Comments on: Solo travel so far

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 12:37:23 +0000

In reply to GH.

For those of you who don’t know Dutch, here’s a translation:

GH says she has almost always traveled alone on long-distance trips. She communicated with her hands a lot, but managed to get where she wanted and eat what she wanted. But it took a lot of energy to make herself understood and to understand what others said. Since she lives alone, maybe that’s why she doesn’t find it as difficult.
The only time she didn’t like being alone was when, using public transportation, she arrived after it was dark out. Also a disadvantage is that you can only eat a hotel breakfast if you’ve showered and dressed. It’s nicer to be able to get up and have breakfast in your pajamas. Illness and going to the hospital if you’re travelling solo is a big challenge too.

By: GH

GH — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 23:28:37 +0000

Ik heb bijna altijd lange en verre reizen alleen gemaakt.De taal vaak met handen en voeten moeten doen,maar ik kwam overal en kreeg te eten wat ik wilde:))Maar t kost wel veel energie je verstaanbaar te maken en te begrijpen wat ze zeggen,,
Aangezien ik alleenwonend ben,misschien dat t daarom voor mij minder moeilijk was..
De enige tijd dat ik t rot vond om alleen te zijn op mijn solo tours,was met t openbaar vervoer bij donker aankomen en naar plaats van bestemming te moeten gaan.Nadeel de ontbijten die je pas kan gaan gebruikenALS JE AL GEDOUCHED en aangekleed bent:(( Wel lekkerder in je pyama wakker worden met ontbijtje, dan douchen …ziekte en opname ziekenhuis is als je solo reist is wel een hele uitdaging.

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 06:01:02 +0000

In reply to Carole Terwilliger Meyers. Maybe that's why I find it so much easier to post to my blog when I'm traveling: that's where I can share it! Meals are indeed an issue traveling solo. If I'm going to sit down at a restaurant I always make sure I have something to read so I don't have to sit there staring into space. This trip, though, I'm on a budget, so it's going to be street food all the way.

By: Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Carole Terwilliger Meyers — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 22:49:53 +0000

I enjoyed your candid comments about solo travel. I often have traveled alone for a day or two, but I don’t think ever longer. I always have hooked up with a group or family after. I don’t think I would enjoy traveling by myself. I like to share things. I certainly don’t mind a room all to myself! 🙂 but I like to do my sightseeing and meals with other people.

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 16:15:20 +0000

In reply to Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru. To me, traveling with a group, as we did in Spain, isn't "alone" in the same way. I mean, yes, I had a room to myself, but I also always had people to talk to. Not having ANYONE to talk to, as I expect will be the case for much of my upcoming trip, is the challenge for me. However, blogging and interacting on social media when I'm back in my hotel room in the evenings to some extent fills that need. Anyway, thanks for the kind words!

By: Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru

Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 12:26:24 +0000

It felt strange to be on a group trip without my husband (he was on a separate one) recently. But it was fun to be “alone” for novelty’s sake. I totally understand where you’re coming from. Striking the balance between solo travel to accomplish your goals and enjoying the company of your husband and family on other trips can be a challenge. Good on you for taking advantage of your sabbatical.

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 07:41:52 +0000

In reply to Nancie. I don't think it ever occurred to me when I was younger to travel alone. But now that you say it, I remember I did spend a few days alone in Venice when I traveled with a friend one summer in college. He went to see some friends of his so I spent about 3 days by myself, staying at a youth hostel. It was awful! I got harassed everywhere I went until he was by my side again. Maybe that's what made me so reluctant for so long. Yes, meeting up with others is fun too! I will spend a couple of days with my foster daughter in Singapore on this trip, and see an old college friend for lunch in Hong Kong, but otherwise the whole two months will be by myself. For me, it's new and exciting!

By: Nancie

Nancie — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 06:00:52 +0000

I honestly can’t remember when I took my first solo trip. I know it was Scotland for 3 weeks (maybe 1979). I made plans to do the trip with a friend and those fell through. My choice was to either cancel or go. I opted to go. My next solo adventure was Australia, and I never even bothered looking for a travel partner. There were lots of things I enjoyed and lots that I didn’t. Of course, back then there was no Internet. Connecting with other travelers was not that easy. I then traveled for business, and the solo travel for business and pleasure became a way of life. Even when I had a partner, I would go off on my own. He was not much of a traveler and I didn’t want to spend my life on the golf course. I love solo traveling and I love making plans to meet up with others when I’m on the road. I think it’s the best of both worlds.

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 04:16:40 +0000

For you two it would be strange after traveling together for so long! Don’t you ever split up and go do different things?

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 04:12:26 +0000

In reply to Irene S. Levine. I hope not! In the fall my husband and I will visit Berlin for a weekend, so I guess we'll find out then!