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Take a Walk

The best way to start your trip is to get out and walk around. Depending on what time you arrive, you can choose to just wander, head to a museum, market or even just find a cafe to sit and soak up the atmosphere. Most cafe’s are happy to let you sit there for as long as you want, as long as you drink something. If it’s early, I would head straight to the local tourist office and pick up as much info as you can. Everything today is online but sometimes it’s nice to have some paper to read. You can bring this to the cafe. It’ll give you something to do as you’re getting used to your new surroundings. Between the markets, museums and various events in town it is pretty easy to keep yourself entertained.

Still not sure? Jump on a bus tour This is always a great overview and not only does it give you something to do, it might also give you some ideas of what to do next

I have found that all of the cities that I have lived in, especially in Europe, are loaded with cultural events and activities. It is just a matter of googling the town and the area and finding out what is happening. I always feel very comfortable wandering into a situation where there is entertainment. Whether it be a concert, a book reading, street performance, etc. Being alone, watching any kind of entertainment seems less lonely. In Europe, it is very common to eat and drink alone. It is easy to sit at a cafe and take in the local scenery. In fact, it is a national sport in most European countries, so you will fit right in. If , sitting alone in a cafe doesn’t feel right to you, it is always possible to grab some kind of takeout and sit at a pretty fountain or park and picnic there. Again, look at it as if you were living there. You would do this if you were a local and wouldn’t think much of it.

Suzanne Grosso Vidal