Have you ever taken a solo vacation?
@RandomSamurai (13)
United States
May 17, 2010 10:19am CST
So I recently got back from one of the the best experiences of my life - a vacation all by myself! My friend went to San Diego in January and has decided to stay there. The problem? Her Jeep was still in Michigan, where she's from and where I still live. I just happened to be available and she offered to pay for my expenses if I would drive it to her. I took her up on the offer and am so glad that I did. This was one of the most liberating, life changing things I've ever done.
My question is have you ever taken a vacation by yourself? If so, what were the circumstances and did you love it? Would you do it again?
2 people like this
12 responses
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
17 May 10
I am an experienced traveler and I have done many trips on my own when I was younger. I traveled around Europe by train solo when I was 18 years old. I visited the stunning fjords in Norway and a blue lake in Hungary. I traveled to Tunisia on my own solo when I was 19 years old. I stayed for a week there with a sea view. My last trip on my own was to Romania and Bulgaria in 2006. Then I traveled with my son and now I travel with him and my daughter. So these days I go off traveling with my children. I might be able to travel alone again when my children are grown up. Possibly not because my toddler son is disabled.
@RandomSamurai (13)
• United States
17 May 10
Your trips sound like they were a lot of fun! I'm sure it was a good experience. One of my goals is definitely to do a solo trip to Europe, but it will probably have to be a few years in the future because of the cost. Anyway, thanks for your response :)
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
18 May 10
Hi maximax! Sounds like you had a lot of fun! It would be nice if you post pictures of the places you mentioned. I want take that trip too one of these days.
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
17 May 10
yes i have 
my best vacations are the ones where i go solo...when i was a budding photographer, i decided to take a trip to Seoul all by myself. i didn't know the language, and i didn't know much about Korea or Koreans other than the general stuff about the korean war. i was depending on my adventurous spirit to get me through, and boy was it an adventure indeed! 
it was a lovely trip and i wouldn't mind going there again. there is a budget airline that will be flying there soon, and i'm going to be one of the first to get my tickets
my best vacations are the ones where i go solo...when i was a budding photographer, i decided to take a trip to Seoul all by myself. i didn't know the language, and i didn't know much about Korea or Koreans other than the general stuff about the korean war. i was depending on my adventurous spirit to get me through, and boy was it an adventure indeed!
it was a lovely trip and i wouldn't mind going there again. there is a budget airline that will be flying there soon, and i'm going to be one of the first to get my tickets @mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
18 May 10
well, it's actually pretty cool. and it does wonders for building up your own confidence. you should give it a try, but maybe instead of going alone you can bring along a trusted friend..
some basic tips when travelling alone:
- always trust your instincts. if the little voice in your head thinks that something is dangerous & harmful to you, most probably it is.
- never ever ever walk alone in dark places where you are not familiar. that would be akin to 'looking for trouble'. stay in public places. go where the crowds go.
- if you're there for the first time, check out tourist spots. there's a reason why they're called tourist spots . you'd then be able to learn a bit about the new place that you're in. further boosting your confidence before going exploring..
- if staying in a hotel, it'll be wise to befriend some of the workers (concierge, doorman, bellboy, receptionist, etc..) they can give you tips on interesting places, and they can at least recognize you just in case of anything.. worst part of people travelling alone & getting lost is that if anything happens to them, nobody will know until its too late..
other than that, go out and have fun. you'll never know what new & interesting thing you may encounter on your adventure! 
. you'd then be able to learn a bit about the new place that you're in. further boosting your confidence before going exploring..
- if staying in a hotel, it'll be wise to befriend some of the workers (concierge, doorman, bellboy, receptionist, etc..) they can give you tips on interesting places, and they can at least recognize you just in case of anything.. worst part of people travelling alone & getting lost is that if anything happens to them, nobody will know until its too late..
other than that, go out and have fun. you'll never know what new & interesting thing you may encounter on your adventure! 
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
1 Jun 10
I have travelled on my own a couple of times. I went to Estonia, Hungary and Italy by myself, and I got the chance to visit a lot of different places. When I went to Hungary I actually wanted to go with some friends, but some of friends couldn't afford it and some of them didn't have time to travel, so I decided to go on my own instead. I don't regret that, but it was a little lonely sometimes. I prefer to travel with my husband or some friends, because I love to have company when I visit other countries. I think it is nice to be able to talk and to share the experiences.
@sophisticated_boy (1457)
• Indonesia
29 Jan 11
I travel alone several times. The first one trip to Paris, then to Edinburgh, Ho Chi Minh, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, and last time to Ho Chi Minh. Been a very great trip, it feels very adventureous if you travel by yourself. Yes, it must be weird because you will not able to speak to anyone you know but it is the time where you meet new people as well. As from my experience, I met with some amazing friends while traveling, even end up going together to the tourist spots. My recommendation is to stay in budget hostel, as usually it is easier to chat with people who are backpackers, instead people who are traveling lavishly.
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
22 Feb 11
Hiya RS,
Wish I could have done but getting Married seems to put a full stop to that idea for a while anyway.
However would not mind the chance for the two of us to be able to go on Holidays just on our own just for once.
It must be a great experience to be able to go on Holiday all by yourself and being able to do all the things that you wanted to get to do and see all those Places by yourself too.
Glad you enjoyed yourself. I am getting there to go on my own. Even if it´s only for a Day.
@doggydimon (1369)
• Philippines
29 Jan 11
I have tried it twice and I am willing to do it again. First, I went to a small island here named Marinduque. I was suppose to travel with 2 of my friends but due to some circumstance, they backed out. I said to myself, I will go no matter what. Good thing I did. I learned a lot and had a great time during that trip. That is why, I tried it again. I tried traveling by myself going to Kota Kinabalu. Given the chance, I would like to travel alone to Laos or Myanmar. hehehe...
@gracie04 (4549)
• Philippines
18 May 10
Yes, I have taken a solo vacation already. I was 19 when i did that. I went to Hongkong to visit my tita. she paid for all my expenses. it was memorable for me as it was my first time to travel outside the philippines all by myself. usually, i am with my mom, brother, sister, grandmother and aunt.. it was kind of hard to travel alone because you are responsible of yourself and your luggages. good thing, the other passengers helped me to get my luggage out of the conveyor. it was a relief when i saw my tita waiting for me at the hongkong international airport.
@ickleannie (56)
•
17 May 10
I would love to have the guts to go on a solo vacation. Unfortunately the whole idea of it actually terrifies me. Never say never though it may still happen one day xx
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
18 May 10
Yes, several times already. It's probably why I am still single to date, I enjoy my own company too much. :-)
The best vacations I took were the ones I took by myself. I was in Nepal alone, and I loved the freedom. I liked the spontaneity of it all, waking up and then planning your day or not at all. I like to do something different in my vacation and so I find it boring when my companions just want to do the touristy things. Of course it's nice to have company too, but once in a while, I take solo vacations for my sanity.
@evepin (721)
• Philippines
18 May 10
yup, i did a couple of times. its more like business out of country travel then i stay for a bit longer for vacation. i loved it when i went to Norway and just enjoyed exploring Oslo by myself. very liberating and fun.
cheers and happy myLotting!
