Interested in Solo Traveling?

 I love traveling!  Since retiring,  my husband and I have taken a number of fascinating trips.  While I enjoy the trip itself, I also like seeing new and interesting places with him.  I am not sure I would appreciate it as much if I traveled alone.  I could surprise myself though- I have known other folks whose opinion totally changed after their first solo adventure!  When I worked as a travel advisor, most of my clients were retired and some did travel solo as well.  Despite my lack of personal experience, I learned a lot from them and supplemented their insights with some research.  Today I am going to talk a bit about what I have learned.

On your first solo trip you will most likely decide whether it is for you.  It should be short (2-4 days), manageable and preferably domestic.  Easing into this new way of travel is very helpful;  this is not the time to go to Istanbul.  Think of a trip to Charleston, Seattle, Santa Fe.  These locations are physically lovely and are wonderful places to walk and explore.  The sightseeing is top-notch, lots of history, restaurants and good hotels.  Exhale, relax and enjoy!

If you enjoyed the short trip, think about a longer one.  Some foreign destinations often mentioned for solo travel include Florence, Italy and Reykjavik, Iceland.  Both locations are lively, enjoyable and have a number of solo travelers.

One of the most important considerations for solo travelers is personal safety. Everyone who travels alone,but most especially women, need to be vigilant.  Always have someone at home that knows your itinerary.  Try to ensure that your plane will arrive during daylight hours and remember how real jet lag can be.  Research the areas you will be visiting and staying in and have emergency numbers.  ALWAYS trust your instincts and stay away from overly friendly strangers and any streets or areas that feel questionable. 

Good luck with your research and always enjoy your traveling!