Going Solo: Tips for Planning a Trip for One

According to the Los Angeles Times a quarter of Americans take at least one vacation a year by themselves. For some it is from lack of a companion and for others it is just a chance to get away for some peace, quiet and to do whatever they want.

Planning a solo vacation could be depressing, but it could also be a lot of fun – the choice is mostly up to you. Here are a few tips for making traveling alone a great time.

Whether you are recovering from a break-up or just enjoying the single life, there are a lot of fun things out there to do. One of the best benefits of vacationing solo is to go on your own schedule. You don’t have to worry when your traveling buddy wakes up or wants to go to sleep or argue about what to do while you are vacationing.

My husband and I usually manage to take about a week of vacation every year. We make pretty good travel companions, but I think he would agree that it is because we can compromise rather than because we want to do all of the same things. I like to sit in the sun and read a book and he loves to be on the go at all times.

When I travel solo I really try to enjoy the benefits. So tip number one is know all of the pros of vacationing alone, so that you can enjoy them during your trip rather than focusing on being alone. Such as, you get to sleep as much or as little as you want, you get to decide when and where to eat and if you want to make an unscheduled side trip you don’t even have to discuss it, you can just go!

Tip two, make some plans. Don’t just fly off to wherever with nothing planned. I think having a few things on the schedule can give you some positive anticipation and ensure that you don’t hole up in your hotel room for the entire time you are traveling. If you happen to be going to a resort, check online or give the resort a call to find out what activities they have available and when. They usually cost a little money so it is good to budget that in when you are planning, and it is good to reserve a spot ahead of time because these activities can fill up.

If you aren’t staying at a resort, do some online research of the area and find some attractions or events for while you are staying there. Find some places you can socialize, you really won’t want to be entirely alone your whole trip. Some activities to consider: Look up stage plays, going to the theater can be fun and you can make friends during intermission. Look for local concerts or maybe a comedy club if that’s your thing.

Tip three is be bold if you want to make some friends. When traveling solo, you don’t necessarily want to be alone. When you travel solo it’s up to you if you want to socialize or not, but I recommend it. Starting a conversation can be intimidating, but you can meet some very interesting people and have some more great times.

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