5 years ago, I never dreamed I would be traveling the world solo. I’ve always loved traveling, but previously had only ever gone on holidays with friends and family.
I like many women I’m sure who have been in long-term relationships, didn’t have the confidence to get on a plane to places unknown alone. Whilst I have always been a very independent person, the thought of traveling alone was never one I really seriously considered. I don’t do directions well. Actually, I get lost walking in a straight line. Seriously. So the thought of navigating foreign countries scared me. Plus I thought I would be in a relationship with my boyfriend at the time for the rest of my life, so traveling solo was not something I ever really needed to give serious thought to.
When my long-term boyfriend and I broke up in 2011 everything changed.
We had been discussing traveling to Europe and the UK, and when we separated my initial thought was, “Oh now I’m not going to be able to go to Europe. I don’t know anyone else who wants to come with me.”
I was pretty devastated at not just the breakup, but also the loss of my future travel plans.
A short time later, wanderlust began to take hold. I started to think about just going by myself. I didn’t decide immediately that this would happen. As I said I was terrified at the thought of traveling anywhere solo. How could I possibly have fun being completely alone? One of the best things about traveling is sharing experiences with others, how could I face the loneliness of doing everything alone? I didn’t understand how this could be a great way to travel.
But the idea had taken hold and wouldn’t leave my mind. Travel was calling me, and I couldn’t ignore it. I began Googling solo travel and uncovered a vast traveler community that I never dreamed existed. I found so many people who travel solo and absolutely love it. Suffering the same fears as me, millions of people conquered them with such enthusiasm and happiness that my thinking started to change. Maybe I can do this.
First day overseas solo. It’s 9am, have just flown 22 hours, landed at 5:30am and couldn’t check in to my hotel until 3pm. So sunny day in London meant an exhausted but exhilarating visit to Buckingham Palace.
Baby steps was the key to planning. I’ve always been a fan of organised tours. Only ever having done one through the USA with my ex-boyfriend, it is still today the best tour I have ever been on. There were many solo travelers on the tour who had as much and probably more fun than those of use who were with friends.
So that’s where I began. Looking through tour brochures and reading up on different company’s solo travel policies I very quickly discovered that almost all tours usually have at least 50% of their passengers traveling solo. Travelers are automatically paired with roommates of the same gender and activities are included for the entire group to enjoy, creating an incredibly welcoming and social environment where not making friends is a challenge.
Organised tours mean solo travelers can do great stuff with everyone, as well as enjoy free-time.
With 6 weeks of holiday leave available to me I booked a Topdeck tour through Europe, a Haggis tour through Scotland and some solo time in London. The mixture of organised group tour and solo travel time was perfect to build my confidence and fan the travel flame.
Traveling solo on tours it’s so easy to make friends and share experiences.
Since then I haven’t looked back. I’m about to embark on my third solo overseas adventure, my second long-term solo travel and I get more excited about traveling solo as time goes on. Thinking back to the person I was 5 years ago to write this post, I’m amazed at how far I have come and am incredibly proud of myself. The great friends I’ve made, the phenomenal experiences I’ve had, the millions of stories and memories I have stored in my mind are all because I took that first step.
Facing my fears and traveling solo I experienced more than I ever imagined, including looking for Smok the dragon in Krakow, Poland.
Don’t let fear stop you from going it alone. I promise if you open yourself up to whatever happens, say ‘Yes’ far more often than you say ‘No,’ smile at people and relax, you will have the time of your life.
Leave A Comment