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Old 06-07-2016, 12:01 AM
 
Location: Spain
12,722 posts, read 7,509,345 times
Reputation: 22628

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I've traveled solo for work, which on the longer trips includes getting out to do touristy things by myself... no thanks. I find traveling with my wife far more enjoyable, for many reasons:

1. It's a bit cheaper per person since can share lodging, some transportation like taxi/tuk-tuk/rent scooter, and some activities like hiring a guide to take you into jungle/desert/whatever

2. Can try twice as much food. My favorite thing about travel is eating, and we can always try more things in one meal since sharing.

3. Someone has my back. If I'm really sick she's out handling things while I turtle and vice versa. So many little things like watch my backpack while I find a bathroom, hold this table I'll go order food, watch the bags I'll go find a guest house, etc.

4. Shared experiences. It is great having someone else with me where that night we're drinking beer and talking about the crocodile we saw or how much that songthaew ride sucked or why don't these people wear deodorant.

5. Can split up research so it takes way less time. I'll be looking at different ways to get to our next destination, she's looking at things to do there or what area to stay.

6. She's conversational in Spanish, I speak Mandarin. Combined forces a lot more of the world opens up to us on the language front.

Of course this requires being lucky enough to have a spouse that likes to travel and digs the same things.
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Old 06-07-2016, 04:52 AM
 
Location: Tucson for awhile longer
8,869 posts, read 16,259,832 times
Reputation: 29229
I learned to go solo traveling widely for business. I got to like it and travel alone now for pleasure. I'm spoiled not having to indulge other people's opinions on what we should be doing. Plus, I never sleep better than when I'm in a nice hotel.
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Old 06-07-2016, 05:20 AM
 
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
10,931 posts, read 11,675,775 times
Reputation: 13170
As a backpacker in the early days 1962-1974: England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales; France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark and Sweden; Yugoslavia (as it was known in those days) including what is now Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Greece; Portugal, Spain, Andora, Switzerland, Italy, and Morocco. Except for Yugoslavia, Eastern Europe was pretty much locked up and I didn't even try to get in. Austria was too boring and Finland too far.

Backpackers were something of a rarity in those days. Some of these places, I hit in the Navy.

English was rare outside of the (now) UK, except for the little countries. US Tourism to Europe was mainly for the jet setters and European immigrants to the US who would come back to the big cities.

But i never had to sleep on a beach. Mainly I would go to a bar/restaurant and ask if anyone knew of a place to stay. Pretty soon, someone there would find someone who spoke English (I could speak some French) and they would find a friend, who knew someone, who knew....and I would end up with a new family!

In jet set resorts, it was even easier because a backpacker was something of a curiosity, like a zoo animal. In Denmark, a teenage girl picked me up and took me home to her parents and they let us sleep together! That was unusual for me, to be sure.

I didn't go back for about 20 years and then I moved to Denmark!
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Old 06-07-2016, 10:53 AM
 
Location: La Jolla, CA
7,284 posts, read 16,617,095 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EclecticEars View Post
have you traveled solo? How frequently, and did you enjoy the experience?
Yes. I used to always travel with someone, but over many years, I grew accustomed to traveling alone for business, when I would be on the road for 4 nights a week. Now I generally prefer it. It's hard to find someone who can keep up with some of the stuff that I do anyway.
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Old 06-07-2016, 12:13 PM
 
Location: D.C.
2,913 posts, read 2,434,640 times
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I've travelled solo many places in the U.S. I've done a lot of hiking on my own at various National Parks (Yosemite, Zion, Mt. Rainier, Shenandoah) as well as larger cities. Also travelled to several countries in Europe on my own as well as Peru (Cusco, Machu Picchu), New Zealand and Australia and Japan. Enjoyed it all!

I've been in a relationship now for over a year and a half, and she loves to travel as much as I do. We've been to Poland, Czech Republic, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar. Enjoyed these equally. There are positives to going solo, and with a companion.
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Old 06-07-2016, 12:24 PM
 
Location: Southern MN
11,949 posts, read 8,275,503 times
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I am a retired woman who has been traveling solo for nearly twenty years. Most of my friends are younger than I and are still working and others have health or money problems. DH and I travel together quite a bit but he doesn't care to stay away as long as I do so I also sometimes travel together with him one way and have alone time later returning alone.


I've taken a number of solo motorcycle trips visiting friends in the States. A cruise of the Maritimes with a group of online forum members. A week on a houseboat in Puget sound with a cyberfriend. And I spend part of the winter in Mexico.


The advice offered here is very good, I think. We solo travelers are risk-takers but it is wise to estimate and modify the level of risk one is willing/able to take. Learning the culture seems to be a smart thing to do. It's funny how offensive you can be in a foreign country just because of ignorance.


Loneliness can be an issue sometimes but I've found that if I chose a conventional living spot and avoid tourist places it doesn't take long to get to know people at a friendly level. And there are also usually other solo travelers around looking for conversation and ideas for their stay.


Because age limitations increase every year I only wish I had had the courage to start traveling alone sooner in my life!
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Old 06-07-2016, 12:25 PM
 
Location: D.C.
2,913 posts, read 2,434,640 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hertfordshire View Post
Oh, I know ... I go at least once a year! This time I've got three nights to fit in an Adele concert, three Broadway shows, and stray out of midtown for once and get to the south end of the island.
My G/F and I went there a few weeks ago and saw three shows in two days. We wanted to see Hamilton, but WAY too expensive unfortunately. The Humans was very good.
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Old 06-07-2016, 12:41 PM
 
1,278 posts, read 1,241,074 times
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traveling alone is a very unique experience. basically, the more people you add to your trip, the more dilution. i've found that people are MUCH more friendlier and helpful when traveling alone. when in even a small group, people tend to be more standoffish. this has all to do with social psychology. whenever i travel alone, and ask random people for help, they'll go out of their way, socialize and even offer their time and phone number. i've found that when in larger groups, people tend to be more suspicious and give very basic responses. traveling alone, i've been offered places to stay, meals, and have experienced things i could never in a group. one needs street smarts though and good judgment. if you are clueless, and spent your entire life in a herd, i'd advise to not do this.
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Old 06-07-2016, 02:16 PM
 
Location: Las Vegas
14,229 posts, read 29,938,437 times
Reputation: 27684
I had my first solo trip at 14. I'm over 60 now and I will still travel alone or with others every chance I get. I am observant and careful but never afraid. I will go almost anywhere.
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Old 06-07-2016, 02:45 PM
 
1,517 posts, read 1,656,529 times
Reputation: 2526
Quote:
Originally Posted by ControlJohnsons View Post
traveling alone is a very unique experience. basically, the more people you add to your trip, the more dilution. i've found that people are MUCH more friendlier and helpful when traveling alone. when in even a small group, people tend to be more standoffish. this has all to do with social psychology. whenever i travel alone, and ask random people for help, they'll go out of their way, socialize and even offer their time and phone number. i've found that when in larger groups, people tend to be more suspicious and give very basic responses. traveling alone, i've been offered places to stay, meals, and have experienced things i could never in a group. one needs street smarts though and good judgment. if you are clueless, and spent your entire life in a herd, i'd advise to not do this.
^^This. I meet some really friendly people on my journeys too. Also, Ive noticed peope always say something like "Wow.That's sooo cool you travel by yourself." or "You're so brave/adventurous" or " I wish I had the balls to travel alone", etc.. lol Of course I'm cautious about who I tell I'm alone, but the few times I've mentioned it I've received an encouraging comment. Great conversation starter too.
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