Lessons From the Road
What Solo Travel in Italy Taught Me About Freedom, Fear, and Following My Gut
A dreamy sunset in Panicale, Umbria
When I set off on my three-week solo road trip from Pisa to Abruzzo, I thought I was just heading out for another Italian adventure. A loop through hilltop towns, winding roads, and a few quiet B&B stays along the way. But like most things in Italy, what unfolded went far deeper than I’d planned.
This trip became more than a journey across regions. It was a reminder of how much solo travel teaches you about trust, intuition, and the beauty of letting go.
Finally arriving at the Adriatic after 3 weeks on the road from Tuscany was a great feeling.
The Nerves Before Setting Off.
No matter how many times I travel alone, there’s always that flutter of anxiety before the first flight — the what ifs creeping in as I double-check my passport for the fifth time.
This time, it hit differently. I’d been back in the UK for a while, and the idea of hitting the Italian roads solo again, driving from Pisa into the unknown, felt both thrilling and a little daunting.
This was my biggest solo trip in terms of distance. I covered nearly 1000 miles as I wound my way across Central Italy, from the Mediterranean to the Adriatic, exploring Tuscany and Umbria on the way.
I arrived into Pisa Airport late at night, after a gruelling 16 hour journey from Cornwall, and long after most other travellers had gone. For a moment I was worried that the car rental desk would be shut and I might have to check into a nearby hotel and start fresh in the morning. By the time I finally collected my keys and loaded my bags into my little Cinquecento, it was 11:30 p.m. The storm clouds had rolled in, thunder echoed in the distance, and flashes of lightning lit up the Tuscan landscape as I pulled out of the car park.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re buying an eSIM, make sure it’s downloaded into your phone before you land, so you can get online immediately if you need to. I always use Airolo when I’m in Italy to stay connected.
Thankfully, I know the route from Pisa to Ghizzano where I was staying for a few nights well now, and those familiar turns felt like old friends guiding me home. Even so, as rain lashed against the windscreen, I couldn’t help but laugh at the timing. Back on Italian soil, alone in a tiny car in the middle of a thunderstorm — it was the most Beara way possible to begin another adventure.
I always hire a Fiat Cinquecento if possible. It epitomises Italy to me, and it’s super nippy for navigating tiny villages in the middle of nowhere.
The Beauty of Unplanned Travel
I rarely plan my trips in detail — just the basics: flights, car hire, and a vague idea of direction. Everything else? I let Italy decide.
That’s how I found myself wandering through Castiglion Fiorentino in Eastern Tuscany where I stayed for 4 nights, and sipping espresso in Panicale in Umbria. (Fans of the tv series, Signora Volpe will recognise it as the town used for filming).
The Piazza in Panicale, Umbria.
I took an unexpected detour to Ascoli Piceno just into the region of Marche, that turned into one of the most magical days of the trip. I found the most amazing B&B called Nella Torre through Booking.com, and I wish I could have stayed more than one night.
In Pianella, I spent 6 nights at Dimora Antica Pianella, a peaceful B&B perched above olive groves and vineyards. It became my base to explore Abruzzo — a region that still feels untouched by mass tourism.
The spontaneity of it all reminded me that the best moments are rarely planned. Sometimes it’s the wrong turn that leads to the right place.
Ascoli Piceno in Marche.
Wish I could have stayed longer, but I will be back, as it’s an absolute treasure.
The Challenges Along the Way.
Of course, solo travel isn’t always serene sunsets and cappuccinos. There were plenty of moments that tested me.
Driving across the Sibillini Mountains in the pouring rain was one of them. My little Cinquecento battled its way up steep, twisting roads while thunder rolled through the valleys and sheets of rain blurred the view ahead. I gripped the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white, whispering encouragement to myself between the wipers’ frantic rhythm.
Then came the tunnels, long, echoing, and dark. I’ve never liked them; something about being closed in with no sense of direction makes me uneasy. Emerging back into the open air felt like a small victory every time.
I’m far happier driving in places like Tuscany and Umbria, where the landscape opens out into vast fields and golden plains . I realised then that I’m happiest in open spaces, where the road stretches ahead and the horizon feels endless. The mountains are beautiful, but they also remind me how small and vulnerable we are when we’re alone — and maybe that’s part of the lesson too.
Breathtaking views from the historic town of Anghiari, in the province of Arezzo.
What Solo Travel in Italy has Taught Me.
Every solo journey shifts something inside you. Here are the lessons that stayed with me this time:
1. Freedom is a mindset.
It’s not about having no plans. It’s about trusting yourself enough to follow curiosity wherever it leads.
2. Fear doesn’t disappear — it evolves.
You still get scared sometimes, but the difference is, you go anyway. You learn to do it with the fear.
3. Your gut is your greatest guide.
Whether it’s choosing which town to visit next or deciding when to move on, intuition always knows best.
4. Connection comes in many forms.
Even when you travel alone, you’re never truly alone. There’s the barista who remembers your name on your third day in town, the couple who helps you find your way, the host who goes out of his way to book a table for lunch at a local restaurant, and walk you through town to introduce you to the owner. Those small moments make the journey whole.
5. Confidence comes from doing.
You can read all the Italy travel tips in the world, but nothing replaces the experience of getting behind the wheel and finding your own rhythm.
Italy has a way of revealing not just its landscapes, but layers of yourself you didn’t know were there.
For Women Thinking About Doing the Same
If you’re considering solo female travel in Italy — do it. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s transformative.
Pack light.
Buy full excess cover for your car hire (a small price for peace of mind).
Use an eSIM like Airola to stay connected.
Keep your exact location off social media until after you’ve left.
And most importantly — follow your gut.
Every hilltop town, every winding road, every unexpected stop — it all adds up to something much bigger than a holiday. It’s freedom, found one detour at a time.
💬 Do you have a solo travel story or a favorite place to stay in Italy? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear about your experiences!
Happy travels! ✈️🌍
Beara x