‘I used to be shy, but now people don’t believe me when I tell them that.’
So says Gerda Lejasmeiere, who reveals to MailOnline Travel how solo travel has changed her life – for the better.
The 32-year-old, who’s based in Leeds, explains that she hitch-hiked around Europe before moving to the UK, where hiking trips ‘turned out to be life-changing’.
Gerda grew up in Latvia and, while studying at college, explored her country by hitch-hiking to save money.
She tells MailOnline Travel that hitch-hiking is popular in Latvia, adding: ‘I didn’t go on long trips, but I used to hitch-hike from town to town in Latvia on the weekends to explore it more and, as a broke student, this seemed like a great option.’
After graduating, Gerda decided she ‘wanted to explore more of the world’, and went on a two-month hitch-hiking trip across Europe alone.
She recalls: ‘That was quite a great experience, camping in fields and beaches, meeting people and having a great time in general.
‘I’m not entirely sure where the taste for adventure came from, but it seems like I’ve always had it in me.’
Gerda Lejasmeiere, 32, moved to the UK from Latvia over eight years ago. ‘I didn’t know many people here, so I joined a Facebook group and organised a hike in the Yorkshire Dales. It was nerve-wracking, but it turned out to be life-changing,’ she tells MailOnline Travel. Here, she’s pictured at Crib Goch in Snowdonia, Wales
LEFT: Gerda watches the Northern Lights in Reykjavík. RIGHT: Exploring Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull, in Iceland. Gerda says of Europe: ‘It’s so close but offers so much – history, beaches, amazing food, and incredible nature’
This sense of adventure – and romance – brought Gerda to the UK.
She explained that just over eight years ago her then-partner asked her to move to Yorkshire with them.
She says: ‘A few years later the relationship ended. However, I had built a life here by then and decided to stay in the UK.
‘[When I arrived], I didn’t know many people, so I joined a Facebook group and organised a hike in the Yorkshire Dales. It was nerve-wracking, but it turned out to be life-changing.’
That spontaneous group hike led to enduring friendships and countless adventures for Gerda, including treks in the Lake District and even a hike to Everest Base Camp.
‘Travel pushes you out of your comfort zone’ she explains. ‘It makes you independent, daring, and more understanding.’
Once she’d caught the travel bug, Gerda started exploring Europe even more – ‘it’s so close but offers so much – history, beaches, amazing food, and incredible nature’, she says.
Gerda has seen the fjords in Norway and the Northern Lights in Iceland, but it’s Italy – and its ‘amazing food’ – that holds a special place in her heart.
Her love for the country blossomed after she picked up some £50 return flights from Leeds to Milan one summer to hike around the Northern Grigno Regional Park for a few days.
Italy holds a special place in Gerda’s heart. Here, she’s pictured scrambling up the highest mountain in the country’s Northern Grigna Regional Park, Grigna Settentrionale, which stands 2,409m (7,903ft) above sea level
Gerda has visited Morocco on her own. Here, she’s pictured looking out over Ounila Valley
‘Travel pushes you out of your comfort zone,’ Gerda explains. ‘It makes you independent, daring, and more understanding.’ She’s pictured here by the Pyramids of Giza
As part of the trip, Gerda scrambled to the park’s highest mountain, Grigna Settentrionale, which stands at 2,409m (7,903ft) above sea level and offers views across Lake Como.
She tells us: ‘Lake Como is known for its beauty. However, I think that the hikes around there are really overlooked, plus the hospitality and food in the mountain refuges was really good.
‘And staying on top of a mountain can provide some of the best sunsets and sunrises you might ever see.
‘I wasn’t expecting too much as it is known to be very touristy, but it has to be one of my favourite trips I’ve done. The multi-day hike I planned really took my breath away.’
Although not solo, Gerda took her love of exploring to new heights when she became a travel coordinator for group travel company WeRoad, leading tours ‘of strangers’ around South America, to Patagonia, Peru and Ecuador, which is where she found another favourite place – the Galapagos Islands.
She says: ‘Of course, I expected to see incredible nature, and I did. However, I was surprised at how friendly and relaxed everyone was.
‘It is known to be a touristy place and only some locals live there. However, everyone we met was super friendly and kind, always willing to help and chat.’
When it comes to seeing the world, Gerda says: ‘When, if not now?’ Here, she’s pictured at Machu Picchu, Peru
Gerda says Ecuador was where she has felt the most unsafe on her own, finding the country’s capital, Quito, ‘a little scary’ after dark. On the left, she’s pictured at Ecuador’s Pailon del Diablo waterfall. On the right, she’s pictured at the Perito Moreno glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
On the flip side, Gerda admits it was also Ecuador where she felt the most unsafe, while spending some time in Quito on her own.
She had been advised by Ecuador’s tourist board not to walk the streets alone after dark – and she found out why.
‘It is a beautiful country with some incredible destinations,’ she says. ‘However, the few days I was there alone, before the tour started, I explored the capital.
‘During the day, I felt fine with the bustling city noises. However, as it gets dark around 6pm it feels a little scary walking on the street, even in the city centre.’
On a separate trip to Ecuador – with her current partner in 2023 – Gerda experienced what she says is the ‘most overrated’ place she’s visited – the Amazon.
She says: ‘I was excited about this. However, it felt very rushed and touristy. We went from one place to another with a few pictures on the way.
‘We were a part of a large booking from our hostel and it didn’t feel very authentic.’
In November, Gerda decided to take an extended period of time off work to travel – and is hoping to explore Italy’s Dolomites region next.
And to those dreaming of a life of travel but feeling held back, Gerda says: ‘When, if not now?
‘Travel can feel intimidating, but with so many resources at our fingertips, it’s easier than ever. Whether it’s solo adventures or group trips, the key is taking that first step.
‘Yes, it’s scary at first, but once you start, you may never want to stop. I know I don’t.’
For more visit www.weroad.co.uk.
