There is nothing wrong with sharing the joys of travel with people you love or like. There is also nothing wrong with traveling on your own when companions are uninterested or nowhere to be found. It can be daunting, if you haven’t done it yet, especially if you’re a woman who thinks it would be risky. Saved for but a few places and races, women are almost completely emancipated, so that risks are just the same whether you’re a man or a woman.
Traveling solo can be empowering; it is also liberating and fun. Moreover, solo travel is on the rise. If you are wondering what’s in it for you, Lindsey Galloway of BBC Travel shares the views of those who have already done it. Check out Why You Should Travel Solo.
Lindsey Galloway writes, “From family holidays to romantic getaways, memorable travel moments are often spent with others. But sometimes, travelling alone can unearth unique experiences that are otherwise unattainable when navigating the wants and needs of a group. To find out more, we turned to question and answer site Quora, asking, “what is it like to travel solo?”
Here are some of the answers:
“You never know what’s going to happen – or who you’ll meet”
One woman traveler explains, “… experiences are shaped by who I meet, and who I meet is driven by who I am…” This is what can give you access to experiences that you would otherwise not have. Janice Waugh, author of the Solo Traveler blog, says “This has led to wandering the alleys of Lhasa only to end up being invited to a traditionally male-only tea house; [taking] a motorcycle ride between the lakes of Udaipur; being invited to an underground gambling hall in Shanghai; diving in the Red Sea [and] hiking in tea plantations in Munnar.”
“You’ll uncover better places to eat”
If one of the things you look forward to is the gustatory experience that comes with adventure, you wouldn’t want to travel with anyone who will nix your plans for “food trips.” With a companion or companions, you might end up paying for their meals to entice them to join you in your “adventure.” Imagine going where you want to go anytime you want, and eat plates upon plates of exotic or local fares right where locals eat them.
“Anonymity will be a blessing”
If you feel inhibited doing certain things that you don’t normally do, you’ll find courage when there isn’t anyone you know traveling with you. The best thing is, you have can choose who to talk to and make friends with along the way. If you end up disliking some people in your tours, you can always seek the company of the people you like better. You can even have the company of different people in each tour, lunch or dinner. It’s your call because it is your adventure.
“The loneliness will pass”
Of course, having a travel companion can be more fun too. If this is what will keep you from traveling solo, dwell on the fun things and unique experiences when you’re on your own. Imagine the things and prospects of doing things without people to slow you down or have other options.
It is always a wonderful experience to share beautiful things with the people you love. Solo travel does not intend to replace family or multigenerational travels and your travel with friends. It is a reality that the people you like to travel with may not be able to travel at a time when you want to go or to travel in certain destinations and experience certain experiences that you want. This would be a great time to travel on your own and enjoy its self-revelatory moments.
If you’re a woman, it’s about time to be free and enjoy the world with or without a travel companion. Statistics don’t lie; it is on the rise, and it can even get bigger in the coming years.
Clearly, these only mean one thing: “We’ve entered the era of the female traveler.” Should you travel solo, if you’re a woman?
