Does anyone prefer to vacation alone? (cruises, price, summer, travelling)

[Bluesbabe]

I am a woman and take solo vacations often. I am married, and I do like my husband to accompany me on most trips. Fortunately, he doesn't freak out over the thought of my going somewhere alone. If anything, he enjoys the occasional opportunity to have the house to himself. Very supportive and I am grateful.

But other than him, I travel ALONE, and there are reasons why I travel alone. I'm a loner, do very little socializing, when I go somewhere I like to do things my way even if it's wrong. () I recently spent 10 days in New York solo ~ my first time there ~ and three friends of mine made it known that they wanted to go with me. I had to be a heel and ignore them.

Worse yet, I will definitely not vacation with family, will not even mix the two. When I want to spend time with my family in California I'll take a week off and go there just for them. But if I decide on a favorite vacation spot near them, I do NOT tell them I'm going there. This puzzles a lot of my friends, that I am able to do this. But I march to my own drummer.

My accrued vacation hours are precious to me, so I'm very anal of how I use them.

But I visit cities and beaches. If I ever make an international visit, I would do it in a tour group.

[JoshB]

This is an awesome idea. I just got back from a trip last Thursday October 30. I traveled alone. Beings I'm only 20 I was kind of nervous since I had never been out of state by myself. I had planned it for a few months. I loved the freedom of doing this or that one day, getting up whenever I wanted and eating whenever. None of my friends enjoy backpacking or hiking and that's all I did so it wouldn't have worked with a travel mate. It was weird being 1000 miles from home all by myself but I tell you what, if you travel alone you will learn so many different things about yourself!

I made a journal while traveling and love to go back and read it.

Do I wish I had someone to travel with? Sometimes yeah and sometimes no.

[texdav]

No I really hate being in a new place alone. But then I am not a loner anyway.

[Rach1966]

traveling alone is the best way to travel
I eat when I want or get hungry, sleep when I'm sleepy, walk, rest, sight see, read a book when I want and on NO time schedule to do things when people think you should do them.
when I'm alone, I talk to more local people (if I was with a friend, I would talk to them and not the local people) where ever I'm traveling.
when traveling alone, I will do day sight seeing groups or some have been week long groups, but your still on your own and meet people from other places, which is what I love.

[mattyj46]

Originally Posted by Visvaldis

I have been on trips with friends and girlfriends, but the best trips were alone. I wouldn't even consider group travel. For me travel is to see a state or country by moving around, every day, all day. I seldom spend more than two nights in any town. When alone I can plan my trip as I want, as well as change spontaneously without considering anyone else. Sometimes two people have different ideas for activities and this can lead to conflicts, so there must a compromise, or one will be disappointed. At the end of such a vacation both will have been disappointed, and maybe even regret having travelled together.
Alone, I can go where, when, and do as I want. My most memorable trips were those solo journeys.
I wonder if anyone else likes to travel alone.

I've only been on one 'vacation' to America so far by myself and I would never of done it with a friend, I'm an independent person and prefer to do stuff solo so I can go with my own pace, do what I want.

Wouldn't have it any other way.

[sportsfangal]

my feelings, exactly "Rach1966"!!

Originally Posted by Rach1966

traveling alone is the best way to travel
I eat when I want or get hungry, sleep when I'm sleepy, walk, rest, sight see, read a book when I want and on NO time schedule to do things when people think you should do them.
when I'm alone, I talk to more local people (if I was with a friend, I would talk to them and not the local people) where ever I'm traveling.
when traveling alone, I will do day sight seeing groups or some have been week long groups, but your still on your own and meet people from other places, which is what I love.

[Pug Life]

Originally Posted by Visvaldis

I have been on trips with friends and girlfriends, but the best trips were alone. I wouldn't even consider group travel. For me travel is to see a state or country by moving around, every day, all day. I seldom spend more than two nights in any town. When alone I can plan my trip as I want, as well as change spontaneously without considering anyone else. Sometimes two people have different ideas for activities and this can lead to conflicts, so there must a compromise, or one will be disappointed. At the end of such a vacation both will have been disappointed, and maybe even regret having travelled together.
Alone, I can go where, when, and do as I want. My most memorable trips were those solo journeys.
I wonder if anyone else likes to travel alone.

Definitely, when you travel alone (I spent 4 months travelling alone after graduation, 2 in Europe and 2 in the US) you can do everything you want and nothing you don't want. How can it be better than that? Plus, you meet people, when you travel with others, you tend to stick with them and you don't get the cultural experience of interacting with locals.

[Gil3]

Originally Posted by katie45

I have only done day trips alone, but absolutely enjoyed myself!

The main problem I've encountered when traveling with others is when there is not compatibility as far as lifestyle habits. And that means getting up, heading out, and heading back.

I've traveled with my son and his family and they aren't ready to start the day until at least noon or later! For me that is half a day wasted. I'm up and ready to head out for breakfast by 7 a.m. and then get the day started, and ready to get back to the hotel at a decent hour to get some rest (decent to me is by 7 p.m.).

Not saying their way is wrong or mine is right, it's a personal choice. But it makes the trip much more enjoyable if everyone is on the same wavelength.

I agree..For the most part, I prefer to travel alone or with my SO.
In fact, I have seen more conflicts arise when traveling or vacationing, especially when a large group is concerned. Not only is the sharing of space involved, but coordinating eating, sightseeing, quiet times and other activities. It can definitely create tension and animosity among even the most diplomatic people. After a few days, everyone's nerves are frazzled and it detracts from what is supposed to be an exciting and pleasant experience.

When I was much younger, I enjoyed school trips and travelling with others. However, as I get older, I'm more set in my ways and prefer to follow my own agenda.

[sportsfangal]

right "lefty" - being solo opens you up to interact with locals, other travelers, etc. I went to Iceland by myself, and met incredible people! Local and from other parts of the world. how refreshing! I love to meet people, I am friendly, outgoing, and respectfully curious about other cultures and countries.
I feel that these other cultures can appreciate that in me and people who show a genuine interest. even when I meet foreigners here in the US, it makes me wonder and research where they are from. I've met lots of Eastern Europeans, so naturally I am interested to visit there, especially the Czech Repub. and Poland, Hungary, Romania and so on. and since I don't think any of my friends share this interest, i will undoubtedly go alone!! Can't wait!!!

Originally Posted by leftydan6

Definitely, when you travel alone (I spent 4 months travelling alone after graduation, 2 in Europe and 2 in the US) you can do everything you want and nothing you don't want. How can it be better than that? Plus, you meet people, when you travel with others, you tend to stick with them and you don't get the cultural experience of interacting with locals.

[IonRedline08]

I went on a 4 day cruise last year alone...and had a BLAST! What a great vacation