
By Chiara Niccoli.
Embarking on solo travel is a deliberate choice right from the start, as exemplified by Liala Antonino (@lialaebambi). She recently graduated from high school, lives in Rome and will turn 19 in October this year. Her greatest passions are animals and travelling alone. Despite her young age, she has embarked on several solo trips, which she will discuss with us today.

Traveling alone: a legacy of exploration
After all, Liala has travel in her blood. She is the daughter of Licia Colò, a well-known television host, television writer, and author of various books telling stories about animals and her experiences around the world. Licia is widely recognised in Italy for hosting travel TV shows such as “Alle falde del Kilimangiaro”. Through her travels, she has discovered a profound sense of freedom, exploring the world at her own pace and desires without compromise. She quickly realised that solo travel is an opportunity to listen to oneself, meet new people, and authentically immerse in local cultures.

Every moment of wonder and challenge turns into a valuable life lesson, where the traveller is not just a spectator but the protagonist of their journey. After being a vegetarian for several months, she sees animals as the central focus of her dream. In her vision, she sees herself living in a farmhouse surrounded by horses, cats, cows, and piglets. Her love for nature and her innate curiosity about the world are ingrained in her, likely due to her being the daughter of Licia Colò and her ex-husband Alessandro Antonino, two vital figures in her life with whom she shares a strong bond.

When did you start travelling alone? Was the first time you did it accidental or a choice?
My solo travel experience started last year at the age of 17. Often, when I talk about it, people think I travel with friends, but that’s not the case! When I say I travel alone, I mean it. It was a choice from the start. For my first experience, I enrolled in a language school where I had classes in the morning and afternoon. I had the rest of the day free, and I could rent a room for as long as I wanted. My first solo travel was to Spain, and I reached the house using public transport. A few days before, the language school had given me only the essential directions. The situation at the house was quite unusual but definitely unique: there were 5 or 6 bedrooms and only one bathroom. I chose a private room, and the people living with me were of various ages.

What does travel mean to you, and what are the benefits of doing it alone?
Unlike a vacation, which for me means doing nothing all day and just relaxing, solo travel is an experience that involves growth. I learn something every time because I observe cultures and hear languages that are completely different from mine. It’s an inner enrichment. One benefit of travelling alone is getting to know yourself and others; since we don’t have familiar people beside us to share the experience, this encourages us to open up to new connections.
Travelling alone recommendations: the best and the risks
What is a trip you would redo immediately, and which trip would you not recommend to solo travellers?
I generally don’t enjoy returning to places I’ve already been to, but there are some past experiences I would like to have again. The trip I don’t recommend to someone travelling alone, especially as a woman, is to a country where our culture is not widely shared. There are many wonderful countries I’d like to visit, but as a woman, I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing it solo, not even with a friend. I would definitely want to be accompanied by a man.

The top 5 dream destinations in the world you would go to immediately and why
There isn’t a top 5 list of places I want to visit because there are actually many more. But if I had to choose, I’d say China, Argentina, Brazil, India, and Rwanda, or even Vietnam. The reason is that all these countries are wonderful: I speak Spanish and love Argentinians and their country; Brazil is the perfect place to see how people blend with the territory. It’s colourful, and it conveys something to you regardless of the poverty in certain areas. India should be visited at least once in a lifetime; China is a wonderful land. Lastly, I want to go to Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas.

Do you follow any specific travel groups/itineraries that offer tips for this type of experience? Could you give us tips and tricks?
Currently, I don’t rely on any specific travel group or itinerary. I never join pre-organised group trips. I prefer to plan my own solo travels. I may use some travel apps to book hostels, where I love to stay because I always meet new people or find flights at the best price. For those interested in solo travel, I recommend starting with a pre-planned experience; then they will realise that the planning process is part of the experience itself.