| Traveling Solo
Posted: 11/18/2007 7:22:33 PM | | I travelled solo and i started late....lol and heyyy it is fun!!. and i would do it again.. i travelled solo to china.. a country im never been with worst i dont speak tthe language.. and they dont accept canadian dollars!.. you just have to be more adventurous except never been in Las Vegas... hmmm.. | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 11/18/2007 9:00:43 PM | One way I get around the dining alone awkwardness is finding alternatives to regular sit down restaurants. Most large department stores have cafeterias that are good places to grab a light lunch by yourself. Or go to the local market and grab some local specialties and picnic in the park. Did this in Paris in a park on a cool fall day with a view of the Eiffel Tower. One of my best memories.
One of the best advantages to being solo in a foreign city is that if you go to the box office of the theaters with shows close to selling out or close to curtain time, you usually find single tickets still available as the all the seats together are taken. | |
|
Sigi
|
Joined: 5/26/2005
Msg: 53 | |
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 11/19/2007 6:27:43 PM | Op, I travelled different times by myself and you will always meet people who do the same.  | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 11/20/2007 4:47:52 PM | | Queen Sassy if you cud message me i have a few questions to ask you ~! | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 11/22/2007 12:21:03 AM | Hi
I travel alone all the time. For work and for fun. This year I have over 80,000 air miles alone.
It can be fun but, I do find most places do not like single travellers. I was just in Rome for 5 days holidays and the restaurants hate single seaters. I have mixed feelings about self travel. I am off to Thailand, a spa for a week in January but I can't find anyone to share the room....lol. Matters not though, a spa is for relaxation right? | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 12/3/2007 8:58:19 PM | Go on a cruise. Everything is there for you and there is so much to see and do everyday that you won't be bored.
Take a bus tour and be willing to share for you will be given your own room probably since so many women are afraid to travel on their own. Have your own room and just pay the double rate.
I have been on 26 cruises mostly on my own and would go again in a heartbeat.
You meet more people this way. | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 12/20/2007 9:29:07 PM | I much prefer to backpack alone. When you are traveling with someone you are for the most part with them 24/7 and even the best of friends quickly start to focus on their differences after a month or two on the road.
When I'm starting to feel that I need some companionship, it is a rare place that I can't hunt down some other travelers to share some drinks and travel stories with.
I've always thought that I'll know I've met the woman for me if the relationship can withstand a couple months of travel together. | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 12/21/2007 8:00:08 AM | OP, I did and experience was positive. it's just different:
+:
more flexibility,
you get more open to people
-:
difficult to share
more dangerous
I would advise you to go to some not-so-wild place, like in the jungle of africa alone, is not so easy to go alone
the bad news like safe places -like norway for example- are always more expensive...
so kinda depends on your budget too | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 12/23/2007 9:37:27 PM | I am single and I travel alone. My last vacation was to Kinnitty Castle, Offaly Co.
My bad experience is. I should have rented a car. Taking a Taxi from Dublin to Kinnitty Castle cost me 150 euros both ways. I should have taken cash instead of AAA debit card because the town didnt have a debit machine, pharmacy, photgraphy store and other minor things that we take for granted. I had to call for a cab to take me to Tullamore which cost me 50 euros. UGH! My sugesstion is to rent a car which is a must if your planning to be out in the country side and bring cash not travelers checks. Also bring boots because there are no side walks and your pants can get quite muddy easly from the saturated ground.
Best Exerpience, met up with a tour guide who is lives in Kinnitty. She and her husband drove me to see the sites. I saw Leap Castle, Birr Castle, Charleville Castle and shopped in the town of Tullamore. The Inn I had stayed at Kinnitty Castle was fab with 5 star rating food, spa, fishing and accomodations all round. I am planning to go back this April which I am looking forward to.
The only place I was affraid to travel to was to Spain because I was affraid I was going to miss my connecting flight from Madrid to Valencia because I do not know the language that well. Also I tend to get lost in Valencia because of the narrow and interwinding roads. | |
|
OLT4U
|
Joined: 12/21/2007
Msg: 60 | |
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 12/25/2007 8:54:20 PM | I have traveled solo, for work and for pleasure.
My experiences have all been good with it.
I can talk to whom I want, or not, and not have to worry if the
other person is enjoying the trip.
That said, it's very, very nice to enjoy the journey with someone.
Time and a place for solo and for a companion.
I'm in the travel industry too, and I find you have to take the "industry" out of it and experience the "travel". | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 12/27/2007 9:00:43 PM | Yes traveling solo can be quite the experience, but once you get it out of the way you feel like your able to do anything on your own. Not to mention that you get to meet more people then you would with a group of friends. I love it but, I do like meeting up with my friends when I'm traveling. Not knowing the language of that country can make it seem like your isolated but that is even more of a reason to discover the new country and culture. Make sure that you have a back up plan, that's just obvious though! Wish you the best time and luck, I'm jealous :P...I have that travel fever now talking about this  | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 12/27/2007 9:03:38 PM | | Hey I used to live in Thailand, I know BKK like the back of my hand and also the south of Thailand. | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 12/31/2007 11:32:14 AM | I've traveled for over a year solo.
I prefer it to traveling with others as you can do what you want, when you want.
Traveling partners can tire or bore or have major disagreements over time; often times having a great friendship ruined due to the stresses, miscommunications, and different interests that come with being too long with someone else.
The rule of thumb to traveling solo is: smile and be friendly; respect each and everyone.
If you have a run in with someone that you cannot stand, remind yourself that you are alone and you are in control of the outcome and carry on to greener pastures. | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 12/31/2007 4:36:11 PM | | Traveling solo is no biggie actually once you get to your destination and are doing and experiencing so much after getting backhanded with a culture shock and an overload of all your senses the last thing that crosses your mind is that you are on your trip alone. | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 1/1/2008 12:22:55 PM | | I try to go on a week-long motorcycle trip by myself every year. I have a blast. | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 1/3/2008 1:40:57 AM | | Hell if ya want Il come with ya I too want to travel but a little sceptical about going alone | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 1/3/2008 9:14:47 AM | I enjoy traveling solo, but it might be more fun having a traveling companion. Who knows?  | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 1/4/2008 12:18:41 AM | | I have travelled solo the last seven yrs. I have been to Australia, Mexico, the Carribbean, Central and South America and all over the US. For the most part I love it. When you travel alone you can go where you want, when you want and stay as long as you want. However, I must admit that sometimes I get lonely when I bump into tourist couples and see how much fun they are sharing together, but since I haven't had a girlfriend in years I just deal with it. | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 1/4/2008 9:41:21 AM | Dear OP:
I have read all the posts so far, and many people have given you excellent advice. As a 40 year veteran Professional Tour Director and former Travel Agent and Travel Writer, I have had much experience traveling in many ways. In addition, I am older than many of the posters, and may see things a bit differently because of that.
However, inasmuch as I wrote travel columns for single travelers, may I suggest that you consider either a cruise or an escorted tour for your first trip solo. Choose a destination that interests you. In both cases you will have ample opportunity to choose side trips on your own, but you will still be with others, until you gain confidence AND savvy, in regard to being totally alone.
If you have not yet traveled, and would like to discuss various ideas, please feel free to contact me here, and we can discuss it.
Sincerely,
Knittin Kitten
Judy | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 1/11/2008 12:02:44 PM | Travel solo is one of the best ways to go on a any trip. If your waiting for someone to come along. That may never happen. Travel is best way to meet others. As many others i have met were all travelling solo. Best way to do it.
I am going to South America in April. Anyone want to come. I am going on my own but with a travel group. Starting in Brazil.
Any takers? | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 1/12/2008 9:36:22 PM | Lots of good advice on this thread. I'm probably not adding anything new but heck, I feel like contributing anyway.
I've done dozens of trips on my own over the years. It is very freeing as others have said. You can go wherever you want, whenever you want. From time to time, it can get a bit lonely, but frankly, I've been a bit lonely in a group too. Or is it that I wished to heck I could be alone? :)
More often than not, it is easy to befriend and be befriended. It is so easy to meet people when you are travelling. Everyone is excited and open to meeting other travellers (you). Local people at your chosen destinations are often pleased to meet you too.
Once you are at your chosen destination, book some tours. It is so easy to meet people when on a tour. One of my bestfriends and two of my best and most frequent travel companions are people that I met while in other countries. I'm still in touch with many other people I've met along the way. I've been in one country and run into someone that I met a couple of years earlier, in another country. Isn't the world a wonderful place?
Generally, you can find others that are ready to hook up for a meal. But having said that, it depends on the time of day and where I happen to be . .so many times I eat alone. Once in a while, I'll get tired of eating on my own but when that mood comes over me, I get something that I can eat in my room for dinner and have a quiet night. Otherwise, I'm out and about and let them stare if they will.
Keep your wits about you, at a minimum take the same precautions you would at home and don't let your normal good sense flee. There's more good people in the world than bad, but bad things can still happen to good people. So far, nothing really bad has ever happened to me. The airlines haven't even lost my luggage yet. (Knock on wood)
A couple of things you'll definitely want to pack . .patience, make sure you pack lots of patience. , your sense of humor and a big warm smile.
Don't wait for anyone. There's too much to see and do. If your friends aren't able to go, too bad for them. Get going!! You'll never regret it. | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 1/12/2008 10:13:41 PM | | nah....was gonna go to hawaii alone...couldn't do it not knowing what i'd do if i didn't meet ppl there and would I get bored bugged me so i bailed out and made some spring break plans wit some college buds... to go to the keys... | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 1/17/2008 12:37:29 AM | If it comes to a choice between travelling alone or staying home, choose to travel. I usually travel with family but it can be really liberating to travel solo. Once you let go of the fear, it is really satisfying. On my first solo trip I joined a 3 week bus tour of New Zealand. Many other people on the trip were also travelling solo and it didn't take long to make new friends, some of whom I have kept in contact with and travelled with since (hey, at least you get to meet like-minded people who also like to travel!).
I have also travelled in the Whitsundays in Far North Queensland, Australia. I would often say "hello" to other solo travellers I met. This often led to someone to share a meal with during a day sailing trip or dinner back on the mainland at night. I found strangers were often more willing to start a conversation with me when I was travelling on my own than when I was travelling with my family. As several people have mentioned, people are often willing to take you under their wing and keep you company. I found that dining in open air hotels with music entertainment made me feel less conspicuously on my own than sitting in a quiet restaurant. Eating takeaway back in my room was a good option some nights, as was preparing my own meals or having a book with you. I enjoyed staying in hostels when I was younger and backpacking around Europe. Even when you are travelling with a friend, it is good to meet up with different people along the way to save you getting too stale with your travelling companion. You get to share travel advice with others and learn about interesting new places to visit. Enjoyu the new experiences travel will give you! | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 1/20/2008 12:23:43 PM | Hey if you want to travel theres nothing like traveling solo!
And if you want to really enjoy something exciting try going to a country where you do not understand their language ! I went to costa rica in 2007 for the first time and no I don't speak spanish and most I understand is good morning or good evening !LOL
And yes it was a fantastic fun time even if I could not speak spanish or figure out what the pretty ladies at bars or resturants where saying to me !LOL
Yeah I bet some thought heres a nut bar ! But maybe they thought I was thinking the same of them !LOL But I will say you will no matter what have a better time going solo .
And yep plan on returning to costa rica again in august of 2008 . Maybe I'll figure out what some of these ladies are trying to say when we chat !LOL
 | |
|
| Traveling Solo
Posted: 1/21/2008 8:28:21 AM | I recommend it. Highly.
I just returned from two weeks in Costa Rica solo and didn't realize how much I learned about myself until I got back. There is a certain level of resourcefulness and survival instinct that kicks in when you are in a foreign land on your own.
F. | |
|
Home
login 
