Traveling Solo

Traveling solo is a popular trend.  I myself have traveled solo on several occasions. For many years I was self-employed and had the opportunity to travel at leisure so it was often either go alone or stay home – I chose the former.

I decided to study abroad in France and on my way there I visited Paris and Belgium for two weeks.  Being alone allowed me to open up more easily  to other people.  I think sometimes when you have travel companions you close yourself off a bit.

On the flight over I ended up sitting next to this Parisian family who invited me to come visit – don’t invite me to come visit unless you mean it because I will come!  I ended up spending most of the vacation time staying with the Parisian family.  OK, full disclosure, I ended up hurting my knee and had to drop out of the school part – so I moved in with the family for the rest of the semester.  I lived in a fantastic apartment at the bottom of Montmatre and I learned MORE French and culture being in a home than I did at the University of Aix.

I don’t know that I would have had that opportunity had I been with others.

Now travel companies, cruise ships, and tour operators are all following trend.  Here are some great references for traveling alone…

Here is a list of the safest cities for women to travel alone.

Cruise lines are definitely onboard (bad pun) – check out this article with great information on cruising alone.  (I have cruised alone as well)

Here is a list of the best tours for solo travelers according to The Travel Channel.

So if your friends can’t go on that dream trip or you just went through a divorce – go solo!