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.

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.

Exploring lesser-known museums and galleries offers more than just fewer crowds—it gives you a richer, more personal connection to the places you visit. As a solo traveler, these are often the places where you’ll have the most meaningful, memorable experiences.