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Terwase | Solo travel tips & unexpected destinations

@terwandering

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Life Update 🧳 🇫🇷 I moved to Lille, France one month ago! This is my first experience living outside of the US and I’m here for a Masters program. My first day was a whirlwind. The plan was to drop my luggage off in my apartment and then attend an Olympics Women’s Basketball game. France vs Nigeria: My new country playing against the country of my roots in my new city, I knew I had to be there! While there were some hiccups: my furnished apartment wasn’t ready (no furniture, no electricity, barely functional toilet) so we had to book a hotel on the spot, but overall I had a fantastic time and am happy to be living in Lille

P.S. Many thanks to @jkorpershoek for helping me move 3 suitcases + 2 bags from Brussels Airport and for enthusiastically cheering for Nigeria with me 💕

Any tips/advice from those who have moved abroad? Drop your thoughts here👇🏾

#lille #lillefrance #expatlife #backtoschool #olympics #olympics2024 taken in Lille, France by @terwandering

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2 years ago

Hi everyone 👋🏾 I realize it has been awhile since I reintroduced myself on here. To say that my schedule was “busy” last year would be an understatement 😅 but this year I’m planning to share more tips/thoughts on solo travel, non solo travel, and less popular but still memorable destinations! For now, I’ll share a few travel/culture related facts about me:

1. Including everyone in my family (parents + 3 siblings) we have visited 71 countries and I’m not the most well traveled, that’s my middle sister ✈️

2. When I was 10 years old I lost the school spelling bee because I couldn’t spell “samba” - later I taught myself Portuguese and took samba dance classes for a year 🦚

3. While traveling I have randomly run into people I knew from the U.S. on two separate continents - South America and Africa 🗺️

4. I’m a big football/soccer fan and have spotted three professional footballers while on trips, the most epic was seeing Zinedine Zidane on a Madrid sidewalk ⚽️

5. I’ve appeared on TV in Portugal (a reality prank show) and Croatia (an interview at a donkey race) 📺

What about you, do you have any travel fun facts? Share them below 👇🏾

#gettoknowme #solotravel #solofemaletraveler #solotraveler #ig_travel #throwbackthursday taken in Movich Hotels by @terwandering

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2 years ago

What to do in Rotterdam during the summer? Every 2nd weekend in July, the city hosts one of the largest indoor jazz festivals, @northseajazz Festival brings together both traditional jazz greats and contemporary artists. For example, Friday and Saturday night’s headliners were The Roots and Burna Boy. If you’d like to attend the next edition, here are my tips:

1. Decide if you’ll attend for all 3 days, or if individual day tickets are the better option for you 🎫

2. Review the venue rules carefully!! Same day re-entries, large bags, non-clear water bottles, football(soccer) jerseys are all banned ❌

3. The lineup doesn’t only include jazz musicians but acts from genres spanning indie pop, hip hop, and afrobeats 🎷

4. Study the line ups ahead of time, choose which artists are your must-sees and prepare for some overlap in the schedule 🎤

5. But also give yourself time to discover new artists 🎶

6. Don’t forget to make time during the day to see and explore the city of Rotterdam 🏙️

Are you traveling to attend any festivals or concerts this summer ? Let me know below 👇🏾🎶

*Artists I saw perform : Anaiis, Kokoroko, The Roots (guests Jon Batiste and Bilal), Maro, Adekunle Gold, Burna Boy

#dorotterdam #visitrotterdam #northseajazz taken in Rotterdam, Netherlands by @terwandering

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7 days ago

Istanbul through my eyes 👀📷

#i̇stanbul #visitistanbul #turkiye taken in Istanbul Türkiye by @terwandering

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a month ago

What first comes to mind when I say the name, Istanbul? It’s a mega city that transcends centuries, empires, cultures, and continents. Home to around 16 million people, it’s also the 5th most visited city in the world. Much has been/will be written about how to best see Istanbul, as a 1st time visitor I won’t attempt to tell you what you must see, instead I’ll share tips on how to feel less overwhelmed when visiting this magnificent metropolis:

1. Know your airport options - If traveling from Europe, you have 2 options: the larger (IST) and smaller (SAW) which services budget airlines and is still well connected to the city ✈️

2. Conveniently from either airport you can take the metro into the city or a direct bus to Taksim Square - I used Havabus 🚌

3. To make choosing where to eat a bit easier, write out a list of Turkish foods, search for them in Google maps and find a place that specializes in that dish rather than sifting through long lists of restaurants (Ex: search for borëk or künefe - 🥙🥮

4. Plan a separate day for shopping: whether it’s food, tea, jewelry, or home decor - set aside time to choose souvenirs in smaller markets/shops so you don’t feel rushed 🛍️

5. Beware of high Google Maps restaurant reviews - I noticed many restaurants have mainly positive reviews, pay for sponsorship, or offer customers free treats if they write 5 star ratings so know you’re not reading an unbiased opinion ⭐️

6. Sort out your phone data coverage before landing - check with your carrier if you’ll need an ESim or if you can manage with international data, because once you leave the airport, free WiFi is scarce 📱

What are your tips for managing first time visits to big cities? And if you’ve been to Istanbul, what was your first impression? Comment below👇🏾

#istanbul #türkiye #visitistanbul taken in Istanbul Türkiye by @terwandering

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2 months ago

What’s a city/destination that surprised you? For me, it’s Milan. I’d heard/read such negative opinions about the city, that I had quite low expectations. And while I only spent one day in Milan doing quite touristy activities, aren’t first impressions everything? I found the city to be easily walkable, elegant, filled with art, and cool without feeling completely unapproachable. Who knows, maybe I caught Milan on a good day, but I certainly would love to return and make time for more cultural activities.

And yes, the visit to Milan coincided with the day that Inter Milan officially won the Serie A title so the city (the blue half) was in full party mode ⚽️ 🥳

What’s a city/place that pleasantly surprised you? Let me know below 👇🏾

#milano #visititaly #italy taken in Milano by @terwandering

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2 months ago

How to spend a day on Lake Como? Another perk of staying in Sondrio is that you’re only a short train ride away from the sparkling Lake Como. Keep in mind, Lake Como is a sprawling mountainous lake and there are numerous towns to choose from, many with different vibes from glitzy and glamorous to quiet tiny villages. So depending on what you’re looking for, there is likely a right town for you. However, of the towns located along the same train line as Sondrio, I’d recommend visiting Lecco, a laidback yet industrious town. It’s a 1.20 minute train ride away from Sondrio and 40 minutes from Milan. Here’s what I would do on a relaxing visit to the lake town:

1. Start with lunch with the locals at Osteria del San Martino, they have an affordable lunch special 🍝

2. Walk across the JFK Bridge which straddles the Adda River for the best views of Lecco from across the lake ⛲️

3. After crossing the bridge, head to Tato Gelateria for their excellent gelato 🍧

4. Step into historical churches, the striped Santuario Beata Vergine della Vittoria or the iconic Basilica di San Nicolò ⛪️

5. Take a leisurely walk along the lake and take in the memorable views 🚤

#lakecomo #visititaly #visitlombardia taken in Lecco, Lake Como, Italy by @terwandering

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2 months ago

What is there to see and do in Sondrio? But first, where is this mountain town? Located in the Northern Italian Alps, you can reach Sondrio by train from Milan in about 2 hours by taking the Trenord line to Tirano. Make sure to sit on the right side of the train for window side views as you ride past Lake Como. Once you arrive in Sondrio, here are my suggestions of what to do:

1. Go hiking - Several hiking trails pass through the city, including the Valtellina Wine Trail where you hike through terraced vineyards 🍷

2. Visit a castle - Castello Massegra, has been standing since the 13th century and offers sweeping views of Sondrio and the Mallero River 🏰

3. Shop at local markets - On the weekends you can choose from produce markets in the city center or an antiques market in front of the train station 🧺

4. Eat delicious Italian cuisine - Try traditional Valtinese dishes like pizzocheri (buckwheat pasta) or blueberry gnocchi at Trattoria Olmo, classic Roman pastas at Eat Parade and artisanal gelato at Gelateria Maserati 🍝🍦

Do you have a favorite mountain town? Let me know below 👇🏾mountain #inlombardia #visititaly #italy taken in Sondrio by @terwandering

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2 months ago

How to see an alpine lake while visiting the Valtellina Valley? A major benefit of staying in the area is its proximity to numerous mountains with hiking trails, if you’re based in Sondrio, you can use public transportation to travel north and venture deeper into the Italian Alps. Here’s a step by step guide of how to reach areas with breathtaking views and transparent lakes at 1600 m/5250 ft above sea level:

1. At the Sondrio Bus Station, buy a ticket to Chiesa in Valmalenco - 40 minute ride 🚌

2. From Chiesa, hike to Primolo, a smaller town 🌳

3. Join the hiking trail in Primolo, walk along steep paths in the forests, cross a few waterfalls, and eat a packed lunch 🥾

4. After 2 hours you’ll reach a settlement with a few houses named Pirlo, turn left and be treated to a view of an alpine lake, Lago di Troni💧

5. Hike back to Chiesa, be proud of yourself for confronting your fear of heights and for not freaking out when you saw a snake 🐍

What’s the most memorable sight you’ve seen on a hike? Let me know in the comments below 🏔️🧊

#italy #valtellina #thealps taken in Chiesa in Valmalenco by @terwandering

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3 months ago

Have you ever heard of the Valtellina Valley in Italy? Until very recently I had not, but I’m already impressed. A 2.5 hour train ride north from Milan you’ll find a mountainous region with terraced vineyards, turquoise rivers, and numerous hiking trails. One well known path in the region, the Valtellina Wine Route, is a 67 km road that runs from Ardenno to Tirano, joining the route from the city of Sondrio you’ll climb above the city center and be greeted by spectacular views of mountains and vineyards. If you follow the path to Sassella (around 5 m/8 km - one way) there you’ll find the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sassella, an iconic 13th century church which sits nexts to vineyards which produce notable red wines. For the hike back to Sondrio, walk along the riverside so you can have one more glimpse of the sanctuary from below.

And you, where are your favorite hiking trails located ? 🥾🏔️

#italy #visitasondrio #valtellina taken in Valtellina by @terwandering

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3 months ago

How to make the most of a visit to Toledo? Nicknamed “City of Three Cultures” Toledo has enchanted visitors for more than 2,500 years. It remains a popular day trip destination from Madrid (30 minute train ride) and here you’ll find a well preserved old town, houses of worship for the 3 main faiths, hilly alleyways, and artisanal shops. It’s the type of city that you don’t need a specific itinerary, simply by walking around you’re sure to find unique and historical attractions. Here are a few tips for your next visit to Toledo:

1. For the best views, you’ll need to leave the Old Town - just outside this area/across the main bridge you’ll find several “parador(es)” which are scenic viewing areas 🔭

2. Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes - you’ll be walking on uneven and hilly cobblestones, so good footwear is a must👟

3. Stay overnight - while I haven’t done this yet, locals say that Toledo is best enjoyed at night when the crowds of day trippers leave and the Old Town twinkles with lights💡

P. S. - to find the view from the first photo, go to Hotel Parador de Toledo and walk onto their terrace

And you? Have you ever visited Toledo and if yes, what did you like most?

#toledo #visitspain #toledospain taken in Toledo by @terwandering

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3 months ago

How do you choose which restaurant to eat at or what to order when you’ve gone out to eat? I think about this a lot, before going to a new city I’ll already have a Google Maps folder filled with restaurants, I even have lists for cities I haven’t visited yet! I’ve also realized that I have several rules that I follow when dining out, and many of them I didn’t even realize I was implementing until friends/family pointed them out to me. While I would like to think I’ve become a more accommodating dining companion 😅 I do genuinely believe that some of these “Food Philosophies” make the dining out experience better for everyone at the table. Here’s Part 1 of my list:

1. Pizzerias - Always first order a margherita pizza, I judge the pizzeria’s quality on how they make the simplest pizza 🍕

2. Multiple diners = Multiple meals - Everyone should order different dishes in case someone wants to try a reasonable portion of their meal🥘

3. No small plates/tapas style restaurants outside of Southern Europe - ordering several small dishes to share becomes expensive, I leave hungry and if there’s a dish I really like I don’t want to share 🦑

4. Ice cream/Gelato parlors - I order a 2 scoop cone of 1 basic flavor + 1 unique flavor: Ex: pistachio + kiwi melon, plus cones are eco-friendly🍦

5. Be adventurous but know your limits - For me that means not ordering any dishes with pâté/foie gras or not eating them when they’re included with cheese plates 🦆

And you, what are your Food Philosophies/Rules for Dining Out? I’d love to hear them below 👇🏾🍜 by @terwandering

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4 months ago