Table of contents
Romantic Solo Trips
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and people react one of two ways. They are either romantics at heart or they hate Valentine’s Day! Romantic Solo Trips can be awkward. Going to romantic places without a partner (or worse, with one you don’t like) is depressing. I have traveled all over the world, to some of the most romantic cities in Europe while single. Being a traveler at heart, I’m never going to be sad on any trip. There are a few places I’ve experienced as a single that I really want to experience again with my husband. Re-experiencing Barcelona, Southern Italy and the Greek Islands in a more romantic view are some of my upcoming travel goals.
Romantic Solo Trip to Barcelona, Spain
A friend and I planned a Mediterranean cruise that left from Barcelona. We decided to add 4 days to the beginning of the trip to see the city of Barcelona. Looking forward to a sunny beach and warm weather after surviving our first German winters living in Berlin and Cologne respectively. We got far more than good eats and sea breezes in Barcelona. Sometimes you end up on a romantic solo trip, with a friend and don’t realize it ahead of time.
Barcelona Culture
Barcelona is located in the Northeastern corner of the Iberian Peninsula, shared by the countries of Portugal and Spain. Even though Barcelona is located in Spain, their official language is Catalan.
The romance of this city oozes down every small pedestrian street or through the maze of the marketplace. The most in your face example is the mural titled, The World Begins with Every Kiss. This 26-foot tall mosaic tile mural was put up in 2014. I has become a landmark for the city, showing a zoomed in picture of two people kissing, romantically. I look forward to kissing my own love in front of the massive mural on a future trip.
The Art of Antoni Gaudí
One thing I have been excited to share with my husband in Barcelona is the art and architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Hubby is an artist and I have loved watching him appreciate the masterpieces of his artist idols when visiting the French and Dutch art museums. Next has to be Gaudí in Barcelona. As you walk through the city, you feel his presence and vision everywhere.
My favorite was visiting Casa Batllo, also known as the House of Bones. Walking through this building, with no straight lines. Gaudí didn’t find straight lines in nature so he didn’t like them in his art. Some compare the colorful, reflective glass seen from the outside to Claude Monet’s Water Lilies, but I don’t see it and I’ve walked through Monet’s water lily gardens!
Park Güell is another must see of Gaudí’s work in collaboration with Eusebi Güell and was his home for many of his adult years. Finally, Gaudí’s most impressive and still unfinished work is on the facade of the church, La Sagrada Familia. The etchings of every story in the bible, Gaudí’s tribute to the holy family are still not complete, but said to be completed in 2026. After seeing all the eccentric works of Gaudí throughout the city, his work on La Sagrada Familia takes a complete turn back to tradition.
Romantic Attractions
La Rambla is Barcelona’s most famous street. A mile long, pedestrian boulevard that is lined with boutique shops, bakeries, candy stores and relaxing cafes. La Boqueria is Barcelona’s oldest marketplace dating back from 1217. In this huge marketplace, everything from the produce, meat & seafood can all be purchased for your weekly shopping. I remember buying delicious fruits from this market. I made a mental note to rent a place with a kitchen in the future, so I can cook and prepare meals with the delicious ingredients available.
Barcelona may sound like a city holiday, but it also lies on the Eastern coast with access to beaches and sea. Barceloneta is the beach area most convenient to downtown, but has the vibe of Carnival all year long. Down by the beach is also a great area to enjoy seafood meals, traditional tapas restaurants and my favorite drink in Barcelona, sangria.
Nights in Barcelona
The food is fresh and delicious, just remember that the Spanish eat dinner very late. Tapas and drinks are often bustling around 8:00 pm and dinner is served even later at 10:00 pm. My family typically eats very late for American standards, but Spanish dinner is even late for us. Complete your Barcelona experience by booking a Flamenco dancing show to enjoy on the last night of your trip. This is an especially romantic style of dance and goes great in a candlelit spot with a glass of fruity sangria on a warm night.
Romantic Solo Trip to Italy
My parents came to Europe for one trip while I lived in Germany. I planned a great itinerary to show them the best Germany has to offer. I also knew that this would be the last time my mom was willing to take a trip outside of the U.S.I wanted to get her into her fatherland… Italy. You know what’s less romantic than seeing Italy without a lover? Having to do it while your mom and step-dad are all over each other… yuck! The most romantic Italian activity must be a gondola ride in Venice. We visited Rome and the Amalfi coast, so we were too far south to be tortured that way.
Romance in Rome
Making a romantic wish at the Trevi Fountain and taking the iconic photo on the Spanish Steps are the popular. What about sharing a picnic in a quieter spot of Villa Borghese or Pincio Terrace? Both gardens offer relief from the heat and the crowds. Seeing the historic sites of the Colosseum, Pantheon and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City are all must do activities when in Rome. Other romantic Roman attractions would be to take a boat ride on the Tiber River. Enjoy a sunset at a rooftop bar or food tour or wine tour to enjoy some quality time.
Olive Oil Tasting
I thought I’d experience something very Italian and signed up for an olive oil tasting tour. We visit two different olive farms to see how the oil is made and taste samplings of bread dipped in the most extra virgin strains. I learned that I have an olive allergy and had quite the reaction for consuming so much of it and at such potent strengths. My dislike of eating actual olives has spared me from learning of the allergy. Small amounts of olive oil in cooking or baking does not bother me. But after that tour, I had to spend the evening dosed up on benadryl pills and cream.
Delicious Foods
Despite my olive fiasco, the food in Italy was some of the best ever. Spend some time researching restaurants and making reservations ahead of time, especially when traveling in the most popular months. Typically food closest to the train station and main street are all tourist traps. Real travelers know to walk down the side streets and in the case of Rome, look in the cellars. Only in Rome will you find a hole in the wall, a family owned restaurant where you get the best homemade pumpkin ravioli in a butter sage sauce.
Due to my parents’ age and Italy being the second week of walking to exhaustion, I hired a private tour guide to take us by car to see some of the outskirts of Rome and it was the best idea. It was expensive and luxurious, especially to be in an air conditioned sprinter van, but worth every penny to allow us to see the countryside we never could in Rome.
Additionally, the best part was that the private guide took us to both lunch and dinner at the beginning and end of the tour for the best food we had on the trip. One was a family style restaurant that asked you if you wanted red or white wine and that was the only option for the meal. That was fine by us, because we ate every pasta, chicken, beef and seafood dish they brought to our table. At the second restaurant we had a small menu of 6 choices for the day. I tried pasta in squid ink and it was delicious, but I wouldn’t suggest wearing white.
Vatican City
Fun fact, Vatican City is its own country and not actually located in Italy, though it is surrounded by Italy. It’s one of the smallest countries, just over 100 acres, but Europe is famous for these small geographic wonders. Some couples might enjoy taking a vespa ride around the city to see all of these sites on their own time, rather than an organized tour… When in Rome, la dolce vita.
The Amalfi Coast
On another trip to Italy, I had the opportunity to spend a day exploring the Amalfi coast. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is wrapped in a landscape of mountains and cliffs. Opening up to beautiful backdrops against the blue water of the coastline. The three most popular towns to visit are Positano, Ravello and Almalfi, each one more picturequest than the last.
Everywhere you go you will smell lemon and see these huge lemons larger than you thought could naturally grow. Lemon cake, muffins, tarts and especially limoncello are in every store, bakery and cafe in the Amalfi Coast. Enjoy the free samples and start drinking limoncello after meals on warm evenings. The best times to visit the Amalfi Coast are on the fringe months of May, June, September and October. Avoid July and August due to the hot and humid weather and the hordes of tourists on summer vacation.
As much as I see planning an Italy trip with the whole family, from canals of Venice to the historic sites of Rome. I see hubby and I exploring the Amalfi Coast ourselves, renting a car, checking out a few towns and booking a boat day on the water are all wonderfully romantic ways to see Italy with your love.
Romantic Solo Trip to the Greek Islands
Visiting Santorini and sailing the Greek Islands is absolutely one of my favorite trips of all time. Despite it becoming a romantic solo trip. A friend and I had booked a two week trip to see the history and beauty of mainland Greece and to sail around the Cyclades Islands in the Aegean Sea. My friend had a last minute family emergency sending her back to the States. I’ll never miss a trip and this wouldn’t be my first time traveling solo. The island of Santorini (referred to as Thira) is the most well known of all the Greek Islands and probably the most photographed as well.
Athens, Greece
Most visitors arrive by flight or ferry, with a short 45 minute flight from Athens being your best bet. Ferry rides are long from the mainland, 5-8 hours depending on the speed of the ferry. Save the ferry rides for between the islands. Going to Mykonos to complement your Santorini trip before flying back to Athens could also be by ferry. The summer months of June-August are considered the high season, with the best weather and most tourists. Try May or September for some relief from the crowds and heat. The weather is still warm enough for swimming and boating activities.
Santorini, Greek Islands
Santorini is made up of 5 islands all located around one of the only active volcanoes left in Europe. I know Iceland has one too, from first hand experience. The volcano lies between Santorini and Thirassia, with views overlooking the Caldera. There are even tours of the caldera and to swim at the red and black sand beaches. Perissa beach is a laid back area that is much less expensive by comparison. This is a great place to eat, shop for souvenirs or lounge on the black sand beach.
The two anchoring towns on Santorini are Fira (capital) and Oia. There are additional smaller villages to visit by car, public transportation or by renting ATV’s to explore the island. See the ocean views and exquisite flower arrangements around every corner and cliff of Oia. View the white washed windmills and buildings, Oia castle and the numerous historic churches on the island.
In Fira, organize a wine or hot springs tour, splurge on a cave villa or lounge by an infinity pool to soak in the views. Travel photography is popular and readily available with packages available for specific backgrounds or flowy dress scenes. Why not hire a photographer to get a few pictures of you both as a couple. Especially if the trip is marking a special occasion such as a honeymoon or anniversary.
Romantic Sunsets
I have always loved sunset culture and visiting places where it is a daily event. I lived in Naples, Florida for a few years and loved going out to the beach on Friday nights to watch the sunset with friends. Santorini has that feeling times a thousand! The most popular spot to watch the sunset is at Oia Castle, but you’ll fight the crowds for a great photograph. The three blue domes is a much less busy area. If you drive 10 minutes out of town, up Prophet Elias Mountain you will be able to see the whole island in addition to the sunset. Skaros Rock and Akrotiri lighthouse are both additional places to enjoy the nightly activity.
Want to take the work out of seeing the best sunset, book a sunset tour package and leave the work up to the guide. Popular options are catamaran cruise, kayaking or horseback riding while enjoying the sunset. Be prepared to watch the sunset every night you are on Santorini, this is not a one time event, each night is a different experience.
Recently, I have heard travel advisors steer people away from Santorini because of the crowds and the day tourists from cruises. But I disagree completely. There are lots of Greek Islands, but there is something special about Santorini. You can’t get it anywhere else in the world. Book a few days to explore Santorini before going on to quieter islands of Paros, Naxos or Milos. Those who want to party and dance the night away pair Santorini with Mykonos.
Romantic Redos
All three of these European locations are on my romantic bucket list for hubby and I to visit together. One of the things I like the most about Europe is the diversity you get in such close proximity. Even though Spain, Italy and Greece are located in the warm Mediterranean areas in southern Europe, they are still all so different from each other. The cuisines all tend to feature seafood and copious amounts of olive oil, but are completely different from each other, as are the music, art and history of the cultures in each country. Anyone of the countries would make a great honeymoon location. Start saving points & miles to book those Romantic solo trips or a romantic couples getaways to these magical locations in Europe.
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