Meet Solorella - a haven for slow, solo travelling in comfort ✨
Hi, I’m S - an avid solo traveller, who decided to stop waiting for someone else to be free and start going on adventures whenever it suited me!
An Auckland native, New Zealand was completely isolated from the world during covid and on top of that my city was in lockdown separate from the rest of the country. When domestic borders lifted and as life started to go back to ‘normal’, and my friends and family returned to the office, I got in my car and took a 1 month solo road trip that completely changed my life.
From Auckland to the capital city Wellington, I drove onto a ferry and arrived in the South Island. The next 5 weeks were full of travelling solo, slow and in comfort.
From driving for hours on end through stunning mountains, swimming in crystal clear lakes, and relaxing in woodfired hot tubs under the milky way, I learnt to enjoy the silence and revel in the freedom of solo travel.
March of 2022 gave me a newfound spark in life, a joie de vivre and when I came back I was already thinking about the next trip. My only regret, was not documenting the trip and savouring all of my incredible memories!
Looking back, I was incredibly lucky to explore some of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world with hardly another soul in sight. New Zealand still hadn’t opened up to international travel and if I hadn’t taken a leap of faith to travel by myself, I would have missed out on a once in a lifetime opportunity.
That’s what led me to start Solorella. A visual diary combined with practical tips to help you get the most of your adventures and encourage you to take that trip and go!
Who knows where life will take you? So let’s all enjoy the journey 🙂
For a look into my daily life, check out my living alone vlogs on YouTube!
FAQ
What kind of traveller are you?
I love breathtaking views, stylish accommodation, artisan souvenirs and delicious food!
Your favourite destination?
Beach Getaway: Milos, Greece
Road Trip: South Island, New Zealand
Food: Andalucía, Spain or Tokyo, Japan
Stylish cafes: Jeju, South Korea
Underrated location: Fukuoka + Kyushu, Japan
How do you find cafes/restaurants/photo spots etc.?
Exploring via google maps to discover hidden cafes, gift shops or locations is my favourite past time 🙂
How do solo travellers begin?
If you're feeling nervous about taking a solo trip, start slow 🙂 Ease yourself into with a weekend trip or one night domestic getaway. Even taking yourself out on a solo-date is a great way to get comfortable enjoying your own company 🙂 That way you don't need to deal with language barriers or currency conversions. As you get more experience, you can start taking longer overseas trips.
Best destination for female solo travellers?
Seoul, South Korea and New Zealand are good options for female travellers.
How do you afford to travel / Is Solorella your job?
Solorella isn't my job, I fund all of my travels myself from remote working on my own business. The great thing is that I control all of my hours and still can earn income while travelling! So it's definitely possible to travel full time without being a 'travel influencer' 🙂
When did you start travelling?
I've been very fortunate to travel to visit family throughout my life - I took my first plane ride at 3 months old! However, I started travelling for 'myself' and planning trips when I was 17. I was on exchange in France and wanted to make the most of it!
What languages do you speak?
English (of course!), French (fluent-ish), Spanish (más o menos) and tourist level Korean haha