wanderful

I would imagine most people would prefer traveling to Europe with someone as oppose to traveling alone. But are there any advantages to going solo?

ellenem

You can do whatever you want whenever you want.

SuzieC

Complete and utter Freedom. Challenge. Ease. Comfort.

starrsville

no whining

SeaUrchin

It depends on your personality. I would rather travel with a friend or relative but if the opportunity strikes and no one else can go I will gladly go alone. The only advantage I can see of traveling solo besides the fact that it is better than nothing is that you can make your own plans.

SuzieC

and I made the effort TO TRAVEL to Paris alone. There were others who wanted to go with me, but, well, I said no thanks. I wanted to do and see and learn what I wanted to do and see and learn when I wanted to do it! They would have 'cramped' my style. I will travel alone for the same reason to other destinations too...I hope.

SeaUrchin

Oh and also the fact that it is exciting and invigorating to think that you are alone in a foreign country and no one knows exactly where you are at any given time!! It is freeing and exhilerating.

wally34949

I like traveling by myself because it encourages me to meet people and have conversations with people that I don't know.

DejaVu

I agree with all of the above! I've had many wonderful solo experiences that just would not have been the same had I been with someone else at the time. I definitely prefer my solo trips. Then it becomes more like a pilgrimage than an ordinary vacation...

fishee

No witnesses -- total freedom, even from yourself.

one BIG disadvantage -- not being able to split accomodations and other costs.

laclaire

I prefer to travel alone for a few reasons. Aside from the freedom and no whining already mentioned, I find that if I am alone, I am way more prone to interacting with locals and trying hard to fit in more. I feel much more a part of my surroundings and enjoy that so much. Another issue that I have is that I have traveled way more than my friends and family unless we go on a beach holiday or skiing, it can be taxing.

All that said, traveling with others is quite satisfying because the bonding is just so much more intense than it is on a regular basis. There is a delicate balance that one must strike, but when you do hit it, it is gold.

I am getting ready for yet another solo adventure (just found out today!) and the point of it is to disconnect, so I am not even considering asking anyone to come with me. I just want my bathing suit, my island, my bike and a little peace and quiet.

alan64

I've enjoyed doing things at my own pace. When I was bored at a museum, I left w/out having to wait for a travel companion to also be through. When I was hungry, I ate, and I ate where I wanted to eat. If I wanted to sip coffee at cafe & read for 2 hours, I didn't have to listen to someone say they wanted to go do something else.

Unless you have a travel companion that meshes with you perfectly, there's always compromises; you avoid that going solo. I also agree that it's easier to meet people when solo.

That being said, once I found the right travel (& life!) partner I'm enjoying trips even more.

lennyba

So many! I've had two trips to Europe when I'd *wished* I was alone. I'm now married to my ideal travel partner, but the disadvantages of traveling for more than a few days with anyone else...not worth it to me.

francophile03

To me both have their good and bad points. One good thing of traveling alone is what's said already and pretty much that is you can set your own schedule according to your time. And for sure you won't hear any complaints. The bad thing, to me, is eating alone especially during dinnertime and also if you want to discuss something you either saw or experienced you can't do it.

Dallas

I waited until my late 40's to start traveling because my DH just would not travel. He didn't mind if I went, but he would not go with me. I finally decided, if I didn't go by myself, I just wouldn't get to go. So I made the leap. I've been running ever since for as long and as far as I can!

I traveled as long as I could -- I thought my last trip would probably be my last trip. However, in May of this year, I had double knee surgery. Now they're like new. I walk three miles a day and work out with bar bells five days a week (I'm 68). I guess you could say I'm in training for my next trip in September, 2007. The doctor said I couldn't go (by myself) before then. Yahoo -- can't wait!!!

Going solo is the only way I would go now! I've had offers from friends and a few members of my family -- I just say, "No thanks."

RufusTFirefly

I much prefer traveling with someone else, but solo is better than nothing. And just because I travel with someone else doesn't mean that I have to stay with them 24 hours a day. If they want to spend 8 hours in the Louvre, it doesn't bother me to go off and do something else.

twk

Rufus hit on an important point: Particularly if you aren't travelling with your SO, you can get some of the benefits of travelling alone if you have a travel partner (or partners) who is willing to let you go your own way and do your own thing part of the time. Otherwise, that travelling companion can start to feel like an anchor.

There are plusses and minuses to both ways. Unless the thought of travelling alone seems too daunting (in which case you may be the type of clingy travelling companion that your travel partner needs to get away from part of the time), then I highly reccommend at least taking one trip on your own to try it.

lyb

I love photography...if I want to spend an hour at the spot taking dozens of pictures from different angles or at different speeds, etc... no one asks me...why are you taking a picture of THAT? or..don't you have enough?

Restaurants...I don't have to deal with someone else who doesn't what they're in the mood for.

In general, I can stay as long or as short as I want in any spot.

I get to observe more and generally truly see much more...when you're with someone else, you're talking and I think sometimes miss good things.

Having said all the above, there are a couple of people that I like to travel with and it's great to share.

It depends on the trip and the area.

Financially, it's more difficult because you don't get to split the cost of the room or the car rental.

But overall, do I prefer to travel alone? I think it's 60/40. 60 being solo.

It's a very personal choice and depends on how comfortable you are being alone in a different country, continent on your own, eating alone, etc...

JEFF_

I tend to agree with those that prefer to travel alone. I don't mind eating alone, but find that if I'm not eating with someone, I tend to spend less time dining, and then continue sightseeing. The disadvantage: I do too much and get too tired.

BTW, there's a whole forum here on the "Solo Traveler."

Carrybean

I can take a nap if I want to, I can eat where & when I want, nobody is telling me what I'm about to buy is too expensive, I don't have to talk to anyone but waiters & sales people for days if I don't want to (I deal with the public all year long) & I can take a taxi instead of a bus if whoever I'm traveling with is on a strict budget.

I can also spend as much as I want on meals, decide on my own where I'll be staying without consulting with anybody & I don't have to share the bathroom. At night I can watch the TV shows I want (because I love Brit TV.)