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Old 10-21-2009, 09:22 AM
 
Location: DC
3,301 posts, read 11,675,496 times
Reputation: 1360

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluesbabe View Post
That IS pretty strange.

I must say, though, that one woman I spoke to about her solo trip to Egypt said that she would never recommend females going there without a male along. Has to do with the culture's ideas of women being unescorted and, judging by her experience, they do some pretty brazen things to the female tourists. However, it's all a matter of where you go.

I've never used a travel agent for anything except to purchase txx years ago (which I kinda' miss). For domestic travel I think it's better to rely on reading materials and other resources.
I can understand the differences between certain cultures where it might be more comfortable to travel with a man (Egypt and Morocco are two examples I've heard), but that's the sort of situation where I'd do research so I'd know what to expect and not have it freak me out. I've heard that they'll be brazen with female tourists alone, but then I've also heard that if you make a big scene about it they'll often go away, so who knows. I did notice that the guys zeroed in on the single women travelling alone while we were in Peru. One of them felt a little uncomfortable with the attention, but the other relished it.

The main reason I don't use tours or travel agents is that I can find things for so much cheaper by myself. Sure, there's some risk and work involved, but I love planning my own trip (I find it exciting) and haven't had any issues. I've also had less-than-satisfactory tours, which makes me biased against them. I have a problem with someone telling me what to do and when to do it on a vacation!
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Old 10-21-2009, 10:44 PM
 
454 posts, read 685,108 times
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As I type this I have been in Chicago (alone) since Tuesday morning. I'm planning to be here for another few more days...

In July I went to Boston for a week...alone. Mind you, both places are more than 1,000 miles from where I live. Last weekend I went to Houston with 2 guys. I stayed a day and a night with my boyfriend (who invited me, not something I planned) and his buddy.

Having someone with you is fun, but the thing is timing. And unfortunently it never happens when I plan the trip. Someone has to work, or doesnt have the money, or whatever. So I just go alone.

An example, I was trying to get my friend in Miami to do a trip together to New York or Chicago. Then in the process we decide the hotels were a bit pricey and looked in Vegas. After some research Vegas didnt seem as great and so I called the next day and cancelled with her. She then gets slightly irritable and says, "forget it lets just go to New York next month".

My thing is I wanted to travel 'now' so the next day I booked myself a ticket to Chicago....alone And by the way, Im not a loner and in fact cant stand being alone for too long, and all what people's cons have said is true. Many times I avoid eating out if I travel alone, just too painful. But traveling is different because the newness and unfamiliarity of it is exciting enough to make you not worry about being alone, especially in big cities with lots of people walking around.
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Old 10-21-2009, 11:05 PM
 
Location: Savannah, GA
4,582 posts, read 8,921,120 times
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I get tired of waiting on others with their lack of money or different schedule so I take trips alone quite a bit.
I was able to get a lot of traveling in throughout the summer. I went to Las Vegas and Key West by myself. It is hard to eat at a restaurant by yourself but I tell myself that nobody cares and just try to enjoy the meal as much as I can. I even grab a beer or two to help calm me more.

The best kind of traveling IMO is driving to a destination alone and then knowing someone at your destination. I went to Chicago for my first time ever and was fortunate enough to have a friend who recently moved there. Also Austin, Buffalo and Miami.

Happy travels everyone!
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Old 10-22-2009, 01:11 PM
 
Location: Denver, CO
3,970 posts, read 7,666,158 times
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I travel alone a great deal and enjoy it. I like being able to spend the day in a museum if I want, go shopping if I want, or do nothing at all! Eating alone is sometimes challenging, but I like to go to nice places and sit at the bar and have my meal. That's more comfortable than a table. usually, other solo people at the bar strike up a conversation, or I will, and that's fun too!
I've been on weekend trips with girlfriends, and much of the time they complained about walking too much, or being bored in a store or place I am interested in, etc. I'd rather do things alone than deal with whining friends!!



Quote:
Originally Posted by k374 View Post
Why are people so afraid to travel alone? The concept seems to send fear into people. I travel everywhere alone and people always ask me "how do you do it, I could never do that" or worse "why do you do that, doesn't sound like fun"

Frankly I love traveling alone, I love being able to plan out everything to my liking, and not waiting on anyone. The only thing that I don't enjoy too much is dining alone, especially if I want to try a fancier place..altough I am trying to overcome this as well. Another drawback is that there isn't a second person to watch my luggage incase I need to do something quick, i.e. restroom break or holding place in a line etc. but I've been able to manage.

How many of you travel alone frequently? Do you experience any challenges doing it alone?
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Old 10-29-2009, 11:45 AM
 
2,015 posts, read 3,368,910 times
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My first trip out of the US was a solo trip at the age of 46 to Ireland. I wanted to go alone and go exactly where I wanted to go w/o compromise. I even rented a small car. As the OP stated, the only uncomfortable part was eating alone in a nice restaurant. I had to ignore the looks of sympathy from other diners and the server. I had a fantastic time. I've since remarried so normally travel with my husband but I have taken short trips on my own which I enjoy.
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Old 11-02-2009, 07:25 PM
YBF
 
Location: Atlanta, Ga
1,260 posts, read 3,347,203 times
Reputation: 585
I wish I could be like some of you. I want to travel the world (or as much of it as I can afford) but I am so limited because I hate to travel alone. I love Red Lobster..and there was this one time that I wanted those biscuits really really bad but no one wanted to go with me. So I went alone to try out this independence thing and I felt so awkward and weird. I really cant imagine being in another country all by myself. I hope to over come this one day because it really holding me back but for now I just cant do it. Im not really one of those spark up a conversation with strangers type people maybe that has something to do with it.
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Old 11-02-2009, 10:48 PM
 
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,565 posts, read 57,481,475 times
Reputation: 45937
Are you a member of any local hobby clubs, or take any classes? I would suggest this as a way to begin learning to acquaint yourself with others. Atlanta seems to be an ez place to get to know new folks (most parts of Atlanta...). Working an information booth and phones for Master Gardeners helped me. + taking some classes that required participation out of my comfort zone. Giving tours for local venues helped too. I really like to travel alone or with someone, I just prefer being gone to being home! I am not self conscious about eating out alone, I just don't dwell on it and treat myself to things I enjoy, but could not afford for 2.
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Old 11-03-2009, 11:47 AM
YBF
 
Location: Atlanta, Ga
1,260 posts, read 3,347,203 times
Reputation: 585
Quote:
Originally Posted by StealthRabbit View Post
Are you a member of any local hobby clubs, or take any classes? I would suggest this as a way to begin learning to acquaint yourself with others. Atlanta seems to be an ez place to get to know new folks (most parts of Atlanta...). Working an information booth and phones for Master Gardeners helped me. + taking some classes that required participation out of my comfort zone. Giving tours for local venues helped too. I really like to travel alone or with someone, I just prefer being gone to being home! I am not self conscious about eating out alone, I just don't dwell on it and treat myself to things I enjoy, but could not afford for 2.
I dont belong to any groups and I dont have any friends or much family in Atlanta and as a matter of fact I cant wait to be able to move back home to NY because I so dont like it here. BUt hopefully soon I can force myself out of my shell/comfort zone.
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Old 11-11-2009, 10:58 AM
 
305 posts, read 777,056 times
Reputation: 187
[quote=Chatteress;11044326]...I have found that it is easier to travel alone than to wait for the right timing when my friends can join me...quote]

that's the #1 reason for me to sometimes preferring to travel alone. almost always, when traveling with friends or even just one buddy, our schedules clash. when we agree on a date range, it's usually far off (at least a few months) from my target date.
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Old 11-11-2009, 11:17 AM
 
305 posts, read 777,056 times
Reputation: 187
[quote=Bluesbabe;11263417]I've never travelled abroad, but am a frequent domestic vacationer, and have done it alone countless times...quote]

i'm the exact opposite. i'd only travelled domestically once to florida. i'm a frequent overseas vacationer, though, and recently have done it alone a few times.
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