omalley

I think that I would enjoy travelling alone, seeing the sights alone, sleeping alone, having breakfast and lunch alone. But for some reason I would dread having dinner alone, I would feel lonely and depressed. I know I'm being irrational. How do women travelling alone deal with dining solo?

Cathryn

I would love, love, love it - but when I even mention it my immediate family looks at me like I am two-headed. Of course I really liked living alone as well. I wouldn't trade my husband and kids for anything but sometimes . . . It is not so bad now but I can remember a time after my second baby when I thought I would never be alone again (Smile!) During that period I read a book that recommended sabaticals with no talking for three to seven days. Sounded like bliss to me. And I am generally a VERY outgoing person.

Anyway, so that my family doesn't ship me off to the bin I drag my mom along on trips. She loves it (for the most part) and we have wonderful memories. Sometimes she just doesn't get me though. We were in this beautiful garden in England and I just wanted to sit quietly, if not silently, and enjoy it. I came to see it - why rush thru! Forget it, she thought I was nuts.

At least I am able to go!

beanbag

It's great travelling alone. Most of my girlfriends also like it. We all get up at different times. And you must know how chicks are like with hair dryers and stuff. They need more times. We dudes need to get up and go.

Cathryn

Oh - and in a previous life (before children) I had a job that involved 85% travel. When dining alone I took something to read. I didn't always read it - I might people watch or even strike up a conversation - but if I felt conspicious or wanted to end a conversation I could become engrossed in it!

MelissaHI

You know, I used to post and say that the worst part about travelling alone is eating. That used to be my one phobia. But here I am, after various trips and meals alone, and I am now pretty comfortable with it. Not only that, I'm starting to prefer solo travel. I love the flexibility and there's no frustration in dragging others around (or vice versa).

adoptionisfab

I like going part of the trip with a friend part with a relative. In between being alone is great. It is hard fifnding a good travelling companion.

lyb

I actually do like to travel alone, I can go where I want, stay as long as I want and don't have to check with anybody. Sometimes, I have traveled alone because none of my friends could make it, though I was never disapointed to be alone. I'm an avid photographer, and it is much easier to take photographs if no one is waiting next to you patiently or not. I also notice things around much more if I'm alone, I usually talk to more of the locals. But I also enjoy traveling with a friend, but a good traveling companion is hard to find. Of all the friends I have, I can say that there's only two I can travel with without wanting to kill them and my sister is also a good traveling companion. I love traveling so much that I don't want it ruin by someone who will complain all the day, I would much rather be alone than with someone like that. Plus, I also like to read while I'm traveling, it's nice to just sit somewherer and read or write your journal, something that it isn't as easy to do if you are with someone else.

FAMOUSUNCLEART

I have travelling alone for about seven years. I am 76 and single (not on purpose,but that's another story). I find traveling alone delightful. When my wife and I travelled, we'd always have minor arguments of what to see and when.

I like museums but after about four hours, I had enough. She wants to see the Whole museum. Alone, no problem.

I get rotten jet lag. I need at least a day to recuperate and when I simply wanted to rest, she wanted to do the tourist thing IMMEDIATELY. "We are paying 125 dollars for this room, get up and lets go."

She's gone and now I travel on home exchange, so when I crash from jet lag--it doesn't cost me a cent.

I don't mind eating alone because it gives me a chance to study the people around me, and sometimes I sketch them.

I do miss sharing an event or a fine visit to a museum with someone but I discovered on my last trip that posting my journal helps me since it is a sense of sharing.
Go for it and go alone!!!

lyb

Dining alone? The best to eavesdrop on others' conversation! and of course, people watching too...but trust me, people "listening" is a lot of fun too.

ocean4

I hope every one of you find the love of your life, a great friend, and or that special someone to travel with. Honestly, this is all a big lie. Who can really be trully happy alone.

lyb

Ocean4,

I feel so sorry for you, do you really mean that? Someone cannot be happy alone? Oh, what a sad comment. If a person cannot be happy by themselves, I don't think they can truly be happy with someone else...and god forbid that person is no longer around for whatever reason...what happens to your happiness?

Anyway, believe it or not, some of us do like our own company...now, I'm not saying I hate people but I am happy by myself and don't depend on someone else to make me happy, especially when traveling!

ChatNoir

Time waits for no man or woman. Go with someone special if you can, but it not, go alone.

ocean4

Please don't feel sorry for me. I am the happiest person alive, that's how I feel. I meant what I said in a sincere way and didn't want to sound mean. I agree with everything you wrote and I feel that way too. Being alone and feeling lonely are different. I have travelled all over Europe, middle east, South America, and asia alone and I didn't feel lonely either but its much much more pleasant when you have some one that you care for with you. (atleast for me)

Adventrluvr

Just curious if anyone has seen these singles cruises with Vacations To Go:

http://www.vacationstogo.com/singles.cfm

prettikitty

I would highly recommend traveling solo. If you go with a "girlfriend" [non-sexual connotation], you may end up with her picking up a stray in her attempt to go on the wild side. The other side of this coin is she may be an early bird; may want to sleep at 9am and wake up at 6am. I had the later happen in New Orleans; her bed time was at 10pm all of a sudden. If you take the opposite sex, the pendulum of madness can go one way or the other. He may think "hey what happens here stays here" and try to take your friendship to a new level. The presence of a man may deter the pampering men of other countries will bestow on women travelers. You will have no problem in most countries. I would definitely go solo.

SeaUrchin

Hah, I started this thread under a fun name all those years ago. Happy solo traveling !!