Ok so I’ve decided that I could get used to this lifestyle – I love being ‘on the road’ meeting people from every corner of the world, hearing their stories, their travels. Every person I’ve met has had their own opinion of me travelling on my own! When I walk into the hotel bar at 10.00pm at night and there’s a group of about 15 businessmen – I split the group liking the parting of the red sea to get to the bar to order my nightly caffeine (with a shot of whiskey) fix – they joke and laugh and dig me about being Australian and ordering coffee! Inevitably the conversation turns to me travelling on my own – they’re in shock, they’re astounded – “Are you not worried?” they ask. “About what – running into a group of delinquent men such as yourselves all held up in the hotel bar? No I’m not.” I take my coffee and head back to my room with a little sneer on my face.

I’m constantly astounded by how many people have thought I’m brave to do this on my own – I don’t see it as brave. I think it’s more about believing in myself, knowing that I’m a confident strong independent woman who is comfortable with my own company and readily able to talk to a variety of different people from all walks of life.

Some of my highlights:

• dinner with an older couple from Belgium who were holidaying in Italy;
• a day on a boat in the Ligurian Sea with a group of young lads on summer break from University in the States;
• spending an afternoon at the Baths in Hungary chatting with a group of British Police celebrating one’s impending wedding (yep, Buck’s Party);
• an afternoon of beer tasting with an Irish couple in Bruges;
• dinner with a Danish family in their home in Copenhagen;
• an interesting flight with five Danish lads heading to a music festival in Belgium;
• an evening in Galway with the parents of my Airbnb host;
• an elderly lady with an amazing Seaside Thistle, who had never met an Australian;
• an invitation to stay with a family at their holiday home in Guardbridge, near St Andrews in Scotland;
• a group from Aberdeen, who shared a drink and a taxi before Bryan Adams concert;

It’s really not hard, start by people watching and just pass the time of day with someone. You’ll be amazed at how friendly people are – if you just listen they’ll share their story and you’ll get the chance to share yours.

Challenge – #Ellen, #Getaway, #SoloFemaleTravel – let me know if you know someone who would like a 52-year-old woman on her own, to travel the world and encourage other woman, to take a step, trust themselves, that they can do this – it’s ok to spread their wings and fly.

If travelling is something you’ve dreamed of doing and you’re not sure where to start, I’m happy to help – Ask me – I’m listening.

The hardest thing about travelling on your own, is mastering the selfie!