| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/8/2008 12:15:13 PM | | I am just wondering if there are any females that have gone on singles vacations solo? I've been contemplating it for a long time now because I lack traveling partners and would like to travel the world. I have heard of people doing it, I just don't know if I ever could...anyone have any advice? experiences? | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/8/2008 2:44:36 PM | Good luck to you. I have traveled solo to a point. There was always someone at my final destination at some time . Never a round-trip solo deal where I was alone from start to finish.
I think I'm learning to get there~lol. I've been divorced for five years now with no prospects in sight,so off I go....solo | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/8/2008 4:55:48 PM | I've done it. And you will meet so many other travellers who are travelling (solo) as well. Check the Lonely Planet website and the Thorntree pages. Enjoy!  | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/8/2008 5:22:59 PM | | I've met a LOT of solo girls on trips and the ones that really come to mind are the ones that are fun, interesting and confident. The biggest suggestion I can give is to make sure that you "Pack a smile" in your luggage. Metaphorically speaking of course, but if you ain't smiling not many reach out to say "Hi". Myself? I'm doing Europe for a year as of March 20th, maybe more if I like it. That's why I joined PoF so I can meet some people to hang out with in other countries. No luck yet though (shrug shoulders here). Good luck! | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/12/2008 5:31:18 PM | I've been to several places around the globe, flying solo. I made a decision about 12 years ago, that I wasn't going to put anything on hold, rather I was just going to "GO FOR IT". So, that I have, and that I will. I've been to: Belize; Costa Rica; Holland; England; and Africa by myself. The net is a wonderful resource, and there's several great outfitters (GAP Adventures; Wilderness Travels), where the single supplements are low to none. There are some places in the world I wouldn't travel solo, and that is pretty much the middle east. You just have to get out there and do it. Figure out what places may interest you (mountains vs. ocean). Depending on where you are going, check out the CDC (Center for Disease) site to see what vaccinations and medications are needed. Also, check you health insurance policy carefully, some policies don't cover you if you travel internationally. Wherever you go, you don't want to look like a tourist. In other words, you may not want to wear jeans & t-shirts. Keep in mind that when you go into another country, you follow their rules and their customs. As a woman, always be vigilant of your surroundings. Don't carry much cash on you. When I travel, I always have a copy of my passport, plus my family has a copy of my passport and travel plans.
Now, start going over those travel catelogs, pack your bags, and just GO! Oh, and I do have a travel blog if you want to drop me an email, I'll send you the site. | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/12/2008 8:04:23 PM | | I have traveled solo lots and it is great fun. lots of other people doing the same. i have not done the single hosted vacations and probablly wont. | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/12/2008 9:09:38 PM | | My advice would be to just do it. If you're concerned about being alone in a strange country, then for the first trip travel somewhere where English is the spoken language (New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain, Ireland to name some). This way you won't feel quite so isolated because you will be able to easily talk to most people you encounter. There are many sites on the internet that have great tips for solo travellers. Hostelling internation, Lonely Planet, and backpackers sites are a great place to start. Don't go all out on your first trip and plan six months away, or an around the world trip. Get your feet wet with a two to four week trip first. | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/13/2008 2:04:32 AM | If you are worried about the safety factor, then I would say don't let it bother you. If you take the normal precautions that you do in everday life, then you should do fine.
The biggest question you need to ask yourself is are you comortable spending time time by yourself? If the answer is no, then solo travel is probably not for you.
MJ | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/14/2008 1:04:09 PM | Hi, Cassie:
I've only gone once and I went to Cancun. I would do it again, in a heartbeat.
I was a little nervous, at first, but I had such a great time, once I started planning my activities on a day to day basis. I rode a jet ski and snorkeled with a group and went to a couple of guided tours. I also took a bus to the city and I met this wonderful couple who showed me around and met her whole family. The wife got sick but she insisted that her husband and his group of very good looking men took me around to all the hot spots for dancing. It was a great week and very short. I hated leaving and going back to reality. I kept in touch with the couple for a few months, thereafter.
My friends were all married at that time and I didn't have a boyfriend so I wasn't going to let that stop me. It wasn't a singles vacation group. I did everything on my own. It was also nice, because you do what you want when you want to.
Just be careful, be alert, take all the precautions (making document copies), research everything on the internet before you go and relax and have fun when you get there. | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/14/2008 2:03:07 PM | i've been travelling solo all over since my early 20s...do it!!! check out journeywoman.com for lots of info about travelling alone.
actually, its been so long since i have travelled wtih someone i'm not sure i could..but i'm finding out this year as my gal pal is joining me for the adventure this spring LOL
stop thinking, just walk into the agency and book the darn thing...you'll never, ever regret the sense of empowerment you'll have from the experience | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/14/2008 11:06:11 PM | | Be aware of your surroundings at all times. I've travelled alone on my way to destinations and I'm backpacking this summer; when in doubt, if you're traveling alone from an extended period of time, keep mace with you. Otherwise if you keep your wits about you, you should be fine. | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/14/2008 11:41:18 PM | | I am planning to travel to Ottawa all by myself in May Solo for their Tulip Festival. Just want to know if Hostel is suitable for my age - I will be 60 when I travel. Would like to hear from your experience. I checked the internet, there is HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel and the reviews are quite good but I still wondering if I should stay in a hotel instead? Are Hostel for young people only, especially female? Any comment? | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/18/2008 4:26:12 PM | | I've traveled solo. And while its an experience that I love because I do what I want at my own leisure, it sucks to lug my luggage around by myself and I usually end up paying someone to deliver it for me. I'm planning to go to Hawaii alone next year, I wish I had a travel buddy, but oh well, what can I do? Most of the things I worry about is just traveling alone as a woman and the drawbacks of me not being able to drink more. Just be aware of your surroundings, don't talk to all strangers, trust your instincts, and all that stuff. If you do that, you should be fine. | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/19/2008 7:09:23 AM | Theirs a book from Rough Guide call
"..Women Travel: First Hand Accounts from More Than 60 Countries.."
that may be worth checking as most of the tales are form solo travellers | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/20/2008 1:41:02 PM | | I have traveled extensively....solo. I love traveling alone - especially through Europe. | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/20/2008 1:42:39 PM | | Being female...and alone...in Italy...is an experience!!! WOW!!! | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/21/2008 1:48:55 PM | Try websites Thelma and Louise and another for women is Backpackers. I found a lot are from the UK, US and a few fr Canada.
Travelling solo can get kind of boring and if you have an illness issue, you're on your own. You may want to try elder hostels and hook up with others.
I too am looking for travel buddies and am not having mucho luck.
Have a great time.
Veronica | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/21/2008 1:58:39 PM | I live in Ottawa and am not aware if the hostel is even open in May. It is in a kinda seedy section of town so i don't know if i'd want to stay there. There are some short term stay hotels but they may be too expensive along w the regular downtown hotels which i can guarantee are expensive. You may want to venture out a bit, either east (which is usually around $60pn) or west (a bit more).
Hope the weather cooperates w your visit.
Have a great time ... lots and lots and lots of tulips to see. Spend some time around Parliament Hill and Dow's Lake, my fav place. Lots of restaurants that you can sit, eat and have a rest overlooking the lake (Rideau Canal).
If you are willing to walk north of Dow's Lake you will have a variety of italian restaurants on Preston street. Another short walk again north on Preston will bring you to to China town where the food and prices are great.
Have a pleasant and rewarding trip.
ps You will be save in Ottawa. | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/22/2008 8:18:25 AM | Hostels are no problem at any age = friendly, sociable and best source of info & travel buddies; i joined YHA at 16, and still use them worldwide at 80, by far the mosst interesting &cost effective way to go; you will never be alone; so join the IYH take your international card,& a backpack, and GO.......... | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/22/2008 8:43:50 PM | I have traveled all over the place totally solo. I won't list where because it would be too lengthy.
Simply exercise the same common sense anyone should. No man, for instance, is going to intentionally find a part of town he has a higher chance of being beaten and robbed in. Unless he's an idiot of course.
You can find out all sorts of information in advance of an area online. When you're in a foreign country, it's always a good idea to know where the American consulate is and how to get there from your hotel. Trust your instincts. Let people you know and trust where you will be going generally and buy an international calling card to check back in at home ( keeping in mind the time difference )  Email when you can. Take some walking tours. Mainly, just have a good time  | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/24/2008 4:15:25 AM | It can be freeing to not have to accommodate a travel partner in compromising whatever you want to do on a moment's notice. I have been to nude beaches solo , camped solo, and hitchhiked solo. I have had few problems, because I kept my wits about me and learned from my mistakes. However, there are individuals looking to take advantage of women, and they will seek out a woman who is alone.
My advice:
Be aware of how your own perception can cloud your defenses. You may be aware of how being depressed or sad may make you a likely target as your senses are deadened. However, being on cloud nine, simply because you are high on life, reaching a goal, or with your head in the clouds for whatever reason will make you more susceptible to a hunter because you will be less likely to intuit a negative vibe or intention from someone else. If you are in the mindset that no one is going to get you down, you would be wise to bring yourself down a few notches to center.
If you are hitchhiking, and someone stops to give you a ride, they should be checking you out with a suspicious eye, and you should be eyeing them up as well. If they are too friendly - pass on the ride.
Wearing a waistpack in front in a dangerous area may give bad guys pause, because they
think you are packing. It may just be your camera in there, but they don't know that.
You can carry a small bag of white pepper powder as a defensive/ cheap thing to throw in someones face if they attack you.
I have heard of women traveling solo in a tent, camper, or RV's who carry an old pair of size 15 boots along, to put outside the RV or tent while they sleep. No one except you will know that it is only you inside.
In most Asian and Central American countries, everyone is so small in stature, I towered over the men at my 5'8" height. It was somewhat relieving to be a giant; I felt more powerful.
A large safety pin is a nice simple weapon to deal with wandering hands on buses, trains, etc.
Because of the media, you may be seen as a sex symbol in some countries. If a man abuses you, you may be blamed for illiciting the assault. Going to the police may result in more abuse, depending upon the level of corruption accepted within the system. Just be aware of this.
Dressing conservatively and wearing a fake wedding ring, are methods I have heard of to help curb unwanted advances a bit.
Generally, you will not have to deal with this stuff, but having a few tricks up your sleeve will lead to a more enjoyable adventure. | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/24/2008 6:17:30 AM | | she who travels fastest travels alone......some people just are not good travelers....its a bummer when you have to drag the dead weight....Im not much into waiting for people... I go to costa rica often and have been known to get lost....on purpose of coarse....good luck | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/24/2008 8:23:24 PM | | First, I like your name...second, I tried to do a free registration on Thelma and Louise and I got to the part where I read the terms and they were requesting payment..That's when I backed out. How much does it cost to register free? I have been looking for a travel companion because of the high supplements for singles. | |
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| A female Traveling Solo
Posted: 3/24/2008 10:12:43 PM | Well I will tell anyone traveling solo please do not do them all inclusive package vacations deals! As traveling solo will add about $200 - $400 to the cost of these types of packages. Best way to travel solo is to figure out where you wish to go. Then price out your air fare with the airlines of your choice and in your price range . Then do a search on motels in the country you are planing on traveling to. Then most motels can be booked online and you will save big time traveling this way. And also talk to the motel through email or on the phone and most likely if you need a car rental they can find you a good and cheaper rate on that also.
USA /CANADA/UK/ motels and places like these don't give cut rates to solo travellers and yes is best to find someone to travel with to any of these places. But travelling solo to south america /mexico/cuba /bahama's these places do offer a solo rate and are cheaper then travel agencies will tell you .
So what I am saying is aways check it out good before booking anything and you can save alot even tralling solo. | |
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