As a solo ager, I don’t have a husband, life partner, or daughter to travel with. And if I’m being honest, I don’t have a friend right now who’s as free as I am to just pick up and go. That never stopped me before, though. A couple of years ago, I took a chance on a trip to Tuscany with a Chamber of Commerce travel group. I didn’t know a soul, but I thought, “If I go to Italy and don’t have a good time, that’s on me.” It was a huge group of just over 100 people from around the country. Spoiler alert: I had an amazing time. So, when I stumbled upon a boutique one-week travel experience in Paris for Christmas designed for small groups—without a single supplement charge—I asked myself, “What am I waiting for?”

Just Book It

If you had told me a year ago that I would have spent Christmas in Paris, I probably would’ve laughed. Not because I didn’t want to, but partly because I didn’t think it was in the budget. Paying for it was easy. The deposit was reasonable, and the balance was due months later, proving plenty of time to fund and plan the trip. Sometimes, opportunities find you, and when they do, you must grab them and run with them. That’s exactly how I found myself in awe touring the restored Notre Dame Cathedral, wandering the bustling Latin Quarter of Paris, and soaking in the magic of the holiday season in the City of Lights.

The Journey Begins

From the moment I clicked ‘Book,’ I was buzzing with excitement. I even signed up for a conversational French class through my local adult education. Did it help? Eh, maybe a little. But in Paris, where nearly everyone speaks English, my clunky French wasn’t much of an issue.

Our group ended up being just four women—intelligent, accomplished, and absolutely lovely. We hailed from the East Coast, West Coast, and Midwest, all solo travelers looking for a special holiday experience. Our guide, Gina, an American expat and owner of Paris-Personally, was a dream. She understands American travelers yet has the local knowledge that make every experience easy and memorable. Here’s a photo of our little group. I’m in the first row far right. That’s Gina in the first row, far left.

A Christmas to Remember

One of my first solo adventures in Paris was attending a Christmas concert at La Madeleine, a grand church in the heart of the city. Using the metro by myself was one of the most intimidating concerns of mine. Gina showed us how to navigate the metro. I felt so empowered!  I confidently made my way there and back, completely on my own, at night. The concert was breathtaking. Picture a full choir, a soaring orchestra, and a thousand people coming together to sing a French Christmas song. My heart nearly burst with joy.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were spent soaking up the magic of the city. Twinkling lights, festive shop windows, and the scent of roasted chestnuts in the air at the Christmas market —it was everything I’d dreamed of and more. On Christmas night, our small group gathered for a special holiday dinner. Champagne, my favorite Sancerre wine, and a meal that still makes me swoon: Coq au Vin (one food on my “must eat” checklist) and for dessert—profiteroles. If you’ve never had them, imagine little cream puffs filled with rich vanilla ice cream, drenched in warm, velvety chocolate ganache. Heaven on a plate.

The Little Things That Make a Trip Special

I had a short checklist for this trip, and I happily checked every box. Classic French cuisine? Done. People-watching at charming cafés? Absolutely. And my big souvenir? A stunning pair of LaFont sunglasses that I’ll be fitting with prescription lenses soon. Every time I wear them, I’ll have a little piece of Paris with me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Solo Travel Is Worth It

If you’ve ever thought about taking a solo trip but hesitated, ask yourself: What am I waiting for? The world is full of experiences waiting to be had. Traveling alone is not about being lonely. It’s about embracing the freedom to explore on your own terms, meeting incredible people along the way, and creating memories that are yours and yours alone. There are plenty of places to visit where you live and abroad. You can always ease into traveling solo with a smaller, well-planned trip. You just might find it’s easier than you think.

Paris at Christmas was more magical than I could ever have imagined. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the best adventures happen when you take a leap. So don’t wait. Travel. It’s good for the soul. What are you waiting for?

For More Information

For a boutique travel experience in Paris, check out the Paris-Personally website and Facebook page.

Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in Paris

The latest addition to our Services page is Fay deHaas, a Certified Travel Associate and Master Cruise Counselor.  Visit her website and connect with her for more information. Fay is currently designing trips for people over 60 looking for adventures. Visit Fay’s site.

About the Author

Jill Kovalich is the founder of Solo Agers Connect and a solo ager who loves to travel. Learn more about her journey and what led her to create SoloAgersConnect.com for solo agers everywehre who want to live their best life.