She Roams Solo Ladies – Maria

Tell us about your first trip alone overseas? What emotions you felt, scared, happy, excited, was it a mixture of everything? How old were you? Where did you go?

I was 21 and I went to Italy to study for 6 months on an exchange program. I had never been abroad before but I wasn't scared, just entertained by all things that were different.

How have your experiences travelling alone been compared to travelling with someone? Do you have a preference on alone or travelling with someone?

I like both, I just think these are two very different ways to discover the world and yourself. When you travel with someone, you discover yourself through your relationship with this person, while when you're traveling solo, it's just you and your thoughts. Traveling solo doesn't always mean life-changing discoveries, it's just some time to hear your own thoughts.  

What are your thoughts on traveling alone as a women and the issue of safety?

I haven't had any problems, I'm always positive and open to people and I believe this is why I get the same from them.

Tell us a story about your best travel experience (with or without someone else)

On my last trip to Thailand, I spent a night in a floating raft house in the middle of the jungle. The sounds of the jungle, the billion-star sky, the gentle swaying of the bungalow – these are details I remember vividly months later.

What are your top 3 favourite countries you have traveled too?

• Italy for the food and the people
• Thailand for Buddhism and the people
• Brazil for the nature and the people.

What are your least favourite experience or country traveled too?

I enjoy every single trip and appreciate it whether it be sunny or rainy, cheap or expensive.

Let’s play a game, give us the first word or sentence that pops into your head around these words. (Think experiences on the road).

FUN – my birthday in Rio de Janeiro when a whole bar sang “Happy Birthday” to me

TRAVEL - inspiration

FOOD – food market at sunrise

MEN – Italians shouting compliments in the street

EXERCISE – kayaking wherever I am

INDIA - colors

AMERICA – rock formations

PACKING – a 7-kg backpack (for a week and for a month alike)

JOB – creating inspiration for the others

ALCOHOL – wine at sunset

DANGER – dark streets

TAXIS – tourist traps

BED BUGS – never seen them 🙂

LOVE – I met my boyfriend on the road

FAMILY – sending postcards from abroad

NEW FRIENDS – travel buddies

OLD FRIENDS – sharing deep thoughts

SWITZERLAND – peaks and mountain lodges

What has traveling alone taught you?

That sometimes you can travel 1000 miles and don't change at all because the change requires walking inside yourself, not physically moving forward.

Lastly what advice would you give to someone who is looking to travel alone but is too scared?

If you are afraid to travel alone, then start small. Go on a daytrip alone. Spend the night in a hotel room alone (like business travel but for leisure).

Tell us one of your favourite funny memories from traveling

In Luxembourg, my Couchsurfing host sent me a sms that he couldn't host me... 3 minutes before our meeting. I cringed. Then he sent me a second sms saying that he was joking.

Romantic/fling whilst traveling 

I met my boyfriend on a working trip and we liked each other instantly. We still like each other three years later.

Hostel/Hotels/Camping/Airbnb/Couchsurfing? 

All of them, it's a different kind of spending the night.

Your preference on how to travel, by which modes of transport? 

hitchhiking, driving, flying, hiking

How would you describe your travel style in under 50 words? 

little planning, more space for last-minute adventure.

How to get in contact with Maria and read more of her adventures: