Solo Travel to Paris: Finding Yourself, Slowing Down & Saying Yes with Amy Boyle

Have you ever dreamed of taking a solo trip to Paris… but felt a little unsure about doing it alone?

In this episode, I sit down with journalist and storyteller Amy Boyle to talk about her three-week solo journey to Paris and why it was exactly what she needed during a time of personal change and loss. 

We talk about how she planned the trip, stayed safe, and explored the city at her own pace, from wandering different neighborhoods to discovering charming cafés and hidden gardens. Amy shares simple but brilliant tips for solo travel, including how to navigate a new city confidently and how to build flexibility into your days.

But this conversation goes deeper than logistics. We talk about what it really feels like to spend extended time alone, how solo travel helps you reconnect with yourself, and why slowing down might be the most meaningful part of any trip.

Amy also shares a few beautiful rituals you can try, like writing postcards to yourself, plus easy ways to start small, like taking yourself out for coffee or planning a solo weekend close to home.

If you’ve been craving time for yourself or thinking about your first solo trip, this episode will give you the nudge (and the confidence) to go for it.

👉 For more travel inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories, subscribe to my Substack at The Gomes Guide.

Amy’s Paris recommendations: 

• Hotel worth the splurge: Hotel Dupond Smith (only has 8 rooms!) 
• Must-visit bookstore: Shakespeare and Company
• Books to read:  At the Existentialist Cafe by Sarah Bakewell, The Art of French Eating by Ann Mah, Paris by Gertrude Stein and The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
• Movies that take place in Paris: Julie and Julia, Before Sunset, and Midnight in Paris
• Favorite restaurants: La Mansion Rose,  Le Consulat Café (great mussels and people watching!), Carnavalet Museum (beautiful garden for lunch) and La Tour outside of Paris in Versailles

Follow Amy on Substack at: https://amyboyle.substack.com/ and listen to her podcast. 

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