Planning a trip to Europe or beyond? While you can certainly get by with English in many places, learning a few key phrases—or even taking a short language course—can make your travel experience much richer.

There’s something magical about traveling alone. When you’re on your own, every experience feels more vivid, every challenge turns into an adventure, and every interaction with a stranger becomes a meaningful connection. As a woman traveling solo in my fifties, I’ve collected a treasure trove of moments that have shaped the way I see the world—and myself.

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.