Probably not everyone will agree that traveling alone is one of the greatest pleasures in life. But it’s hard to argue with the fact that there are cities in which you will never be alone. We’ve collected the five best places on the planet where being alone is even more comfortable than being in company.
Tallinn
The Estonian capital seems to be good at any time of the year and in any condition. But being alone here is especially good in the spring. You can start with a walk around the main attractions, but you can also move away from your usual routes.
To get away from the tourist trails and crowds, try walking along the so-called Sergei Dovlatov route. He lived here for only 3 years (from 1972 to 1975), but he left a significant mark behind. Go to the House of Press and where he lived and where Brodsky later stayed, go to the hippodrome where Sergei Donatovich spent the money he earned, and just take a walk around Vyshgorod.
If you are indifferent to Dovlatov, go to the Uus-Maailmu region, this is an association of people who have decided that they need to be friends with their neighbors (guests are also welcome), and living like a big commune. In addition to the fact that it is very friendly here, they also think about a healthy lifestyle, the environment and quality of life.
If this option is not attractive, then go to the Telliskivi area, located on the territory of the former Tallinn Electrical Plant named after. Kalinina. Today it is a large art center in Estonia, where the offices of creative companies, various educational projects and fashion design studios are located.
New York
It is especially common here to talk to strangers: they will ask you how you are in stores and on the subway, and on the street they may stop you to ask where you bought your handbag and what kind of perfume you are wearing. What can we say, if you go to a bar, at least the bartender will probably chat with you.
New York is ideal for shopping (no one will rush or be capricious), trips to museums and galleries (you can spend as much time at each painting or sculpture as you want), and just for walking through the parks (remember all the scenes from your favorite films and TV series and look there).
In the obligatory program: take a walk in Central Park, walk along the Brooklyn Bridge, ride the free ferry to Staten Island, and attend one of the shows on Broadway.
Also, if this is your first time here, you should go to the MoMA Museum of Modern Art, climb the Empire State Building, sit on the steps of Times Square and stroll along Fifth Avenue.
Tours from Locals in New York
Barcelona
Gaudi, bicycles, markets and crazy beautiful balconies are just a small part of what the capital of Catalonia has to offer tourists. You definitely won’t be bored alone: you can try to see all of Gaudi’s creations in the city, you can set yourself a goal – to find the most delicious sangria and tapas in the city, or you can just rent a bike and go where your intuition leads.
You don’t need a special approach or careful preparation to Barcelona – the city itself will do everything for you: it will draw you into the cycle of events and take you to the most important places. But if you still want to find something unusual, then take a look at the Poblenou area. In recent years, it has become the cultural and artistic center of the city. There are a lot of design studios, trendy restaurants and unusual shops here.
If you want to know what the local hipsters are up to, 22@ Barcelona is also worth a visit, which harmoniously combines innovation with the traditions of the past. The unusual Media-TIC building is considered the center of the area.
Tours from locals in Barcelona
Bordeaux
It’s good to take a long walk here, be silent and try real French cuisine. Aquitaine has not yet become a popular destination, and it is worth taking advantage of. If you know how to drive a car, then feel free to rent it and go out of town. Why? To visit local farms, wineries and just admire the scenery.
And if you decide to stay in the city, you won’t remain indifferent either: the abundance of historical monuments is second only to Paris. In the obligatory program: the Cathedral of St. Andrew the First-Called, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Public Garden and Exchange Square.
Malta
Although Malta is one of the smallest countries in the world, it has the sea, an excellent climate, a rich history, excellent cuisine, and a friendly population, half of which are foreigners.
Locate somewhere in the area of Sliema and St. Julian’s and you will find yourself roughly in the center of all the interesting things: nightlife, cultural attractions (just half an hour by bus and you are in the island’s capital) and shopping. Be sure to go to Mdina, there are only a few streets in this city, but they are so beautiful that you want to walk in them, get lost and take endless photographs.
You can also combine beach holidays and entertainment with language courses: in Malta there are a lot of English language schools, where tuition is 30-40% cheaper than in other English-speaking countries.
