Dec 16, 2018
Seven Reasons to Solo Travel
There are lots of reasons you might travel
solo:
- Maybe youcan't find anyone to travel where you
want to go, when you want to go. If you want to go, but
aren't comfortable going completely on your own,
considersmall group travel. Be aware of any
single supplements and look for companies that pair you with
someone if you don't want to pay extra to travel alone. ATA
affiliate, Active
Adventures,is one such company.
- You need some time to yourself to just
THINK!If you need to figure some things out in your life,
consider taking a long distance hike or cycling trip. You'll
have all day to yourself, but will meet people along the way for
when you could use a little company. Check out
my West Highland Wayand Cottswold
Waylong distance walking holiday adventures for some
inspiration.
- You want to develop your'Grit Bone' or
what Jackie calls her"Courage
Muscles". There's nothing like adventure travel, and
in particular, solo travel to test your
mettle and to expand what you think possible for yourself!
It's a great way to boost your self esteem and
self reliance, too! If you want to
feel empowered, try adventure travel, and in
particular SOLO Adventure Travel!
- It's easier to meet new people when you travel solo.
Locals are more likely to come up to introduce themselves
when they see you alone, so you'll havemore local
interaction.
- You'lldevelop better problem solving skills.
When it's just you, YOU have to figure out what to
do when something goes awry. You'll learn that you are quite
good at finding a solution, no matter how clumsy it is, when you
know that you simply HAVE to!
- You'll discover what you really like and
dislike: when your schedule is completely your own,
you have to make ALL the decisions, from what time to wake up, to
what, when and where to eat, to how to spend your time, etc.
If you go someplace and decide you've had enough, you can
simply leave without conferring with travel mates, or you can spend
all day in a museum that rocks your boat, but would bore your
normal partner.
- Traveling solo can sometimes be lonely, soeven
introverts learn how to strike up a conversation (my go to
questions is,"So how was your day?" You'll always
find other solo travelers at the bar next to a hostel, so head
there at cocktail hour to find others that would love to chat.
For that matter, consider even staying in a hostel so you can
meet folks in the common areas. Many offer single rooms so
you don't have to sleep dorm style.
Alternately, stay at an Airbnb where the people live there as
well and the comments from previous guest indicate that the hosts
like to be social with guests. Consider Couchsurfing.
Also sign up to do a Walking Tour or other group activity to
meet others. See if there are any
interesting Meetupsgoing on while you're in
town and reach out to the group organizer to attend.
Solo Travel Tips and Rules
I've been traveling solo for five years now and I've come up
with some rules that help keep me safe and reduce stress (in no
particular order):
- When 'winging it' while traveling, I make sure that I know
where I am going to sleep before noon.
- Whenever possible, I make sure that I arrive at the night's
accommodations before dark.
- When out, I never leave my food or drink unattended.
- Don't drink too much or do any drugs. Get back to your
room at a reasonable hour.
- Be careful of overly cautious locals who might be setting you
up... does someone on the bus or train act like your best friend
and rush to try to share a cab with you? This could be a
setup: the cabbie could be a partner in crime. Check
theUS State Dept
Travel advisoryfor the country you are visiting to see
what the current local scams are. Register your trip with
theSmart Traveler
Program.
- Ask your hotel to call you a cab or take highly
ratedUber or Lyfts to avoid rogue cabbies.
- Ask a local to circle bad areas on a paper map.
- Be mindful of your surroundings at all times and have an
exit plan.
- Hold onto your luggage, going so far as to bike lock it
to yourself should you be on a long train or bus where you might
sleep.
- Make sure someone knows where you are supposed to be and
what time you are supposed to arrive AND when to sound an alarm
should he or she not hear from you.
Episodes Mentioned in this Show:
Galapagos
Dolomites
Kilimanjaro
Part I
Kilimanjaro
Part II
Machu Picchu
Annapurna
Travel Safety Tips
Tour Company Mentioned in this Show:
Active
Adventures
Active does NOT require that you pay a Single Supplement.
If you want, they will try to match you with a same sex roommate,
but if they can’t, you are not required to pay the supplement, so
may end up with a single room anyway. However, if you want to
make sure you have your own room you CAN pay a supplement to ensure
it.
Active
Adventures, while a similar name to Active Travel Adventures,
is a completely different company, although as an affiliate, I
highly recommend them and may receive a small commission or
discounted travel if you use my links - at NO additional cost
to you. Using my links is a great no-cost way to help
support the show - Thanks! Kit
Budget Minded Traveler Podcasts and Posts:
Budget Minded Traveler Website
BMT Solo:
https://www.thebudgetmindedtraveler.com/find-your-courage-through-solo-travel/
BMT Solo Women:
https://www.thebudgetmindedtraveler.com/solo-female-travel-a-dangerous-business-with-amanda-williams/
BMT Cycle Danube Solo: https://www.thebudgetmindedtraveler.com/danube-bike-path/
Traveling Jackie:
On Loneliness: https://travelingjackie.com/even-superwoman-gets-lonely/
Connect with Jackie: Community - Podcast - Instagram
Connecting with Kit and the Active Travel Adventures
Community:
When you get back from your solo adventure (or indeed any
adventure), be sure to post some of your pics in our Active Travel
Adventures Facebook
group so others can be inspired and live
vicariously through you! I look forward to getting to know
you in the Facebook group.
I'd love to learn more about what you’re looking for when you
travel or any other insights as to how I can offer you more help at
Active Travel Adventures (podcast and website). Email me or tag me
and reach out on your favorite social channel.
Thanks and never hesitate to email me if I can help in any way.
Adventure On! Kit
www.ActiveTravelAdventures.com
Host of the Active Travel Adventures podcast
Twitter@Kit_Parks
Facebook Group: Active Travel
Adventures
Instagram: parks.kit