Sometimes, when it comes to life, love, friendship and everything in between, you just want to pack up and go somewhere for peace and quiet, alone! If you like the idea of sitting in a cafe, sipping on a nice cup of java and watching the world go by or finally getting into that book you’ve wanted to read for so long, there’s nothing wrong with spending time by yourself.
Indeed, doing something alone can be incredibly liberating. Have you ever thought about taking a holiday by yourself? There are many reasons to try it for once in your life! From the fact that you don’t need to go by anyone else’s timetable, to the fact that you can just decide to do nothing if you really felt like it. Let’s debunk the myths about going it alone.
What Are The Benefits To Traveling Alone?
From the moment you decide to set the wheels in motion, going solo is a freeing experience. You do not need to keep anyone else happy, and you can decide to go somewhere on a whim, or if you wish to sleep in late, then you have nobody bothering you about being awake to see the sun rise, or get to the breakfast bar before it closes.
In fact, aiming to get there for lunch is a more realistic proposition! When you are on your own, you really can recharge the batteries. There is a lot of talk about “decision fatigue” in this day and age, and it is where all the small choices we make during the course of our day can tire us out. Well, with being able to make decisions on a whim without the need of planning ahead takes a lot less of a toll on you.
Being on holiday with nobody else means you only need to cater for your own needs. Should an unexpected opportunity arise, you can jump on it! It is your holiday, and yours alone, and it is surprising how many people don’t view it that way.
Another benefit to going anywhere by yourself is that, as soon as you properly relax into the swing of things, being alone is a great way to meet new and interesting people and to strike up a conversation with a stranger.
Being somewhere by yourself makes you more approachable, and you may even get offers to socialize with other groups, making new friends in the process. It depends on the type of accommodation that you stay in.
If you stay in hostels with rooms full of people, you may yearn to be by yourself and it can feel somewhat tense, but if you are staying in a hotel then you have a room to yourself, you can casually stroll down to the bar if you feel the need to socialize. Being by yourself isn’t the stigma that it once was.
The opportunities that present itself when being in another culture are plenty. Having the chance to immerse yourself in another country’s ways, manners and language are a lot more achievable if you aren’t with a family of five that “clearly aren’t from around here.”
The opportunity to be more conspicuous and to really take a breath while waiting for your Tarka dhal or orecchiette is more likely than when you are trying to pin down what people actually want to eat that isn’t pizza or fries.
If you travel with someone, you are more likely to stick to what you know and stay in your comfort zone, which can result in a very diluted experience. So you may feel a lot more tempted to dive in head first into the language and culture, which will make for a richer and satisfying holiday.
Traveling by yourself, on a human level, is incredibly eye-opening. With the way the world is going now, we are all becoming a lot warier of anyone that isn’t us! While traveling by yourself can cause initial teething problems, it is worth noting that these types of problems aren’t just for the solo traveler!
An inevitable fact about going anywhere by yourself is that you may need to ask for directions, or where the nearest toilet is, and you may be surprised how friendly and helpful people are. It is a given when you travel anywhere by yourself, that you may take a wrong turn, or board the wrong train. There is no point in panicking about it, just take a breath and ask for some help. You might find yourself with a bit more faith in humanity by the end of your travels!
What Options Are Available?
If you have decided to take the plunge, you must wonder what options are there for the standard traveler? As most restaurants and hotels tend to cater for groups, and as hotels charge a single premium, which is costly if you are just paying for yourself, is the solo backpacking option the only one available to you?
It isn’t, and there are plenty of options to suit your mood. There are plenty of firms that provide packages for solo travelers, which give you the option to go on Holiday Alone and places to suit your temprament, but if you are looking to plan your own holiday and are stuck for ideas, here are some suggestions that won’t go far wrong.
Are You Looking To Be Tranquil In Your Travels?
A lot of people are looking for a holiday that not only broadens the mind, but relaxes it, and there are plenty of yoga, meditation and fitness holidays, such as Shanti-Som, located in the hills above Malaga, and Anada in the Himalayan mountains which offer an Ayurvedic treatment plan and yoga.
Feeling The Single Vibe?
As there are many people that look at the singles holiday package as welcoming as mustard gas, there are sociable weeks catered towards single people, usually between 40 and 60 years old, at small family run hotels in Turkey or Greece. These packages tend to offer boat trips, sightseeing and evening meals with wine.
Go Cruising
There are affordable cabins for single travelers on cruise ships. And with packages that are catered for the single person, there is an option for everyone to see a certain part of the world in style.
Summer In The City
Having a city break is a great way to keep up the pace while being able to find your feet as a solo traveler. There are firms that offer 5 night stays at hotels in big European cities like Prague, but these are aimed at the over-50’s and divorced or widowed, so bear that in mind.
Go Exploring
There are plenty of packages for people that are looking to go on holiday for the purposes of exploring, with firms offering destinations as varied as New Zealand, Mexico, Norway or Guatemala. So if you are looking for an active holiday, give these a go.
Happiness Without The Hippy-ness
If you are looking for a tranquil break that doesn’t involve meditation and green tea, and you want a comfy bed at the end of the day, there are many walking holiday packages, where you are escorted around a beautiful landscape and also have a meal and wine waiting for you at the end.
A Spin Cycle
Big business for holiday packages are the cycling holidays. A great way to see the landscape while also getting some exercise, there are packages for beginners and expert bike-riders and cater for on and off-road adventures in countries like Austria or England.