20: Solo Travel Advocate Leyla Alyanak

Leyla Alyanak is a journalist and former foreign correspondent from France who, at 43, made a major decision to reinvent herself and travel the world for solo for six months. That trip ended up lasting four years – before cell phones, apps, and Google. During that time, she had numerous adventures, including getting lost in a Mozambican minefield and paddling her way out of a flood in the Philippines.

Now in her 60s,  Leyla travels the world solo as often as she can, documenting it all on Women on the Road, which is a website for solo travel over 50. However, after COVID-19 hit Leyla shifted her focus on her own country. Ever the optimist, she launched a new travel website called Offbeat France in which she shares lesser-known stories the guidebooks don't tell you.

In this interview, Leyla talks about what her first solo trip as a teenager was like, how she supported herself through her journey as an adult, and why solo travel for women is important.  She also shares some valuable tips when traveling solo.

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Leyla's Recommendations:
- Commissario Guido Brunetti mystery series by Donna Leon
- No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith
- Travel to somewhere culturally familiar

Shuva's Recommendation:
- U.S. travel by Amtrak

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