Comments on: Why Everybody Should Travel Solo … Sometimes

By: It’s Free to Be Green: Creative Travel Options | Your Daily Thread - YDT

It’s Free to Be Green: Creative Travel Options | Your Daily Thread - YDT — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:51:45 +0000

[...] Images from creativecaravan, couch surfing, hospitality club, and vagabondish.com [...]

By: Michele

Michele — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:45:07 +0000

I really like to travel alone, mainly for two reasons: first, it’s easier to blend with the locals, which is always what I aim for; secondly, I’m a photographer, thus it’s easier to take photos when you’re alone, because you don’t feel constrained and you can do whatever you want whenever you want.

But then it’s good to travel with a friend every now and then, it makes for great experiences that you’ll love to look back at in the future.

By: Trey N.

Trey N. — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 06:17:28 +0000

Love this article. I feel I make better, deeper connections with the locals when I’m alone. It’s like you said though, people alone are much more inviting. It seems like many more doors open for you if you’re solo.

More than anything though, it is definitely a growing experience. Everyone should do it at least once, you’ll definitely feel like a better, stronger you.

By: Alana

Alana — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:09:42 +0000

Great article. A couple of years ago I did 7 months across Australia alone, and had I been with someone else I never would have been able arrive in a place, planning on staying a few days, think to myself, “Hey, I like it here,” and go out and get a job the next day, staying for a couple of months.

I also love traveling with friends, but between coordinating time off and negotiating budgets, it is often difficult on longer trips. I’m about to do the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and am lucky enough to be doing the first 600km alone and then meeting up with my mother for the last few days. A great compromise!

By: Are These 4 Excuses Keeping You From Realizing Your Travel Dreams?

Are These 4 Excuses Keeping You From Realizing Your Travel Dreams? — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:58:25 +0000

[...] solutions. The most obvious one is to go solo. Many people are (understandably) anxious about traveling on their own, but in fact most people who do so find it an incredibly rewarding experience. As far as budget [...]

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:59:01 +0000

@Donna, thanks for the kind words and link.

@Bonnie, traveling with a partner but then splitting up sometimes is an excellent idea too – a good compromise for the benefits of traveling solo and traveling in company. Loved your garden experience!

@Scribetrotter, wow, 3 years alone! I can just imagine how much that must change you. Not everyone could manage that – good on you!

@boldlygosolo, I still get a good mix of travel modes because I can get away from other work commitments easier than my husband can (but yes he’d like to come with me every time!). Good luck for your Central America adventure and keep up the solo travel!

By: boldlygosolo

boldlygosolo — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:42:21 +0000

I really enjoyed this post. It’s always nice to have travel options, although I suspect it’s a little more difficult to take solo vacations, Amanda, if your husband likes to travel with you? Maybe not. Maybe he also enjoys his solo jaunts.

For some of us, the only choice is to travel alone or don’t travel, simply because of the way we like to travel or the things we want to do.

For instance, right now I am trying to choose a vacation in Central America so I can take Spanish lessons and immerse myself in a Spanish speaking culture. I don’t have a single friend or acquaintance who would like to spend a vacation at a language school!

But there’s no way the lack of a companion is going to keep me home. I’ve ventured out alone enough times to know that it is an amazing experience most of the time.

For about a year, I’ve been writing about my travel experiences, and those of others, at boldlygosolo.com.

By: Scribetrotter

Scribetrotter — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 20:25:50 +0000

I traveled alone – for three years across Africa and Asia. I started off for a few months, and then, the rhythm kicked in and I just kept going…

I know for certain that my trip would have been vastly different had I been with someone. There are many things I wouldn’t have done and many people I wouldn’t have met, for all the reasons you mention.

Instead, I look at that trip as the high point of my life, not only because I saw a large chunk of the world, but because I changed as a person. I became more self-sufficient, independent, adaptable, accepting…

It was scary at times and at others it was lonely, but I’d do it again in a second, solo.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:35:15 +0000

I really like this article. I was always afraid of traveling alone. One one of my last trips, I traveled with my partner and met up with people in the same city, but then parted ways and spent a significant amount of time alone and it was an incredibly liberating experience.

I think really just to have those amazing “awakening” moments that traveling allows us, it’s necessary to go alone sometimes and confront some of your own boundaries.

I got lonely. I got upset and faced some difficulties traveling alone (even though it was only a few days alone) – but I also had some amazing moments – one that is now in my top 5 travel moments ever. I visited a garden that I’ve always wanted to see and being there alone was a gift that I wouldn’t trade for anything – even to share it with people I love. It was all mine!

-bonnie

By: Donna

Donna — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 22:11:03 +0000

Great article Amanda. I've done a couple of longer-term trips on my own, and while it was lonely at times, I also forged really close connections with other travelers. Looking back, those friendships are what made the trips truly special. I included your article in a post over at BootBlog: Should I travel solo?