Do you like to travel alone?

Parents Forum Parent Cafe
#1

<p>There is nothing I really like better than to take a trip by myself. Given the choice between going on an interesting trip with a friend, or going alone, I overwhelmingly prefer going alone. Among my family members, there are one or two I enjoy traveling with, otherwise I'd rather they stay behind.</p>

<p>I don't like the feeling of having to compromise my activities to accommodate the wishes of someone else. And I don't like the pressure of having to make conversation when I'm more interested in noticing what's going on around me.</p>

<p>Am I the only one in the world like this? I've heard many, many people say they don't want to travel alone.</p>

#2

<p>I don't know that I'd CHOOSE traveling along however if I am traveling for a conference and I have some free time, I do enjoy limited amounts of exploring on my own.</p>

<p>Just out of curiosity, what kind of trips (length, place) have you taken on your own??</p>

#3

<p>I find that a lot of people don't like to be left alone, period! I'm not one of them and love to travel alone. Though it happens very rarely, I agree that being able to pursue your own interests, change schedules on a whim, and not have to consider anyone else's needs or wishes makes for a truly relaxing vacation!</p>

#4

<p>I can't imagine traveling alone. I like to share the experience with others. I don't even like to go to a restaurant by myself. I guess I am just too much of a people person. I love traveling and talking to the locals. The only thing I like to do on my own is shopping, I always feel rushed when I am with someone else.</p>

#5

<p>I had a couple of days to myself while my son was on an overnight visit at a college in Pennsylvania. I went to Hershey Park and didn't have a very good time! It was really weird being alone there. Everyone was in groups! And the rest of my two days weren't much fun, either. So I discovered I don't traveling by myself!</p>

#6

<p>Yes, the impact of a place is far more powerful when alone. The beauty more breathtaking, the cultural differences more remarkable. But I don't feel comfortable going out at night alone, so some of the experience is curtailed. </p>

<p>But as I essentially live alone, spend a great deal of time alone these days, I really appreciate being with people on vacation to break up all that solitary time.</p>

#7

<p>I do love exploring places on my own. I find myself worrying about everyone else's schedules or wishes when I'm in a group (and I tend to get left behind when I find something I'm interested in and others are not--not much fun).
However, the best fun is to go with a very like-minded friend. It just feels safer to travel with someone else.</p>

#8

<p>To answer your question abasket: I have never gone to a destination that I considered dangerous, or one where finding an English-speaker is difficult. So, I've never had to conquer especially stressful challenges by myself on the travels I'm talking about. </p>

<p>Regarding trip length, nothing over 10 days. However, I have lived alone, so I think I understand that long-term solitariness could eventually get lonely.</p>

<p>Is that what you mean?</p>

#9

<p>It was really just a curiosity question so I could "picture" whether or not I could imagine myself taking a trip that way. :)</p>

#10

<p>i have always travelled with a friend. When i get a car in the U.S.A. I may travel on my own.</p>

#11

<p>I like a mix. I like trips where we do somethings together and also have solo time. </p>

<p>I will say that after years of traveling with a baby/toddler, I find flying by myself to feel very luxurious.</p>

#12

<p>pmk, yes, I LOVE flying alone! I'm about to travel cross-country with my two teenaged sons, and I purposely got a seat far, far away from them.</p>

#13

<p>I travel internationally all the time by air but I don't like to fly to Ireland and then drive around the country on my own.</p>

#14

<p>Overall, I would hate traveling alone. I would not be happy eating in a restaurant by myself. Some aspects of travel would be fine for me to do alone such as shopping. Going to a museum or even a play/show alone would be okay for me. </p>

<p>I have a relative who is single. She has gone alone, and has also gone alone within a group on tour. She found that she did not like going alone, even withing a group. She now travels with different friends but needs to select carefully. She found that some friends are just not on the same page as she is when it comes to travel and she is still not happy if they have completely different interests.</p>

#15

<p>I dream of taking a beach vacation alone. Haven't been on a trip by myself in a long while, but a solo beach vacation is definitely in my future.</p>

#16

<p>I'm an introvert and don't mind being alone, but I don't like the idea of traveling alone. I spent a day by myself in Madrid a few years ago and it was okay, but I felt lonely and wanted someone to share the experience with. I felt awkward going to dinner by myself (lunch is okay but dinner feels different). OTOH I've gone to several meditation retreats by myself but that's not really "traveling."</p>

#17

<p>I think, for me, the ideal situation is when I travel with my husband to a conference. I do whatever I want during the day, but have someone to eat dinner with at night (and often we have a day or two where he is not scheduled for a meeting.) I love the freedom of going to an art museum by myself and not worrying about whether someone else is enjoying it or walking for hours in a new city. Those activities aren't for everyone!</p>

#18

<p>
[quote]
I guess I am just too much of a people person. I love traveling and talking to the locals.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You don't have to be with someone to do that.</p>

<p>I usually travel with family or friends, but I have also traveled alone and enjoyed it very much.</p>

<p>I went to Europe for almost a year right out of college by myself. I had a total blast, met a lot of great people, was often invited out to do things. It was a wonderful experience.</p>

<p>I have gone to California a couple of times by myself and again, had a good time. It was spiritually refreshing to drive along the coast for several days, staying at some really cute inns/B & B's. I'm not a shy person; I am comfortable conversing with others and going out to a restaurant alone never bothered me. Another time I went by myself and spent a couple of days at Disneyland and the California Adventure theme park. I'm a kid at heart when it comes to them parks. :)</p>

<p>DH and I have a weekend lake home. If he and/or my kids are too busy or just don't want to go, I have no problem packing up the dogs and going out there by myself. In fact, I love the fact that I am able to do that. I wouldn't always want to be alone, but sometimes it's really good for the old sanity.</p>

#19

<p>I love to travel alone and I recently went to Korea for a week alone. I feel refreshed after some time of being just me. I love travelling with H also, but the logistics are just so much easier by myself. When I'm alone, I do things that I might not have done because my H might not be interested and when I'm with him he urges me to try things I would not have done on my own. Alone, I like sleeping a little later and staying up a little later but with my H I get up earlier and get more experiences in a day. Each way of travelling has its charms.</p>

#20

<p>I guess I am about to find out. My wife is going back East to help with the grandkid to be born in a few weeks. I will be alone travelling with two cats in a truck camper for a couple of months. Unfortunately this is also not the best time for travel. I will leave from the San Francisco area and head south, probably to Mojave and Death Valley, maybe southern Arizona or New Mexico.</p>

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