FTLO Alumni Spotlight: Jessica - Inspiring Solo Travelers' Stories

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Discover how solo travel helped Jess build lasting friendships and unforgettable experiences with FTLO.

FTLO Trips:

🇵🇹 Portugal (2022)

🇲🇽 Mexico City (2023)

🇫🇮 Lapland (2024)

🇭🇺🇦🇹🇨🇿 Budapest, Vienna & Prague (2025)

Jess is the kind of traveler who reminds us why we do what we do. Since joining her first FTLO trip to Portugal in 2022, she’s explored everything from the snow-covered adventures of Lapland to the charm and culture of cities like Prague. She’s come away with not just unforgettable memories, but a growing network of friends and fellow travelers — a true example of solo travel stories in action.

A thoughtful, intentional adventurer, Jess didn’t originally consider herself the “group travel type,” and that’s exactly why her story stands out. She describes herself as introverted, detail-oriented, and fiercely independent, but FTLO helped her find a new kind of travel experience: one that’s equal parts immersive, connective, and just plain fun.

We caught up with her after her most recent trip to Budapest, Vienna, and Prague to hear how she got started with FTLO, what keeps her coming back, and her honest advice for anyone considering group travel.

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🌍 How did you find FTLO and what made you take the leap into group travel?

FTLO was my first foray into the real world after pandemic lockdowns. I wanted to start adventuring again but didn’t have friends who could afford to travel in the way I wanted or had the flexibility to just take off. I literally Googled “group travel for millennials,” and FTLO came up. I think at the time it was branded as the millennial travel company, and that totally called to me.

🇵🇹 Your first trip was to Portugal. What made you choose that one?

I honestly don’t remember why I picked Portugal, but I knew I didn’t want to do Spain or Italy just yet. Portugal was just on my list, and I’m so glad I went. It was a great first experience.

✨ What stood out to you from that trip?

The boat day, of course - everyone loves boat day. But also the cooking class, and I loved the group meals. What really made the trip, though, was the trip leader. He was the coolest guy ever. That’s honestly what hooked me. I was like, “Okay, I want to do this again.” And it was nice having people to spend free time with, just being able to ask, “What are you doing?” and tag along.

😮 What surprised you the most about traveling with a group of strangers?

I’m very introverted. I live alone, I work from home, and I’m super structured - I like things a certain way. But on these trips, I actually find them energizing. They make me feel more connected to people. I realized, “Oh, I actually really like being with others when I’m traveling.”

These trips put me in the world in a really big way. And yeah, it stretches you, in a good way.

🤝 Have you formed any lasting friendships from your FTLO trips?

Yes! I loved everyone on my Portugal trip, but I made the most connections in Lapland. And now, the more FTLO trips I go on, the more I run into people I already know. It’s like this little traveler universe where everyone overlaps. On my most recent trip, I saw a couple of girls from Lapland had signed up, too. We were like, “Wait, you’re going too?”

🎎 Can you share a favorite cultural moment from your travels?

Lapland was full of them. One that stands out: we’d been out snowmobiling, then went into this little wooden hut in the forest. There was a local guy cooking salmon soup over the fire, serving it in traditional wooden bowls with fresh bread. It was snowing outside, and we were all huddled in there like — where even are we right now?

And in Hungary, we visited a family vineyard where the dad made his own gin. He didn’t speak any English, but he was showing us how his dog could do tricks while we tasted his gin. It was so local and so fun.

🎢 What was the most unexpected or fun activity you’ve done?

Definitely snowmobiling in Lapland. I am not an adrenaline person, I usually hate that stuff, but I did it, and I felt amazing afterward. Also, in Portugal, we rode around in these tuk-tuk-style carts that were so unexpected and fun. I kept thinking, “What is happening right now?” in the best way.

💡 What advice would you give someone considering an FTLO trip?

Be open. Be flexible. Don’t over-plan - let the experience unfold. If you go in too rigid about what you want, you might isolate yourself or miss out. FTLO gives you space to do your own thing and to join in with others. That’s the sweet spot.

And most of all? Stretch yourself. Even if group travel feels uncomfortable or not “you,” give it a shot. You might surprise yourself.