| Traveling as a Single Person-Do It! | | | | raincoat, and a sweater and jacket for layering. I |
| Take a dose of preparation, a dose of | | | | pack small sample cosmetics andtoiletries and |
| confidence, a dose of excitement and a dose of | | | | never forget my camera and a small case with a |
| greatattitude, and go on that trip you have been | | | | neck strap which I use as ahandbag too. |
| dying to experience BY YOURSELF! | | | | I always take books to read, a notebook in which |
| You can wait for that special someone, but that | | | | to write down my experiences, water to drinkand |
| person may never come along for this | | | | some snacks. I need my laptop, and you may |
| specialevent or maybe your partner cannot get | | | | need other items: music, handheld |
| away or is not interested in this vacation. Time | | | | games,magazine, crossword puzzles, whatever. |
| flies byquickly as we all know and by waiting, you | | | | Take what you need: things to amuse yourself |
| are putting your life on hold. It could be much | | | | andmake you happy. You may be stranded |
| moreromantic with another person, but who | | | | somewhere. Make the best of it by having |
| knows what can happen? You are great company | | | | materials toentertain you. |
| alone,and you are opening a whole new world of | | | | Check in early if flying, leave early if driving. Know |
| possibilities. You may meet some wonderful | | | | flight details, have your map researched andhandy |
| newfriends. Best of all, you will achieve the | | | | for problems. Have two credit cards. One may |
| empowerment of doing something on your own. | | | | give you problems. Carry some cash, and |
| Thiscan be a big accomplishment! Also, you may | | | | I carry a debit card where I can access funds |
| want to experience something a partner would | | | | wherever I go. If you choose travelers' checks, |
| notenjoy. I say try it! You have so much to gain | | | | beaware that they are very safe, but at times it |
| from the experience. I feel the memories and | | | | is inconvenient to cash them. Have change for |
| theconfidence are unbeatable. Pick the trip alone | | | | tipsor treats on the road or in the airport. |
| wisely for you, and be prepared by knowing | | | | So you have planned your trip totally, you are |
| allyou can about your adventure. | | | | packed, and it is time to leave. Here is the time |
| I was a travel wimp. Yes, a wimp. I could hardly | | | | forthe great attitude. You may be tempted to |
| drive my car across town. I was weak | | | | forget the whole trip, but don't. You may feel |
| anddependent as a person in my twenties. Oh, | | | | worried,scared, and uneasy. Feel the feelings, then |
| what I missed, but I just didn't have the | | | | plow through them. Look the part of a |
| confidence toseek the adventure of going it alone. | | | | confidenttraveler, and you will be the confident |
| After divorcing in my thirties, I committed myself | | | | traveler. The best advice I received when I |
| to renting a cottage with friends on the | | | | planned my firstlong flight to Hawaii is "There are |
| outerbanks of North Carolina. I planned on driving | | | | many things which can go wrong, and somehow |
| my two children out to meet the other family | | | | you need tolive with whatever happens. Be ready |
| andstay for a week. I had a new mini van, and I | | | | to experience some bumps in the road, and do |
| thought it all sounded like fun until I realized I had | | | | not letthese bumps spoil your trip." This is such |
| todrive with an eight year old and a ten year | | | | great advice, and I live by it. Flight delays, traffic |
| old-just the three of us. I hated to drive. I was | | | | jams,lost luggage, and rain do not get me down. |
| scared. | | | | My attitude is such that I can work through |
| I forced myself to go, since I had already paid for | | | | thesethings. They are minor in the scheme of |
| my portion of the cottage and couldn't let | | | | things. |
| myfriends and children down. I was committed, so | | | | It is time to enjoy every minute of this trip. |
| the three of us headed out. Wouldn't you knowit? | | | | Remember, you may have some lonely times |
| My new vehicle broke down twice!! My daughter | | | | becausewe as humans like a little company and |
| became ill. The temperature was in the | | | | our society points to coupling as being the way to |
| highnineties. Somehow we made it to the Outer | | | | go. |
| Banks. I was frightened driving through | | | | Fight it, enjoy yourself. ( Again, a tour is an easy |
| Washington D.C. at high traffic time. I panicked at | | | | starter for the single traveler.) Meal times may |
| the thought of finding my way alone with | | | | behard for you, but face this head on. If you are |
| twochildren in my charge. I was lost a few times, | | | | on a trip where there is no one to eat with you, |
| the trip was much longer than I had planned, but | | | | takea book or magazine to fill in the vacant times. |
| Imade it happen. That mini-van pulled us through, | | | | Do not sit there watching couples and |
| and my children sensing none of my worries,were | | | | envyingthem. They may have their own issues. |
| troopers. I was determined, and we had a | | | | Read your book, watch the overhead TV, write |
| memory maker. All in all, the trip gave | | | | in yourjournal. Make yourself comfortable. This |
| meconfidence, and we had a great time. This was | | | | may not be easy for you, but I guarantee |
| my growing up time, and now as the children | | | | growth for you. |
| areon their own, so am I. | | | | Go ahead, reach out and be open with others if |
| I "hit the road" often, especially since I have | | | | you are comfortable. Open yourself to |
| recently retired. My son lives in Washington | | | | newopportunities. Talk to some new people. Learn |
| state,so I frequently go there alone. | | | | from them, listen to them. Share yourexperience. |
| The main thing I realized in traveling alone is being | | | | I traveled abroad for the first time two years |
| prepared. Like a good boy scout, knowwhere you | | | | ago. My significant other was to go with me, but |
| are going and how you will get there. Line up a | | | | hefelt two weeks away from his business was |
| great travel agent, look in the localnewspapers for | | | | too much time. A few friends wanted to go, but |
| local traveling groups or hit the internet which | | | | nonecould work out the details, and frankly, not |
| offers any place you want to visit. | | | | everyone was compatible with me for two |
| Line up your singles cruise, ( I just found tons of | | | | weeks. Ibooked a great tour of Italy and France |
| single trips on Goggle) go biking in France, gofly | | | | through a travel agent. She suggested I pay a |
| fishing in Montana, rafting in West Virginia, to a | | | | little moredue to higher quality of buses and |
| spa in Arizona or to a motel at the other side | | | | hotels, and I felt it was worth it. I felt safe and |
| ofyour state. Plan it well for yourself. Figure it all | | | | secure. I alsohad to pay more for single |
| out. Do you need a passport? What do | | | | accommodations. I was nervous but excited, and |
| thebrochures tell you? Have you researched all of | | | | it was the best tripof my life! For the first few |
| the information? What do other people sayabout | | | | days, the people on the trip took pictures of me |
| the place? Talking to friends, travel agents and | | | | alone, and I felt a littlesad heading to a room |
| online blogs will get you all of your details. | | | | alone. By day three, I was making new friends |
| Think about you in the place. | | | | with everyone. I was notlimited to just my |
| How much will everything cost? (It always costs | | | | traveling partner. I "hung out" with everyone. |
| more than we think with tips, taxis, fees andfood) | | | | When I wanted quiet time, I hadthat too. On a |
| Look at maps, line up your hotels or camping | | | | tour, there was always an option and always |
| sites. I always feel the best bet for a singleperson | | | | people to eat with and laugh with. Idid the extra |
| is a tour with people. You are guaranteed time | | | | tours and really enjoyed myself. I always listened |
| with people, so you will have someone todine with | | | | to the directions of the day,because there was |
| and places all set for you. In a tour, you do not | | | | no one in my room to back me up. I was always |
| wait in long lines and your day isplanned for you. | | | | so tired, I never had time forloneliness or sadness |
| This is all a great start for being on your own. | | | | in my room. I wanted the peace and quiet. I |
| You will plan the trip, execute thetrip, but have | | | | ended up with a busload ofnew friends from all |
| people in the wings right by you waiting to make | | | | over the world. What a fulfilling reward. |
| new friends and do the samewonderful things you | | | | I hope you too have fulfilling rewards as you |
| are. Single accommodations are more expensive, | | | | travel. Please take lots of pictures, write about |
| but you can enjoy aroom alone at night. If you | | | | yourdaily events, buy little souvenirs unique to |
| are not the "tour" person, be even more | | | | where you visit. You will have this trip forever in |
| prepared for growth and fun. | | | | yoursoul, and you will feel empowered in that you |
| I like to look my best when I travel, because | | | | can go anywhere and do anything! |
| then I feel my best. I really plan my packing | | | | For business and travel musts visit my website at |
| forefficiency, weather, and needs of the trip. I | | | | [ You will findlovely luggage, handbags, travel bags, |
| start early and write down what I will take. I | | | | garment bags and laptop cases. Look the part of |
| thinkhard about where I will be and what can be | | | | thesavvy traveler and have even more fun. ( I |
| coordinated. I figure I can buy what I forget most | | | | love carrying my green laptop shoulder bag with |
| ofthe time, but usually it is preferable to just have | | | | travelaccessories inside. ) My bags have lots of |
| it. I tend to travel with too many clothes, so I | | | | organizational pockets and some even |
| workon paring down. I always have a really | | | | havedetachable travel accessories. Great colors |
| comfortable pair of walking shoes that are clean | | | | and design make the travel bags even |
| andattractive, clothes that mix and match and are | | | | moreappealing. |
| wrinkle resistant and a collapsible umbrella,fold-up | | | | Enjoy your travels! |