From November 6-21, 2006 I went on my first completely solo independent trip back to Europe.  I spent 5-days in Prague, 3-days in Cesky Krumlov, 5-days in Salzburg and 2-days in Munich.  

I started this trip with a preconceived notion of what it was going to be like traveling solo to Europe for the first time.  I think this was weighing heavy on my mind, because I had such a good time traveling in Italy with my friend last year.  How could this trip on my own be just as good or better?

In order to convince myself that going on this trip would not end up being the big tragic mistake of my life, I read every trip report, travel note and posted topic on Slow Travel that had anything to do with solo traveling or the countries I wanted to visit.  After hours of inspired reading, I just knew that I was ready!

I am happy and proud to report that my trip was a big success.  I had the opportunity to see some incredibly beautiful sites, I learned of interesting historical facts about a country that I have never visited and I met so many kind, interesting, fun and free spirited people along the way. 

If you are thinking about doing a solo trip, but are having some reservations about it.  What I'd like to say to you is "just go for it?"  I did.  It was a wonderful life changing experience for me and I look forward to the opportunity to do more trips like it.   I think that traveling with a companion and traveling solo both have their own unique experiences and I’m not certain that either one is better than the other.  They are just different.  Now that I’ve done both, I have discovered that whether I take a trip with a companion or whether I travel solo, it really boils down to attitude and your love for travel.  Your experiences are truly what you make of it. 

Since this was my first completely solo trip to Europe, I wrote this report from that perspective and focused on my stay in the Czech Republic since it was my first visit there.   

Honestly, I’m not the greatest most compelling creative writer around, but I wanted to do this report to remember my experience and to contribute something back to the great community of Slow Travelers.  Thank you for stopping by.