Okay, I didn’t actually hike the Matterhorn. That would require a lot of training and time. I’m not a mountain climber but I still wanted to get as close to the famous mountaintop as possible. For years, I had gazed at the replica of the Matterhorn and ridden the bobsleds while being chased by a yeti at Disneyland, but I always dreamed of seeing the real thing.
Don’t be fooled. That tiny peak on the left is not the Matterhorn. The real thing is towering over us from behind the thick clouds
My mom also had this at the very top of her bucket list. As a kid, she often when to Disneyland as well and the Matterhorn has long been one of her favorite rides, so when I asked her where she wanted to go on our big trip through Europe to celebrate my graduation, her first answer was the Matterhorn. So, I started planning all around Zermatt.
Zermatt is a small mountain resort town in the south of Switzerland, near the border with Italy. We arrived by train after our day in Verona and though we arrived late, it was easy to get a quick taxi to our hotel and check-in was simple. We stayed at the lovely Le Petit Charme-Inn and our room had an incredible view of the town around us. The mountains around us were filled with trees and the ground with covered in a thick layer of snow. It looked like something from a movie, a perfect little resort that was so different from anywhere I had been. The homes reminded me much of Triberg, Germany but the church spire overlooking the town was like those I saw in Zurich, Switzerland, and the mountains around us reminded me of childhood visits to Big Bear in California.
It felt as if we were in the Black Forest
In all the familiarity was still a sense of wonder and awe at this lovely place. Despite the cold January winter, the city was warm and friendly. While in town, you can do plenty of shopping. Whether you’re looking for sporting goods for your ski trip or need some new clothes or just want to stock up on souvenirs, you can find just about anything. I suggest stopping by a chocolate shop and sampling some amazing Swiss chocolate before you leave.
Who could resist Matterhorn-shaped chocolate?
But the thing you absolutely must do when you’re visiting Zermatt is get your tickets to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. As the highest cable car station in Europe, at 3,883 meters, you can see 38 peaks and 14 glaciers. The station is perfect for spending your day, with so many things to do. You can enjoy an informational film at the Cinema Lounge, grab a bite to eat at the restaurant with panoramic windows to view the mountain peaks, and visit the frozen statues at the palace. But the biggest spectacle is the viewing platform. You get to step out into the frigid air for a 360° view. Unfortunately for us, all we saw was a sheet of white. The weather was so bad that we could barely see more than several feet in front of us. I got a few glimpses of the mountainside below us, but that was about it.
White all around us as we reached the top
I would highly recommend that if you are the sightseeing type, go in the spring or summer to see the iconic peak. The platform has signs telling you which mountain peak you are looking at, so it’s better to go at a time when they are visible. Throughout our entire trip, we never got a clear view of the Matterhorn’s peak. We got a very brief, cloudy glimpse of it for about a minute but that was all. It was a shame that we didn’t get to bask in it, but it was still a dream to be there. We are definitely planning a return to see the mountain and will be spending more time there.
Even if you’re afraid of heights, the Matterhorn Express will safely guide you to Glacier Paradise
After you visit the station, you can enjoy a warm dinner in the town, and I cannot stress enough how integral a fondue dinner is for a Swiss visit. I had fondue for the first time in Zurich so I knew that we would have fondue for our one big meal in Zermatt. We went to Whymper-Stube, a lovely little restaurant with reasonable prices. Our dish came with the standard bread pieces and small potatoes to dip in the cheese, but we also opted for a side of pears. Everyone looks at us funny, but the Gruyere paired perfectly with the fruit. It’s definitely worth trying the various additions to your fondue they offer.
Fondue dinner from Whymper-Stube to warm up after Glacier Paradise
Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. I’ve only visited Zurich and Zermatt so far, but if you are looking for that lush greenery with picturesque mountains all around you, Switzerland is the place to be. And if you’re a mountain climber, the famous Matterhorn peak should be on your bucket list.
Traveling alone can incredibly intimidating. So many unknowns can happen, and you don’t have someone at your side in case something goes wrong. I can say from experience that traveling alone is also one of the best things you can do. When I lived in London, I knew I had the opportunity to see so many of the things I had always dreamt of seeing. Unfortunately, I didn’t have anyone to go with. If I had let my anxiety over the idea of traveling alone win, I would’ve missed out on so many incredible things.
Traveling solo is such an amazing experience. There is so much you can do and really take the time to enjoy yourself. In this post, I’ll share all the things I learned to keep yourself safe while traveling alone, how to make the most of your trip, and how to break out of your shell.
Don’t miss your departure for your next adventure
Always be aware of your surroundings
The simplest way to keep yourself safe when you’re traveling solo is to always be aware of your surroundings. Keep your head up and not buried in your phone, even if you need directions. Walk like you have a purpose and even if you’re lost, don’t let it show. To everyone else, you should look like you belong there. If anything makes you appear like an easy target, you are at risk of being mugged, pickpocketed, or worse. As long as you let everyone around you believe in your confidence, you have a much smaller chance of being targeted.
A few things to always keep in mind as you travel:
Carry a sturdy bag and keep it closed.
Don’t carry your phone/wallet/keys in your pockets, especially your back pocket.
Be wary of strangers coming up and asking questions. For example, in Paris, children will run up and ask you to buy something from them. While you’re distracted, someone else will pickpocket you. If you’re in a café in London, someone, usually a woman, will walk up and place a map or piece of paper on the table, hiding your phone. While asking you a question, they’ll take your phone off the table. Whatever the situation, always be aware of your belongings and if someone is making you uncomfortable, walk away towards a crowd or into a shop.
Never share a taxi with a stranger. Taken definitely taught us this lesson, but it’s one to always remember.
Be smart about accommodation
Just when you think you’ve found a great deal on your hotel, you realize that it’s not in the city center. That 10-mile distance on Expedia doesn’t seem that bad. Surely there’s a bus that can get you there. This is exactly the mistake I made in Germany.
When I was planning my trip, I booked a hotel just outside the city of Munich. It was a reasonable deal and was very budget friendly for my three-night stay. Unfortunately, while I saved on money, I took on a lot of hassle. I arrived in Munich around 9 pm and had to find a way to my hotel far in the distance. I attempted to take a train but with all the people around, the late hour, and the anxiety that had been plaguing me since the beginning of my trip, I was overwhelmed. I decided to take a taxi, which set me back about €30. The next day, after some rest and time to ease my mind, I managed the train. And still, it was not that easy. My hotel was a 20-minute walk from the station which isn’t bad until you’re rolling a suitcase all that way. Then, it was another 35 minutes on the train, so I had to spend nearly two hours on travel every day during my time in Munich.
So always check the map when booking your hotel and look for transportation to and from the city center to your accommodation.
Another option to consider when saving money are hostels. Personally, I was terrified to stay in one. I get really nervous around strangers and the idea of sharing a bedroom with them is terrifying. Eventually, I decided to chance it for the first time when I was in Denmark. Copenhagen is a very expensive place to visit and so a hostel was the only reasonable accommodation I could find. I actually found it to be not too bad. Though I will always prefer the comfort of a private hotel room, hostels are a reasonable option. People pretty much keep to themselves and are they are a very warm and welcoming environment, so even the shyest person won’t feel too out of place.
Schaan-Vaduz Youth Hostel in Liechtenstein
A few things to pack if you’re staying at a hostel
A lock to secure your belongings in the lockers. Some will come with locks, but many times, it’s on you to keep your things safe.
A towel if you can spare the luggage space. Hostels do offer towels at a small fee.
Shower shoes, as you’ll be using a communal shower.
Headphones if you need music to sleep.
A book light if you read before bed. Depending on the hostel, you may have a bed light but if you’re bunk doesn’t have privacy walls, your night light can bother your fellow roommates.
An open mind. Those you end up sharing a hostel with are just like you; travelers looking for adventure on a budget.
Be smart with your money
Exchange for the currency you’ll need beforehand to avoid fees. You can usually get a good exchange rate at the airport or train station, but usually the best rates will be from your bank back home. A lot of places will take cards, but each transaction will come with an exchange fee.
If you have a travel credit card, exchange fees may be waived, but always check with your T&C before traveling to see what benefits you get from using it abroad.
If you are carrying cash, never carry all of it at once. Divide your money so that if you get pickpocketed, you haven’t lost all of your money. Do the same with your cards so that you aren’t stranded with nothing should the worst happen.
Be smart with your time
Try and get as many trips as you can out of one. If you live in the US, you know just how astronomical flight prices can be. Even domestic flights between states can reach hundreds of dollars for the bare minimum. Not to mention you have to pay for parking, baggage fees, food and drink. Costs skyrocket quickly and when it’s international, it’s even more expensive. One trick I discovered is that, once you book the initial flight out of the US, flight prices drop drastically. Even flights between European countries are a fraction of the price of domestic flights in the US. I’ve found flights for under $100 from one side of the EU to the other.
So, if you plan a trip to Germany, consider also visiting the neighboring countries of the Czech Republic or France. Visiting Switzerland? Take a trip to the small principality of Liechtenstein. Trains offer an easy way to explore the many countries of Europe and you can visit many different places at a reasonable price. For my graduation trip, we visited eight cities in six different countries over the span of eleven days. We managed to get the most out of our days in each city and see so many different countries, all thanks to the amazing train system of Europe.
Trains will get you anywhere
Don’t sneer at lesser-known cities
Some of the most beautiful places I’ve visited are the lesser-known cities that don’t see heavy tourism that their neighboring cities do. Tintagel, United Kingdom is one of my favorite places I’ve ever seen. Triberg, Germany is the best place to experience the Black Forest, Caernarfon and Pembroke are two stunning Welsh cities, Colmar, France is a fairytale come to life. When you’re planning your trip, make sure to check out the small towns as well as the big cities.
Colmar is a real-life fairytale
Go off season
If you’re looking for another way to save on money, try going off season. I visited Venice in late January and experienced only a fraction of the tourists. When I went to Tintagel in early January, I got to stay at the gorgeous Camelot Castle Hotel for a reasonable price. There are of course some cons. A lot of the shops and museums in Tintagel were closed for the season and transportation was reduced. So, consider what you’ll be sacrificing and decide if going off season works for you.
Now that you’re ready for you trip, here are some things to make it as memorable as it can be.
Eat local
This seems obvious but I feel like I should mention it anyway. When I stayed in Paris for a month for French class, there was a group that ate at Chipotle every single day so clearly some people need to be reminded to eat the local food.
I developed a system when I was traveling as a way of trying the local cuisine while staying on my tight budget so I could do as many things as possible. When you travel in Europe, you’ll find that almost all hotels do not include a complimentary breakfast. Breakfast almost always comes at an extra charge, with some exceptions, so be sure to check your amenities when booking your hotel. So, for breakfast, usually I’d grab a local pastry or something I can eat on the go. When in the Czech Republic, I had to try a real kolache and compare it to the kolaches of West, Texas. Croissants are a must have in France and scones are necessary in the UK.
Kolache in Prague
This would fuel me for a day of walking through the city I was exploring for the day. Then by the late afternoon, I’d be ready for a dinner. This is where I would splurge for some good cuisine. In Switzerland, I couldn’t leave without trying fondue and in Barcelona, paella was mandatory. And what better place to have French onion soup than France?
Black forest cake tastes so much better in the Black Forest, and ice cream is always a treat on a hot day, especially in the special chimney cake of Prague. Even things I was scared to try, I forced myself to do so. I was an incredibly picky eater as a child and so I have a lot to make up for, though there are still some things I can’t bring myself to try. I’ve been to France a few times and I’ve yet to eat a single escargot. I highly recommend trying at least one thing you’re afraid of that is reasonable. You may end up finding something you love.
Climb for a bird’s-eye-view
One of my favorite things to do in any city is go somewhere high up and look over the buildings and the people below. Nothing puts it into perspective quite like seeing just how huge Paris is from the Eiffel Tower, the gorgeous rooftops of Prague, or the mountains in the distance of Zurich. You can walk the streets all day, but I think that looking down from above gives such a unique perspective that shows you another side to the city.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, Austria
There are many ways to get this view. The most obvious is a structure specifically made for this, like the Eiffel Tower and the London Eye. If the city you’re visiting doesn’t have this, look for a clock tower in the town center, or a cathedral with a tall bell tower. Many times, you’ll be able to go up these for cheap and you’ll get that awesome view. Cathedrals like Grossmünster in Zurich and St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna are gorgeous on the inside and offer stunning views. You can see the city of Munich from the clock tower of the New Town Hall or visit the top of Prague’s Astronomical Clock.
The view from Prague’s Astronomical Clock Tower
You can also get the views for free by climbing hills around the city if there are any. You can see the entire city of Vaduz, Liechtenstein from the hill where the castle sits. In Budapest, you can climb up Gellért Hill or you can see Edinburgh from Arthur’s Seat, a hill next to the city. The most interesting tower I’ve climbed so far is the Freitag Tower in Zurich. Made up of old shipping containers, it serves as the store for Freitag, but you can also climb up to the top of the nine stacked containers and look over Zurich from the Industrial Quarter. There are endless possibilities and unique experiences so always keep your mind open for surprises.
This leads to my next tip.
Be spontaneous
No matter how much research you’ll do before your trip, you won’t know everything about the city you’re visiting before you go. Of course, you’ll see all the famous tourist sites and a few well-loved local spots that people share online, but the only way you’ll truly know the city is by exploring. As you navigate, Google Maps will often show you places of interest near you. Don’t be afraid to take a moment and check them out. Myself, I am very much interested in the old Roman architecture that still stands in Europe, as well as old castle ruins. Google helped me find these easily, often when I wasn’t even looking for them. I just find it so fascinating to see the small pieces of the past in the present and it helps me appreciate the city even more so.
Whatever interests you, make sure to keep your eyes open. You may find an experience you never would have otherwise.
Go at your own pace
The best thing about traveling solo is that you only have to worry about yourself. There is no compromise, except for those with time and money. You are allowed to see the things you want, eat at the places you choose, and you can go at your own speed. For me, I like to get the most out of my trip. I get up early, I walk all day to see all I can, and I return to my hotel after dinner. I take breaks when I’m ready and I keep going when I feel like.
You also get some time to yourself. I did my traveling at a really difficult time in my life. My depression hit a record low when I lived in London, and I found myself locked away in my room for many days at a time. But when I got myself together and out into the world, I was able to improve my mental health. I got to enjoy the moment and enjoy life again. Seeing the beauty of the world helped me more than I will ever truly know.
My fear of flights is miniscule compared to my love for travel
I truly believe that traveling alone can do so much for you. You will learn so much about yourself and the world and get a new appreciation for travel. As long as you pack smart, keep yourself safe and aware of your surroundings, and allow flexibility in your plans, you will have an amazing experience. I hope this little guide helps you to either take that leap and book your first solo trip, or it gives you something new to do on your next solo adventure.
Be Bold 