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Remember all the people you met when you were traveling with somebody? You'll still meet them, even when you're alone. You'll have some lonely days, but you'll spend most of your time with people you will really enjoy.
Traveling alone you will meet more people and not just people who try to pick you up - It's easy to weed those out !! When you are not part of a couple people will talk to you as they don't feel like they are interrupting anything.
I got used to traveling alone as I did it a lot for work so eating out wasn't an issue as if I didn't do it alone I'd be very hungry.
Take a magazine to read, Its not as serious as a book that people might not want to interrupt but can also give you something to do if you don't want to talk to whoever....
If you feel uncomfortable excuse yourself and so as not to create a situation maybe say you have a work call to make.
If you are in a hotel and have unwanted company and don't want to be followed to your room go to the business centre to 'clear up some emails'. Your encounters could be completely innocent but just be sensible and don't put yourself in unnecessary risky situations.
I rarely had more then a glass of wine with dinner and never drink anything you haven't seen poured/served by the waiter.
One of my best trips was a 2 week trip to Goa for Christmas and New Year when I was 22. None of my friends wanted to go so I though I'd go alone. I made friends of both sexes who were alone and in couples went to a great new years party and had a fabulous time !!
I will be doing lots of the US alone as my husband works and can't wait !!
Make a booking and go make some interesting friends !!
Vanilla, if you want extensive info on this, try a search.
Traveling solo has been a popular topic in this forum.
One of the biggest advantages is that you get to operate on your *own* schedule. Solitude is not always such a bad thing--it can be both refreshing as well as empowering.
Quote:
Originally Posted by swisswife
Traveling alone you will meet more people and not just people who try to pick you up - It's easy to weed those out !! When you are not part of a couple people will talk to you as they don't feel like they are interrupting anything. Your encounters could be completely innocent but just be sensible and don't put yourself in unnecessary risky situations.
I rarely had more then a glass of wine with dinner and never drink anything you haven't seen poured/served by the waiter.
Yes. I've definitely met more people when traveling by myself.
I actually have had some very nice encounters with strangers (men and women) while traveling alone, but I never take unnecessary risks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyMIA
Be smart. Use common sense and everything should be fine. Always make sure your cell phone is ready.
heh--I know I am in the minority, but I don't even own a cell phone.
But I agree about common sense.
Lots of people do it, and one day I want to be one of those people, but I am a little frightened. Any tips?
yes, don't broadcast to anyone where your going, unless it's immediate family....always have a cell phone with you, tell family when your leaving and when your returning, and do not ever bring a stranger back to your motel/hotel....don't tell strangers your alone....if they ask, tell them your husbands back at the motel....be aware of your surroundings....and don't travel at night....make sure you always know where you are....I travel alone all the time, and there is nothing to be afraid of, but just be cautious and not naieve....
there are all kinds of great tips on the internet, here is a link
I have traveled alone extensively for business, and can offer the following:
Use the official cab stands at the airports. Do not hand over your luggage or accept a ride from anyone except a uniformed airport porter or a cab driver hailed by the official cab stand. Better yet is to not travel with more baggage than you can easily handle on your own.
Keep track of your possessions, if there's a commotion walk the other way and keep your handbag or briefcase or whatever you are carrying your travel documents, ID, credit cards, etc. in tight to your body.
Walk with an air of confidence and a sense of purpose, even if you have no idea of where you are going.
Talk to the concierge at your hotel to find out if it's safe to venture out at night by yourself, and just exactly how far is safe to go. When in doubt, order room service and stay in for the night.
If the front desk speaks your room number out loud, ask for a different room and let them know you want it written down, not spoken. Hold firm on this.
Make sure that all the windows and doors to your hotel room are locked and the locks actually work. Obviously if you are on the 14th floor with no fire escape or ledge, you can leave the window open for fresh air.
If you are followed, head for any place that is open. A mini-mart, fire station, restaurant, any place that's lit and has people around. Do not get out of your car, just park in front and call the police from your cell. (I highly suggest investing in a cell, even if it's a prepaid phone that you can use to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. It's getting harder and harder to find public payphones these days.)
It's fine to have light conversation with strangers, but don't give out personal information. I will give my business card if I meet someone I'd like to stay in touch with. I never give out my home address or phone though.
I use my gut. If it doesn't feel right/safe it probably isn't, and I err on the side of caution.
I try to avoid late night driving when I'm alone. Never let the gas tank get under 1/4 full.
I will sometimes have a glass of wine with dinner, and I even go out to bars to catch a rock band I've heard a buzz about. When I go to a bar I only drink bottled water. I don't go to "lounges" where people would normally talk over light music or any type of place that's remotely a "pick-up" joint. I do not go to bars alone when I'm not in the US, Canada, or the UK.
I take a book with me everywhere.
I ask the cab driver for his card if I take one from the hotel to someplace so I have the phone number of a local cab company. Give the driver an extra dollar or two and ask him to wait until you are into your hotel if the situation warrants it.
It hasn't happened in a long time, but if I'm offered drugs I just shake my head no and keep walking.
If someone makes me feel uncomfortable I suddenly remember something I need to do.
If you need assisstance on the street or in a public place, a woman with a child is usually the best (safest) person to ask for help.
If you aren't married, by an inexpensive gold band to wear to help ward off unwanted attention. Dress in a manner that doesn't invite attention.
Not sure where your from but maybe as a start a weekend trip to some city not far away...say Chicago. Lots of stuff to see. There is also a bicycling companiy called Backroads that has nice 'solo trips'. In which you are riding around looking at stuff with other singles. Its not a tour per se but they provide some basic info and you go spend your day riding at your pace with others or alone. People check the routes to make sure you have help if a problem arises.
The big thing about traveling alone is that you are responsible for your own time. Unlike an escorted tour no one is going to wake you, up put you on a bus and show you around.
You're going to have to plan out your sightseeing day, how to get around, what hotel to stay at.
A good way to start out would be to take an escorted tour for part of your trip and then do the final part on your own. For instance you could take a two week tour to England and then spend the final week in London on your own. see what you want to see, pick your own resturants to eat at, figure out the subway so you can get around,
Last edited by Raisuli; 10-15-2010 at 03:14 PM..
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