Every March, the city I call home transforms completely.

Valencia’s streets fill with towering sculptures, fireworks echo at all hours, and the smell of gunpowder lingers in the air. Locals gather in neighborhood tents to eat and drink together, traditional dresses appear everywhere, and entire intersections become open-air art galleries.

This is Las Fallas, Valencia’s most famous festival, celebrated every March in honor of Saint Joseph.

In my 20s, travel was about squeezing in as much as possible for as little money as possible. Now I travel differently.

Not because I’ve lost my sense of adventure — but because I value my energy, my health, and my peace a whole lot more. Experience has a way of clarifying what actually matters.

Here are the travel rules I follow now that I absolutely did not follow in my 20s.

If you’ve ever planned a trip down to the last museum ticket, train time, and restaurant reservation, you already know this truth: travel doesn’t always follow the plan.

And honestly? That’s not a failure. It’s part of the experience—especially when you’re traveling solo.

Even the most experienced travelers sometimes need to pivot. Flights get delayed. Weather refuses to cooperate. Your body has opinions. Or you arrive somewhere you thought you’d love…and you don’t.

The skill that matters most isn’t perfect planning—it’s knowing how to adjust without letting the whole trip unravel.

Attending the Olympics had never really been on my immediate travel radar — until a quick ticket search in January changed everything. Within days, I went from casually browsing to boarding a flight to Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Affordable event tickets, a surprisingly inexpensive flight, and a conveniently located hotel made the decision easy. What I thought would be a simple three-day getaway quickly turned into an unforgettable experience filled with world-class competition, international camaraderie, and my first taste of Olympic excitement in person.

Spring in Europe is one of the most rewarding times to travel solo. The air is fresh, crowds are lighter than summer, and towns and cities burst into bloom with festivals, markets, and outdoor culture that are perfect for wandering at your own pace. From classic city breaks to lesser-known gems and lively seasonal events, here’s a round-up of destinations and experiences worth planning around for spring 2026.

I recently had the opportunity to meet up with some friends in Paris. I gotta confess—I don’t love Paris the way some people do. I like it just fine, but I sometimes feel it’s a bit overrated compared to other lovely cities in Europe. I’d been to Paris twice before, and I wasn’t sure what I’d find to do that wouldn’t just be a repeat of previous visits. But I was pleasantly surprised.

If you’ve ever searched for a hotel in Europe, you know how overwhelming it can feel. Hundreds of options, endless filters, mixed reviews, and the lingering question: Is this actually a good choice for me?

To make this easier for solo women over 50, I’ve partnered with Outfit, a hotel discovery platform that focuses on fit, not just price or star ratings. What makes this partnership especially useful is that every recommendation is based on my own travel biography — not a generic profile.

When you use my link, you’re essentially able to “Travel like Jeannie,” using hotel recommendations shaped by decades of my own solo travel across Europe.

One of the biggest shifts happening among women over 50 is the realization that you don’t need to postpone your dreams until your partner is ready—or find one who is. Flocking gives you the chance to design the kind of experience you want, with people who share your curiosity and sense of adventure.

Prague surprised me in the best ways. It’s a city where centuries sit comfortably side by side: Gothic spires, Baroque palaces, and Rococo façades, all mixed with Cubist experiments and unapologetic Communist-era concrete.

If you’ve ever scrolled through travel blogs or flipped through a guidebook, you’ve probably noticed how many “rules” there are about how to travel. What to see, when to go, what to pack, how to act. After years of exploring Europe, I’ve learned that the best trips often happen when I ignore some of that advice and do what feels right for me.

Here are a few so-called “rules” I’ve happily broken—and why you might want to, too.

During my Central Europe trip in August, I spent two days in Vienna between Budapest and Prague. I hadn’t planned a long stay, but I’m so glad I made the stop — Vienna turned out to be one of the most elegant and welcoming cities I’ve visited, full of art, music, and effortless charm.

Rick Steves has introduced millions of Americans to the joys of European travel, and his guidebooks remain some of the best resources for understanding a destination’s history, art, and culture. But as with any expert, it’s important to adapt his advice to your own travel style.

Traveling solo in Europe can be one of the most rewarding and eye-opening experiences, especially if you're venturing to countries where English isn’t the primary language. While the thought of navigating language barriers might feel intimidating at first, I’ve learned from years of solo travel that a few smart strategies can make all the difference. Here are my tried-and-true tips for traveling with ease and confidence in a foreign language environment.

On my Central Europe trip this August, I planned a quick stop between Budapest and Vienna. Since the train route passes right through Bratislava, I decided to spend a day there. I’d heard the city was one of Europe’s “hidden gems,” and it did not disappoint.

Being alone often gets a bad rap. But take it from me, when you choose solitude—as millions of solo travellers are doing—it can be a powerful tool for growth, calm, and connection. Here’s what the research says about being (and traveling) alone.

Budapest charmed me in many ways: its efficient public transit, public art, the friendliness of English-speaking locals, and of course, its thermal baths, which lived up to their reputation as a must-do experience. Three days here gave me the perfect balance of culture, relaxation, and discovery.

Fall might just be the perfect time to explore Europe. The summer crowds are gone, the weather is mild, and the autumn colors add a golden glow to city streets and countryside alike. Whether you’re into food, music, culture, or just soaking up the atmosphere, these destinations come alive in the fall—with festivals that give you an authentic local experience.

Here are five of the best places to visit in Europe this fall, each with a special event to enjoy while you’re there.

Have you ever come home from a trip to a big city feeling more drained than delighted? Between the crowds, the noise, and the fast pace, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why more and more solo travelers—especially women over 50—are embracing a new travel trend called townsizing.

If you’re visiting Madrid and looking for an easy overnight escape, Toledo is the perfect destination. Just a short ride away by high-speed train, this historic city offers winding medieval streets, stunning architecture, and delicious regional specialties. I recently spent two nights in Toledo with my friend and fellow solo traveler Linda.

If you're spending time in Madrid and looking for an easy and rewarding day trip, consider visiting Segovia. This charming city is packed with history, beauty, and excellent food—and its three main attractions can comfortably be seen in a single day.