Life
Table for One: The Benefits of Traveling Solo
Are you faced with the choice of traveling alone or not traveling at all? Don’t worry, solo travel is not the end of the world. In fact, it might even be better than dealing with the constant bickering and compromise of traveling with a group. Here are some of the pros to traveling alone and the best cities for solo travel, according to a very biased and sarcastic travel writer.
1. Complete Freedom and Control
Who needs friends when you can have complete control over your travel itinerary? Want to sleep in until noon and watch an entire season of “Real Housewives” in one sitting? No problem. IT’S YOUR VACAY! Love museums? Spend all day in one. Hate museums? Skip them completely. When you’re traveling alone, you have complete freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want. No need to consult with anyone else or worry about their preferences. It’s just you, your thoughts, and maybe your Netflix queue.
Making compromises is a necessary part of everyday life, but when it comes to the expense and internal value of vacation, I think we should indulge our instincts to decrease or eliminate the desires of others, at least even for a short while.
2. Opportunity to Meet New People
Sure, traveling with a group is great if you want to stick to your own little bubble and avoid any interaction with locals or other travelers. But if you’re looking for an adventure and some new friends, solo travel is the way to go. You’re more open to talking to strangers and striking up conversations with people you meet along the way. Who knows, you might make friends with other solo travelers or locals who can give you insider tips on the best places to visit. Or you might just end up sitting alone at a bar, nursing your drink and wondering why you ever thought this was a good idea.
I have had the pleasure and honor of meeting some really interesting people on my travels, and I am glad I didn't have the comfort…
