Special Splurges as a Solo Traveler

I will always splurge on anything that seems to be important for my safety or well-being. Examples of this are buying a hotel room at my home airport when I return from a intercontinental flight so I know I am driving after getting some sleep and am driving in a safer situation. I will take a cab or Uber late at night if I don't feel good about taking public transport at that time.

The other splurge is to choose to go ahead and do things that may seem expensive if they are a high priority interest for me.

I always remember my Mum's advice. She said you never regret the splurges you have treated yourself to; you only regret the ones you decided you really shouldn't do. I always travel solo and my splurges can range from a special afternoon tea in England, a day tour that seems expensive, but I'd really enjoy.... to spending more on a hotel room with a view of the Eiffel Tower. And when I am enjoying those splurges I always remember my Mum and how much she would have liked it and how I wish I could still share my splurges with her.

Oh, and do sit outside at Florians. When my daughter traveled with me one trip we were appalled at their price for a glass of prosecco, but we decided we were paying for the ambiance and the orchestra. When our prosecco arrived the tray included potato chips, olives and small sandwiches. So our splurge turned out to have a value added.

The most important thing to me is having a really nice hotel room--even more so when I am alone, my mood is very much affected by aesthetics. My best friend--who wants to travel together once we're retired--is the exact opposite and will happily stay in a broom closet in a flop house. I will buy the good seats, take a wonderful guided day trip, and indulge whatever whim occurs to me, because I would hate to regret it later if I didn't. I find that when traveling with others I often end up spending more money on things I don't care about or want to do.

Traveling solo more often and not asking or waiting for others to be available or to make up their minds if they want to go is my splurge.

I usually do a mix of very special places to stay and then some regular ones. Christa, here’s my special ones for this trip. Stresa - I stayed in the corner balcony room on tiny Isola Bella and have it reserved again. : ) Bergamo up in the Citta Alta, and a former palace in Mantova:

https://www.elvezia.it/

https://www.gombithotel.com/site/index

https://www.palazzoarrivabene.net/en/chi-siamothe-palace/

Jazz+Travels, wow, that’s the truth! ; )

Yeah I am here solo in Switzerland now. But I am hiking the Alps in the day and attending a jazz festival with other like minds in the evening. The locals don't all speak English but we agree that we love the music and that is enough. Moreover the headliners all Americans so I always have someone to hang out with at the bar between sets.

I don’t think sitting at Caffe Florian with a glass of Prosecco or wine seems very splurgy- seems more like a necessity to me!! My goodness, that glass of Prosecco in restaurants etc., around here is basically the same price considering the exchange rate right now. We easily pay $7.50-9.00 and it probably isn’t as good as the Valdobbiadene that Caffe Florian offers! I looked at their entire menu and prices run the same, allowing for conversion even, as many restaurants in Seattle, Spokane and Coeur d’Alene! I was expecting them to be much higher. I’m looking forward to that exact experience in early September. I’ll happily pay the 2Euro coperto too just for the experience. You go Jean! I’m always pleased reading your ideas and reports. Yea!!
Love the Bergamo classes!
And my husband will enjoy the experience-music and a glass of good Italian wine-yes sir!

Sjs, it was an extra 9€ each as the extra charge to sit outdoors at Cafe Florian in 2017, so it’s probably much more now. But unlike Seattle or Coeur d’Alene, the table is yours to enjoy as long as you would like for the evening. ; )

Ah ha! I was only considering the indoor coperto evidently! But having that table for 2-3 hours brings it down to reasonable for the music, people watching and the Prosecco. I’m still game and I’m not one to normally go that route.

I agree, Jean, that solo travel affords the opportunity to do exactly what you want whenever you want. I don’t consider these splurges, just opportunities to make special memories. I’ll be in Bergamo in the fall, as part of my northern Italy trip. Since I’ve been studying Italian off and on for a few years, I’m viewing this trip as my opportunity to practice Italian in places where not quite so many tourists visit. If I were artistic I would also take the sketching class in Bergamo, but unfortunately that’s not something I am interested in. What else do you have planned for your stay there?

I will purchase a more expensive seat for the opera or ballet
Oh yes, a box seat for a ballet or musical is one of my favorite solo travel splurges. In part because they can be so much cheaper in some cities than at home. I loved my €37 center box seat for the ballet in Vienna! I can't get that at home.

Hi Patricia,

In Bergamo, besides exploring the lanes of Citta Alta, I am planning to go to the Accademia Carrara, see the Morini palazzo & garden, & possibly go through some of the churches in the lower portion of Bergamo. I considered a classical music concert happening while I am there, but the music selections weren’t exciting to me so skipping that one. I considered a food tour, but the ones in Bergamo didn’t have great reviews, so I’m doing some in other locations.

I will be there three nights. I am also going to Milan, Stresa, Cremona, Bergamo, Mantova, Venice, Pisa (for a festival), Spello (for fun & a festival) & Perugia.

Carol, yes, safety is always at the forefront. It drives many of my basic decisions, i,e, to not stay in apartments unless my husband is with me, for instance. And it’s why I stay at several locations during my solo trips; I don’t take day trips where I would be riding trains in the evenings. Plus, I love seeing piazzas in the evening, anyways.

“ And when I am enjoying those splurges I always remember my Mum and how much she would have liked it and how I wish I could still share my splurges with her.”. Laurie, that’s a double reward! Wonderful!

My mom never was able to go to Europe, but I have worn one of her previous watches on a few trips and brought her small binoculars to view the stained glass in France.

I love your attitude. I've been to Europe twice with my husband and twice alone. This week, I'll be going solo again and booked guides for a Cinque Terre hike and visit to the necropolis at Tarqunia. I don't believe in hiking or being in remote places by myself, so when solo, I'll splurge on guides. I also book evening food tours when I'm by myself so I can have dinner out with other travelers. Happy travels!

A late Lunch at Florian’s on a hot, humid and crowded day in Venice. Nothing exotic, a panini, Aperol Spritz, sparking water, pleasant music and a couple of hours people watching. Blissful! Cost was about 30€ and I still get a big grin when I look at the photo of the table and food.