BENEFITS to traveling alone?
 

I've travelled alone one other time, to NYC during Xmas week. I had the best time of my life. This time around I"m going to New England to see the foliage. I'm feeling like it's going to be a bit of a downer, for some reason. I have anxious anticipation about being on the road alone. Anyone else travel alone for vacation and ever felt the same way? Although I love hanging out with myself, it would be nice to meet some people and make some friends while out there. I read many posts from people who travel with their kids and I smile and say to myself I'm glad I'm not in their situation, but at the same time, I admire them for being able to be in a family unit. Any thoughts please?

I think it all depends on who it is you have the option of selecting as a travel partner. I have done solo stuff -- 7 weeks of stomping around Europe. <BR>But for the past few years, and four major European trips and numerous trips to the Canadian Rockies and Yellowstone, I have had the world's best traveling companion to keep me going strong and happy. So right now, I need and want my travel partner to be right there with me. It is much better that way. But, if the option is to take along one of the horrible companions I have read about on this forum, I would go it alone. After all, it is easier to get single seats at the opera, concerts, etc. <BR>But I know I am fortunate to have the best next to me when I travel.

I went with someone two years ago and it took just about every piece of me mind and soul to not strangle her. I promised myself I'd never travel with anyone again. Guess I got my wish. : 0 <BR>I'm trying to equip myself with maps, cell phone the whole nine yards...so that I can have a grand old time by myself. :)

I will tell you one thing, w/o trying to be preachy. <BR> <BR>Having anxious anticipation is fine. But remember that fear paralyzes. You are never really "alone." There will be people everywhere you go and if you need any assistance, you'd be surprised how big someone's heart it when they have someone in need in front of them. You will be fine. I will say prayers for you. I sense you are afraid and fear something will happen to you either health-wise or car-wise or financially. You will be all right. If God is with you, who can be against?

You know what they say: 'tis better to be alone, than in bad company. Enjoy life. Enjoy yourself. Love yourself and put fear aside. At the end of our lives, we will look back and wonder WHY we worried so much...for nothing.

I've done most of my travelling on my own. None of my friends can seem to save their money and the only one who can, can't take her holiday time at the same time as me. So I head off on my own. I usually fly from Australia to Canada and the US. I guess I am fortunate that I have friends in both countries and visit with them but you can only stay so long. I've travelled through PEI and Nova Scotia on my own and met some really lovely people on the bus to PEI. I've been to Yosemite on my own and got adopted by a family for a couple of days. I think as long as you are willing to make the first move and talk to people some one will always help you out. I think there are pros and cons for travelling solo. Pros - you can move at your own pace and see what you want to see; you meet more people on your own; it is easier to get tickets for one and upgrades on flights. Cons - you sometimes have to eat alone, you have no-one to share the experience with, it costs more for a hotel room or tour (what is with this, so unfair!). Overall though, I quite enjoy being on my own. Solo or with someone, go and have a great time. Be sensible and trust your own instinct. <BR> <BR>Anne in Australia

Dear Misha: <BR>I'm probably the last person in the world anyone would expect to take a vacation by herself. I'm terribly shy and self-conscious. I wanted to take a trip to Mexico but didn't want to go with anyone who would walk around and looked bored all day; that's happened on several trips. I finally, with a lot of trepidation, decided to go by myself. I had BALL!!! I had the best group of travelling companions! Everyone was so nice and friendly. I felt very at ease with my group; as if I had known them for years. I was so glad I went by myself. I enjoyed sometime sight-seeing on my own, I enjoyed having a room to myself, and I <BR>especially liked doing some things at my own pace. Staying as long as I wanted at some sights, not eating every 2 hours (like my last trip), not spending the whole day shopping etc. Go for it. The first trip is always the hardest. I'm planning a trip to the Yucatan and Costa Rica by myself next year. ENJOY!!!

Everyone was so nice to share. Thank you all. I will take all you said in consideration and try to put it in action. Still a bit anxioius, but hanging in there. <BR> <BR>Misha

Misha - My first trip alone was to New England. I, too, felt some trepidation, but now travel alone extensively. As far as some practical advice, first, try to stay at some bed & breakfasts. You will always have breakfast companions, and I have found that innkeepers are usually friendly, as well as informative as to where to eat and what to visit. (Your fellow travelers are helpful, too.) Some inns also have informal refreshments in the afternoon or evening where travelers compare notes, etc. Second, bring along a journal to jot down notes, memories and impressions at the table when eating alone. Or, you can bring a travel guide, which often prompts conversation with wait staff. (On my first trip to Maine, I sat somewhat forlornly at my table, wondering what in the world I had gotten myself into. The restaurant owner, noticing I was alone, made an effort to stop by my table a few times to see how I was doing, where I had been, etc.) Third, don't forget safety. I always leave an itinerary at home, and bring my cell phone. On my first trip, I was greeted at every inn with "Your mother and husband called!" and I was expected back in the evening. Finally, smile a lot! You are going to be visiting tourist friendly destinations, and most locals are responsive to your friendliness. Lots of people are happy just to talk with you a few moments, and these brief conversations help me, at least, feel more comfortable. Have a wonderful trip, and remember, no one will mind if you stop in absolutely every antique shop on the road, spend three days looking for pottery, or hole up for a day in your room reading!

I will be leaving today for a short driving trip from Oklahoma to Colorado in search of golden aspens and it's my first driving vacation alone. I'm preparing for a solo trip to Tasmania next March. <BR> <BR>My very favorite type solo travel has been seminars in Oxford England where you are with like-minded people studying a subject you like. An added bonus is you have someone to go to the pub with and you share your meals at the college. If you're lucky and get a good leader, you also get great side trips on the weekends. This will be something I pursue after I retire and have more travel time. <BR> <BR>I like the tips I've read so far.

Misha, I have taken a few trips alone, and it is really OK. Pretty much as enjoyable as traveling with companions, but your stress occurs in different ways. Bring lots of reading material, and enjoy your own thoughts. <BR>

If you went to NY, alone, during Christmas week and you say you had the best time of your life. Then I say that whatever you do this year, you will be JUST FINE..you did two difficult things...alone in NY for a week AND during the holidays! congratulations!

Hi Misha! Although I LOVE to travel with Hubby and daughter, I do travel mostly alone (for work). There are some things I really enjoy about the alone thing and others I really don't. <BR> <BR>In example: I hate sitting alone at dinner, so normally I just get take out or room service and relax in my room. On the other hand I love to shop (my family doesn't) so I find the best places when I'm alone! I save the great sight seeing for when I have someone to share it with.

Hi Misha: <BR> <BR>I travel all the time by myself for business, but a couple of years ago, I discovered the joys of traveling alone for pleasure. An ex-long-distance- boyfriend, who after he told me he would go skiing with me, decided last minute that his girlfriend probably wouldn't like that. (he didn't tell me about her until two weeks before the trip.) Well, duh, of course she wouldn't. <BR> <BR>So I went myself. The nice thing about traveling for pleasure is that you're looking for FUN (on business, it's get the meeting done and crash in the hotel room). When you're with someone, you usually just have fun with them, but when you're alone you're a lot more open to meeting people. I smiled at a lot of people who glanced my way and struck up conversation with all types. The Avis Rent-a-car counter boy drove all the way from Salt Lake City to Park City to accompany me to dinner; the restaurant owner who told the group in front of me the quickest he could seat them was in about 3 hours, then seated me right away when I pitifully asked "do you have room for just one?". And of course, there was skiing at my own pace...I could stop, plunk myself down, eat my frozen snickers, and just simply absorb the wonders of winter nature without a dorky ex boyfriend around! :)

Yeah, it's much easier to get rid of the hitchhiker's body when you're travelling alone. No one asks any questions that way.

This forum, for those of us who have frequented it for a long time, is great. But today, I was delighted in another way...<BR><BR>I recently traveled alone to Australia, and had a unbelievable time (my trip report is posted on the Australian forum under "I didn't kill myself so here is my trip report"). It was my most ambitious solo trip to date...3 weeks. After the trip, I decided I wanted to vacation more by myself...it was just so relaxing.<BR><BR>So today, on a whim, I decided to go skiing solo again to Park City (like previous posters mentioned, my friends are either too poor or too busy to travel). Doing a search on fodors on Park City to see what new tid bits of info I could find, I came upon this posting. Reading through, I smiled at all the encouragement from solo travelers. I got to the one about the gal whose ex boyfriend bailed on their planned ski trip and thought it sounded really familiar...I looked at the poster, and realized it was me (posting with my middle name over a year ago!). I was reminded again, by others, and by myself (!), why I love to travel alone.

Hi Misha - I did something similar this past fall. I went to Connecticut for 3 nights alone. I stayed in a B&B, which was cozier than a hotel, the hosts were very nice - we chatted each am over breakfast, and they helped me with directions. It was great being able to do what I wanted, when I felt like it. I kept thinking of it as my "adventure" - it turned out to be both fun and relaxing. And of course I had my cell phone so I could keep in touch with family. I'm sure you'll have a great time - and while you admire people who are able to be in a family unit, you should also admire yourself for having the courage to travel alone (lots of people I know are somewhat afraid to do that)

I take many vactions by myself. One of the best things about doing that is that you get to see everything that YOU want to see. I find that I get much more accomplished travelling alone than when I go with friends. While it can be nice to travel with others, so as to have someone to share the experience with, travelling alone broadens your depth of experience and self reliance and can boost your confidence in your ability to handle any situation on your own. At first I was nervous to travel by myself, but with each trip, I have less apprehension; I don't mind eating in restaurants alone . . .who cares what other people think? If they look down on you or feel sorry for you, that's their own lack of confidence showing-- they are usuallly the people who would be too scared to travel outside a group.

(The only Misha I have known was a man so I'm not assuming you're a woman.) <BR> I can understand your apprehension about the foliage trip. I think going alone to the countryside is different form being alone in a city--in a city you are really never alone, there is some comfort in just being around swarms of people, and it's easy to find something to do that will bring you into contact with people.<BR> If I were faced with the task of finding people on a foliage trip, I would--besides the excellent suggestions re: bed and breakfasts--check out the Sierra Club and other outfits that might provide me with a walking group to join up with. <BR> I myself like going to church, I know many people don't, but this is something I do in foreign places when I'm alone--people are nice to visitors in churches (or anyhow they are supposed to be).<BR> And I think in most places you can find a yoga class (something else you may not be interested in!!) to go to in the morning, though I seldom make friends at yoga classes, you're not supposed to talk etc. in the places I go to. But it is soothing and stress-relieving.<BR> And then--aren't there Barnes and Nobleses everywhere? Don't they all have readings? That's another place to find people.

i love to travel by myself. of course it would be nice to have someone with same interests as i would have. but theres nothing like getting up and to decide by yourself what you will do that day. think of all the time you will save arguing and pleasing each other. Enjoy