Why you should solo travel: Let me count the ways

Exploring the Souks in Morocco

I caught the solo travel bug early in my adult life and once I did, I was HOOKED. My first solo trip wasn’t planned, but an unexpected switch in travel plans—my friend and I were supposed to go to Venice together, but she she received a medical diagnosis two weeks before our vacation and had to be scheduled for surgery (don’t worry, everything worked out and she is fine and well!).

I didn’t feel comfortable going to Venice alone, but knew I needed a vacation (I was 23 at the time and had never traveled anywhere alone before AND this was before smartphones otherwise I’m sure I would have not had a care in the world!). I literally had not been on vacation in almost 2 years (I’d like to blame this on toxic corporate culture, but it was mostly me canceling my vacations because I felt it was too busy to leave. I had an amazing boss at the time and he basically made me go!).

Long story short, I booked a trip to Turks and Caicos at Club Med because I figured Club Med is safe—it’s basically a compound and you don’t leave it because everything is there. I was literally one of the best experiences of my life—I hardly stayed on the compound, I met another American the first morning there and dated him for a week (totally my type at the time—blonde hair surfer type from California & a physicist on his own self imposed sabbatical), met one of my now best friends, who became my roommate in NY a year later, and is still one of my best friends to this day, and met 5 other girls who were solo traveling there too. Needless to say, we partied every night till the wee hours of the morning.

Since that trip, I have primarily solo traveled to most places I have gone and it is my preferred way to travel. Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends and travel with them too, but I am really big on my me time, and believe solo travel is one of the best forms of self care and evolution. I know it may seem daunting to some to travel alone (especially if it is your first time), but it is really a great time for self discovery and a way to gain your own unique perspectives on the world. Here are my top 3 reasons of why you should solo travel and 6 tips to make your trip easy and safe.

DISCOVER WHO YOU REALLY ARE

Top of the world in Corsica

One of the biggest benefits of solo travel is the opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself in new and different ways. I mean, I moved to another country for almost 4 years only knowing one person! It was one of the best experiences of my life and helped me grow into the person I am today. Traveling alone forces you to rely on yourself, make decisions, and navigate new situations independently. This can be scary at first, but it can also be incredibly empowering as you learn to trust yourself and your abilities. I guarantee that you will surprise yourself by doing things you never thought you were capable of.

Pro-Tip: Don’t overthink it; buy the ticket and take the trip

DO WHAT YOU WANT

Mermaid life in Boracay

I think this is my absolute favorite reason of them all, (selfishly)—I get to do whatever I want on my own time. Wake up late? No problem. Don’t feel like hiking at 5am? You don’t have to. Feel like changing up your original plans? No one to ask “is it okay if we…"?”. You get it.

Solo travel allows you to be more flexible with your itinerary, travel plans, and goals for your trip. When you are traveling with others, you often have to compromise on what you want to do and where you want to go. But when you are traveling alone, you can plan your trip exactly how you want it, without having to worry about anyone else. Think about it this way, most people travel for a vacation, but is it really a vacation if you are stressing out about your travel companions, their preferences, and what they want to be doing vs focusing on your mental health and what you really want to be doing? As I always say, self care is never selfish.

Pro-Tip: Take at least one solo trip a year for yourself. If you are like me, you probably need at least one each season :)

Planning pro-tip: If you are on FB, you can see where your friends have been in each city if they used the check in feature. Know my friends have the same taste, so that is one of my go-tos. My new favoritie thing is having ChatGPT give me an itinerary of where to go in cities I visit. Remember, work smarter, not harder!

MEET OTHER like minded PEOPLE

Dress up in Dorset

Another benefit of solo travel is the opportunity to meet new people. I have met so many other solo travelers and locals on all of my trips and still keep in contact with them today. When you are traveling alone, you are more likely to strike up conversations with locals and other travelers, and you may even make some new friends along the way. This can be a great way to learn about different cultures and perspectives, and to build connections that can last long after your trip is over. When I’m traveling somewhere I usually put my travel dates into apps I trust, like Raya and the Inner Circle, so I can meet people when I have downtime. I like my alone time, but it’s sometimes nice to explore the city with a local you click with or enjoy an apero or a meal together. This goes without saying, but always meet in a public place.

Pro-Tip: If you are averse to apps, the best place is truly your hotel bar; if your hotel bar doesn’t have one, go to a hotel bar similar to a hotel bar you would go to in your hometown or one close to your hotel. And always eat at the bar vs a table if you are eating dinner alone—even if you don’t meet other travelers, the bartender is usually a great person to talk to and will give you great tips on discovering the city.

Tips for Solo Travel

Geisha Lessons in Kyoto

If you're considering solo travel, here are some tips to help you make the most of your adventure:

1. Do your research: Before you go, research your destination (do they have ubers, type of currency, will your phone work, does google maps work in that location, etc). Knowing what will be at your disposal is key for making sure your trip runs smoothly and avoid unwanted surprises.

2. Plan according to you: Make a list of what you would want to see and prioritize. For instance, I don’t squeeze too many things into my itinerary because I like going with the flow, and in the back of my mind know I will coming back to that city. If I am going somewhere I know I won’t be going back to, my list and schedule may be more ambitious.

3. Be open-minded: One of the joys of travel is encountering new cultures and perspectives. Be open to new experiences and be willing to step outside your comfort zone. I usually reach out to people who live there before I go to find out what the local spots are. If I don’t know anyone, I do research on instagram or reach out to people on instagram for some recommendations.

4. Trust your gut: If something feels off or unsafe, trust your instincts and take action to protect yourself. For instance, if I’m roaming by myself at night, I only go in neighborhoods that are safe and are well lit. If something gets/feels sketch, I normally walk in the middle of the road where cars would pass and formulate a plan in my head. Since the pandemic, some cities have become more unsafe, so I do my wandering during the day and just uber door to door after the sun sets.

5. Stay connected: Make sure to stay in touch with friends and family back home, and seek out opportunities to meet new people (or friends who live there). I normally have a check in with a friend on daily basis so if they don’t hear from me, it means that something has happened. I thank my guardian angels that have kept me safe on all of my travels :)

6. Limit social media: Do not post in real time. I know A LOT of people are addicted to social media, but honestly, if you are traveling alone, do not live post your location. I honestly sometimes don’t post until I leave the city and I never post my hotel or hotel room while I’m still staying there. There are a lot of online predators out there and posting in RT is basically an invitation for them to find you.

Hoping these tips help you on your next solo trip OR give you the push to take your first solo trip. If you want any destination inspiration, check out these amazing women and the cities they are living in.