I have travelled to 15 countries so far mostly in Europe and Asia, including travelling solo, with friends, and with a group of strangers. This post is all about these travel experiences!

My favorite places

Of all the places I have visited, my favorite places are:

  • Rome, Italy: A mind-blowing city where architecture, history, and food come together beautifully.
  • Tapovan(Rishikesh), India: My personal favourite for a longer stay, specially for solo travellers. It has great vibes, great vegan food, fun people, and a deeply relaxing environment. Many people stay here for a month or more.
  • Osaka, Japan: A jack of all trades. It is a truly well-rounded city that is quite good(but not great) for everything- nature, beauty, culture, nightlife, city life, history, and food.
  • Phuket, Thailand: I keep returning to this beautiful island for water activities, relaxation, good food, and nightlife. I have been going there for the past 4 consecutive years and I enjoy it every time.

The difficult times

Boredom while travelling alone

Sometimes during solo travel, I have been alone without much to do.

The first such time was in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. There was one night in Neil island when I could not go out after the sun sets, with no electricity, no internet, and only a couple of food options in a small hotel. That night, I just talked to a friend on the phone, read a book on my phone, and slept. It was a long night. Due to the lack of food options in Andaman (since it is far from mainland), I realized the privilege of having a plethora of food options where I live. Hence while returning, I promised to try a new food every week.

The second time was in Bhutan. Similar situation, it was a very cold night. Since I was put up in a decent hotel, there was just boredom to deal with. I tucked myself in the bed and slept.

The last and the most adventurous such experience was at a tiny village called Tosh in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is a raw and wild place in the Himalayas as per the hostel guide I was given. When I arrived there, there had been a landslide nearby. Because of it, the electricity, phone signal, and internet got cut and there was complete darkness all around after sunset. I was stuck there! During the night, folks in the hostel gathered to play games. My phone’s battery was dying. After coming back to the room, I was worried about how to escape from the place. However I found solace in the fact that there are other people in the hostel so it would be fine and they would help me out if my phone runs out of battery. From my room’s window, I could see the snow-capped mountains and the stars in the sky. At that moment, there was complete silence amidst the darkness and adventure. Below is a photo of the view from my room’s window-

A raw and wild moment in the Himalayas:

Tosh village, Himachal Pradesh

What solo travel taught me

I have solo travelled to a few places like Finland, Bhutan, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Recently, in November 2025, I spent a month travelling solo across North India. One thing I realised is that solo travel demands much more from you than travelling with others.

Your decisions carry real consequences. On a trek, for example, you should carry exactly you need – nothing more, nothing less. That means you must think carefully about what you would truly need. If you pack unnecessary things, they become a burden. If you don’t bring an essential item, you may get into trouble. You need to be self-sufficient and resourceful.

This process of taking decisions and facing the consequences taught me a lot about myself. I became more aware of my preferences and limitations, and I learned how to explore independently. Through travel, I became more open-minded and receptive to the awesome things around me. After coming back home, I let go of things that I didn't need anymore, left my previous gym for a new better gym, decorated my house, got new clothes and made new friends. It is great to see these changes that come from solo travel.

Such valuable learnings and experiences are what makes me travel!

Since everyone gets different travel experiences, I think the best approach is to explore various places and travel styles, like solo, with a group of new people, or with friends. In doing so, you might find your own way of travelling and learn more about what you truly enjoy! 😁