Additional Coverage:
- My boyfriend and I broke up hours before the international trip we’d planned together. I still went by myself. (businessinsider.com)
From Breakup Blues to Lisbon Bliss: One Traveler’s Unexpected Solo Adventure
What started as a planned romantic getaway to Lisbon quickly transformed into an empowering solo journey for Leanna Coy after a pre-trip spat led to a breakup. Despite the initial heartbreak, Coy embraced the opportunity to explore a new country on her own terms, proving that sometimes, the best travel companion is yourself.
Coy and her boyfriend of two and a half years were on the cusp of flying to Lisbon when a morning argument escalated, leaving their relationship in tatters. With their flights booked on standby and fully refundable, the decision was made to part ways.
But for Coy, canceling the trip was never an option. “You don’t want to go?”
she recalls asking. “I can cancel your ticket right now.”
He didn’t think traveling together was a good idea, so Coy, a seasoned solo traveler, kept her ticket and headed to the airport alone, a mix of adrenaline and relief coursing through her.
Tears and Triumphs: A Healing Journey in Lisbon
Though the initial hours of her journey were punctuated by tears, Coy’s spirits lifted upon hearing the pilot’s welcome to Lisbon. Arriving alone, she felt an immense sense of pride.
The trip, meticulously planned by Coy herself and with the hotel already booked in her name, unfolded surprisingly smoothly. Exploring the vibrant city proved to be a powerful distraction and a balm for her grieving heart.
Lisbon offered a backdrop for both introspection and unexpected connections. Coy spent her days wandering through scenic viewpoints, indulging in local cuisine and wine.
During a quiet moment at a café, two women invited her to join their table, leading to an hour of shared life stories. The following day, on an excursion to Sintra, a woman and her niece “adopted” Coy after learning of her breakup.
Together, they hiked to the colorful Pena Palace and explored local shops, transforming a potentially lonely day into one of shared adventure.
Coy reflects on how much happier she was experiencing the city at her own pace, free from the stress of a rocky relationship. This solo journey allowed her to fully immerse herself in the culture without the burden of maintaining an unstable peace.
The Power of Solo Exploration: A Confidence Boost for Anyone
For Coy, a flight attendant accustomed to traveling independently, venturing to Portugal alone was a natural extension of her lifestyle. The freedom to set her own budget and itinerary, unburdened by another’s availability, is a significant perk of solo travel. So in-character was this trip that only those aware of her breakup suspected anything was amiss when she posted about her adventures on social media.
Her friends expressed pride in her decision to go alone, but for Coy, not going was simply unthinkable. She believes her existing comfort with solo travel empowered her to embark on what became a truly “amazing, healing trip.”
Coy enthusiastically encourages everyone, regardless of their relationship status, to try solo travel. Navigating a new place independently, she asserts, is an unparalleled confidence booster and a profound way to connect with oneself.