Most people never take that solo trip. Not because the world is too dangerous, but because their mind gets there first — picturing missed connections, lonely evenings, and getting hopelessly lost in an unfamiliar city. Journalist Carole Rosenblat used to know that feeling too. Then she visited 73 countries on her own, often without a fixed itinerary, and discovered something that changed everything: almost none of those fears ever came true.
Her journey unfolded through a unique community-driven project, where her audience voted on her next destination and she hit the road within days. What she brought back wasn't just stamps in a passport — it was a single, quietly powerful lesson that solo travelers everywhere need to hear.
The obstacle is mostly in your head
According to Carole, the anxiety that builds up before a solo trip is almost always worse than anything you actually encounter. The mind has a talent for magnifying the unknown — turning a simple train connection into a crisis, or a language barrier into an insurmountable wall.
Sharing her experiences with Travel + Leisure, she explained that the vast majority of "what if" scenarios simply never materialize. And when something does go sideways? A combination of flexibility and local kindness almost always finds a way through.
Airports are not your enemy
For many first-time solo travelers, the anxiety kicks in the moment the plane lands. How do you navigate a foreign airport alone? Where do you go? What if you get it wrong?
Carole's answer is reassuring: airports around the world follow the same basic logic. Clear signage guides you through passport control, baggage claim, and the exit. Most international hubs also offer English-language information throughout.
And if you genuinely feel lost? Just ask. Locals are far more willing to help than most of us expect — and that small interaction might just be the first highlight of your trip.
Getting lost is not a failure
This might be Carole's most counterintuitive insight: some of her most treasured travel memories began with getting lost. What feels uncomfortable in the moment often turns into the story you tell for years.
On one unplanned wander, she ended up at the home of a Balinese woman who invited her to a private yoga session. On another occasion — in the heart of Budapest — she stumbled into a cozy Irish pub and became a regular. More than once, stopping to ask for directions led to new friendships she still maintains today.
Getting lost isn't wasted time. It's an open door to people and places you never would have found on a map.
Solo doesn't have to mean lonely
The fear of loneliness is one of the biggest reasons people hesitate to travel alone. But Carole reframes it completely. Solo travel isn't about being alone — it's about moving at your own pace, on your own terms.
Connection happens naturally when you're open to it: a conversation at a bus stop, a shared table at a café, a local event you wander into. The solo traveler is often more approachable, more present, and more likely to have those spontaneous encounters that group travel tends to rush past.
For those who want to go deeper, volunteering during a trip is one of the fastest ways to build real, lasting connections with people who share your values — wherever in the world you happen to be.
Going alone doesn't mean going unprotected
After 73 countries, Carole's conclusion is clear: solo travel is not inherently more dangerous than traveling with others. What matters far more is your mindset — specifically, how you relate to the unfamiliar.
The key, she says, isn't a perfect itinerary. It's openness. The ability to accept the unexpected, adapt without panic, and let uncertainty become part of the adventure rather than a reason to stay home.
If you're looking for a starting point, there are plenty of safe and stunning solo travel destinations that are perfect for building your confidence on the road.
Courage is just the first step
Carole Rosenblat's story is ultimately not about travel hacks or packing lists. It's a reminder that the greatest barrier between you and the world is usually the one you've built inside your own mind.
Solo travel can be more than sightseeing — it can be one of the most revealing journeys of self-discovery you'll ever take. Every moment of uncertainty is simply a new possibility waiting to unfold.
The world doesn't ask for a perfect plan. Sometimes all it takes is one decision: to simply go.
