Traveling Alone ║ Is It Worth Your Time?
It’s funny, I’ve had this idea for quite some time now about traveling alone. Can it be done? Where would I go and what would I do? What would people think?
First of all, I have to answer a few questions. Why do I want to travel on my own? My answer is pretty simple, having some free time exploring a new or past-visited place. Maybe I want to spend some time getting to know a city at my own pace, or to find a place where I am inspired to write. There are so many countless reasons, one thing is certain; I need “that time” alone.
Where would I go? This is an open-ended question. Wouldn’t we all just want to go to Hawaii and lie on the beach all day sipping Mai Tai’s? Or would we go somewhere practical? Maybe even an international trip to discover a place unknown. There are a lot of hidden gems in this world that have yet to be seen by your eyes.
For many years I’ve come across how-tos, but how do you know what’s for you? Funny how that rhymes. Before deciding where to go and what to do, write down the answers to my questions above. My biggest advice: don’t go anywhere unorganized or unsafe.
If your travels end up international, make sure to check the State Department’s website and often times they’ll give you great advice. There’s also an option to register where you will be including where you’ll be staying for safety reasons. I highly recommend this for anyone traveling alone, as well as letting someone back home know where you’re going, where you’re staying, and when you’ll be back –- safety first.
If you are looking to go somewhere to meet people and make friends, then think about CouchSurfing.com. I remember when I first moved to Shanghai, China I had a few people who stayed with my roommates and me and we made some amazing friends from all over the world. Plus when you meet locals, they take you to local restaurants and bars, plus you will learn new words!
Step one: How much money do you want to spend? This is pretty important because you can’t just go off to the Four Seasons for a week and end up broke.
Step two: Plan, but don’t plan. What I mean is plan on checking out a few things you want to do while you’re away, but don’t plan every minute of your trip. This is a vacation after all and you don’t want your alarm to wake you up every morning and feel like you have to stick to a schedule.
Step three: Enjoy and have fun. This is the time to get away and relax. This is your adventure time, some time for you. After all there is a reason why you went on this trip, so make it worthwhile.
Step four: Take pictures and write about your trip. This is your history in the making, so document it! When my husband and I go on trips now, I send us postcards from every city, and sometimes a few at a time with the fun things we did that day, and I even save hotel room keys. It’s fun to look back at where you went and the people you met. Make your history!
There’s always time to travel, even for a weekend. Going with friends or not, traveling alone is a great way to meet people, make friends, learn something new and most importantly have fun on your own!
Bon Voyage!
♡find me at www.CandidlyYekta.com
