Loading...

Tag Archives for solo travel

8 Inspiration Ideas That Will Have You Booking Your Solo Trip Today

8 Inspiration Ideas That Will Have You Booking Your Solo Trip Today

 

Exmouth Western Australia
Exmouth Western Australia

 

Solo travel may sound like a crazy concept to some people. They wrinkle up their noses as they spit out the words; a bitter taste in their mouth that they disagree with.

Just like your preferences in food, solo travel is not going to be to everyone’s taste.

Ask you father, your grandmother, your colleague or your best friend. I bet more than one of them has something negative to say about solo travel.

And that’s fine. I didn’t mean to start this article off in such a way as to completely put you off the idea. It was more to emphasise the point that your choice to travel solo may set you apart from the other’s in your life, because they do not share your vision.

Which, in case you are now panicking, let me reassure you is totally ok.

 

Where does travel inspiration come from?

What makes this process most difficult for you is knowing where to look for solo travel inspiration. Where will that spark of wanderlust come from that fuels you to organise and embark on your trip?

Luckily for you, solo travel inspiration is all around.

Even if you struggle to connect with likeminded people in your inner circle, there are swathes of bad-ass females out there all smashing their personal travel goals.

Travel research can sound incredibly unsexy and is something that I can be notoriously haphazard about. However, I can’t deny the power of research to motivate me into making a decision to travel. So, however I phrase it, it’s the research stage where you can gain the most inspiration and get you fired up to travel solo.

Ready to feel inspired? Here are my eight favourite ways to inspire solo travel.

Fiordland National Park New Zealand
Fiordland National Park New Zealand

 

Join female travel groups

The chances are high that you have access to some kind of social media. If so, it’s time to set your Facebook to work! Instead of aimlessly scrolling through pictures of other people’s kids and videos of cats falling off chairs, harness the power of what Facebook really is: a social network.

Jump into that search bar and start looking for female friendly groups that encourage travel. Join a few and you’ll realise you have just tapped into a network of likeminded women from all over the globe. See where they have been, engage on threads, share a little about yourself. Ask questions and give feedback in return.

You will be exposed to a whole host of travel information through these kinds of groups, but also think about liking pages for the countries you’d like to visit. Most countries have an official tourism page where they share great content about the destinations to visit within their country.

 

Read a tot of travel blogs

Build up a core of go-to travel bloggers to check out when you need inspiration.

Who are the women travelling in the countries you’d like to visit? What are they doing there, what experiences are they having?

Search for blogs about the specific areas you are interested in and you’ll find that there are sensational girls out there producing stellar content to inspire wanderlusters such as yourself.

If you’re struggling to find people to follow, turn to social media again. As much as we love to hate the ever-so-sneaky algorithms that power sites like Facebook and Instagram, their ‘recommended for you’ section isn’t always such a bad thing. Ever noticed that when you follow or like something another five pages or groups pop up? Inspirational gold can sometimes rise to the surface of the swirling social media soup.

 

Pinterest

I know I’ve been banging on about social media already, but I feel like Pinterest deserves a separate category. Pinterest isn’t actually a social media per se (more of a search engine), but it is the place to head for inspo on just about everything you can think of: from smoothie recipes to how to plan an epic road trip.

Plug in a few keywords into the search bar and you’ll be treated to a never ending stream of ideas. Build yourself an array of mood boards categorised around your travel dreams: safari in Africa? You’ve got it. Hiking in Patagonia? Yep, you can do it.

So, put Pinterest to work. Remember that it’s not just useful for getting novelty decoration ideas for your sister’s hen party.

Kalbarri Western Australia
Kalbarri Western Australia

 

Podcasts

I’m a huge podcast fan. I love to listen to them when I’m out walking. I’d never even touched the podcast app on my phone until recently. I had no idea that I was missing out on loads of free content that was jam-packed full of incredible travel stories.

Whether you use iOS or Android, you should be able to access thousands of podcasts on your device. Simply click onto the search bar and type in the topics you’d like to listen to. Alternatively, you can access a heap of podcasts through the Spotify app.

One of my favourites at the moment has to be Zero To Travel, a show about creating a life of travel on your terms. The host, Jason Moore, runs a website called Location Indie and it’s a great resource for anyone who needs a bit of encouragement to travel solo.

 

Read a lot of books

Let’s get away from the online space for the moment and rejoice in the ol’ fashioned book. I love to read and nothing makes me happier than a well-stocked book shelf. I usually have at least four books on my bedside table at any one time.

Reading books about other people’s solo travel, and their experiences of travelling in particular countries, is incredibly motivational. Especially when the authors of these books overcame personal challenges to carry out their journeys or even get started in the first place.

Whether you choose to peruse your local library or charity shop’s bookshelf, or scroll through websites to purchase a book online, there are literally thousands of titles to choose from.

Pick a destination that interests you, a period of history, autobiography or fiction: it doesn’t matter. What matters is that reading is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the language, culture and essence of a place without actually being there.

 

Watch documentaries or movies

Who has never watched a brilliant movie set in a particular place and not wanted to see it for yourself? Whether it is Ryan Gosling in La-La Land that gets you dreaming about Los Angeles, or the sun-drenched backdrop of Mama Mia that has you wishing you were sunbathing on a Greek island – movies have the power to transport us places.

It’s not just Hollywood that can get us fantasizing about foreign climes. Documentaries are an invaluable resource to teach us more about the world beyond our garden gate. There are hundreds of excellent travel documentaries aired each year on channels such as the BBC. Travel inspiration may strike as you listen to David Attenborough’s calming tones whilst watching a programme about capuchin monkeys.

Costa Rica, here we come!

 

Talk to other solo female travellers

I know I started off this article somewhat dismissively by suggesting that you may know no one who approves of your solo travel desires. I didn’t mean to sound so negative, because I’m sure you will know a good handful of people in your circle – or extended circle – who has travelled solo before.

I wanted to add in the bit about the extended circle, because you may be reading this and firmly shaking your head thinking, “No. I know no one who has travelled before”.

This could very well be true.

But your extended circle can cover colleagues, your non-immediate family, someone from your church or your sports club. You may be part of a pub quiz team with an ex-globetrotter. Or someone may bring their partner to some after work drinks who used to live abroad.

Hopefully, you see that there will be several solo female travellers out there with whom you can connect. Tell them you’d love to hear about their experiences. Swap email addresses or ask them to join you for a coffee. If you express an interest in someone else’s travels you will almost always be greeted by willingness to share.

Once a traveller, always a traveller. Even if these people are no longer frequently travelling, they will love to share their story and feel like they are an inspiration.

 

Have a mini-break as a practice run

I’m going to pop this one in last as a little bit of a wild card. But, as it’s tip number eight I feel like you’re ready to hear this, my friend.

Going on a mini break may sound like a nerve-wracking step to a wannabe solo wanderer. How do you know where to go? What on earth will you do there? What happens if you suck at this whole solo travel thing and hate it?

That’s exactly where I am going with this.

Hop on the train and go somewhere for the weekend by yourself. Be comforted that it’s in your own country: you can speak the language, you understand the currency, and you’re not too far away from home.

It’s not until you’re on your own, walking through the streets of somewhere (slightly) unfamiliar to you, that you’re going to truly feel the buzz of solo travel.

As you take in the sights and sounds of a local market, or feel the wind in your hair as you gaze upon lakes or mountains, you will suddenly feel the biggest rush of inspiration of all.

Where do you look for travel inspiration?

Meander With Meg Western Australia
Meander With Meg Western Australia

 

MeanderWithMeg

Having spent the last six years living out of a backpack in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia, Meg loves to champion solo travel. She blogs over at http://www.meanderwithmeg.com about fearless solo travel and when she is not travelling Meg can be found dreaming about her next road trip whilst enjoying a cup of rooibos tea.

FacebookPinterestInstagramTwitter

 

Tourlina – First travel app which is only for female travellers – find your female travel buddy

 

Top 10 Things To Do Around Bled

Bled, Slovenia – 10 Best Things To Do

 

Bled is arguably the most famous place in Slovenia, with its picture perfect lake that manages to look good in every season and weather condition. Situated an hour from the capital Ljubljana and half an hour from the Triglav National Park, there is plenty to do around Bled on the off chance that you are bored of Bled. Even though it is flooded with tourists year around, the town remained a small, modest size with locals coexisting peacefully with the visitors. If you have visited, you will understand the charm of this Slovenian gem, and if you haven’t, you really should pay a trip there. Here’s ten things to do around Bled:

 

1. Walk around the perimeter of Lake Bled

Lake Bled isn’t very large, and a perimeter walk around it only takes an hour or two. Not only does it make for a nice walk, you get to scout out a good spot to chill later as well as taking photos of the lake from all angles. Score! If you are short on time, then cycling around might be a better option, though it can be quite a dodge-fest on the southern shore of the Lake as the path is more narrow.

Bled top ten things to do
A perimeter walk is a must

 

2. Visit Bled Castle

Bled Castle is the oldest castle in Slovenia, perched on a cliff on the northern shore of Lake Bled overlooking the entire region. The path that goes up the castle from the town isn’t particularly difficult and the view alone is worth the ticket price. If you are interested in the history of Bled, they also have a comprehensive exhibition on. There is even a souvenir shop selling metal work as well as a restaurant where you can eat and admire the surroundings.

Bled top ten things to do
The Bled Castle – the oldest in Slovenia!

 

3. Hike up to the Ojstrica

If you want to see the Lake Bled on postcards, then a hike up Ojstrica is the answer.Even though there are plenty of best viewpoints of Lake Bled, this is the classic one and the trail itself is not too difficult to navigate. However, the grounds can get slippery after rain, therefore it’s best to be careful and wear appropriate footwear to go up. The best time to visit is in the morning before everyone else arrives – and the trail can be found near the camping ground southwest of the shore of Lake Bled.

Bled top ten things to do
Ojstrica – the classive viewpoint of Bled

 

4. Row to Bled Island

A pilgrimage place for many around the region since the Renaissance time, the major attraction on the island is the 17th century Assumption of Mary Church. Its bell tower can be seen from the shore and the 99 steps that lead up to the church adds to the medieval charm. The best way to get there is to rent a boat and row across. You can, of course, get ferried across on one of the many manned plenta on the east shore, but it’s more romantic and fun to row across yourself.

 

5. Try their famous cream cake

Despite not knowing that Bled is famous for the cream cake, almost every restaurant serves them and you’d be hard pressed not to try one. My favourite restaurant in Bled is Grajska Plaza right by the shore of Lake Bled – right under the looming Bled Castle and in front of the swimming masses.

Bled top ten things to do
The famous cream cake of Bled

 

6. Go Canyoning

There are plenty of tours available in Bled that you can book via the hostels. One of them is Canyoning. If you are not familiar with what it is, Canyoning involves walking, swimming, abseiling and jumping your way down a stream – with licensed guides, of course. It’s a great way to see the countryside as well as getting that rush of adrenaline and ticking it off your bucket list. To be honest, the main reason why I did it was because it rained nonstop for three days while I was there, but it turned out to be the best decision I made.

 

7. Tobboganing

The ski slopes in the winter and the tobboganing hill in the summer, you can get on the car lift in the southern shore of Lake Bled all year around to get a panoramic view of the lake. Tobboagning is a strangely exhilarating activity and one of Bled’s unique attractions. It involves getting on a small cart and accelerating your way down the slope along the meandering metal tube. The kids love it, the adults secretly enjoy it – it’s probably more popular than rowing to Bled Island.

Bled top ten things to do
You can see the tabboganing tube meandering down the hill

 

8. Visit Vintgar Gorge

Only a few kilometers from Bled is the Vintgar Gorge, famous for the canyons cut through by the Radovna River. A wooden trail will take you through the most scenic part ending at the 13 meter high Sum Fall, and the hike is beautiful even in the rain. You can easily walk or cycle there, though many hostels offer a free shuttle service to and from.

Bled top ten things to do
The Vintgar Gorge is pretty green

 

9. Go to Lake Bohinj

Lake Bled isn’t the only lake around town. Lake Bohinj is the largest permanent lake in Slovenia and rests in the Triglav National Park only a half hour bus ride from Bled. It makes for a good day trip if you have time to spare, and the water there is even colder than Lake Bled if you fancy a swim. There are also plenty to do around Bohinj as well, such as the Savica waterfall, Mostnica Gorge and Mount Vogel – and I fully recommend spending a few days there as well if you can.

Bled top ten things to do
A paradise for water sports lover – it’s a dry to kayak in the still water of Lake Bohinj

 

10. Day trip to Ljubljana

The capital of Slovenia is not far from Bled either. Buses run frequently between the two cities and the journey is under an hour. Ljubljana is a small capital that can be done in a day. You have the eccentric Metelkova and the historic castle, as well as the Ljubljanica River and the old town charm.

Bled top ten things to do
The view of Ljubljana from the top of the Castle Tower

 
 

About the Author:

 

Nam Cheah is a third culture millennial who spent half her life in Hong Kong and the other half in UK. Planning to make the most out of life, she documents her passion to laugh, travel and eat on her suitably named blog: Laugh, Travel, Eat. When she’s not doing any of that, she’s either catching up on TV while online shopping or writing her novels.

 

Read more from Laugh Travel Eat: laughtraveleat.com
Laugh Travel Eat at   Facebook     Instagram     Pinterest     Twitter

 

 

Bled top ten things to do
Pin me!

My First Time Traveling Solo

My First Time Traveling Solo

My First Time Traveling Solo
My First Time Traveling Solo       (Photo:Lolostock/Shutterstock)

 

 

You want to travel, but your friends are busy, don’t have enough money to travel or don’t want to go to the same places you do. Have you ever thought about solo travel? It is an amazing and empowering experience. Here you can read about, what kind of experiences 10 female travel bloggers have made during their first solo travel trip:

 

Alice   –   Teacake Travels   –   Vietnam

My first time travelling solo was about proving to myself who I was, what I could do, what I could achieve and who I could become as a result. I was a stubborn, independent traveller and needed to tackle my adventures alone to become the woman I am today. Looking back on it, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I left the safety of teaching English in South Korea to really go it alone and ended up riding solo on a motorbike through Vietnam for three months. There was literal blood, sweat and tears. I had to learn how to drive treacherous Vietnamese roads. I had to learn how to make difficult decisions by myself. I had to learn what the hell to do when my bike broke down on a steep mountain in the pouring rain with no-one around. I had to learn how to keep myself together when I didn’t see another English-speaking person for a week in the far north. It was brilliant! If you want to learn about life, go to solo travel school. Onwards and upwards ladies!

 
 

Alyssa   –   My Live’s a Movie   –   Sydney

Fateful, organized chaos, is how I’d describe my first time completely traveling solo. I had just traveled to South Africa to volunteer, then Thailand where I met up with some friends I knew, then the next stop was Sydney, via a Malaysian Airlines flight, which was completely empty since I took it about two weeks after the second….incident.

The first thing I did when I arrived in Sydney, was go find a Western Union in the airport, because since I had gotten my debit and credit cards lost/stolen in Thailand, I had no money and my mom had to wire me some. It was raining, and cold, which is rare for Sydney, but of course just my luck, especially since I was staying near the infamous Bondi Beach, but I decided to make the best of it, and find an indoor activity instead.

The Sydney Aquarium seemed like a good idea, so I bought a ticket on the bus and went, not finding it odd at all that there was no one up front to take my ticket. Long story short, I got locked in the Sydney Aquarium on my first day there, alone, for about an hour before I busted open the emergency exit and escaped.

The next day it was still cold and dreary out, so I sat alone on Bondi Beach in my giant jacket trying to take GoPro pictures of the surfers. Apparently one of them noticed, and came running up to me like a taller, tanner, David Hasslehoff, and after hearing my miserable story about the money and aquarium, ended up inviting me to hang out with him and his friends.
Since it was my first time traveling solo, I was extremely reluctant (even though he was really cute), but I ended up going, and meeting a ton of awesome Aussies, and getting to experience Bondi from a local’s perspective rather than a touristic one!

 
 

Christine   –  Tour de Lust   –   Amsterdam

It’s been over 7 years since I graduated college. I had no job lined up and no obligations after graduation. So what could I do while waiting for someone to hire me? I had never thought about traveling solo, but a few of my friends were backpacking through Europe and gave me the idea to travel! My family is very traditional and thought I was insane because I’m a girl and shouldn’t be traveling alone. I went for it anyway! I decided to take my very first solo trip to Amsterdam! I chose Amsterdam because it’s a big city, very safe, and most people speak the same language. At times it can be awkward when there is no one to take my photos or eating alone at a restaurant, it takes time to get use, but I began to ask strangers to take my photos and sat at the bar to talk to bartenders at restaurants. Something I don’t have a problem with now! Amsterdam has a lot of museums, which is a great way to spend alone time. I wanted to feel safe and be surrounded by other travelers, so I decided to book a well known tour company halfway through my trip! This was a great idea because I met so many other travelers just like me! As a first timer it allowed me to feel safe. I did not feel alone and got to experience Amsterdam with other solo travelers. My first solo trip was one of the best experiences ever and it was when I officially got hit with the travel bug!

 
 

Laura  –   dreamgazer   –   Southeast Asia

My first solo travel experience changed me but for the better.

So like many travels plans mine started out as scribbles in my notebook gathering inspiration, I had the ideas but it was putting them all into action that was the hardest part for me. You see I had put off going travelling for a few years, of the fear of not having anyone to go with. But this year I finally found the right person; myself. As soon as I booked my ticket to go explore SEAsia the nerves kicked in, knowing I was going to be completely out of my comfort bubble did scare me, but a few weeks later there I was standing at the departures saying goodbye to my Mum, the last question she ask was ‘are you sure you want to do this?’ That was when I knew this was going to be the best decision I had ever made.

Stepping off my plane into an unknown country I admit it was daunting and I was a little apprehensive about everything. However after a while my body got used to the time zone, my skin got used to the weather, my mind got used to the culture and most importantly I got used to being in my own company. I accomplished so much each day, even if it was the littlest things because you learn that you are responsible for everything. My journey wouldn’t of been the same without meeting like-minded souls on the way, most who were travelling theirselves, not forgetting the locals of each place I travelled to, the warm smiles and happy gestures that made you feel just at home.

The best gift that this trip gave me was realizing what freedom meant to me, being able to wake up and plan my day just for me and not having someone else dictate my plans. Feeling that pure bliss of happiness and love because everyday was lived right in that moment, realising every single day should be like that no matter where you are. So just book that ticket and go, you honestly won’t regret it.

 
 

Leah   –   Via Leah   –   Australia

I never really expected so many twists and turns on my journey, but I guess that should have been assumed when I decided to travel alone for the first time. To be honest, I never really counted my first solo trip until I booked something for myself by myself. I have flown to visit family in the past, but the adventure lies when your surroundings are unfamiliar. I traveled for more than 24 hours to Adelaide, South Australia. Flights were delayed and overbooked which had me sleeping on the floors in the airport. But once I got myself in the country, I realized how powerful that moment was when I discovered, “I can do this on my own… I did this on my own.”

I spent over half a year in Australia where I was tested culturally and personally. While visiting, I made an effort to meet as many people as I could and attend events weekly. I joined sports team, photographed for a local online magazine, contributed to the University paper, and did waitressing on the side. The truth was, I couldn’t afford the trip over to begin with so I only bought myself a one-way ticket. I had to work most of my time there in order to save up for a flight back to the United States. This highlights that there are always alternatives to getting where you want. You don’t need all the money in the beginning. Yes, it will cost you something to travel, but it will cost your heart more when you turned yourself away from an opportunity that could impact your life.

 
 

Megan   –   Mapping Megan   –   England/ Finland
Mapping Megan

I traveled solo for the first time at age 18. I boarded a plane to the UK and excitedly started my gap year abroad – I would be working as a teaching assistant in a boarding school, and have 17 weeks to travel Europe as I pleased.

There was no culture shock during my first few weeks in England – I was in a country which spoke the same language, and even though I had traveled alone, I was surrounded by other Australian teenagers at the school doing the same. My first experience of culture shock, and perhaps my first “real” solo journey, came during the first school break.

Excited to discover Europe, I jumped on a plane to Helsinki. It didn’t hit me that I was ill prepared until I arrived in Finland and had to attempt to find the baggage claim. This was the first time I had experienced a language barrier, and it hadn’t dawned on me that simple tasks like collecting my bag, or communicating with a taxi driver would be difficult things to do.

I found my bag after stalking a few other passengers from the same plane (which included an awkward toilet stop!), and managed to find a cab with a game of charades. Luckily, most people throughout Scandinavia speak fairly fluent English, so the trip overall was a blast. Though it taught me not to take for granted that everyone will understand you overseas. You’re traveling to their country, so it’s you who should make the effort, not them.

A little bit of language prep before a trip can go a long way, and just knowing how to communicate the basics will help to feel less intimidated on arrival, and you’ll often find you feel more safe.
 
 

Melodie   –  Adventures of Melodious   –   Australia

My name is Melodie, and I am a travel addict. I have just returned to Canada after over four years of continuous travel, much of it on my own where I met some of the most amazing friends a girl could ask for. The first time I truly travelled alone, not just to a distant relative or to meet a friend in another country, I was 25. I had an Australian Working Holiday Visa and had spent the previous three months making my way to Australia by visiting friends and family across Canada and the United States. A month after I arrived in Australia I was staying with a cousin in Canberra when I decided that I had to take the leap and book a flight somewhere where I didn’t know a soul. Within 20 minutes of that decision I had purchased a flight to Tasmania for a week later.

I would be lying if I didn’t tell you I was nervous to stay in a hostel wondering if I would make friends, but I must have picked the perfect place to stay. The first day I explored Hobart alone and it was a freeing feeling. Normally a social person I didn’t mind that I was doing hikes and eating at restaurants without anyone else. I did make friends later, on my second evening I befriended a free spirited French woman and fun girl from Korea. We ended up touring around for days and later exchanged contact details. This experience set the precedence for the rest of my journey. It just took one leap of faith, and suddenly I had the courage to book a trip knowing that at the other end there would be nothing waiting for me except for new experiences and some amazing new friends!

 
 

Nam   –   Laugh Travel Eat   –   Berlin

It was August, 2014. I was standing on a bridge across from the Berliner Dom, looking for a good spot to take a photo. It was the first time I had ever felt alone in the world even though I was surrounded by a crowd. Now you might think that it’s a negative feeling, but in truth it was refreshing and empowering. While we often end up alone in our city running errands or even just roaming around, it feels different when you are in a foreign place. I had no one to share funny moments or things that I noticed to or anyone to help me take photos or needed me to.

I was, frankly, out of my comfort zone. But without someone to talk to, I was able to focus more on my surrounding and absorb more of what’s going on around me. I had all the time to line up for a shot of the Cathedral without being hurried, but I also had to pluck up some courage to ask strangers to take a photo for me. I got to decide, alone, whether it was worth the entrance fee to visit and had no one else to blame when it turned out to be less than what I expected. I was completely by myself – and that’s something that doesn’t happen often in your life, and it helps me to be more independent.

 
 

Nicki   –   EATLIVETRAVELDRINK   –   Iceland/ Ireland

For me, part of being an experienced traveler was taking the plunge to travel solo. I knew I wanted to go to Ireland and Iceland, so I did a stopover in Iceland for a couple days and then went on to explore Ireland. Both countries were magnificent in their own ways.

Iceland was magical in that it was covered in snow, the sun rose late, the people were welcoming, and I felt safe the entire time. I froze to death because I didn’t pack properly, but it didn’t stop me from exploring the country. I went to the Blue Lagoon on my first day and relaxed in the waters to decompress from my flight. It is every bit as amazing as you would expect. The second day I did a full day Golden Circle Tour. Around every corner was an amazing site to behold in Iceland.

When I left for Ireland, the wind was blowing at nearly 60 miles per hour. How I made it to Ireland alive is beyond me. Upon arrival the winds were so strong that they could not give us our luggage. I waited 2 days for my stuff to come back. I didn’t let it ruin my trip – I purchased some items locally and went about touring. I stayed in a hostel that I loved, went on a rail tour to the Cliffs of Moher, tasted whisky, drank beer, saw the long library, ate amazing food, and walked almost the entire city.

I had already traveled extensively prior to this trip, so I felt like I would be ok. I never once felt unsafe and have nothing but good memories.

 
 

Sandra   –   Tourlina   –   Nepal

Sandra

Some years back, I heared from a friend an amazing story about a Reiki- and Yoga teacher from Nepal. As I practiced Reiki already for some time, I got curious. I wrote an e-mail to the teacher, asked him to be his student. Soon, I got a reply; telling me that I can come to Kathmandu 3 weeks later for 3 weeks. I booked the flight without knowing exactly what is expecting me and already 3 weeks later he welcomed me in Kathmandu. It got an amazing time with new insights into Reiki, Yoga and meditation, with visiting the awesome sights in and around Kathmandu in the afternoons, spending time with my teacher and his lovely family and traveling one extra week with the teachers daughter around Nepal. This story maybe is not about solo travel in a classical way. But like most solo travel trips, you start alone and you don’t know what will expect you. At the end you weren’t lonely one day, because you meet other people on your way, with whom you spend time together, which get travel buddies and sometimes friends for your whole life.

 


 
 

The Pros And Cons Of Solo Travel

The Pros And Cons Of Solo Travel

 

The Pros and Cons of Solo Travel
The Pros and Cons of Solo Travel

Solo travel: there are two words that seemed to breath fear into some while others grew exhilarated by it. Gaining popularity over the past few years, many people seemed to swear that solo travel is something everyone should do once in their life time, and that, in fact, should be the preferred way to travel. What makes the act of solo travel so alluring? And why, despite the fact that everyone seemed to be talking about it, are many so hesitant to do it?

Let’s break it down to the pros and cons!

 

Pros:

Flexibility
It’s a universal rule, the more people there are, the more argument there would be. If you are on your own, your schedule is completely up to you and only you. There’d be no one to argue with you about where to go or what to eat, and you don’t have to hang around waiting for the other person to get ready to go and wasting your time. There’s nothing like the freedom of doing whatever it is you want on a whim (or you can be as organized as you want – we won’t judge it either way). Which leads us to the next point:

 
Self-discovery
There’s nothing like pushing yourself out of the comfort zone to find out what you are made of, and unfamiliar situations and surroundings are one of those things that would do that to you. More often than not, how you would react to something in the spur of a moment might not be what you anticipated, and it’s when you react to those scenarios that tell you more about yourself than sitting at home and doing those Facebook quizzes ever could. While it might not be something huge and unsettling, like finding out you are a secret adrenaline drunkie who wants to sky dive day and night; realizing that you prefer to sit alone with your notebook and write down your thoughts and experience might just quench that notion of you thinking that you should be hitting the bars and clubs at night, because you know what you prefer.

 
Meeting like-minded People
There’s no place better to meet other people than when you are travelling. Most people meet new friends at a hostel, but you are as likely to run into your new bestie during a free walking tour or asking for directions to get on the right train. It’s funny how easy it can be to strike up a conversation with someone else when you are in a foreign place; in fact, I was surprised at how warmly people usually respond, whether they are a fellow traveller or local. You will meet people from all walks of life, from a variety of countries each with their story to tell. Because you all share something – the travel experience.
Now you might be meeting these people when you are travelling with others as well, but it’s never as easy to chat to new people if you are already hanging out with someone else. And you are less likely to be able to adapt your schedule to your new friends’ to hang out together.

Self timer photo by putting the camera on the fence at Milan Cathedral, Italy
Self timer photo by putting the camera on the fence at Milan Cathedral, Italy
Solo time with an ice cream strolling around Verona, Italy, Laugh Trave Eat
Solo time with an ice cream strolling around Verona, Italy

 

Cons:

Loneliness
While meeting new people might be easy, your schedule might not line up, or you might not have met someone who you really connect with. Some people enjoy the loneliness that is part of the journey, declaring that it had helped them figure out themselves more; that it was the best self-discovery process they had ever had. However, not everyone likes being lonely, and there are people who find joy in sharing experiences with others, and not alone.

 
Safety
Travelling solo has its risks, and safety is definitely the biggest point I want to bring light to. No matter how secure the location you are heading to is, or how many new friends you meet, it’s always safer if you have a travel companion that you know well. An extra pair of eyes can come a long way, especially when you are travelling long distance and struggling to stay awake and man your belongings.
 

Lack of a photo partner
Some might immediately jump into argumentative mode and say that it’s easy to take solo travel photos, but there really is no denying that having someone you know to help you take photos is a much better, and easier task than trusting your camera to a stranger or well, a selfie stick. I have lost count of how many bad photos people had taken of me, and that’s on top of the fact that I find it embarrassing and difficult to approach people to help me take a photo. Self-timer is a blessing, but it’s not a method that can be used every time.

shot by my sister at Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre
Shot by my sister at Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre

 

Verdict

Solo travelling, though a great form of self-discovery, are not for everyone. While I would encourage others to try, you should consider all kinds of factors before deciding whether you want to solo travel or group travel . If you are a keen solo traveller, but you aren’t great at meeting new people, then the
tourlina app is the thing to help you look for like-minded female travel companion!
 

About the Author:

Nam Cheah is a third culture millennial who spent half her life in Hong Kong and the other half in UK. Planning to make the most out of life, she documents her passion to laugh, travel and eat on her suitably named blog: Laugh, Travel, Eat. When she’s not doing any of that, she’s either catching up on TV while online shopping or writing her novels.

   
Read more from Laugh Travel Eat: laughtraveleat.com
 

Laugh Travel Eat at   Facebook     Instagram     Pinterest     Twitter

 

The Pros and Cons of Solo Travel
The Pros and Cons of Solo Travel

Viajosola – Why Women Should Never Stop Travelling Solo

Viajosola – Why Women Should Never Stop Travelling Solo

#Viajosola
#Viajosola

Several weeks ago, two young Argentine women were brutally attacked and murdered while backpacking in Ecuador’s coastal area of Montanita.

Maria Coni, 22, and Marina Menegazzo, 21, had run out of money while travelling through South America. A friend put them in touch with two men, who they thought would offer them a place to stay. Instead the men sexually assaulted the pair, before murdering them and dumping their bodies.

Sadly, in the wake of the tragedy there were many people who were inclined to blame the victims of this terrible attack, rather than the perpetrators. One controversial opinion offered by Argentine psychiatrist Hugo Marietan was that the women “took a risk” by travelling in “parts of the world that are not ready for the full freedom of the woman”.

He went on to say: “Women, you are also responsible for your preservation. Do [you] serve your feminist theories in that final moment?”

In response to those blaming the victims for what happened, one woman wrote an impassioned Facebook post from the perspective of the two women. Guadalupe Acosta from Paraguay sparked a social media outcry with her words:

  • “From the moment I had my lifeless body, nobody asked where he was, the son of a gun…
  • No, they started asking me useless questions…
  • What clothes you had on?
  • Why are you alone?
  • How a woman is going to travel without company?
  • You got yourself in a dangerous neighbourhood, what did you expect?

But to be a woman, the crime is minimized. Becomes less serious, because of course, I asked for it. Doing what I wanted, I got what I deserved for not being submissive, for not wanting to stay in my house, for investing my own money in my dreams.”

 

The Facebook post has been shared over 730,000 times, and the hashtag #viajosola – Spanish for “I travel alone” – trended on Twitter worldwide.

Acosta’s words touched a nerve with female travellers across the globe. Independent women who travel to broaden their minds, to learn and to grow, and for the sheer joy of it began posting inspiring viewpoints and photos of themselves travelling solo.

 

  • #Viajosola because my gender has nothing to do with my desire to see the world @SammyLT
  • #viajosola because you will never know who you truly are until you do so @jomanaElwenni
  • #viajosola because my love for seeing the world & its cultures shouldn’t be jeopardized by the fact I’m a woman @twiitterlessDad
  • Travelling alone is my joy in life, not an invitation for man to rob, rape and murder me #viajosola @coreen085
  • Gender shouldn’t be a barrier from the world #Viajosola @TwinsWade
  • #viajosola because the world is so big and amazing – and I do not and should not need an escort… #liveloveexplore @tara_bt

Travelling is one of life’s great pleasures. Travelling alone is a truly liberating journey which nobody – man or woman – should feel afraid to embark upon. Travelling alone teaches us so much about ourselves and the world around us. We learn to be at peace in solitude, we learn to trust ourselves, and we meet likeminded people who we form deep and lasting connections with.

The random and tragic murders of backpackers like those of Maria and Marina should never be seen as the victim’s fault for daring to go out in the world unchaperoned. Dangerous viewpoints like that of Hugo Marietan should not hold women back from exploring whichever corner of the globe they choose.

 

Tourlina App
Tourlina App

 

To travel solo doesn’t mean to stay alone.

Find female travel companions and friends with tourlina

TOURLINA IS SAFE AND RELIABLE
Our team checks each and every new user. Only verified users can chat with others. Tourlina rates quality over quantity!

TOURLINA IS FOR WOMEN ONLY
Our market research shows that women like to travel and prefer a female travel partner as having a male companion often leads to dating.

TOURLINA MAKES YOU WANT TO TRAVEL
The Tourlina app is not dating, and you will never travel alone.

ARE YOU IN?


HOW THE TOURLINA APP WORKS:
• enter a trip by country and time
• discover matching travel companions with mutual interests, destination and travel time
• select a travel companion simply by easily swiping left or right
• chat and plan your trip together once you and your travel companions are matching

 

WHY YOU SHOULD ALSO USE TOURLINA FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP?

Female users of Tourlina can connect before or while they travel. Tourlina connects women based on their future travel plans. Of course, they can connect as well with other female travelers while they travel, e.g. for one evening in Bangkok or for a part of their trip. Women find more meaningful and long lasting connections with other women and make lifelong friendships as Tourlina connections are based on shared interest in travel and socialising.

Awesome Tourlina video from Monica – one of the many fans and users of Tourlina 🙂

This website or its third party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. If you want to know more or withdraw your consent to all or some of the cookies, please refer to the cookie policy. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close