People always ask me, “Why do you travel alone?” This question usually comes from women. Men, on the other hand, are fascinated by my independent spirit and envy my ability to just escape.
Women have a pack mentality. They need girlfriends to hold their hand, go to the bathroom, validate their existence. Men are leaders, the pack follows them. Now, when two leaders face off, sparks fly and that’s where it gets very interesting. So, ladies, listen up because I am about to share the top 5 reasons to leave your BFFs at home….why you should travel alone and fly solo:
1. Shoes, Silk & Stuff – Girls need a lot of stuff. I don’t know why but it seems to be in the DNA of many, many women, especially the women who don’t travel frequently. The more friends you travel with, the more shoes, silk and stuff you must lug along for the ride. Yes, even if it’s not your stuff, you wind up lugging it. Even when it’s not your stuff, you wind up waiting in long lines for it to be hauled or examined. Time wasted on lines is time not spent on travel. I pack a carry-on bag so that I can live out of it should it be necessary. Leave the stuff at home………all of it!
Indulge yourself with solo travel like Massage Maui at the Sugar Beach Resort in Hawaii.....use code "AMORE" and save even more
2. Drama – There is enough drama in my own life to spend any time dealing with someone else’s drama. If I’m on vacation, I don’t want to deal with anyone’s issues or relationship questions. Therapists earn a lot of money for a reason and I am spending a lot of money to escape into a travel adventure. Don’t waste time being the sounding board for anyone while you are trying to enjoy yourself. Live in the moment and leave the drama at home. It’ll certainly be there when you return.
3. Technology – Too many women like to yack and while men are stereotyped as being techno-freaks, I find it’s my BFFs who can’t step away from their computers and “smart phones.” (BTW – what’s so smart about a phone that lets people invade your space across the globe? Really?) I find it so annoying when my BFFs can’t get through dinner, or a day of shopping, or even go to a concert, without checking their text messages every two seconds. It’s annoying and rude. If someone doesn’t want to be in your company for longer than two seconds without checking to see if the rest of the world offers something more interesting, then just imagine being with them in a foreign country 24/7. Focus on yourself and you may be surprised at how fascinating you really are.
Solo adventure on the high seas of a Disney lagoon! Not 1 but 3 sailors to my rescue!
4. Expense – Sadly, the travel industry feels compelled to penalize solo travelers by tacking on the so-called “single supplement” to travel packages and airfares. Yes, it’s unfair but the cost of those supplements is generally under $500. That is a small price to pay when you think about splitting the check every night with someone who drinks more alcohol than Jack Daniels can distill in a year. Spend the money on yourself – you are worth every dime!
Indulge yourself at Amalfi Blu
5. Men – This aspect of travel should be an article in itself but it can also be the highlight of any journey if viewed from the right vantage point. Many of my single friends wonder why they can’t meet a nice guy. The reason is clear; it’s because they only go out in a pack. They travel with no less than 5 or 6 other women and they dine in bunches. Men are fearful of women as it is; most are not strong enough to spy you across a crowded room and enter the lair of estrogen to possibly be rejected. Men will come up to you if you are alone, nice guys – trust me on this one. Sure there are leches out there but tune your radar and steer clear of them. If you want to meet a nice guy, whether on the road or in your backyard, it will be a lot easier if you are alone.
I don’t pretend to be an expert on solo travel…………………but it has been my M-O for a reason for more than twenty years of traveling. I have seen the world and have tales to tell. I have enjoyed every single trip and met incredible people, including men, along the way. So, girls, go forth, fly solo and leave the BFFs at home – they’ll be waiting to hear all of your stories soon enough!
As Gray said there’s a place for girly getaways and I confess to enjoying a weekend away with a girlfriend to share it with.
“Men will come up to you if you are alone, nice guys – trust me on this one.” hmmm I think I give off keep-away vibes then, as apart from on buses it’s not my experience.
However, I do agree it is rude to constantly check texts & emails when with someone else.
travelingsuep´s latest blog: ..The Tempest
Oh lordie, I think I need to write a post about flirting skills on the road……or in everyday life. I have received so many comments on this article. Some who didn’t post them online. I will get to drafting that one soon but in the meantime, I suggest each of you visit my friend Steve’s site “Bad Boys Finish First.” Sometimes he’s full of hot air but he pulls no punches and gives good advice on flirting.
Traveling alone is definitely ideal for all the reasons you mentioned. Absorbing yourself in a book on the air plane, wandering in and out of places without the conflicting agendas. Ideally, I just fly along and meet up with girlfriends for a day or two if it works out – but stick to my own agenda. How many times in life are we afforded that opportunity? Great post! Thank you!
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Good article.There’s a place for girlfriend getaways, where you bond with your BFFs, but I think women should leave their BFFs behind if they really want to focus on the travel destination and themselves. Totally agree with this: “I find it so annoying when my BFFs can’t get through dinner, or a day of shopping, or even go to a concert, without checking their text messages every two seconds.” This, however, I only wish were true: “Men will come up to you if you are alone, nice guys – trust me on this one.” Maybe they come up to you when you’re alone, but they don’t come up to me.
Gray´s latest blog: ..Travel Takeaways from Montreal
Gray -thanks for stopping by. Just a bit of advice on the guy thing………….1/ you can go up to the men first (they don’t bite) and/or 2/ stop analyzing solo travel and just fly by the seat of your flirt, so to speak! Get Your Flirt On!
These are some great tips. I for one support solo travel. It can sometimes be a much more rewarding experience because you are forced to step outside of your comfort levels and meet new people and figure things out. As long as safety precautions are taken into consideration, it is important for every one to do at least one solo trip.