Every Step is an Adventure: Traveling solo creates friendships, memories

By Karen Schaffner, Playa Vista Staff Writer

There’s no sitting still on a seven-country, eight-day bus tour of Europe.

The travel organization Expat Explore introduced guests to breathtaking spots like the Eiffel Tower and Venice, Boppard, Germany, and Dijon, France.

This particular tour, called European Vistas, was very well organized and led by Mayra Arboleta, an experienced tour leader from Ecuador. Although she keeps an eye on everyone, she works to draw the solo traveler into the group.

“Sometimes solo travelers feel a little bit intimidated, especially when there are big groups traveling together and you feel alone,” she said. For me, the most important thing, first, is to explain everything, then try to get them together. (Expat Explore’s) concept is family.”

She said it only takes a day or two before the solo traveler feels like part of the group.

The tour was in English although Arboleta speaks several languages so was able to communicate comfortably with everyone. Others on the tour were from Pennsylvania, Texas, Mexico, the Philippines, Australia by way of New Zealand, Spain also by way of New Zealand and England, close to the Welsh border. Bus driver Sam is from Turkey. It made for a nice mix.

The Netherlands

The first day began easily enough in the Netherlands, visiting a family farm that manufactures the unlikely combination of Gouda cheese and wooden shoes.

The trip turned dark after the darling gift shop. After the pastoral visit, it was on to Amsterdam’s commercial section. The district houses a cathedral, several “coffee shops” where legal drugs are sold, some very charming, leaning houses called dancing houses along a canal and an ever-present McDonald’s. The tour leader pointed out the Red-Light District area, but it wasn’t approached.

Lunch consisted of a 14-inch, crepe-like pancake topped with melted cheese and sprinkled with bacon. No one could ask for a more memorable beginning to a tour with strangers when you’re traveling solo abroad.

The organized tour gives nomads the chance to meet other folks. But it’s perfectly fine to be alone. In that case, be aware of the surroundings, don’t stare at the phone and don’t look around like a scared fawn in the forest.

Keep your bags close and be aware that pickpockets are present. However, the trip allows nomads to feel safe. If that person is a no-show, the alarm is sounded, beginning with a WhatsApp phone call.

Germany

The new, clean bus was luxurious, with restrooms on board. Everyone took turns riding in the front seat.

Hours after Amsterdam, the bus stopped in Boppard, a medieval settlement that boasts a town square with tables and umbrellas. A Catholic church and boutique shops line Boppard, in the Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis in Rhineland-Palatinate, lying in the Rhine Gorge, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A few shops stand out, including Stefan’s, a family-owned wine-tasting room starring wine made with locally produced grapes. The family ships wine for 75 euros.

Look for The Christmas Shop Boppard with a Hawaiian-style slack guitar holiday music soundtrack.

Finally, there’s Montag, where steins and cuckoo clocks abound. Staff carefully tell tourists that clocks made in Switzerland are crummy fakes. Montag sells and ships authentic cuckoo clocks — those made only in Germany’s Black Forest region.

While in Boppard, take a cruise down the Rhine, which is peppered with castles.

Austria

The next destination was Innsbruck, Austria, famously known for hosting the 1976 Winter Olympics. There are still remnants of the games, including a ski jump and skating rink.

Old Town Innsbruck is fascinating. There’s nothing old about the shops that include the sparkling Swarovski Krystallwelton Store Innsbruck and a Hard Rock Café Innsbruck gift shop, to name a couple.

Italy

Venice was the next stop.

An evening excursion included gondola and water taxi rides that cruise near the magnificent Piazza San Marcos. The city is a blend of high-end shops like Gucci, Versace and Valentino, and touristy stops that sell leather goods, as well as handblown pitchers and drinking glasses created in nearby Murano glassblowing studios. Also, look for some small but mighty restaurants.

Basilica di San Marcos Venice was not open for tours, but there are other Roman Catholic churches worth visiting. They are not hard to find.

The group laid its heads at the Hotel Venezia, housing crystal chandeliers, gold and wood accents, red leather upholstery, one cramped, working elevator (the other was broken) and tiny guest rooms. The street outside of the hotel is narrow, the type established before the advent of cars.

(Major respect goes to bus driver Sam, who knows his stuff. He backed the vehicle out at least a tenth of a mile through that same narrow alley without hitting buildings or vehicles. During this endeavor, the usually noisy riders held their collective breath. They applauded his efforts.)

En route to Venice the tour stopped in Verona, of “Romeo and Juliet” fame. Sweaty tourists scrambled to see Juliet’s balcony — although the couple never existed. The pizza was good, though.

Switzerland

After a couple of hours in Lucerne, Switzerland, travelers headed up the Swiss Alps to their chalet. Dinner was served, courtesy of the chalet’s owner. On the menu was the South African dish Bobotie, a spicy minced meat that is baked with an egg-based cheese topping.

Dessert was chocolate mousse. The homemade meal was a pleasant change from restaurant food.

The next morning, group members headed up Jungfraujoch, a mountain that locals dub the “top of Europe.” Train rides to the jagged peaks were worth the extra money.

On that particular day, visibility was limited due to snowfall — but photographs were still possible. Making snow angels was some young people’s activity of the day.

Visitors then entered the mountain via an ice cave, which was memorable but cold. Come out at the other end of the tour to shops (of course), but this is a great place to buy chocolate, watches and knives.

In fact, three things to look for in Switzerland are Swiss army knives, watches of every type and price point and chocolate. The tour leader explained that although much of Switzerland’s chocolate is exported, the best remains in the country because it is too expensive to purchase at the other end. The chocolate is smooth and creamy, but equally as delicious is Belgian chocolate.

Paris

In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was painted gold.

That evening, a small group visited the Basilica of Sacré Cœur de Montmartre, another Roman Catholic Church. Although not the Notre-Dame de Paris, which still sports scaffolding from restoration, time spent here will not be amiss. Several side altars feature lovely statuary and places to sit and pray. However, visitors do not make it conducive to contemplation — even during Mass.

The cathedral is situated on a hill. Outside the church, visitors have the opportunity to view Paris’ skyline.

The cathedral is part of the Montmartre neighborhood, a place where Picasso had his first studio and the film “Amelie” was made. The main character’s workplace is still open.

Heading back to the hotel, the group passed by the Moulin Rouge and its neighboring 21-and-older shops.

Last thoughts

The tour came full circle, ending in Amsterdam, where many in the group stayed in to watch papal updates.

This tour is great for anyone who has never been to Europe. It hits many of the highlights and encourages travelers to dig deeper. Is it worth the time, money and trouble? Absolutely.

Important details

The bus stops every two hours at travel plazas along the way. Find clean restrooms, food and souvenirs at all of them.

• Always carry 1 euro, as many restrooms require that to enter. Additionally, some stalls lack toilet seats.

• For an individual abroad, it is challenging to recall that euros and dollars do not have the same value. In fact, euros are expensive.

• Check the weather forecast and pack lightly, as you’ll be carrying that suitcase between hotel rooms and the bus repeatedly. Be prepared to wash clothes in the hotel sink.

• If needed, carry an eye mask for the long plane ride or times when there’s too much light. One brand, Inactivators by The Inactive Company, is comfortable and can be found just about anywhere. Another handy tool: noise-cancelling headphones.

Expat Explore
expatexplore.com
European Vistas
expatexplore.com/tours/european-vistas/