When you think about a favorite travel stay, do you remember walking the neighborhood early in the morning, finding that great little bakery, or shopping the local markets?

A well-traveled friend, also named Susan, described her favorite hotels in a city she visits often – one small hotel she loved for the quiet street, the walking neighborhood, and the cozy bar.  But another larger hotel was full of history, great Art Deco décor, luxurious afternoon tea, and was, for her, full of memories.  So many choices each time she visits.

I shared about an easy way to travel alone by picking just one city and diving deep. A few years ago, I found a 2.0 version of this approach. There are easy ways to expand and experience more without managing many travel details.

First, your hotels.  When I first started travelling solo, due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’, I didn’t stay in the same hotel for my entire visit in Paris.  For the first few days, I was near the Eiffel Tower and close to the food markets on Rue Cler.  I visited little shops that only sold mustard or had fantastic arrays of French cheese and I picnicked in the Champs de Mars.  But then I had to relocate.

For the end of the week, I stayed in the Marais, near the Place des Vosges. It is one of the oldest parts of the city. The whole atmosphere was different.  The streets with the flower shops and balconies were like something out of a children’s book about Paris.  Both hotels and neighborhoods were beautiful but each left me with an entirely different view of the city.

So, as odd as it is, if you are just beginning to build your travel chops, and not quite up for maneuvering planes, trains, and automobiles, you can have varied experiences in a city by splitting your stay.

Now, day trips. Europe in particular has excellent rail systems. From London, you could take a day trip to Cambridge, Oxford, or Bath. From Zurich, take a scenic rail trip through the Alps, have lunch and return in the evening.  Leave your luggage behind and train hop.  All you have to do is catch a train, enjoy the scenery rolling by, and you’re back for dinner and a good night’s sleep.  If you are in a major city and visit a popular area, you’ll have many choices for your return.  This is an easy, low key way to gain experience traveling alone by rail.  (If you are travelling with others, taking a day to yourself to do this on your own as a great beginning.)

What I Learned

Have fun picking your hotels. If you are only there for a couple of nights, try something different or a little unusual. Or a bit more luxurious than your usual choice. It’s an opportunity!

Correspond with the hotel or inn.  I wrote to a small hotel in Paris on a whim just to let them know that I was travelling with only hand luggage. If there was a great room that wasn’t quite reached by the elevators, I was game. I ended up with a view of the Eiffel Tower. And I got plenty of steps in.

Take a vacation from your vacation.  Having a day with no plans and just going to the train station can be incredibly freeing.  Where can you go in 2 hours or less? Is there a great return schedule? Try it.

Pack light, try new things, and wander!