Own Your Journey: How to Enjoy Solo Travel
The questions I get asked most frequently is,
Don’t you get lonely?
The short answer is no.
I have always been an extrovert. I love meeting and talking with people. Contrary to popular belief, I also enjoy being alone, quiet, learning, working, exercising whatever.
Eating Alone
I am a foodie and enjoy a good meal. Learning to enjoy it alone was a challenge. Food became less important a solo traveler. I got comfortable sitting at a bar having a meal, working and maybe chatting with the bartender. I felt safe. I hate room service more than dining out alone. I made friends in cities all over the world. If I was in town, we made an effort to connect over a meal.
Tip: When slow traveling, I usually rent an apartment and fill the fridge and pantry to eat at home. I find interesting events, tours, or cooking classes when I need my foodie fix.
Solo but Never Alone
If you choose, solo travel can include people. Common interests usually put you in the company of good people.
I have:
joined pottery studios,
taken walking tours and cooking classes,
participated in drawing classes in a museum,
paid for excursions that took me out of a city,
joined a gym or taken exercise classes,
attended special events, speakers, performances and
found farmers and artists markets.
You can meet a lot when you choose. We connect because of a shared experience. During a break or ride in the van, you chat and learn about each other. Next thing you’re having a coffee, meal or walk together. When we really connect, we share info, social media handles and I put them in my phone with a note about where and how we met.
Recently, I joined travel tours to Galapagos (16 passengers on a catamaran), Machu Picchu (18 travelers) and an Antarctica Expedition (134 passengers on board). These were more than a week some almost two weeks. You get to know people quickly and will include other solo travelers. Some travel destinations are better enjoyed with others or because it’s easier travel.
Tip: Connecting locally makes you less of a solo tourist and more of a local citizen. Google, and Facebook groups are your greatest resources. See below.
Tip: A note about multi-day tours. The people you will meet can be retired, on a vacation or taking a long break from work – which they intend to return to. I have not met solo nomads on tours – we are outliers. Some on vacation are trying to get the most out of their short time away for money spent. Their speed can be faster along with their need to drink and party at the end of each day.
Tip: If age of your fellow travelers is important to you, check this with the tour operator. I have found, in general, the more expensive, the older the travelers.
What’s your best advice or fear about solo travel? Please share in the comments below.
Alone Together
Alone Together is a book about how technology has changed our relationships and communication. I have found connecting with fellow travelers, solo and not, online is a good thing. You can pop in and out as your mood moves you.
There is a big difference between couple and solo nomads. After more than two years traveling solo, I am focusing my online connections with solo travelers.
You can find Facebook groups for all types of travelers and information. They tend to fall into travel categories around age, solo, nomads, gender, general travel info/advice, expats, local communities and more. Just search and they will pop up.
Tip: Remember you can leave a Facebook group as easily as you joined. You can also report and block people. It takes all kinds of people to form a group. Every person has different opinions and experiences. Don’t get caught up in drama. It won’t serve you.
Choosing to be Solo
There are times when you want to be alone. Catch your breath. Research your next destination and how to get there. Traveling solo, short, or long term, affords you as much free time as you like. You can sleep in, exercise, meditate, read, write, draw. Whether your solo travel is for a vacation, sabbatical or full time, the freedom of movement and choice you have is liberating. Believe me, there are times when you will want to be alone.
Tip: Join your local library and download the Libby app to rent books - audio or not. Learning opportunities from YouTube, Udemy, MasterClass and others are always available for free or not. Learning a new language is more accessible than ever (although practice is required to retain it). Duolingo is popular and offers free and paid subscriptions. Many podcasts are available for your walk, laying at the pool or while traveling.
What’s your best advice or fear about solo travel? Please leave a comment below.
