Mostly the people who say to me: "You went to London ALONE!" are the ones who have never been ANYWHERE.

Going solo is one of the best ways to get to know yourself.I was retrenched in the Asian crisis of 98 I went to Yosemite alone, my first solo trip far,far away from home.I needed that time to reflect and think about what I really want to do.I hiked the falls, sketched the beautiful scenery and woke up at 5am to catch the first rays of the sun. On one occasion I was walking back from my hike I turned around and noticed a wolf looking at me from the edge of the forest.I wasnt afraid. I just stopped at looked back. Quietly I said "you are not alone" If I had been with someone I'd miss that special moment.

Great words of wisdom for desperate dating apply equally well to travel:<BR><BR>It's better to be alone than to wish you were.

Ha, ha!! I like that, LoveToTravel. Well said.<BR><BR>I think traveling solo is something everyone should do at least once. I do not enjoy it as much as travelling with others--ESPECIALLY dining alone--but if push comes to shove, and no one will go with you when YOU want to go, it is better to just go solo.<BR><BR>And thank God for fodors.com, where we can meet people at Fodors GTGs in these places. My life is now (almost) complete.

For most of my life I have traveled alone. I have friends, really I DO ! :) :): but it seems like we are all ready at different times. My friends also love travel as much as I do. We don't know many people in our age group (40's) that travel as much as we do. Although very well traveled my friends have never done it alone as I have. I think I have just when comparing notes, met so many more people than them ,traveling alone. I have very fantastic stories that people that go with partners or other friends just don't have. <BR><BR>But you wanted the down side. Well anyone that has been to the American board knows that I am bonkers on Hawaii. This is one place that is hard to go single. You are surrounded by honeymooners and actually weddings (sometimes).<BR><BR>I just don't meet other singles I am sure they are there but not in the numbers they are in Europe. <BR><BR>I have met so many while hiking/walking/dining in Europe and the Middle East. Just does not happen outside Oahu for me in Hawaii.

ttt

For our original poster Lonewolf... I have had amazing, great, good, and not so good times traveling with a friend. I have yet to have a bad trip when I travel alone! There is just less that can go wrong, emotionally speaking.

Boy, I'm just so glad to hear all these positive posts about solo travel. I am leaving next Wed. for Italy - first solo trip other than a week at Whistler - only 3 hours from home. I am excited, but pretty nervous too. I have gotten so much information and help from this board that I feel pretty confident that I can do this. I have had so many not so great trips with friends and family... I have a feeling this trip will be a real eye-opener and the first of many to come.

You go, Barb! And anyone else who's doing it, or thinking about it. <BR><BR>My first solo trip was also my first Europe trip, and it was to Italy. By far the best thing I've ever done for myself. I fell in love with Italy and have been back as often as I can manage since. Made two friends that first trip with whom I still keep in touch, one of whom met me in Paris a couple of years later!<BR><BR>Even the "challenges" are great when you're on your own, because you feel so good about having managed them all by your self. I often have moments during my solo trips when I stop and appreciate my surroundings and the gift I've given myself of experiencing that place/moment. (That includes a nice meal, with wine. Instead of feeling self conscious about dining alone, I think about how sophisticated I am to be sitting in a fabulous restaurant in Rome/Florence/Venice/Paris/London or wherever!)<BR><BR>I'm usually the planner for my trips with others, and it's nice to hear that they appreciate the work I've done. But I get an entirely different sense of accomplishment from my solo travel. It's truly empowering to know that you can plan a fabulous trip, navigate a foreign country, and enjoy every minute of it without anyone to take care of you but *you*.

topping

Thanks Lesli - I have printed out your comments and will put it in my bag as a little "go girl" reminder. Thanks!!

Barb - <BR><BR>I'm betting that you'll feel as I (and obviously many, many others) do after this trip. Please let us know how it went when you return. And/or feel free to e-mail me with any questions.

"It's truly empowering to know that you can plan a fabulous trip, navigate a foreign country, and enjoy every minute of it without anyone to take care of you but *you*.<BR>"<BR><BR>That's the part I love about solo travel; I can do exactly what I want at the pace I want to (I tend to cram a lot into the day and take few breaks/stops). I enjoy travelling with friends and family, but only if it is an active vacation; otherwise I strike off on my own to explore. I really like travelling with others, but only if they want to pack the day with sightseeing like I do. Otherwise, I prefer to go it alone. I don't get to take a lot of trips, so when I do, I want to see and experience as much of the location as I can...and I don't want to impose my "vacation style" on my friends (I tend to be a bit extreme in how much I do). I can always hang out with my "buds" back at the ranch :-)

I believe that like all things, each person has his/her own likes and dislikes. I have travelled both solo and with friends and each had its merits.<BR><BR>I travelled for three weeks to 10 different countries with two friends. I had a lovely time because we have similar personalities, tastes and habits. I haved a shared experience with them, so it is wonderful to recall stories about our trip together. On whole it was a great way to travel.<BR><BR>I have also travelled solo to Ireland and Switzerland for 3 weeks on my own. Yes, there were times when I longed to share my thoughts with someone as I gazed at the alps or at a breathtaking sunset. I wasn't in too many photos during this trip but I did take some great shots. I also found that I could change my plans at will without disappointing someone else. Travelling on your own brings a great sense of accomplishment. When you navigate your way around a country, have interesting conversations with locals in a foreign language, you get the feeling that you are more competent than you'd ever imagined. There is a sense of being empowered by 'making it' on your own.<BR><BR>I think you make the most of any trip. Don't worry about what someone will think if you go solo.

I've travelled alone on three occasions since 1992. Twice down to the New Orleans/deep south area and once to France/Italy. The first trip to N.O. was fine (although a friend met me, uninvited, for five of seventeen days - and I was glad he did), the second one weeker to N.O. was fabulous. Both times I had a purpose which was to trace the roots of American R & B music. The Europe bit, well, I got extremely homesick. I stayed in hotels and tried renting a car but I felt so isolated and far from home. Since I love my privacy a hostel was out (plus I'm a very light sleeper). I really didn't enjoy travelling solo then yet know that the absolute freedom aspect is a benefit.<BR>I have tried to travel solo since but just can't get up for it anymore...it's those lonely moments that get to me and anxiety seems to take over when I plan a solo trip today. What can I say? I really think it depends on your personality.

Topping for AB.