| Some people see traveling alone as a daunting | | | | will make your trip unforgettable. |
| and unappealing proposition. Others consider | | | | |
| it the only way to travel. So what's the | | | | Develop and grow - You probably started your |
| attraction of going it alone? Here's my take | | | | journey with apprehensions of what lay ahead. |
| on the highs and the lows of solo travel. | | | | You may have had self doubts, unsure of how |
| | | | you would cope with being self-reliant. |
| Meet new people, make new friends - You've | | | | Traveling solo is the key to over coming |
| found great deal on your round the world | | | | these fears and self doubts and you will |
| flight ticket, and you've decided to go it | | | | develop a self confidence that few other |
| alone, but that doesn't mean that you will | | | | pursuits can provide. You will see, for |
| remain on your own for the entirety of your | | | | possibly the first time, what you are truly |
| adventures. A solo traveler is far more | | | | capable of a achieving alone. |
| approachable and less intimidating than a | | | | |
| large group, so you will find that other | | | | There are some pitfalls to traveling alone: |
| travelers and locals will be more inclined to | | | | |
| approach you. Being alone also encourages you | | | | Cost - being alone means accommodation will |
| to be the one who initiates the conversation, | | | | cost you more as you don't have the option of |
| something you probably wouldn't do if you | | | | sharing the cost. Even cheap hotels or guest |
| were already with a group of friends. | | | | houses will charge you per room, not per |
| | | | person and if you can find a single room, |
| Don't forget: like attracts like, so if it's | | | | then it will rarely be that much cheaper than |
| solitude you are after, you may struggle to | | | | a double. There's sadly not much that can be |
| find it while traveling alone. | | | | done to avoid this aspect of solo travel. |
| | | | |
| Independence - It's all down to you! You have | | | | Loneliness - every solo traveler will |
| the freedom to go where you want, when you | | | | experience the odd lonely moment. To avoid |
| want, without having to make compromises with | | | | having too many of them, ensure that you keep |
| anyone else first. No arguments, no debates! | | | | yourself busy. Perhaps book yourself on to a |
| Be sure to make the most of this freedom | | | | group tour or move to more lively |
| while it lasts! | | | | accommodation. There are many ways to keep |
| | | | the feelings of loneliness at bay. |
| See more, do more - Being part of a herd of | | | | |
| backpackers means that you are going at | | | | Safety - This is an obvious concern, but one |
| someone else's pace. You might find yourself | | | | that should be kept in perspective. If you |
| on what feels like a conveyer belt; briefly | | | | remember to take precautions then you will |
| glimpsing picture postcard views, before | | | | reduce the risk considerably of anything |
| being whisked off to another location. | | | | untoward happening. It's a good idea to |
| Traveling solo means you go at your own pace, | | | | research your destination first, so you are |
| giving you the chance to immerse yourself | | | | aware of the dangers that you may face before |
| into your surroundings, where you can | | | | you arrive. |
| experience cultures in a whole new way. | | | | |
| | | | Those who experience solo travel often look |
| Not being part of the herd also means that | | | | back on it as a life changing event, although |
| you will probably get to know some local | | | | it is definitely not something that will suit |
| folk, who in turn will introduce you to their | | | | everyone. |
| way of life. These are the experiences that | | | | |