Musings on Solo Travel for the Woman who is beyond being a "millennial".

 

            Are you the type of person who enjoys sharing a compartment on a cruise ship, sharing a tent on a camping trek, or relishes the idea of having a cabin mate on a flight? Do you need someone to set the alarm and mastermind the agenda for your trip? Then you and I would not travel well together.

My travel experiences, whether of friendship or romantic nature, have proven, if one is able to travel harmoniously with someone for more than a weekend, [spa resort excluded], the chances of traveling well with this person in a long-term relationship is upgraded to success.

            My voyages have predominantly been on my own; first in the mind, and then destiny drove my interests to either contented to be alone, or with someone who happened to be headed in the same direction. That’s what’s called, “good-timing”.

If you delve into the pivotal moments in your life, perhaps when you’ve fearlessly challenged complacency, the nucleus of the idea to change your life is first borne in your head. For me, what follows has characteristically visualized being there, researching endless websites on this locale, studying the new culture and language, ordering cookery books to indulge in a new cuisine to pick-up the flavor for a place, and most of all, determined to make this happen. Serendipitously, events, places, and people come into your sphere of destinations yet unknown to reassure you are on the right path at this very juncture in your life.

            Some people would claim I am courageous to travel alone - to wherever!  My preference of being Oh! Not-so-solo mio allows me the freedom of movement for my photography, as well as to have the entire bed for a peaceful night’s sleep. Of course, as any hopeful romantic woman would, sharing a cabin pod with the perfect mate would never be overlooked. In my case, I’ve been without the joy and warmth of a loving relationship for long enough to have become accustomed to taking on all roles of putting a travel plan together and executing it—and it’s fine—for now! Because, travel with the wrong partner can ruin even the briefest journey.

            There are a number of websites, travel tips, and support for women traveling on their own one can refer to [and I have shared a list with you with this blog]. When you are “ONE”, a world of others opens up to you much more than if you were protected by being “TWO”, and more women need to feed on this nourishment and encouragement as they take the plunge to go it alone. Think of the many positives. I see them blossoming in your head:  I can go anywhere I want at any time; I can eat whatever and wherever, whenever I want. I can skip breakfast and have one meal a day. I can see the galleries and museums without feeling rushed. I can make missteps, get lost, and have no one reminding me of how map-challenged I am. I can shop till I drop with no one waiting for me outside, and I can flirt with all the men I find more attractive than what I have seen in years in my own home town!

            So—get up, go to your world map, pick a heartfelt destination, and MOVE in every way to get there—with of course, all my help along the way!