Israel and Egypt. I went solo, but was rarely alone, as it was one of those experiences where the stars aligned, and I made new friends and traveling companions along the way. A fantastic experience that set the stage for adventures to come...

My first solo non-work trip was to Madrid. I was supposed to go with a friend, but she had to cancel.

I had a really good time and didn't have to compromise what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go/eat to fit someone else's needs/desires. It was a great experience.

Of course it would have been even better if I had spoken better Spanish, but I have enough Spanish to get along.

I just found this post and need to reply.

I was 50 and decided to take a summer class in Paris - not technically alone - but on my own. One of my friends suggested that if I was that close I had to go to London.

I spent many wonderful days wandering around Paris on my own but had the comfort of knowing that people I knew (professor and fellow students where near if I needed).

However, I was totally on my own in London for 3 days. I had a wonderful time - first thing off the train I went to St. John's Wood to see Abby Road and met a nice guy from Japan who told me where the house was that Paul lived in when they wrote the song "...she came in through the bathroom window". Went to the theater; had tea at Fortnum & Mason; shopped at Harrod's; watched the changing to the guard at Buckingham; walked or road the "tube" everywhere and just wandered.

That trip was the most liberating thing I had ever done in my life! I went from my parents' home to my husband's home to my parents' home. I have been a single parent my daughter's entire life (31 years) and never lived on my own until 2 years ago. I had never done anything alone until I went to Paris and London in 2000.

I will go on other trips solo - haven't so far. I do agree with others, it's better to travel solo then with others that aren't interested in the same things.

These stories are so great, good for you all.

My first few solo trips were Club Med in my 20's. That was a good way to ease into it. Then in my 30's I spent a week in Italy waiting for my travel companion. I met a wonderful Australian lady my first night and we saw Rome together. Then I headed for Umbria and met 3 fun guys in Assisi who I traveled to Florence with. I was still anxious for my friend to arrive, but when she did, she was so annoying and I was wishing I had gone camping with the guys in the Dolomites!
On one train ride from Milan to London I met a nice lady and ended up meeting Brit Ekland in London (her sister was her secretary.)

I did a safari in Africa, but that wasn't really "alone." (I spent a summer living in London and I must say I got lonely.)

But, life's too short to miss out just because you can't find a compatable travel buddy. And you never know what you will find when you venture out alone!

I just had to add to this forum because it gave me the courage to venture out on my own to Rome.

Cool litefoot! Thanks for telling us - did you have a good time?

What a cool thread. I went on a 3 week tour of capitals of Europe after college. We were in each capital for about 5 days each. While there were half day tours and optionals, and of course other people, there was alot of free time and I was alone pretty much at least until I made some friends on the tour. I remember one night in paris, buying food in the little shops down the street and curling up in my room reading and eating a baguette.

Truly alone -- New York, Las Vegas, New Orleans... then 4 days alone in London before a tour to Ireland. Now I never do tours and go either alone or with my mom (occasionally) or a friend. But the majority of my trips to Europe in the past 10 years have been solo. I am very comfortable except when it comes to dinner. Usually by then I am exhausted anyway and I also dont' eat much so going to a nice restaurant alone at night doesnt' hold much allure for me. that's when it's a little lonely. One other issue solo is rarely having pix of yourself in the seeting (I have only 2 of me in Hawaii and those were at the hotel.

Like everyone on here I too love to travel and get inspired reading about everyones experiences, thanks.

I have travelled alone, the first time at 18 going to The Netherlands where I was born, then at 22 camping on the eastern US coast in my pinto stationwagon and later for my 40th birthday took my self to Cape Cod, Marth's Vineyard and Nantucket. I did once go to a resort for a weekend alone when I did NEED to be all by myself and it was wonderful.

I also took my son, then 15, around Europe for 5 weeks, but I don't suppose that counts.

Although I have travelled lots of other places with partners, it isn't always harmonic since I sometimes I just like to plan and be in control of every minute of my day and night.

So here is the question to all those middleage women who love to travel solo. How do you deal with the evenings, nights and dinners alone? Condescending looks from waiters and pitying looks from fellow diners? How do you deal with walking the streets at night alone and don't want to stay in your hotel or B & B when there is a wonderful street life out there? How do you engage other people without having them be afraid you're going to cling to them for the entire evening?

One tip I did observe recently at a lounge where I was sitting at the bar with my partner. Although there were lots of other seats, a woman came and sat right next to me. At first I was a bit puzzled but realized that she probably did that so that she wouldn't look like she was alone and therefore wouldn't get hit on by the single men in the bar.

Well, one time I got a pity look from another female diner who was with a man, I smiled and gave her a little wave. She got flummoxed and squeaked out a tight smile, it was pretty amusing.

As to a waiter, just hold on to your self worth and let them do what they want, after all you are the one on vacation and they the ones working!!

"Condescending looks from waiters and pitying looks from fellow diners?" I think the condescension and pity may be in your mind, not theirs! As I posted on another thread, on a recent trip to Washington I actually paid attention to whether my fellow diners were staring at me, and there was only one guy, and that was at lunchtime. Of course, I'm an older female, and we all know that makes me invisible, YMMV.

Women can be pretty mean and petty to other women unfortunately.

For MsLizzy's interesting questions:

<<Condescending looks from waiters and pitying looks from fellow diners?>>

Well I have NEVER experienced that. Not once ever in my life. I have come to expect and accept that other people really don't care all that much about me!

<<How do you deal with walking the streets at night alone and don't want to stay in your hotel or B & B when there is a wonderful street life out there?>>

I scope out things around my hotel during the day for places that look interesting and walk there. Or I take a taxi. As long as you are in an area with lots of other pedestrian traffic in the evening and don't get drunk and go stumbling down a dark alley, you'll be fine.

<<How do you engage other people without having them be afraid you're going to cling to them for the entire evening?>>

I don't. I am content to be on my own. I'm not looking to make chit chat or hang around with strangers. Besides most places I travel I don't speak the local language so this is truly a non-issue.

most sincerely, suze (a happy solo traveler)

I don't think I've had either condescending or looks of pity, either. Or if I did, I didn't notice. However, I did look with envy at a solo woman diner in Rome when I was with my ex.

I actually get talked to by waiters more than if I am with someone. I also, if I'm perusing a map publicly, seem to get a lot more help than when I'm with some one else (Do other solo travelers find this, too?).

I walk around at night just like everyone else, using basic common sense and being aware of my surroundings, just as when at home. The key is to trust your gut instinct about what's going on around you.

I engage in conversations whether I speak the language or not. I have been "adopted" for dinner a couple of times by fellow tourists at hotels and once on a day tour. Each time they initiated the invitation; I also made sure I had "plans" afterwards, so they could continue on with their own agenda. But I'm equally happy on my own.

It's all in the mindset.

whoknew, Yes it seems more people offer to help me when I am alone, traveling with someone I can't think when that's ever happened. And I've also found getting temporarily adopted by a couple easier than hooking up with other single people.

My first solo trip was to Chicago. It was a last minute splurge for my birthday. Got FF tix, hotel on Priceline, called the Oprah show and snagged tix, found 2nd floor seating to see The Lion King at Cadillac Theatre, ventured up to the John Hancock Tower lounge, perused the American Girl store for my daughter, met a great young couple at Cafe Iberico and shared tapas and Sangria, wandered the mag mile and Marshall Fields. I met super friendly people everywhere I went.

It was a wonderful trip!

My first solo trip was to London, 2 weeks over Christmas and New Year's Eve. I was originally going to Amsterdam with a friend, got my ticket, and then she decided she wasn't all that serious about going, so I switched to London instead. Quite funny thinking back on it now - I wrote probably a dozen letters (!) to hotels asking for availability & rates. Ended up staying at The Strand Palace which ended up being pretty good for a random pick. I made several mistakes but I learned from them and ended up loving being on my own, making decisions how to spend my days.

The majority of my trips have been solo ever since. Though I will be spending a week next June with 2 fodorites - hiya hipvirgochick!

I saw this post and had to reply...after all I am the "solo adventurer"! My first solo trip was right out of college - a friend cancelled on our trip to the Bahamas. So I went alone after a very wise friend told me to "just go and pretend I was on a Club Med adventure". I was nervous but had a blast. Later I had a job (for 3 years) that was 100% travel (in the US) and I was always traveling by myself. I'm sure that helped to build my confidence. After that I traveled with friends, some good travel partners, some not so good. Then 2 years ago I found myself with money and plenty of vacation days and no one wanted to go the places I did...or they couldn't go. So I decided to try the solo route again and have to say my solo trips are always the best!! I meet more people, do exactly what I want, have the most amazing trips. And the things I hear the most from other people (when they learn I'm traveling solo) are: "you're so brave", "I wish I had the courage to do what you do" and "that is so cool!!". I used to wonder what people were thinking when they saw me alone on trips....were they feeling sorry for me, thinking I have no friends?? Nope, they are simply curious about the cool, confident woman on her own...what is her story, maybe we should meet her...she looks interesting! I'm looking forward to my upcoming "solo adventures" - Cozumel in November and Costa Rica in Feb. And I have to add that in all of my solo ventures I've never had a scary experience - common sense keeps you safe! Happy solo travels!!