Wallace_and_Gromit

I think this is a great new forum that fodors has added

I am a female in my early 30's and I have to say that traveling solo is AWESOME!! I have been doing it for years and I really prefer it. I have been to the UK and Belgium, Paris, Vancouver ... in a few months I will be visiting Toronto and Boston (and I am already planning next year's trip to San Francisco) I have never had a problem with safety. (I have always been street-smart and refuse to be a victim) and I can always do whatever I want, whenever I want. Really, I never feel lonely because my 2 best friends, MYSELF and I are always with me. ;-)

Traveling solo is so liberating! Don't be afraid...just go for it!!

mitty

indeed! a woman now nearing 50 i agree with you! traveling solo allows one to meet so many people from other cultures/countries/ or states. i love it. i agree, stay awake, be aware, and enjoy the bounty of not being isolated by a travel partener. mitty

Poohgirl

I agree with you W&G. It's great being able to do it entirely your own way. Although I have a high tolerance for spending time by myself, traveling alone can force one to talk to new people where that might not happen when traveling with friends. Have a great time on your upcoming trips.

kko7124

Hi W&G, I noticed that you said that you have been to Vancouver. Well I am in my early 20's and I am planning on taking my first solo trip there this summer. I have never done this before so I am curious how to approach this trip. I am pleased to see that you have always felt safe. I could use some of your travel tips to ensure the same experience. Right now I am torn between the safety of a group guided tour and the freedom of planning the trip independently. Any suggestions on how to have a wonderful solo traveller trip to Vancouver?

Roley

Yep - solo travel is the best kind in my book! I have been doing it for years and not really thinking about it - except when some idiot asks me why I want to take a holiday on my own (like it's not allowed or something - too much fun perhaps!) I've travelled in Europe and bits of the States and had a fine time. I think Europe is specially good for solos, and in Europe especially Austria. I love being able to get a genuine just-for-one-person single room in the hotels there instead of paying for me and my Invisible Friend ... and eating out in Austria as a solo female is great - there will be so many other unaccompanied women doing it to lend you countenance! My only grumble about travelling solo is that it can be hard to manage your luggage when you need to go to the loo (cramming several suitcases in there with you makes for a tight squeeze ...)

I notice, with a cynical eye, that the new marketing aimed at the solo traveller seems frankly frightened by the idea of a person being alone. You look at the brochures for singles tours etc and in the photos they're all going round in a lowing herd - nary a solo person to be spotted. And trowelling on the reassurances for self-conscious solos that the minute their feet touch the ground they can start questing for new friends & lovers - uh, why? The point of solo travelling is NOT saddling yourself with another person, in my book. If I want to be with someone when travelling, I want that to be a good friend with shared interests so we can both have a good time. The idea of hooking up with a total stranger with whom I have probably nothing in common merely so I can avoid being alone seems to defeat the purpose of solo travel. So let me register a vote in favour of solo travel that is also travelling ALONE.

Rol, confirmed but suprisingly mobile hermit

Lea_Lane

I agree with the last posting. And my book, Solo Traveler, deals almost exclusively with going alone rather than with groups. But it really doesn't have to be an either/or. I've been to over 110 countries, all ways. And I love it alone. But when I want some company, I may join a day trip. It's my choice. We can be flexible and please ourselves, whatever way we choose.
Lea

Patabel

Hi fellow travellers, I agree this is a great forum.I am soon setting off on my 3rd solo trip to usa (from Ireland).
I am travelling from Chicago to San Francisco by train, stopping off along the way.
I am really looking forward to it and hope I enjoy it as much as my previous trips. I agree you have to exercise common sense as you would at home.
Thanks to those who helped with my San Francisco itinerary, now modified accordingly.

Lea_Lane

Hi Patabel,
Sounds like you are a great traveler. I love the idea of a train ride out west. So few Americans ever do that, and you get to travel through some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere! Trains are great for soloists--you'll meet loads of people, especially with an Irish accent!
Have a wonderful trip,
Lea

kfusto

Yes, this is truly a great new addition to the forums at Fodors.

I am a 48 yo single woman and travelled extensively for business for over 20 years. Most of these trips were on my own so I learned a lot about solo travelling and the pleasures it offers.

I have never been one to carry a book into a restaurant. I much prefer to people watch and sometimes even eavesdrop on interesting conversations. I enjoy sushi and sushi bars are great for single travellers.

I have a high energy and really do not stay in my room much at all. I don't want to miss anything!

For vacations, I enjoy Europe the most and also like to cruise and take spa vacations. I am a avid wine collector - not quanitities,, but quality - so tend to be attracted towards places and events that are wine oriented. I am also a major jazz fan so sometimes will build a trip or long weekend around a Jazz festival as I did in St. Lucia a few years ago.

I look forward to sharing insights with the other posters on this board.

Lea_Lane

Hi Kfusto.
You are soloing the best way--doing what you want, with others, when you want. Without anyone else, when you want. Congrats on being a savvy traveler!
Your ideas for eating out are right on. I like to read a language phrase book while I'm out to eat in a foreign country. It's small, and I get to learn as I eat. But sometimes, like you, I just absorb the atmosphere. I find that wearing sunglasses is perfect. Makes me seem dazzling and mysterious, and allows me to look around!!
Lea
Lea

suze

I do like to have a prop to read depending on how the restaurant situation turns out. I find a local free entertainment guide or newspaper the best.

For people considering solo travel for the first time, may I offer this food for thought? You do not have to have an outgoing personality, or a desire to meet strangers, to enjoy traveling by yourself.

I am not a high energy person and do enjoy spending many an evening in my hotel room in a foreign country - eating, reading, watching local TV.

I mention this to show there are all kinds of people who can successfully travel solo, even shy types. You don't have to be as peppy as some of these posters to have a great trip.

Lea_Lane

Suze makes a good point. Sometimes just the joy of solitude, of being able to absorb what you have enjoyed in peace and silence, is one of the best aspects of solo travel. Some of us just like the idea of being by ourselves, whether or not we meet others.
Lea

missk

I have only done one non business solo trip but it was a biggy, 10 months in NZ & Australia. I met many people along the way mostly by staying in backpacker accomodations & even travelled with 2 of them for quite awhile.
One thing I found which has been mentioned is that most people enjoy telling you about their country, want to hear about your country and talk about their travelling experiences.
I also agree with previous post I'm not an outgoing person by nature but a friendly smile & a "hello" will either get a response or you move on.
I did do some day trips or short overnights (2 or 3) depending on area.

soloflorida

I am a female 47 years old. I have been traveling solo for 20 years and love it. I recently returned from a trip to Tibet, Thailand and Cambodia for 3 weeks. I never get lonely as there are always people that see you are alone and start conversations with me wherever I am. I would bring a book most nights to dinner with me but never get the chance to read it because the dinning room help sees you are alone and all want to talk to you about your trip and where you are from.

Lea_Lane

Wow, MissK and SoloFlorida,
I wish more people could understand how fabulous it is to experience travel with the depth and breadth that you soloists have. In my book, Solo Traveler, I differentiate between a tourist and a traveler. Tourists seek comfort; travelers seek discovery. You two are great travelers. Bravo.
Lea
Lea Lane

zbjoon

I speak for myself but over the years I have found out I can only tolerate traveling alone or possibly with a boyfriend/husband. I feel when I travel with friends or family I have to cater to their needs too much and will lose precious time. I do a lot and see a lot on my own and I am very high energy. It does not bother me a bit to be in any type of restaurants alone for dinner, even in romantic type restaurants. I am very confident and know how to carry myself in different situations without making apologies to others. I think it is all in the attitude. I do my best to stay in central locations and I am always out till midnight or a bit later. I change the number of days I want to stay in a place if I feel like it. I spend a long time staring at a beautiful painting or a beautiful monument if I want to. I learn quite a lot when I go on my own pace and I enjoy my time tremendously.

However, I don’t think I am superior to anyone because I can strike out on my own and I think there are some limitations to traveling solo and like everything else in life you win some and you lose some. I like the night life quite a lot. Although I stay out till midnight or later, I only go to a café/restaurant, shows that are walking distance to my hotel. In general I go for night life further up only if there is a tour but still it is not the same. I used to be a little bit more bold and rent a car and drive in isolated narrow roads going up the hill(I have always driven standard cars so no problem there) but I am not as brave anymore. I posted a report about my trip to Morocco in Morocco tour recommendations for solos. I would not go alone to some countries with/without a tour anymore. Most of Europe, USA, Canada, and good resorts anywhere in the world are easy trips for me. Out of that, is a territory that I have not explored yet as much and seems somewhat tougher to go solo.

suze

I think that's a very good point above. For instance, Paris solo is pretty darn easy. I've going to guess (since I have no personal experience trying this) India or southeast asia could prove more of a challenge.

conanthemerciful

I like travelling solo, mostly people I enjoy flirting with the local women and if lucky, carrying on a fling/romance with them.

Wallace_and_Gromit

kko7124,

Are you still out there? I am sorry that I didn't see your post earlier!

Would you like to email me - we can discuss Vancouver

[email protected]

Wallace_and_Gromit

I had no idea when I started this thread how great it would become!!

Thanks to everyone for sharing their experience! I've enjoyed reading the posts.