Travel Tip Tuesday – Why go solo?
I know many of you out there would never think of venturing out on vacation alone, whatever the reason.
Maybe your other half would never hear of it. Perhaps you don't want to ditch your yearly girlfriend
getaway. Fear may rear its ugly head, making you scared to spend THAT much time alone with yourself.
But for those of you who have already traveled solo, or some of you that may be teetering on the fence, I offer you 5 reasons to go solo.
1. You can do what YOU want. "What do you wanna do today?" , "I dunno, what do you wanna do today?" Sound familiar? Yeah,we have all been there. When you have one or more people in the mix trying to figure out an itinerary, someone always gets the short end of the stick, someone gets pissed off and lets face it, it is frustrating for everyone. If you go solo, you get to skip all the drama and do whatever you want.
2. You never miss a trick. When you travel with other people, you spend lots of time talking to them. When you travel alone, you can become a better observer and soak up everything happening around you. You have more time to appreciate hidden details that would otherwise go unnoticed because you are focused on your companions. These details and captured moments may very well make your trip that much better.
3. Set your own pace. Remember when you were in the car as a kid and Dad had to stop for coffee, Mom wanted to stop a few miles later for food and then a few minutes later your brother had to pee. You were the one whining and rolling your eyes in the back seat, crying "C,mon, we are never gonna get there!!" You can avoid all of that by going alone. Stop at a cafe if your feet hurt, leave the museum early if you are bored, take 50 pictures in the park without your traveling companions pacing back and forth crying "Aren't you done yet? How many pictures of the park do you really need?"
4. Score that deal! Picture this, you find that deal of a lifetime on the Internet, but you sigh because you have to check with so-and-so. Gotta make sure the dates and times work for them. By the time you coordinate and hem and haw back and forth-the deal is long gone. Well, if you are the only one going- you get to pick the dates and book that deal! And these days if you find it- you have to book it right away!
5. Make new friends. If you are traveling alone, you may find others traveling alone and strike up a conversation. Maybe with one of the guests in your hotel, maybe with a stranger in a restaurant. You will meet other travelers that you may never have met if you were traveling with someone else. Perhaps you will make fast friends with folks of different cultures, in different parts of the world, that last a lifetime. How nice that would be.
And as an added bonus, if you are lucky enough to have a significant other who supports your solo travels, best friends or parents that are staying behind, maybe you'll just have a built in ride to and from the airport!
***
So, who out there has traveled solo? What do you like and dislike? Would you do it again? What's the best thing about it for you?
For those of you who haven't yet, would you like to? Why or why not?
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November 18th, 2008
For most of the reasons you said, I love to travel alone. I backpacked around Europe sola, and it seemed I always “met” someone new when I needed to (for example if it was a “scarier” place or in time for a nice lunch…)
November 18th, 2008
I prefer to travel alone, esp. if I’m going to a major city.
I traveled once with a friend and it almost ruined the friendship.
November 18th, 2008
Strange that you should mention FEAR..I spend a lot of my time on my own, and not particularly fond of it.
I was intending to travel on my own..I was going to my first Grandprix in France, with a tour company..ok, we were all there for the same reason, but at the local bus station, that was taking me to London to meet the coach for the rest of the journey, a young girl, in her twenties, said excuse me are you going to Magny cour grand prix, I said I am and so was she,..so I never did travel on my own..
November 18th, 2008
Perfect advice Robin. Spending 6 weeks in Italy on my own was a great experience. Of course I missed my husband and friends, but it was a fulfilling time for me.
November 18th, 2008
I love to travel alone! I love being able to sit in a café or restaurant and watch the world around me. I like wandering around without a schedule.
However, I do miss having a traveling partner when I see something so amazing or beautiful and there is no one there to share that experience and memory with you.
November 18th, 2008
Ever since my husband died in ’91, I have forced myself to travel alone, even moving along to Mexico and then to Buenos Aires (well not totally alone, I had Phoebe, my American cat.)
I have to say I loved it! I was invited home by many people, and began friendships that endure to this day. The couple of times I’ve traveled with friends (once with 5 friends to Tuscany, once with one friend to Spain) were total disasters, and none of us have ever spoken to each other again. It was very much a power trip for some, and they made life miserable for the rest of us.
I’ve written extensively about my travels, and several pieces are published on the net, if anyone cares to read my first-hand experiences. Here are 3 examples:
http://www.the-vu.com/solotango.htm
http://www.gonomad.com/feature.....scany.html
http://www.the-vu.com/Xochimilco.htm
November 18th, 2008
I do not like to travel alone. I find it more fun to share my experiences with people I love.I guess I fall under the “herd” category
You need to be careful though who you choose as your companions since some people just do not travel well together.
November 18th, 2008
Cherrye: Hmm, does that mean we will never travel together. Jeez, I hope not
Arlene: I have heard those horror stories many a time.
Anne: Yes, but you had the INTENTION to travel solo. I think that counts
Janie: Yes, I would have enjoyed it too. What a great experience!!
Loulou: I totally agree. That is the nice part about travelling with a partner. Then again-there is a alwatys video
Cherie: Thank you so much for your comments here. I commend you for going solo. You are an adventourous spirit. I have heard those stories about loosing friendships over travel debacles-so I know better. I can’t wait to read your stories- I am sure they are facinating!!
Elke: Yes, I would say you are a herder. ANd yes- no ruined friendships over travel-not worth it!!
November 18th, 2008
great advice Robin…. I travel a lot for work, so I’m alone for lots of trips. It does have advantages especially when you stop caring about eating alone, which I used to hate.
November 19th, 2008
Joe: Thanks. And yes, I get that about the eating alone. Felt awkward at first, but now I am over it too
November 20th, 2008
I love travelling alone, did so for the first time when I was sixteen, to Italy. To this day, travelling alone gives me the feeling I own the world.
November 20th, 2008
Merisi: Well put my friend. Very well put.