- I didn’t have a traditional wedding — I walked myself down the aisle.
- So it’s not a surprise I didn’t have a traditional honeymoon, instead I went alone on a solo-moon.
- My husband and I have the rest of our lives to travel together.
Traditionally, newlyweds take a trip together following their “I do’s” — but the truth is, I’ve never really been very traditional. Case in point: on my wedding day, I walked down the aisle by myself as a feminist declaration of my self-sufficiency.
So, after months and months of back-and-forth disagreements with my husband over where to honeymoon and when, I finally decided to take one by myself.
We have the rest of our lives to travel together
My husband and I have the rest of our lifetime to travel together. We had also struggled to settle on a destination for our honeymoon — while I yearned for a European adventure, he imagined basking in the sun at a Caribbean all-inclusive resort. I knew that if I waited around for us to finally compromise on a location, I’d feel resentful down the road. Given that we don’t have any kids yet, it felt like the perfect time for me to finally leave the US and explore another part of the world. Plus, he’s right in the middle of a job transition; I’m far more willing and eager to travel than he is.
Vienna seemed like a no-brainer destination for my solo-moon for several reasons. Firstly, it’s incredibly safe — in fact, Austria is the fifth-highest country on the Global Peace Index, which measures the level of societal safety and security. Considering that I’d be traveling without my partner and that I’m a woman, this was important to me. Vienna is also known for its legendary coffeehouse culture, impressive local wineries, and rich musical history — all major draws for me as a latte lover, wine enthusiast, and professional musician.
Although I spent less than a week in Vienna, my travels proved more transformative than I ever could have imagined.
I reinforced my independence
Marriage means merging lives with someone else in numerous ways. You share assets. You share debts. You may even share a last name. While I find this beautiful — or I wouldn’t have said “I do” — a part of me still clamored to prove that I am a separate being. My travels did just that.
My international travels definitely came with some hurdles — including a stressful layover in Paris where I had to quite literally sprint through the airport, hustle through security and customs, and even hop on a train just to get to my gate. But overcoming these hurdles gave me a renewed sense of self-assurance.
On my third day in Vienna, I casually navigated the bustling shopping neighborhood Goldenes Quartier. I stumbled on the perfect café for a crave-worthy cappuccino, found the authentic Austrian sweater boutique I’d been searching for, and located a candy shop for some sweet Viennese souvenirs. This feat was all the more satisfying because I managed it all on my own.
I reconnected with forgotten passions
Traveling with a partner certainly has lots of perks. One of the downsides, though, is that you do often need to compromise on your itinerary. My husband couldn’t care less about museums, for example, and I’d rather not drag him through an exhibit he’s completely uninterested in, so I usually skip them altogether. Since he doesn’t drink anymore, it doesn’t make sense for us to visit a brewery or winery while on vacation. Likewise, to his dismay, we rarely go scuba diving and parachuting since I’m not exactly an adventure sports enthusiast.
On my solo-moon, though, there was no need to compromise.
So, I toured the Sigmund Freud Museum, where I learned more about the founder of psychoanalysis — a fascinating experience as a writer who frequently covers mental health.
I also fully indulged my love of wine while in Vienna, even discovering some new varietals I’d never have the chance to try in America. For example, I sampled sturm — a very young wine available during the fall harvest season that’s fizzy, fruity, and downright dangerously easy to drink.
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