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How To: Travel Alone

There's Still Time For An End Of Summer Solo Trip

August 19, 2012

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The shock of the new

The impact of an entirely new culture will be underscored while you are on your own. It is strongly encouraged that you connect with this culture and the people who promote it. Be talkative or, if language remains a barrier, at least animated and sociable with locals.

Often, these social aspects of your trip can prove to be the biggest and most pleasant shock to your system. If someone invites you to their home, accept. Hotels look pretty much the same everywhere on earth, but living rooms don't.

Do your own thing

There are no "right" situations in which to go against the grain, nor are they set in stone. Instead of finding a sit-down restaurant to eat at, pick up fresh produce from a market and relax in a park. Traveling alone is all about following your instincts, and you will see that new aspects of life will suddenly become evident — you will surely go back home with a refreshed outlook on your existence. If you are not proactive, however, this may not hold true. There is no one to push you to visit that one last attraction, thus, you must motivate yourself.

The best advice you can take with you has more to do with you than what to bring or where to stay. If you land with negative thoughts about how your stay will turn out, chances are you will not have a good time. The only way to optimize your enjoyment is by living in the moment and making the most of everything — corny but true. Leaving all of your stress at home is important in order to truly appreciate the things you will be seeing. This, along with a carefree yet aggressive attitude, will make for one of the most memorable times of your life.

When you're home and looking back on your trip, you'll probably find that traveling alone was more fun — and less annoying — than traveling with a buddy. Just think about it: You did whatever you wanted, went anywhere at any time... and you didn't have to answer to anybody. Now that's our idea of a vacation.