I have wanted to
travel and explore from my earliest memories, and no matter what, I was going
to do it. The idea of not traveling
because I would be on my own never crossed my mind, and thus, my life as a solo
traveler began.
I have never looked
back.
I am the very best version of myself when I’m traveling, especially solo. In my experience, solo travel is the very best way to really learn about myself. How I tick. How (and why) I respond in certain situations. How to get out of my comfort zone and rely on the kindness of strangers. It builds confidence in ways that can’t be imagined.
I encourage everyone
to try it at least once – you might hate it, but you might surprise yourself
too. It can be daunting and maybe a
little overwhelming, but if you’re even a little bit curious, I have a few tips
to help you get started:
1. Talk
to a travel agent. A good travel
agent will recommend what’s best for you and your travel wants & wishes. They have the knowledge, experience, a
network of other agents, and a host of suppliers to get you where you want to
go.
2. Consider
group travel. I have had so many
incredible experiences with group travel and recommend it to anyone. There are several different tour companies that
specialize in a variety of group options, so finding one tailored to you will remove
a lot of the unknowns. They make it easy
for anyone – especially women – to travel solo.
3. Research
your destination. We all have a
‘must-see’ list of places we want to visit, and knowing a little bit about them,
and how they tick, will make your trip more memorable. The Canadian Government has a travel website
that is packed with a wealth of information, tips, and links to help everyone
travel safer. The following link is for
female travelers, but it applies to everyone:
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/advice-for-women-travellers
4. Be
prepared to get out of your comfort zone.
In all of my years of traveling, my one big take-away is that we’re
generally all the same, no matter our background. We all want a roof over our heads, food on
our tables, and to enjoy the company of others.
Traveling solo forces you to put your fears and misconceptions aside and
immerse yourself in a new and foreign culture.
This is a very, very good thing.
This article by @Travel+Leisure focuses (www.travelandleisure.com) on senior
solo travel, but the information is applicable to all travelers, even
experienced ones. There are some great
tips and good reminders here.
Inspired to give
solo travel a try? This blog post by Kiersten Rich from The Blonde
Abroad (www.theblondeabroad.com)
will give you a list of the top places for solo travelers to visit. I’ve been to a few of them and fully agree
with her.
I’ve always
maintained that travelling is the best education you can buy for yourself. Don’t let the lack of a travel partner stop
you. The world awaits!
Alison Ebbs
The Travel Agent Next Door
BC and ON (TICO) Registered
I'm a firm believer
that traveling offers the best education possible. I'm a travel consultant who
has explored many parts of the globe and I thrive on helping my clients get the
most out of their travel experiences.
aebbs@ttand.com