CHAPTER ONE

WHY TRAVEL SOLO?

In my many years of teaching workshops for women travelers, I have come into contact with both the courageous and the timid who are interested in traveling on their own. Whether they are fresh out of college, in a healthy marriage that encourages independence, newly divorced, widowed, or have simply found the motivation to take the next step, it’s clear that they are not waiting to find the perfect travel partner before making plans. Now it’s your turn.

Perhaps you wonder what benefits solo travel can offer you, how it differs from traveling with a tour group or with friends. Consider some of the following advantages of traveling solo.

Freedom
As a solo traveler, you’re the boss. No coordinating agendas, no arguing over where to eat and when, no wasting time visiting attractions that don’t suit your interests. You can sleep late, skip breakfast, take an earlier train than planned, stop for photos along the way, or duck into a movie theater to see the latest movie dubbed in the local language. No negotiating or compromising with anyone.

While it can be a relief to leave the travel planning to others so you don’t have to think beyond your morning croissant and coffee, you often give up what you really want to do when your tour director or travel mates make the decisions.

Wayward Women is a loose-knit group of women travelers that meets monthly to talk about travel. Jo, the co-creator of this Seattle-based organization, loves being able to do things her own way. “I don’t travel with others because it means I’d have to make compromises in terms of where I’m going and how long I’m staying. At the national museum in Wellington, New Zealand, I was the first one there in the morning and the last one to leave at the end of the day. I would have been annoyed if I had had to compromise.”

On a recent trip to Europe to study chocolate making, Mary Jo admits it would have been nice to have her husband there, but, “I enjoyed being alone because it really allowed me to focus on the work I was doing.”

You’ll be More Approachable
You’ll meet far more people when you’re on your own since you won’t be insulated as part of a couple or group. Having even one travel partner makes it intimidating for others to chat you up. As a solo woman, friendly encounters with other travelers and locals abound, and you might even be the recipient of romantic advances.

Laura has traveled the world on her motorcycle, with group tours and as a solo rider. “When I travel alone, I meet new people. I don’t shut them out while talking to a friend.”

For better or worse, as a stranger in a strange land, be it a New Jerseyite in Alaska or a Canadian in Argentina, you’re most likely going to stick out. You’ll be a curiosity, and people will want to talk with you. They may provide you with directions if you’re poring over a map, or invite you to dinner so that their family can practice English. Or they may simply visit with you to pass the hours on a long journey.

No matter how introverted you may think you are, we all need to reach out and talk with others. You could very well find you are more outgoing and likely to approach others than you ever thought you could be. As a result, solo travel is rarely lonely.

Finding Your Strength
Yes, it does take more emotional and physical energy to travel solo. You’ll need to be hyperaware of your surroundings to overcome challenges and avoid dangerous situations, all the while being responsible for your personal possessions. These hassles pale, however, in comparison to the rewards.