Finding Balance: My First Solo Trip in Mallorca

By VAWAA guest, Katrina Talwar

I had been thinking about traveling alone for years, but something always stopped me - the fear of logistics, of silence, of being the only one at the dinner table. When I discovered VAWAA (Vacation with an Artist), a program that lets travelers apprentice with artists around the world, it felt like the perfect way to take the leap. I wanted solitude, yes, but I also wanted structure, purpose, and the kind of creative immersion that might soothe the constant hum of uncertainty that comes with doing something entirely new. When I decided to spend a week in Mallorca learning pottery with a ceramicist named Anastasia, I didn’t know what I was signing up for. But I can say, without a doubt, that I am so happy I did.

The first moment I felt truly alone was not stepping off the plane - it was standing in the rental car lot. I’d never driven a car outside Canada before, let alone through the narrow roads of old stone villages. However, after the first 15 minutes, I found my confidence and got the hang of it. Surprisingly, driving by myself all over the island was one of my favourite parts of the trip (my best friend that week became Mallorca’s #1 radio station - 92.0 The Club).

By the time I reached Anastasia’s home, I felt like I’d been traveling for two full days. Her house was beautiful - full of memories from her life and her three children, surrounded by art pieces, handmade ceramics, and little mementos that made every corner feel lived in. To my surprise, Anastasia had already prepared a homemade meal for us to share. As soon as I sat down, I knew I was in a place where I’d feel comfortable and safe for the rest of my stay.

A quiet moment with Anastasia’s dog in her serene, sunlit studio.

Over the next week, my days began to move to the pace of her studio - we began each morning with a nice cup of hot coffee (in a handmade ceramic mug, of course) and an unshaped piece of clay waiting to become something new. I spent five to seven hours a day in the studio, completely absorbed, listening as Anastasia explained the delicate balance between temperature, chemistry, and time. Fire too hot, and a piece could crack or turn brittle; too cool, and the glaze wouldn’t take. Even the smallest imbalance could change everything. There was something comforting (but some days, by hour 7, frustrating) about that paradox. Clay can be endlessly reshaped - you can always start over. But to create something lasting, you have to be exact. It made me think about how most things that matter - art, relationships, even confidence - rely on a balance that’s both fragile and hard-won. We’re all just learning how to hold ourselves together the best we know how. 

My workspace for the week—and the final ceramic piece I made, proudly holding it.

After long hours in the studio, the quiet of my evenings surprised me. I’d expected loneliness, but instead I found calm - even joy - in wandering without purpose. I found little restaurants where I’d sit alone with a glass of wine, eating slowly. I’d drive across the island, stopping at beaches or small shops, following whatever caught my attention in the moment. It was a kind of freedom stripped of expectation that felt incredibly peaceful. If I had expected the solitude to define my week, Anastasia’s kindness ensured it didn’t. I’ve never been welcomed so openly by someone I’d just met. She not only shared her home and her craft, but her life - inviting me to explore all the things that make Mallorca her happy place: hidden caves, swimming holes, and must-try restaurants. She was generous in a way that felt effortless.

What this experience taught me is that solo travel is about taking the first step, even if you don’t know exactly what’s ahead. Solo travel isn’t just about independence. It’s about intimacy - with strangers and the world, but most importantly with yourself. I went to learn pottery, but I left with something bigger - a sense of balance, independence, and confidence I hadn’t felt before.

And I can’t wait for the next one. Thank you VAWAA!

Discovering the hidden beaches that make Mallorca Anastasia’s happy place.

Written by Katrina Talwar. 

Learn about Anastasia and her mini-apprenticeship here.

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