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Taking Trips Alone
April 24, 2026

Taking Trips Alone

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When people study abroad, they usually have a list of cities and countries they want to visit. But sometimes your interests don’t align with your friends, and you’re faced with a decision: spend a lot of money on a place you are unsure about, or stay behind and figure something out on your own. Instead of staying at home, I chose to take a few trips by myself and experience something new.

Tivoli

My first solo weekend was early in the semester, and I wasn’t quite sure how I wanted to spend it. On Saturday, I visited a museum and wandered through Rome, seeing the Colosseum for the first time and really taking in the city’s beauty at my own pace.

The next day, I took a day trip to Tivoli. Less than an hour by train, I stepped into a charming town where I hiked along waterfalls and wandered through quiet streets. It was a refreshing change of pace from the energy of city life.

Deciding to leave Rome on my own, figuring out the train station, and navigating unfamiliar places showed me what I’m capable of. It gave me a sense of independence that stayed with me for the rest of my time abroad and helped me stop fearing being alone.

This vertical shot is taken from the high stone battlements of Rocca Pia, a 15th-century fortress in Tivoli. The right side of the frame is dominated by the weathered, dark stone of the castle’s defensive tower, showing its characteristic medieval brackets and crenelated top. From this vantage point, the view opens up to the town of Tivoli below. In the center distance, the tall, reddish-brown bell tower of the Church of San Biagio stands out among the cityscape. Beyond the town’s buildings and orange-tiled roofs, the rolling green hills and mountains stretch toward a horizon under a wide, bright blue sky filled with textured white clouds. In the immediate foreground below the castle, you can see the archaeological remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater partially covered in grass, adding another layer of deep history to the scene.
A landscape-oriented selfie features Karley smiling in the foreground against a dramatic, mountainous backdrop in Tivoli. She is positioned on the right side of the frame, wearing a light beige or tan zip-up jacket over a soft blue top. Her wavy light-brown hair is partially pulled back, and she wears small gold hoop earrings. The background is a deep, rocky gorge with sheer stone cliffs. Perched precariously at the very top of these cliffs are several historic, sun-drenched buildings in shades of ochre and terracotta, overlooking the valley. A dark, arched tunnel or cave entrance is visible high up in the rock face. Below the buildings, a small, white-water stream cascades down through the greenery at the base of the ravine. The sky above is a crisp, bright blue, and the natural sunlight illuminates the rugged texture of the rocks and the greenery clinging to the slopes, creating a sense of ancient, scenic wonder.
This vertical landscape shot in Tivoli features the majestic Cascata dell'Aniene waterfalls. In the center, a powerful, multi-tiered waterfall rushes down the rocky cliffs, turning into white foam as it splashes over mossy green stones and collects in a silty river at the bottom. The cliffs are rugged and steep, with several small cave-like openings and lush green vegetation clinging to the rock face. Perched high above on the very edge of the canyon are historic, sunlit buildings in shades of terracotta and cream, their windows looking directly down into the gorge. The top of the frame is a bright, clear blue sky, while the foreground shows a glimpse of a wooden fence and a dirt path leading toward the base of the falls, emphasizing the grand scale of the nature around it.

Santa Marinella

This past weekend, I once again parted ways with my friends and spent the weekend in Santa Marinella, a small beach town just north of Rome. Within 5 minutes of getting off the train, I was at the beach.

Walking through the town gave me a sense of nostalgia- it reminded me of Florida. The weather was amazing, with sunshine and 70-degree days almost every day. Lying on the beach, people watching, listening to my audiobook, and swimming made for the perfect relaxing weekend.

Sunday was spent back in Rome. After church service, I sat in a park and journaled for hours, appreciating the quiet surroundings after busy travel days.

A high-angle shot captures a wide expanse of Santa Marinella beach under a brilliant, clear blue sky. The bright sun, positioned in the top-left corner, casts a long, vertical lens flare down the frame. The sandy beach curves gently toward the right, dotted with numerous people sunbathing on towels and walking along the shore. In the glistening blue water of the Tyrrhenian Sea, several swimmers can be seen enjoying the waves. A dark stone breakwater sits further out in the water to the left. Along the far right coastline, white buildings and beach clubs of the town line the shore. A faint white vapor trail from a plane cuts horizontally across the vast, empty sky, emphasizing the bright and open feel of a classic Italian spring day.

Perspective

Looking back, some people might see these weekends as lonely, but I saw them as peaceful and as opportunities to grow. It really comes down to your mindset.

I learned how to navigate the busy Rome train station on my own. I figured out how to read departure boards in different cities. I practiced Italian with locals and experienced new places at my own pace, whether that meant slowing down or packing a lot in.

I also found more time for reflection and prayer in the quiet moments, taking in everything around me and feeling grateful for it all.

Was it uncomfortable at times? Of course. Did I miss a constant conversation? Yes. But it was in that discomfort that I saw myself grow.

And honestly, that’s the point.

Some of the most meaningful parts of studying abroad don’t happen in big groups or perfectly planned trips. They happen when you choose to go or stay, even if it means being alone.

The post Taking Trips Alone appeared first on Off-Campus Study.

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