30-Day Solo Travel in Europe | Day 30: Santorini’s Blue and White: A Love Letter to Myself

(Previous chapter of my journey: Day 29: Aegean Sunsets and Mykonos Skies）

I actually stayed a few days in Greece. My stay there was slow and gentle, and the happy moments slipped by quickly. Since I didn’t write much during those days, I’ve gathered some moments here as the final chapter of my journey.

On our second day in Mykonos, we left the bustle of the town and made our way to Paradise Beach. Transport options on the island are limited. While many travellers rent cars or scooters, we took a walk from our Airbnb to the town centre, followed by a bus ride. When my feet finally touched that soft, golden sand, it was the first time in this entire 30-day European trip that I truly embraced sunshine and the sea.

Paradise Beach Club is voted 14th best beach club worldwide, and entry is free (though renting facilities comes at an extra cost). We wandered through the lively atmosphere until we found a quiet corner, lay down on the sand, read a few pages of our books, and let the sea breeze play through our hair. That afternoon felt luxurious in the simplest way. Time seemed to slow down, just enough to bring a deep sense of peace.

By the way, Greece really is a paradise for cat lovers. No matter where you wander — narrow alleys or seaside paths — you’ll come across cats of all kinds, lazily basking in the sun. If you’re a cat person, do make time to enjoy a little ‘cat appreciation’ moment.

The sights in Mykonos are conveniently clustered together, so it’s easy to explore the famous white churches in a single day: St Nikolas Church, Paraportiani Church, Agia Anna Church, and more. We stayed on the island for two days, and on the second day we took a seajet to Santorini, the island often called the most romantic in the world.

We stayed with two very different Airbnbs, one in Fira and one in Oia. We spent our time taking some nice photos, savouring moments of our youth against the iconic blue-and-white backdrop.

Many people say you must watch the sunset in Santorini, but I believe the moments after sunset are equally worthy. As the last glow of the sun slipped into the Aegean Sea, the blue-and-white rooftops gradually melted into the twilight. Then, as night fell, warm yellow lights began to flicker on one by one, glowing softly between the buildings. The shift from brilliant colour to quiet darkness, and then to that gentle awakening of lights, left a deep and beautiful impression on me.

Greece, with its postcard-perfect scenery and the genuine warmth of its people, brought my 30-day solo European journey to a tender and fulfilling close.

Yet I know this is only the beginning of my solo travel story. Looking back, the anxiety and nervousness I felt before setting off came simply from staying in my comfort zone for too long. The hardest part was always taking that first step. Along the way, I learned to accept that plans don’t always go as expected, to allow myself not to have all the answers, and to gently embrace the imperfect version of myself, and who still choose to carry on with life even I have doubts and fear.

I finally understand why that quiet little voice inside me kept calling me to take a break from my usual life in Hong Kong. It was never about ticking off famous sights or popular spots. It was about rediscovering myself — and realising, 'I am stronger than I thought.'

If I had stayed comfortably at home, I would never have known that I could embrace such a vast and beautiful world.