<p>I’m curious if any of the parents here travel (for fun) alone. I’m seriously contemplating a solo trip to Italy next spring. I am a very experienced international traveler. I always do all the planning and my husband and son just follow along after me. So it’s not like I’m a travel newbie. I’m itching to take a trip (it’s been several years since we’ve been out of the country except for a trip to St. Barths this summer). The people I’m most likely travel with (hubby/son/best friend) for various reasons can’t be talked into going anytime soon. I’m thinking of going back to Rome and luxuriating in taking my time and really exploring the Vatican and surrounding area. Last time I was there, I ended up with a bad stomach virus and it put a damper on the trip. Plus I was traveling with my young teen son and my mother, so I had to go at their pace. Setting my own agenda, not having to wait on anyone or have them wait on me sounds very enticing. Convincing my hubby I can do this might be a little challenging but ultimately he will ‘let’ me.</p>
<p>So my question is if you have traveled alone (for non-business) did you enjoy it? Did you end up feeling a bit lonely, like you wished you had someone to share it with? Were you nervous about touring on your own? Would you do it again? Did people think you were strange for doing it (not that I really care. Most people know I’m well-traveled and probably wouldn’t be surprised.) Just curious.</p>
<p>I went on two trips without my husband in the past year (both within the United States).</p>
<p>I like traveling alone sometimes. You don’t have to make compromises for other people’s preferences.</p>
<p>But perhaps the ideal would be a trip my sister made – to Hawaii – several years ago. She went with two other women, whose interests differed greatly from her own. They would split up during the day but meet for dinner each evening and talk about their various adventures.</p>
<p>I travel alone quite a bit - often staying for several days after a conference (where I don’t know anyone). I thoroughly enjoy the daytimes alone -it’s lovely to go through a museum at my own pace. Dinner alone can be a little awkward (I’m happy to read until the meal arrives but not everyone does that), and I feel uncomfortable walking alone at night sometimes.</p>
<p>Sorry. I was being facetious. He might not like it but he would never try to stop me and I really don’t need his permission. Though as anyone who has been married for a long time knows, it’s wise to take your spouse’s feelings into consideration whenever possible.</p>
<p>Glad to hear others like traveling solo. I wouldn’t mind going with others, splitting up and then meeting for dinner. Sounds like a good idea.</p>
<p>I understand, but just wondering why he wouldn’t like it. I figured he would be happy you’re an independent woman and doesn’t have to drag her husband on every trip she takes.</p>
<p>I am a woman in my mid-20’s,and I travel solo almost everywhere. I have been to Europe, Tennessee, and Alaska. I love traveling solo! Of course, you always have to be careful, but it’s great to be able to do that. </p>
<p>People won’t think you are weird. If anything, they always comment that I am brave, haha. I also don’t feel lonely. It really let’s you experience things deeper, if anything. The first time I was a little nervous about and it takes some getting used to, but the more I do it, the more I love it.</p>
<p>While I like travel alone in theory, the few times I have done it I missed having a co-traveler to bounce ideas and experiences off another person. It can be lonely traveling with just a travel guide book.<br>
I cant wait until I’m retired and can travel with my sister.</p>
<p>Ooh pick me! I’m a great dinner companion who would love to go to Italy…But seriously I’ve traveled alone a lot for business, traveled with DH with and without family and done the girls trips with friends and sisters. the day to yourself dinner with others sounds perfect. In fact when I travel alone with DH we often split up during the day. I would go with that option if you have a friend or two who could do it.</p>
<p>Sitting here at Animal Kingdom Lodge in WDW all by myself! Needed a treat after a difficult year–DH wouldn’t be caught dead in an amusement park and DS’s are at an age that going on rides with mummy isn’t as appealing as it was when they were 11. I’d rather have a cute little kid with me but I like alone time more than most and, as my sister said, this time I can do whatever the hell I want.</p>
<p>I’ve traveled alone, both hiking trips and cross-country driving. Daytime is fine. I do not mind being by myself, going where I want to go, no compromising my time, or wasting time waiting for people who move slowly, etc. </p>
<p>The downside is night. Dinner time gets lonely. Sitting alone in a hotel is lonely. The best solution is to make sure you are with a group in the evening. On the hiking trip, I stayed at the High Sierra Camps in Yosemite. There the hiker has dinner with other hikers sharing stories and laughs. On the road, stay in places that have the complimentary evening wine or cocktail hour and talk to other travelers. Barring that there’s always catching up on emails, TV and an early night for an early morning start.</p>
<p>I travelled in Europe alone, no issue. Also US. I’d usually do dinner just a bit on the early side. When younger, also camped alone in Europe, at campsites. The one thing that makes me more comfortable is knowing that my hotel/B&B/hostel was in an area where I’d feel safe coming back, after dark. Other than that, except for knowing a few starter things I’d want to see, I enjoy just fitting in. Never felt lonely, but am a talker and people watcher. </p>
<p>When in Spring? Depending on what you want to do, if you are interested outside Rome, may have a lead.</p>
<p>We should start a CC travel club I like to travel with Mr B, but gosh he is not into museums, ballet, and opera, so we always end up doing something outdoorsy.</p>
<p>I traveled alone to Italy a couple of years ago and it was fabulous! I was able to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. It also required me to get out of my shell a bit with people I didn’t know. Everyone was very nice, and I met some fun people from all over the world. I tried to make a point of starting a conversation at dinner with a fellow diner. It was almost always successful.</p>
<p>I get more vacation than my husband, so I travel alone a bit. Although it’s a more expensive with “single supplements”, I love to cruise. It’s less lonely for dinner & shows; it’s easy to meet other people.</p>
<p>You guys are the greatest. Knew I would receive lots of support here. Now to see if I have the courage to do it. Funny, I am an uber independent person and travel a lot but for some reason the thought of doing this is taking me slightly outside my comfort zone. Which means I absolutely have to do it! Time for a little personal growth as I enter my next ‘phase’ of life.</p>
<p>It’s not actually the travel that makes me uncomfortable. If I was doing it for business, wouldn’t think twice about it. And I am definitely a person who likes being alone. I’m not sure what it is…</p>
<p>I’ve come close to traveling alone when I’ve accompanied dh to conferences. They have lots of evening events which even if I were invited would be horribly boring for a non-scientist. I think dinner is hard, but I love the rest of the day, and don’t mind evenings reading in the hotel room. I’ve noticed some NYC restaurants now often have group tables, often in the bar area where you can socialize a bit with strangers. Germany often put people at tables together - especially the summer beer garden tradition.</p>
I like to travel with Mr B, but gosh he is not into museums, ballet, and opera, so we always end up doing something outdoorsy.</p>