The following is a guest post about solo travel. Looking back, I wish I had the courage to do this. Instead, I joined in with my friends who wanted to go to Ibiza and spend £1000s on alcohol and nightclubs and return with little memory of where you were or what even happened! I guess I waited until I had someone that I could share the experiences with. That said, I really don’t think you need to wait to find that person. Hostels are often filled with like-minded travellers. With Facebook/Twitter/email/Pinterest/SMS/Google+ etc. etc. it only becomes easier to find and track these like-minded individual’s wherabouts, wherever you are in the world. Chances are if you are looking for someone that you wish would go kayaking in South America with you, there is probably someone else there looking for the exact same thing.
Do you love traveling, but find yourself without a like minded companion or significant other? Often there is no-one with the same budget, interests or even with the time available to share your travel plans. You may have thought about packing your bags and just going out there on your own, but have changed your mind because the thought of being in foreign country alone, without being able to speak the language, is simply too daunting.
I say, life is too short; just pack your bags and go!
Why not escape on your own to freedom? Hotels and transport can cost more when there is no one to share the bill, but if you use internet comparison sites, such as Dealchecker wisely you can find great prices for flights, car hire, holidays and hotels to suit you. Pick where you want to go, see something you have always yearned to see, with no explanations needed and no arguments. Travelling with someone else can often make things complicated! Being by yourself means you are not accountable to anyone or responsible for their enjoyment – you can be selfish and get away with it! Furthermore, you can tag along with groups along the way, allowing you to pick and choose what suits you! From a self-development point of view, it can help to develop your self-confidence while often helps you to ‘find yourself’ and discover who you really are.
If you want to be organised, with access to structured tours and travel arrangements, there are numerous quality holiday companies who specifically target the single traveller. There are also some fantastic adventures to be had; you can explore the far of lands with like-minded people that you don’t eve know yet; but soon will! It’s a perfect compromise for the solo traveller, with access to others if and when you need them.
The possibilities are endless. If you don’t fancy following the status quo on the holiday to Ibiza or spring break in Cancun – you simply don’t have to! All you need is the courage to buy an airfare and you are on your way. Everything else just falls into place. Try something new today.
Does anyone have any experiences of Traveling Alone?
image credit: travelihub
I’ve never traveled alone, but I’m not opposed to it. I’m a super social person so I don’t know that I would love it, especially when I’m excited because I’m traveling, though.
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Hey Daisy! Being super social would surely help you make more friends on the way! I just love being out of my comfort zone and learning from it. That said booking a ticket alone takes some serious stomach
It would be pretty sweet to have that kind of freedom when traveling. I know when I travel with someone there is bound to be some kind of compromises that have to be made. I’d love to go on a trip on my own sometime, but it does take some courage to take that first solo trip.
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It does indeed – there is a guy at my work and he ALWAYS goes off alone. He has been around Asia and South America all by himself and tags along with groups on the journey. As you say it takes courage
I’ve traveled across the US a few times alone. It was more to get from point A to point B than for a vacation. I don’ think I’d do as well alone. It might seem too daunting.
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Never Say Never 😀
I went to Europe alone for the first time at 29. I had never been there before. I would say the scariest thing was traveling from point a to point b, but once I was in a location I was totally relaxed and met a lot of cool people. I’ve also taken a couple of group trips where I went alone but traveled with a group. That’s like the best of both worlds.
That sounds pretty good. I agree you get the best of both worlds because you can pick and choose the group trips in the first place and often, you find people with the same mentality as yourself! That is one of the reasons I love Scuba Diving so much – you can pitch up alone and leave with friends!
I find so much solace in travelling alone. Feeling anonymous is so great, and it allows you the freedom to do whatever the heck you want.
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Done travelling alone plenty of times. Its very liberating and discovered a lot of things about myself. Just keep an open mind and an open heart. One of the BEST things that I will cherish in my entire life.