mate hates to travel, I love it. Thinking of going solo. No romance involved, ect. any suggestions for a starter trip to check out traveling solo?

pick any city and GO. I have travelled alone a lot. I found it difficult to travel alone in a foreign speaking country because it gets really tiring never beinga able to relate your experiences to someone in your native tongue. That being said, they say that you meet more people when you travel alone. I have traveled all over Europe alone. I have also gone to Mexico alone.

If you would rather not do a big city, there are biking and hiking tours just about anywhere you want to go. Europe, america, canada, and parts farther out.

It all depends on what you are in the mood to do.
Go for it.

Most of my travels have been solo. Traveling solo is an incredible experience in thinking for yourself and meeting other people. It has given me great confidence and many friends around the world.

As for a starter trip... If you are from the US I would recommend a trip to an English speaking country such as Ireland or Great Britian (England or Scotland for example). Make sure you stay at hostels (lots of other solo travelers) instead of hotels. You will have a fantastic time.

I agree with the advice to stay in places where there is interaction with others. I have enjoyed hostels when traveling solo, but if you're looking for a little more privacy and comfort, a B&B would be a good bet. In Europe and Britain, they aren't usually as fancy (or expensive) as those in the USA. Rooms rented from people's houses (e.g. "zimmer frei" in Germany) usually afford a lot of interaction with others. Smaller B&Bs in the USA and Canada are also good bets.

You don't say where you are from, but I would start off with something small first. See how you like it. Maybe a long weekend somewhere.

I love traveling solo, as well as with people. You get a whole different perspective when going solo. But it isn't for everyone. It would be terrible if you planned a long vacation to some faraway locale, only to discover that you really can't do solo. Pick a place you can do in a weekend, and check that out first. If that goes over well, then I would look toward more long distance and longer times away.

I really agree with Michele-try someplace in US first for3 to 5 days.
I'd pick a city that has an airport that getting into town is not a problem. That lets out Denver--
I've been to 43 states with over 1/2 going solo. ( I am now 65yrs old and still going and my husband will not fly)
I loved Boston, New Orleans, Chicago,San Antonio, Portland OR, but my all time favorite is Seattle.
There are several books about solo traveling for women that I found useful--hints and precautions.
Try it you'll like it!!!! It sure beats staying home--

My first solo travel was in England then Paris. It can be dauting at first with a language barrier but you imporvise and now I have no problems going anywhere. Even went once to Eastern Turkey where no one spoke English. Everyone was friendly and wanted to help, I pointed at a dictionary of Turk/English and it all worked out.

Nothing to limit you other than a country openly hostil to your native country.And remember you are a joe and I am a josephine

My Mother a widow traveled solo and simply loved it. She did cruises, Hawaii, and became quite fond of it. If you are seeking a Europe experience than a group thing might work well for you. You would be alone but "not alone" if you know what I mean. You don't mention places you would like to travel. If it is local, then as folks say small trips to start out with and see how it goes. Life is to short to not travel simply cause the mate doesn't want to travel and miss the experience. Good luck to you.

yeah but xxx I was chased down the street to join up with others.

I was never alone when traveling solo in Europe. You meet interesting people and have a richer experience than if you go with a group. At least when I speak with friends who traveled with others this is what I find. I have far more interesting stories about people I engaged in conversations for hours, days etc. Was just laughing about this with someone the other day because I was a young political science major when I did this so we were frequently arguing for those conversations.

PS Frequently alone when I go to Hawaii solo with the exception of Waikiki

Yes but Sarah you are young. My Mother was in her 70's. She had to go with a group. She didn't "have" to but it was the only way for her. Not saying everyone should. To each his/her own.

Just Do It!

SWOOP!!!

Traveling alone can be such a blast. You meet wonderful people and don't have to put up with anyone elses BS schedule. After you do it the first time, you will prefer it.

xxx I see what you are saying but not out of the realm of possibility though. All depends on what kind of 70 year old you are. I know people in my building here in NYC who do similar solo trips.

I would be more worried for my mother in NYC alone than I would for most European cities. But I could see not wanting the hassle of planning period where ever you decide to go at 70.

I guess I just emphasize this point of no groups because some seem so daunted by solo travel outside the U.S. and that is nonsense in Europe. If anything you attract people traveling like this. I think you become more intimate with your surroundings. You also most importantly get to linger at important destinations rather than making that tour bus on to the next stop. Careful reading before hand and you can learn just as much or more than tour guide. This is what I have learned on trips to Hawaii anyway.

I remember meeting someone who gave myself and a German friend (I met traveling )mid night camel rides on the Pyrimad grounds at Giza.

In Ireland I met a man who's mother was sent to live in Australia because her family could not afford food for her. He was returning to her village for the first time, as a tourist but also as a doctor. Great story.

In the mountains in turkey I was hiking through the woods and I met a mathematics professor from the University of Istanbul. I was invited into a tiny tea room in this elevated cabin of sorts with a pot belly stove to make the tea. Here we spoke about world affairs and ideas for 3 hours. We were so deep in the woods I had to leave before sunset to find my way back.

Ok I am know I am boring some. Just had some incredible experiences.

mr. chirpy:
i drive every feb. from michigan to dallas, overnight in springfield mo. (birthplace of brad pitt, i thought i'd throw that in).

I drive from mich. to az, ut, n.m. for a month touring every sept. go through dan quayle and james dean country in indiana; hogans and mountains and the navajo way in az.

love every minute. listen to npr radio all the way. just plan out a trip and go.

by the way, mr. chirpy, i am 70 and am lucky to have seen the most beautiful scenery imaginable out there west of the pecos.

just do it.