food and dancing to karaoke. The next day, we had a walking tour introducing us to Florence’s essential sights followed by a free afternoon to explore. I headed straight to the Uffizi Gallery and saw Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus pretty up close! 

Cinque Terre

One of the most exciting days on this trip was exploring Cinque Terre: five vibrant seaside villages dotted along the Italian Riviera. Despite the visual similarities, each place has a distinct charm and personality. My personal favourite was Vernazza, but the countryside scenery of Corniglia was Bellissima!

It was super easy to explore these villages with our included unlimited train pass today, but you could also get around by following the hiking trails between villages. This was an incredible escape into nature in between all the world-class cities we visited on this trip.

Lake Como

If I had to pick a favourite destination on Italian Escape, it’s Lake Como. From the breathtaking lake winding through the valley to the stylish villages nestled against the Alps, Lake Como is basically Perfetto! As we visited on a day trip, it was a short - but exceptionally sweet - stay. 

The optional cruise around Lake Como is probably one of the most glamorous things I’ve ever done. Wandering the streets of Bellagio and relaxing by the lake with a gelato in hand are core travel memories of mine. Even if I didn’t meet George Clooney or find a millionaire husband (there is always next time 😉), Lake Como is something special!

Venice 

Venice is arguably one of the most iconic cities in the world, so expectations going into it are pretty high. Even then, Venice is just amazing to explore! Between the maze of alleyways, the legendary gondola rides through the river canals, the traditions of Cicchetti (toppings on mini bruschetta, kind of like tapas but Venetian!) and aperitivo (pre-meal drinking, usually spritz), there’s so much that you can get up to here!

Venice is a year-round destination, and I loved visiting in early March. But it’s especially popular in the summer!

Vatican City

For travellers taking the 10 or 15-day option of Italian Escape, you’re technically visiting two countries. The Vatican City is the smallest country in the entire world, with spectacular architecture and legendary artwork that packs a punch. When in Rome, you just have to cross the border and see the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica for yourself!

As I did the 10-day option, this was the last destination I saw on Italian Escape. It was an incredible end to my trip!

Travel to Europe with Gap 360

My time on the Italian Escape trip was so outside of my comfort zone at the time, and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. So I can say, from personal experience, that our trips to Europe are a fantastic opportunity for first-time travellers!  

And it’s not just about all the places you could go. Think of all the incredible people you could meet on a trip. Whether you’re interested in exploring a single country or eyeing up one of our multi-country Europe group tours, it’s an experience of a lifetime! 

So what are you waiting for? Check out our Europe trips today for an adventure that you’ll never forget!