Community Chat

[Biftu]

i really need a get away but for various reasons no one is able to travel with me.  I have driven ten hours many times to visit friends but I stayed at their house and spent my time with them.  I also traveled quite a bit for work by car and plane, stayed at hotels and ate at restaurants alone, but that was work.  But I wonder if a short alone vacation would be enjoyable or just depressing -- poor me.  Have you traveled alone, and if so, what was your experience?

[abbeythe 8th]

We have a vacation home out of the country.  I spend far more time there than my husband does as he still works.  I've been alone for weeks at a time and love it.  We've made friends in the area that I see.  I go out for cappuccino and the market almost everyday so see a lot of people.

I love it.

[Jacie]

I have and it was blissful! It was years ago in the Bahamas, loved it so much I wanted to move there. Oh how things chamge!

[nycgrl]

I have not taken a vacation alone, but I plan to next year.  I am in the same boat as you.  However, I did up and move to another state on my own and have made a life for myself such as it is.  I never found the connections I had before I moved.  Unfortunately, that life is gone now and I must move forward.  I plan to go to a spa in Arizona and take a trip to Alaska next summer solo.  I also want to go on a safari and have no intention of letting the fact that I do not have a traveling companion stop me from doing what I want and having a good time.  I am my own best company.  I will meet people en route and also at my destinations.  One never knows what can happen or who you could meet.  The possibilities are endless - GO FOR IT!

[Zita]

I dont know if it counts as "alone," but I've gone on many trips as a singleton part of a tour. Been to Italy and Ireland twice and really enjoyed it. There is always down time when you can explore a city alone and eat where you want.

In Florence, I had a wonderful time wandering around the Duomo, buying fruit from a vendor, doing my laundry at a self-serve and ordering takeout from a deli to eat in my room -- alone! But then, even though I can be social, I am basically an introvert who needs time to myself. The beauty of a tour is they take care of travel times, luggage, etc.

[aggravated]

Have been to St. Maarten alone a couple of times and adored it!  We own a timeshare there.  The people that work there are extremely nice and I never really felt dismal.  Was able to wake up when I wanted, walk to the beach, etc.  Husband insists on a rental car and loves to spend time driving from one place to another.  It seems we are always supposed to be somewhere else at all times.  After 30+ years of this I absolutely hate it.  I don't want to spend all my time in a car going to a "better" place.  I'm still working, tired and just want to relax on vacations.  Also - the guy never wants to miss a meal (any meal).  The constant hunt for a place for breakfast, immediately starting to worry about where we are going to have lunch (or should we pack lunch) and then, of course, dinner -- this truly drives me crazy.

Also, Mexico, all-inclusive resorts - never had to go anywhere, alcohol and food included, beautiful beach.  There were, of course, places to go if you wanted, and the resort ran shuttle buses to a few places.  I enjoyed both trips. 

I love to read so just sitting and reading on the beach is truly fun for me.  It's nice to be able to go somewhere and truly just do what you want to do. 

[Tinkrbl44]

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@Biftu wrote:

i really need a get away but for various reasons no one is able to travel with me.  I have driven ten hours many times to visit friends but I stayed at their house and spent my time with them.  I also traveled quite a bit for work by car and plane, stayed at hotels and ate at restaurants alone, but that was work.  But I wonder if a short alone vacation would be enjoyable or just depressing -- poor me.  Have you traveled alone, and if so, what was your experience?

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I have always LOVED vacationing on my own, whether it's for a week or two or just a long weekend.  

IMO, Sometimes you just want to decompress and recharge the batteries without concerning yourself about anyone else.  

I heartily recommend it.

[sfnative]

I haven't, but have a good friend who takes major vacations twice a year and has been all over the world by herself.  She's always said she enjoys vacationing that way immensely.  (And brings back little boxes of sweets to her best friends.  She's always been so nice in that way.)

[abbeythe 8th]

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@Zita wrote:

I dont know if it counts as "alone," but I've gone on many trips as a singleton part of a tour. Been to Italy and Ireland twice and really enjoyed it. There is always down time when you can explore a city alone and eat where you want.

In Florence, I had a wonderful time wandering around the Duomo, buying fruit from a vendor, doing my laundry at a self-serve and ordering takeout from a deli to eat in my room -- alone! But then, even though I can be social, I am basically an introvert who needs time to myself. The beauty of a tour is they take care of travel times, luggage, etc.

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We are about 30 miles from Florence.  Often times when the weather is nice, I'll go there to people watch.

[ChynnaBlue]

Yes. It's all about your own attitude. If you think it's "poor me," then it will be. If you don't think that, it won't be.

I LOV E going places alone. If I go alone, I get to do whatever I want, whenever I want. There's no one to say, "I'd rather do this than that" or "I don't feel like that today." If I get tired or my feet hurt, I can take a nap or sit down somewhere and read a book and not let anyone else down because we're not out and about.

Of course I also enjoy doing things with others, but it's just easier when I go alone and I don't have to worry about how anyone else feels about the trip and the agenda. I share my pictures and adventures with my friends on social media and that way I still get the sharing part of the experience, even if they aren't there with me at the time.