About Sue – Solo female travel over 50: My journey back to adventure!

I’m Sue: California-native data analyst by day, enthusiastic over-researcher of travel spots by night. I travel solo in my 50s, with comfortable shoes, a firm no to hostels, and a strong preference for charming hotels that feel safe, comfortable, and worth the price.

I created Sojourns With Sue for women over 50 who want to travel solo without feeling overwhelmed, reckless, or out of place.

In my 20s, I backpacked around Europe, road-tripped through the U.S. Southwest in an RV, and assumed travel would always come easy.

Then came marriage, kids, and roughly nine hundred trips to Disneyland. But somewhere along the way, my dreams of spontaneous travel got shelved between work deadlines and soccer practice.

Kids grown, life rearranged, and suddenly I had a passport and nobody to negotiate with about breakfast. I jumped back into travel. This time on my own.

The First Solo Trip Was Awkward. Then It Wasn’t.

The first solo dinner was rough. I read the entire menu twice, including the wine list, including the wines I do not drink. But soon I ended up sliding back into my 20 year old attitude of being thrilled to be going new places and seeing new things. But, travelling alone over 50 is a bit of a different animal.

So I did what I always do: I researched everything and made a spreadsheet.

The whole first-trip story is here.

Why a Blog, and Why This One

I still work as a data analyst, which means I genuinely enjoy a well-built formula. What I didn’t have was anywhere to put the writing, the photos, and the eleven browser tabs I keep open about a hotel I haven’t booked yet.

So: a blog. Travel, writing, design, and spreadsheets, all in one place.

I binge-read a few dozen other travel blogs and got completely hooked. The good ones tell you what a guidebook never will. Which entrance to use. Where the bathrooms actually are. Whether the famous view is worth the ninety minute line. (Sometimes it isn’t.)

The Good, the Goofy, and the “Doh” Moments

I love almost every part of this. Picking where to go. Researching it well past the point of reason. Finding the small local thing nobody wrote about, and also standing in line for the enormous famous thing, because it’s famous for a reason.

My Gen X status means I don’t stay in hostels anymore (okay, except that one), and I’m over the roughing-it stage. I want safe, charming places with a little bit of luxury and lots of character. I want to learn something, be surprised, and climb out of the “meh” zone we all sink into.

I also want you to know I had a complete meltdown at the Florence airport? It’s on the blog. The embarrassing parts are the useful parts, so I leave them in.

Places I’ve Loved, and Places I’m Still Plotting

Let’s Travel This Next Chapter Together

Whether you’re planning your first solo trip, easing back into travel after a long pause, or just craving stories from someone who’s been there (and tripped over the suitcase), I’m glad you found me

Start with this story about my very first solo trip, and maybe bookmark a few others that give you some ideas.

Here’s to new adventures,
Sue