Travelling alone is a dream for many, but a reality for a few.
Among them is Miriam, an tireless traveller who has made the world her home and the encounter with different cultures her daily bread.
With courage, curiosity, and a good dose of adaptability, Miriam has crossed both geographical and inner boundaries, turning every stage into an opportunity for personal growth.
Through her blog – mirygiramondo.com – followed by a community of travel enthusiasts – she shares her experiences, provides detailed guides, suggestions on how to get visas, and practical advice on how to move around independently. Her wonderful photos, taken with a reflex camera, drone, and GoPro, make each story even more vivid.
A true source of inspiration for those who dream of leaving.
We met her to hear how her adventure began, which countries left the deepest mark, and what advice she would give to those who dream of travelling alone but haven’t yet found the courage.
Get ready to discover the world through her eyes…
Hi Miry, welcome to Turismo.eu!
I’m happy to host a great solo traveller like you. Thank you for accepting this interview: I’m looking forward to getting to know your story and sharing your experience with our readers.
To start, tell us something about yourself: who is Miry Giramondo?
My name is Miriam and I’m originally from Friuli Venezia Giulia. Until ten years ago, my life followed a rather standard path, by Italian standards: work, friends, family.
Then, thanks also to a work contract that wasn’t renewed, I decided to take the opportunity to have a life and work experience abroad. I moved to Bristol, in the United Kingdom, with the goal of improving my English, which until then had been a limitation for my solo travels.
That experience was the springboard for everything that came after—things I never thought possible. It was right there that my solo travels began: real acts of courage that, against all expectations, greatly strengthened my self-confidence.
In 2018 I took a one-way ticket to Southeast Asia, beginning a long journey that lasted almost a year. I travelled through Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries, living incredible experiences like picking tea with women in the mountains of northern Vietnam, donating blood in a paediatric hospital in Cambodia, or living with some of the oldest tribes on the planet.
When I returned, with a full heart and a new vision of the world, I felt the need to share all this. That’s how Miry Giramondo was born: a project created to inspire and support especially women who want to travel alone, with a limited budget and in search of alternative and authentic destinations.
Over time, the project evolved: today I create personalised itineraries, lead walking groups through hidden corners of London and its countryside, and I keep telling the stories of my journeys to show that travelling alone is not only possible, but can become the most powerful experience of your life.
For me, travelling means freedom, authenticity, and growth. I didn’t wait for an uncertain future to live what makes me happy: I chose the present.
How long have you been travelling the world?
At the end of June 2024, I decided to set off again, beginning a new long journey. Today, after more than ten months, I continue to explore the world with a backpack, choosing unusual destinations, encountering different cultures, and following my most authentic passion: travelling slowly, deeply, and freely.
To make this year-long journey possible, I found an alternative way of living: I worked as a cat sitter in London, thus avoiding paying the expensive rent, and at the same time I kept working, receiving a salary. A balance that allowed me to save money and organise myself in the best way to leave, turning a dream into reality.
What pushed you to embark on this long solo journey?
You only live once, and we don’t know for how long. Time is the most precious asset we have, and it’s the only one we can’t get back. In light of this, I decided to dedicate a period of my life to doing what I love most: travelling. Many people postpone everything until retirement, but the truth is that no one knows in what condition they will arrive at that point—or if they will arrive at all.
I chose to live in the present, not in a hypothetical future.
Which countries have you visited so far, and which ones would you still like to explore?
On this journey, which started at the end of June 2024, I travelled through all the countries of the former Yugoslavia, exploring territories rich in history, nature, and fascinating and deeply different cultures. I then continued southward, crossing Albania and Greece, until I reached Istanbul by land, never taking a plane.
From there, my adventure in the Middle East began, with special attention to the Arabian Peninsula, which I had the good fortune to explore in depth, visiting all of its countries. An experience that enriched me from every point of view: human, cultural, and spiritual.
Now I am in Southeast Asia, and there are about ten days left before my next stop. I decided to take advantage of the 30-day free VISA for China, valid for all of 2025. China was not originally in my plans, but you know: travel loves unexpected detours.
There I will meet Iris, the Dutch girl with whom I shared the adventure in Saudi Arabia, and together we’ll start a new stretch of the journey. To find out where it will take us… keep following me.
Travelling puts you in contact with different cultures and is deeply enriching. Which countries have left a special mark on your journey?
Travelling puts you in contact with different cultures, opens your mind, breaks down prejudices, and enriches your soul. Every border crossed has added a piece to the puzzle of my identity.
In this long journey, some countries have left a deeper mark — hard to explain, but impossible to forget.
Bosnia and Herzegovina struck me for its resilience and melancholic beauty: a country still marked by a recent past, but capable of conveying humanity, dignity, and hope.
Saudi Arabia surprised me with its contrasts: endless deserts, little-known archaeological sites, and a people who, beyond stereotypes, proved to be welcoming and curious.
Iraq was perhaps the most intense and transformative journey: going beyond the media image and discovering an ancient culture, full of disarming hospitality and deep stories, was a privilege for me.
These places touched me deeply and reminded me why I chose this path: to know, to listen, to stay human.
You also chose to visit countries that are discouraged for travellers. What motivated you to do it, and what kind of experience did you have?
Yes, I chose to visit Iraq and Socotra, two destinations currently discouraged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. My decision was not made lightly, but guided by stories, accounts, and positive feedback from other travellers who had already explored those places. And, above all, by my curiosity to see with my own eyes.
I found myself facing realities that went far beyond the official advice, discovering places often portrayed only through the distorted lens of the media. Prejudices are easy to build: just a few images of war, instability, and conflict are enough to feed a one-sided and fearful narrative. But every country, every culture, every person is a complex and multifaceted universe.
Iraq is not just conflict. It is a land with a millennia-old history, with extraordinary archaeological sites, rich traditions, and a welcoming and generous people. Too often we forget about Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilisation, the ancient cities, the daily life of those who resist and hope. Reducing everything to a war zone is not only a limiting view, but also a deeply unfair one.
On my journey, I met extraordinary people, listened to stories of life and rebirth, and saw with my own eyes unexpected and strikingly beautiful landscapes. I understood that travelling is also an act of trust: in others and in oneself. It’s listening to your own curiosity, following your instincts, opening up to encounters without filters.
Iraq welcomed me with its ancient culture and a people of extraordinary resilience. Socotra, instead, captivated me with its surreal nature, unique biodiversity, and timeless atmosphere.
Travel teaches that the world is much broader, more nuanced, and more surprising than what we are told. And sometimes, all it takes is the courage to look beyond fear. These are experiences I could never have truly understood if I had stopped at what others say.
A dream journey you haven’t fulfilled yet?
Actually, the journey of my dreams is exactly the one I’m living now.
Every step I take, every new destination I discover, is a piece of that dream coming true.
I’ve always wanted to explore the world, immerse myself in different cultures and live unique experiences, and now, while I travel, I’m living this borderless adventure.
For me, the dream is not a goal to reach, but a continuous discovery that reveals itself day by day.
What would you recommend to those who have already decided to leave for a solo trip?
To those who have already decided to leave for a solo trip, I would first recommend listening to your own instinct and leaving with an open mind.
Travelling alone offers you a unique freedom, but it also requires great responsibility towards yourself. Preparation is fundamental: plan, but also leave room for spontaneity.
Knowing your itinerary is important, but remember that the most special moments often come when you improvise or change direction.
Also, try to immerse yourself in local cultures, but always respect traditions and customs.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, interact with locals, and learn from their stories.
Remember, you’re never truly alone: you’ll meet other travellers, but also locals who will be happy to welcome you and share a part of their life with you.
Always carry a good dose of patience and flexibility: trips never go exactly as expected, and every unexpected event can become an opportunity for growth.
And finally, don’t forget to enjoy the journey, take a break when you need it, and be grateful for every step you take towards discovering yourself and the world.
What would you say to someone who wants to leave, but is still afraid?
To someone who wants to leave but is still afraid, I would say that the world is an incredibly varied place, full of colours, different cultures, and experiences that can enrich you in ways you can’t even imagine.
Often, we are led to believe that the world is a dangerous or unknown place, but in reality, it’s much safer than we are told. Fear is natural, but it shouldn’t stop you.
Every journey is an opportunity to grow, to discover new horizons and to break down prejudices.
We are the first to write our travel story, and every step, even the smallest, brings us closer to a better version of ourselves.
If you listen to your curiosity, follow your passion, and prepare yourself with awareness, you will always find more and more people ready to welcome you and show you the best of what the world has to offer.
Life is too short to stay in a corner — the world is ready to open its doors to you.
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Thank you Miriam, we are the creators of our own reality, and your testimony is the proof of that.
And thank you for encouraging other souls to take a step toward discovering their true Self.
Have a wonderful continuation of your dream journey, which is now your Present.
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You can follow Miriam’s journey step by step on her website mirygiramondo.com
as well as on Facebook e Instagram
