Earlier this year, Solos’ Lucinda dug deep to join her fellow solo travellers on our Puglia Walking trip, opening her up to an experience she’ll never forget.
“I was feeling incredibly anxious about travelling by myself, having not been abroad since 2019. It wasn’t the thought of getting on a plane or being in a different country. For me, it was being surrounded by people that I didn’t know in such close proximity for 7 days. What was I going to have in common with them? Would I fit in? I hadn’t done that since before the pandemic and sadly I’m not the same confident outgoing person I was before.
But my God, am I glad I stepped outside of my comfort zone! I felt a massive sense of achievement! It helped me find a little bit of the old me, reconnecting me in ways I never imagined. It really was so much more than a holiday!
So what helped?
“The Tour Leader Sue had set up a WhatsApp group before departure – which helped massively! We got off on the right foot when we met on the plane and found we were all sat together. I got talking to a previous customer and a newbie which really broke the ice.
Then we got to have some downtime before all meeting for dinner. I could instantly feel myself starting to relax. Throughout the trip, Sue always let us know where she was – nobody was left out which was lovely.
After a couple of days, I couldn’t believe the difference in myself! I had a spring in my step and it really did work wonders for my confidence.”
Lucinda’s Puglia Highlights
“Moments spent sipping on Aperol Spritz whilst basking in the Italian sunshine and people watching really stayed with me. But these are the parts of Puglia that I loved most of all…
1. Alberobello
Puglia is famous for its trulli white stoned houses – iconic for that region. The town is made up of hundreds of them – from the shops to the houses. We had a mooch, got a scoop of gelato and of course took lots of piccies of these beautiful white-washed buildings.
2. Matera
On our visit to this UNESCO site, we hiked along the canyon and through the nature reserve of Murgia Timone to arrive to the most breathtaking view of an ancient city carved entirely out of rocks. It was like something you see in the movies. I stood there overlooking the canyon and taking it all in, feeling the sun on my face and listened to the Bell Tower chime from the old town. I have honestly never seen anything like it before.
3. Apulian Aquaduct
We walked along Apulian Aquaduct Trail – surrounded by fields and vineyards, We were right in the heart of the countryside, with old abandoned trulli houses dotted along the hike. It felt typically Italian.
4. Masseria
We spent the afternoon at a traditional Puglian farmhouse where we spent hours sampling the local home-cooked product (and wine!) and with the most welcoming host. I had never eaten so much food!”
