Traveling by yourself?

United States
November 20, 2009 1:43pm CST
Would you ever take a vacation by yourself? Are there certain places you would go by yourself rather than others? I am 23, single and I love to go places but right now I have no one to do anything with. I got out of a relationship about a year ago and during that time he wouldn't allow me to have any friends. So now I live in this big city of Miami and I barely do anything. I love cruising and have been tempted to go by myself but I would feel weird. I couldn't imagine sitting at a table by myself and people looking at me wondering why I am alone. Maybe I am insecure but I want to do stuff with my friends and be able to look back on it as a great time.
1 person likes this
11 responses
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
21 Nov 09
In the past I did like to travel on my own. It gave me total flexibility of destination, my own comfortable budget and my choice of duration. I met some many other friendly travelers in backpacker hostels. I was able to chat to the local people as well. I never got lonely and sometimes joined up with another traveler for a few days. I met some lovely people in Australia. In New Zealand I did some long distance walking on my own ans solo camping. It was delightful fun. These days I travel with my young children.
21 Nov 09
I'd prefer to travel on my own but in the last few years I've taken my holidays abroad with my sister. She would never go on holiday abroad on her own and her husband does not like to fly so we go together. It does make the holiday more enjoyable, sharing the experience, but at the same time it can restrict what you can do as you have to take into consideration what they want to do.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
23 Nov 09
I am glad that you like traveling with your sister. When I was younger I did three trips with my sister. We went to France, Belgium and the USA. Now my sister doesn't go off traveling anymore. She is married and she has four children. I did like traveling with her because we had similar interests.
• United States
23 Nov 09
I understand about having your on flexibility of going where you want and budget but don't you ever want to experience going somewhere with someone? When you go to different places what kind of activities do you normally do?
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
20 Nov 09
I would love to travel alone! If only guilt won't hold me back. I have a family and I know for a fact that I couldn't just leave my family alone. My job takes me to different places. When I am in a new place, and I see something interesting, I end up wishing my kids were also seeing the things I am experiencing. BTW, how come you're alone? What happened to the thing that was almost starting a week or so ago? The one where after you woke up, you were unsure how to go about it.
• United States
20 Nov 09
I wish I had a family to go with. My dad this past summer went to Paris and Italy and did he invite me? NO! And now he is bragging about how next year he is going to Egypt. I just wish I had someone.. Well, the event that we had a week ago is just a friend. He is cool but he doesn't like to do too many things. Right now he is at a stage in his life where he is trying to rebuild it so he doesn't like spending money like that or planning if he doesn't have too..
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
20 Nov 09
Paris!!! And didn't invite you?! That's where I want to go. Although, a few friends of mine were telling me that there were a lot of dog p00 on the streets and how guys would take a piss everywhere. Still, I am not deterred. Let me see how much earning I got here in myLot. At this rate, I will be able to afford to buy tickets to Paris around July of 2020.
• United States
20 Nov 09
LOL @2020..I think it is easy to save for a vacation if you put your mind to it. But I understand how much harder it could be when you have a family because of emergencies that arise..But yeah I can't believe he didn't invite me and when I even offered to pay my own way he still didn't want me to come..We don't have a good relationship at all.
@jwfarrimond (4473)
20 Nov 09
Here's an idea. How about a singles cruise? I believe several companies do them, and everyone else will be in the same situation as you so no chance of feeling weird. It seems like the ideal solution since you like cruising.
20 Nov 09
Find one that only has people of your age group - I think that they do exist. There was a holiday company here in the UK called 18 - 30. I don't know if they are still in existance, but they specialised in singles holidays for that age group. You might find something similar.
• United States
20 Nov 09
I was thinking about that but then the insecureness came to play. I think my New Years resolution is to learn how to do more things by myself an be okay with it. I would want to try a single's cruise but I just keep thinking of older men (40's and 50's) trying to hit me..Why else would a 23 year old be on a singles cruise?
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
22 Nov 09
When I was younger I often went on vacation alone, and I didn't mind travelling by myself, because I simply loved to visit other countries and cultures. If my friends didn't have time to go with me or couldn't afford it and I chose to travel alone instead of missing out on a trip. Sometimes I felt a little lonely when I was surrounded by couples and friends, but it was so interesting to explore a new country that I forgot my loneliness, and I had a good time. Sometimes I met the local people and sometimes I chatted with other travellers. Today I don't like to travel alone. I prefer to travel with my husband and/or some friends. I don't miss the freedom that I had when I was travelling alone, and I have a really good time when I am travelling with others.
• United States
23 Nov 09
Everyone always tells me that if I go alone that I will end up meeting people but I am not the the type to go up to people and start a vacation. It would make me feel weird being in a place where everyone is with someone and I am there alone. I would't even want to talk to me..lol..Maybe it is all in my head
@lealuvy2j (1986)
• Philippines
22 Nov 09
It is always a dream of mine to travel alone to places like Paris, London or Greece but unfortunately I haven't got the chance and the money to fulfill that dream. I usually travel with my friends who love traveling as well because not only do I enjoy their company but because most of the time there are may discounts in group packages. It is pretty normal to be afraid of traveling alone but I think you should go for it and try not to mind the people who might wonder why you are alone and just enjoy the place you visited. Who knows, you might be able to learn a lot and meet new people.
• United States
23 Nov 09
I started traveling when I was young so I always wanted to stick with it. It just seems like since I was use to going with family and friends and now that I don't have any of that that I don't want to go. I want to be able to do as much as I can do before I have a family and have kids and things like that.
@yan_blue8 (1437)
• Philippines
21 Nov 09
I love to travel especially when I'm alone. I do it myself most of the time and I'm not sad about it. Its one way i can relax without thinking much of anyone. Try to explore Miami since i know there are lots of beaches around. You can do it. Just try it most of the time, for sure you will get use to it and not feel weird anymore! I wish you all the best. Enjoy life!
• United States
23 Nov 09
I actually live in Miami. It is nice sometimes but I do not like going alone. Maybe its a sense of insecurity but I don't know what it is. I always wanna go with someone. I can go to the mall by myself but me go on a vacation by myself I don't think I can do until I was older.
@111flylcx (267)
• China
21 Nov 09
Travel alone ,when I want to play arround the home or the school ,it is a good idea with many people .Too many people go travelling may make many drouble.Do you have the samde idea?
• United States
23 Nov 09
I wouldn't want to travel with a bunch of people but rather one or two people. Maybe it is because I am only 23 so I want to go places with friends and take pictures and enjoy it..
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
21 Nov 09
For me I don't like to have a vacation in myself alone I need the accompany so that my life don't have a boring situation.
• United States
23 Nov 09
That is how I feel. I want to be accompanied by someone so I can share the experience with them.
@today2009 (160)
• China
21 Nov 09
I love traveling,especially traveling alone.I fell so exciting ,fun.But I have no chance to go, I long in rural areas,without so much funding.I encourage you to travel, you can exercise itself.Cherish!
• United States
23 Nov 09
So I have a question, why do you prefer traveling alone rather than with someone?
@monkeylong (3139)
• Guangzhou, China
21 Nov 09
I like travelling very much ,too. If a long vacation arrives, I usually go to somewher to enjoy the travelling . Sometimes with one to companied by, I may go to travel by myself.Maybe just because I'm a man,there is none to worried about.So I still can enjoy my travellin to the fulest. Happy you can enjoy you travelling.
• United States
23 Nov 09
I think traveling is a must. Sometimes you just need to get away and see new things and experience new things as well. Sometimes you end up learning more about yourself when your in a different environment. I think if I was a man I would be able to go alone, but me being a woman I rather go with someone..
• China
21 Nov 09
oh! i am sorry to hear that,i want to take a vacation by myself. but i am too busy to have a trip. i have no time.oh my god!!
• United States
23 Nov 09
But why would you want to go by yourself. Do you feel more comfortable on your own or what? Sometimes I just want to say I am going alone but then I get scared..