I prefer to travel solo. I can stay up as late as I want, sleep in, eat or forget to eat, go here or there and take pictures for hours on end without annoying anyone. Friendly strangers or bartenders usually end my daily solitude, and these random interactions save me from ever feeling lonely.
However, I was never more acutely aware of being single than when I visited Bruges, Belgium. I mean, even the swans were paired up for God’s sake! I should have known – the canals, the romantic boat rides under wispy willows, horse and carriage rides through cobblestone streets that lead to a veritable wonderland of chocolatiers and cozy tea shops. Bruges is meant for couples, and for the first time since I started traveling alone internationally I actually felt… lonely.
I may have gotten over it, but my head wasn’t on straight in April. Here’s what I learned and let this be a lesson for all of you – DO NOT under any circumstances go on a solo vacation when you’re trying to get over someone. DO NOT. If you absolutely must run away, go with a friend. Or, go somewhere without internet or cell phone signal. Climb a mountain or traverse a small strip of the Sahara. Do something that requires so much physical exertion that you don’t have time to notice how everyone in the world is paired up except for you. Otherwise, you may end up doing what I did – texting the person you’re trying to forget because you’re lonely and running up a $350 phone bill. Ouch.
My heart has recovered and other solo adventures await, but I’ve been rethinking the ideal travel situation. If I could have it my way, I’d have a travel companion (someone I know, not some yahoo off a website) who is with me for breakfast and dinner. We’d both, happily, do our own thing during the day and then reconnect in the evening to talk about it over drinks. Does the ideal situation exit? I have no idea. Perhaps I am asking for too much.
What works for you?
Jolene's Life in Focus 
I love to travel solo, and I enjoy taking someone occasionally. It’s fun to have someone to share the experiences with, but I am also happy to take it all in and just let it bang around in my own head. I have found that I often find another solo traveler who would like to share a cab or a dinner. I did S. Africa alone for 2 weeks and it was an amazing adventure! As I get older, I do like sharing it all a bit more… I think maybe what y’all have said previously– it depends on having the right person, is the answer. 😉
I was actually thinking about doing South Africa next year! Well, honestly I’ve been thinking about it for many years, but really want to try and make it happen this time.
It was fantastic!
I used to love traveling alone. But now I prefer traveling with Rob. I went to Cambodia without him a few years ago and realized that I don’t like being on my own anymore; I want him to be having the same experiences with me. We are capable of splitting up and doing our own thing, but usually wind up spending the whole day together.
Maybe we all change and get used to different situations (and maybe I just haven’t met the right person). I think if I were traveling to Asia or parts of Africa, I’d definitely want a travel companion.
I see the pro’s and cons of both options :). I am happy alone, cause it gives for some ‘efficient’ traveling, where I end up seeing many more places than I would ever see in company. But this solo-traveling is much more ‘working’ in my case. It only slows down to a real ‘vacation’ when I take my girlfriend with me, which is a huge plus of traveling-with-two.
Sounds like you have the best of both worlds! 🙂
Lately I prefer two to travel. But I have done great trips alone. It depends on mood, age, and so many things. But I think one should try both, a good mix should be appropriate
Thank you for sharing, Roberto. I think you’re right – it depends on so many things.