This year I’ve sailed away from my friends and family, and straight out of my comfort zone – The Irish Times

From the moment our wings were clipped during the first Covid lockdown, in 2020, and we couldn’t go more than 2km from our homes, I had an irresistible urge to pack up my things and drive far and long in just about any direction. Over time, I found myself fantasizing about morning walks on the beach, forest-speckled sunsets, and delicious foreign cuisine.

As a life coach, I always tell my clients that the power of their decision is enormous and only when we make a decision do we act on it. So, after two years of discussions, I decided that the nomadic life, traveling through Europe in my small silver car, with Molly, my beautiful four-year-old chocolate cockapoo, in the passenger seat, was a decision which was worth taking, especially since I was single and had a big birthday coming up. A 40th Sunstroke was a very appealing concept.

My loose plan was to spend two or three months in France, Spain, Italy and Portugal. I had vague thoughts of jumping from one Airbnb to another, but I also wanted to keep my plans loose, to allow for spontaneity and adventure.

So in February of this year, with my car packed like a Tetris champion’s dream and Molly’s pet passport safely next to mine, we took the ferry to Holyhead in northern Wales, on the first leg of our journey. As I sailed away from all my friends and family, a language I could actually speak, and all the comforts of my comfort zone, I was so excited about new adventures, meeting new new people, see new places and learn things at the same time. the path.

After a stop in London to visit friends, I jumped on the Channel Tunnel train to France, for a month in Paris. I had booked a tiny but beautiful studio in the center of the artists quarter of Montmartre, delighted to immerse myself in the Parisian way of life. Of course, the first week, I had croissants and coffee for breakfast, went to the local market and came home with a fresh baguette sticking out of my jute market bag, and I ate onion soup and goat cheese salads at local cafes while Molly was attracting a lot of attention. people at nearby tables.

People were worried before I left town. “Is it safe to travel alone? ” they asked. When it comes to security, the same rules apply wherever you are in the world: stay alert; do not go to a dark or threatening place late at night; and keep a close eye on your belongings.

People also asked if I would be alone. You’re never alone as a solo traveler with a gorgeous dog in tow – starting conversations about each other’s dogs had already made me a lot of friends in Paris. And traveling with Molly has been amazing. I now realize that Ireland is the least dog friendly place I know. Molly accompanied me all over Europe, and every restaurant and bar we visited greeted her, and promptly offered a bowl of water (even before my drinks were served).

She sat on my lap while I got my hair or nails done, and waited patiently in the dressing rooms while I tried on clothes. Despite his bizarre ban from most Paris parks and all places of worship in the city, there’s nowhere I couldn’t take him.

The biggest personal concern I had, and something that kept worrying me before I left, was driving my car on the right side of the road. It has become one of my greatest life lessons. The thing I wasted energy worrying about turned out to be the thing I’m most proud of. Molly and I have now covered over 25,000 km on the right side of the road. We survived the dreaded Arc de Triomphe roundabout in Paris. We have lived in Dénia, on the Costa Blanca in Spain, and in Marbella, on the Costa del Sol. We made stays in Lisbon and Albufeira, in Portugal, and spent two months in the south of France, passing through Provence and Occitanie. We are currently in Italy, where we have spent the past few months traveling through Tuscany and the Emilia-Romagna region to the north.

Molly visited the Eiffel Tower and the 25th of April Bridge in Lisbon and explored many Spanish beaches. We kayaked together on Lake Garda and spotted George Clooney’s house on Lake Como. She’s been on a gondola in Venice, visited Juliet’s balcony in Verona, and tasted lots of pasta in Bologna and Florence. I am convinced that she can now bark in at least four languages.

Our trip was not as expensive as you might think. With Airbnb you can get some really affordable options, especially if you’re staying for a long time and are willing to stay out of city centers, and in general the cost of living is much lower than in the city. ‘Ireland. Since my first week in Paris loaded with clichés, I have not stopped reminding myself that I am not on vacation but in a year abroad, working from home, and that if it was important to assimilate everything, it It’s also important to stick to setting a budget.

Did I choose a good year to travel by car, given the increase in the price of gasoline? No, but I have a very fuel efficient car, and it’s certainly cheaper than flying. The most expensive times for me were when friends or family came to visit me and that meant a busy schedule. As we age, we singles often struggle to find people to go on vacation with. A sure way to beat that, I’ve found this year, is to go alone: ​​you’ll soon have a long list of visitors. I’ve been incredibly lucky to be spending quality time with so many friends and family this year – something that, ironically, was a shining consequence of my decision to leave.

In a few days we will leave Italy. We decided to rack up a few more miles via Croatia, Slovenia and Switzerland before heading back to Ireland in December. Our trip happened in the blink of an eye. I can’t recommend a European adventure highly enough to anyone thinking of hitting the road. If nothing is stopping you other than fear, then face your fear and do it anyway.

As I put on my ruby ​​slippers for the final leg of an incredible year-long adventure with my dog, whose name is not Toto, I’m happy to report that there really is no place like at home.