If you’ve traveled with a friend or with your family you know the joy of sharing the holiday experience with others. It’s not just the camaraderie but you are sometimes persuaded to see and do things you wouldn’t normally do. Traveling solo doesn’t mean you need to compromise the joy and excitement of a holiday. Don’t let traveling by yourself stop you from taking a dream vacation. Here are some tips and ideas to consider if you’ll be vacationing alone.
First decide on where you want to go. While quiet, secluded destinations sound ideal you may find yourself getting bored. Try to find places with lots of sights and things to do. If you would like to meet others then consider cities with lots of nightlife options. If you like the beach, choose destinations that have a combination of city and sand. Likewise, if you want to do some hiking, choose a vacation spot that has a real city nearby so you can enjoy the sights and take in the great outdoors.
Guided travel is another option that can be ideal for individual travel. Not only will you be with a group of other tourists but your itinerary will be planned out for you. You would be surprised at how interesting some sights can be; on your own you may miss them by talking yourself into staying at your hotel. There are travel tours that include your hotel, a tour almost everyday, meals and other services that will keep you busy from the time you arrive until you depart. Another option is taking a guided day tour; these allow you more flexibility and you can revisit the sights on your own. Travel tours can be researched and booked online or through a travel agency.
The California coastal cities are a fantastic option for the solo traveler. San Francisco has an abundance of sights, the wine country is nearby, and the beach city of Santa Cruz is within driving distance. Los Angeles is full of Hollywood sights, amusement parks and world renowned beaches. If you prefer the East Coast then consider New York or Washington D.C.; there are plenty of museums, shows and activities to keep the individual traveler occupied.
In any case, I suggest the lone traveler make travel arrangements in advance. The frustration with hassles is doubled when you’re traveling by yourself. Also, prepare yourself for some quiet time. Bring some good books and magazines to read. Consider bringing a laptop so you can keep in touch with friends and research activities in your vacation city. Keeping a blog is another way to keep occupied; sharing your travel experiences on a blog is like chatting with a travel buddy about your trip.
Traveling solo doesn’t have to be boring or lonely. On the contrary, it can be quite enjoyable and exciting. Do some research, consider tours and make your travel arrangements in advance.
