I've made friends on solo trips and traveled to visit them. These relationships are just as valuable as local ones.

I traveled to Paris and reconnected with some friends I met on solo trips in 2024.

Chelsia Durkee

In 2024, I had the privilege of going on multiple solo trips to Europe.On my very first night in London, sleep-deprived and high on my new adventure, I met a lovely local named Nora at a restaurant. We spent several weeks hanging out in London pubs, parks, and restaurants.The following month, I met a Parisian solo traveler named Zoe on a Holocaust tour in Berlin, and we spent the next few days dancing in world-famous techno clubs together.Finally, in December, I rang in the New Year with women solo travelers and locals in Lisbon. One of those Lisbon locals became my friend Martha, who was living in Paris but spending the holiday season at home.When I solidified plans to head to Spain this year, I jumped at the chance to potentially extend my trip to Paris and London and reunite with my friends. After confirming they would be around, I booked my flights and accommodation for both cities.We got to see Europe through each other's eyes

My Parisian friends and I took each other to places we otherwise may not have visited.

Chelsia Durkee