Arroyo June 2018

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SOLO TRAVEL: PROS
AND CONS
PROS
Do your own thang. You don’t have to check in with anyone and ask if they want to go
to a certain art museum, take a walk somewhere or visit the restaurant you want to try.
Make new friends. You meet strangers and sometimes make new friends. I even fell in
love once after meeting someone on a cross-country flight.
A good night’s sleep. My mother is a fitful sleeper, which means the lights go on and
off all night if she wakes up and decides to read for a few hours. One of my best friends
snores.
No arguing or hurt feelings. Some travel pals don’t want to do the same things. You
can get into arguments. Backseat drivers are a drag. (I have been guilty of this.)
Room service. Sometimes to avoid dinner alone when traveling, I indulge in room
service and luxuriate in my room. I do enjoy being pampered with a tasty (and hopefully
hot) dinner, a glass of wine and something entertaining on TV.
Self-reflection and self-improvement. Time for books, music and reflecting on
what you’re experiencing. Learning about yourself and your self-sufficiency skills.
CONS
Two heads are better than one. Nice to explore travel options and/or get a second
opinion. Safety in numbers, too (especially for women traveling alone).
You did it your way. You lack a companion to share meals, experiences, memories and
expenses with.
Dinner alone. I am the first to admit that I am not a fan of dining alone. Breakfast is
not bad, lunch so-so, dinner an absolute bummer, as far as I am concerned.
You pay more. One of the disadvantages of solo group or ship travel is the single
supplement charge. (Some cruise lines have recently addressed this — see resources.)
Not sharing travel costs.
Getting lost. It’s easy to get lost by yourself. Better to get lost with someone else so you
can laugh (or fight) about it..
—LAW
Winslow, AZ
SOLO TRAVEL RESOURCES
Sometimes you just “vant to be alone.” Other times, you end up traveling alone and would
like the company of others.
Whether you choose a solo trek through Nepal, skiing or cruising with a group of
like-minded single travelers or book a trip to save elephants in Thailand or participate in
another philanthropic effort, these resources can pair you with fellow travelers who are on
their own.
Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Lines, (866) 234-7350, ncl.com
This company has received awards for introducing single-traveler staterooms. Guests meet
and mingle with other solo travelers in the private Studio Lounge. NCL began the trend
of designated single cabins at a discounted rate and no supplemental fee for solo travelers.
Hawaii, anyone?
Uniworld, (866) 883-3684, uniworld.com/en/
The solo traveler option on luxurious, all-inclusive river cruises includes open seating during
meals for mingling with fellow travelers. Single supplement fees for many of the most
popular itineraries have been discounted due to the popularity of single travel.
Riviera River Cruise, (888) 664-2218, rivierarivercruises.com
A passionate European river-cruise operator with trips specifically for solo travelers from
the Blue Danube to Burgundy, the Rhône and Provence.
Tour Groups
Encounter Travel, encountertravel.com.au
This Australia-based tour company’s slogan is: “Travel solo, not alone.” Encounter matches
single guests with likeminded travelers in their age group. Solos Only Tours span the
globe, from the Great Wall of China to the beautiful squares of Rome.
Explore! Worldwide, (800) 715-1746, exploreworldwide.com
Explore! unites ardent travelers the world over for adventure tours (e.g. cycling trips, polar
expeditions) that include Last Minute Solo Trips and Small Group Holidays for Solo
Travelers, with destinations from Africa to South America and beyond.
GuruWalk, guruwalk.com
Affordable “pay-what-you-like” strolls. Locate your city of interest on the website to find
a multitude of walking tours. Many tours (conducted in a variety of languages: English,
Spanish, German and many more) are geared to specific interests, like a “street art walk”
in Athens, Greece.
Ski Souls, (833) SKI-SOULS, skisouls.com
Weeklong luxury ski and snowboard trips from Canada to Colorado for solo travelers
include hotel accommodations, ski passes, mountain tours, group activities and skiing
or snowboarding at all ability levels. Travelers make new friends on the mountain and at
group lunches and dinners.
For Grown-Ups
CamelBak Pursuit Series, pursuit.theoutbound.com
CamelBak Pursuit offers all-inclusive outdoor adventure camps for adults in New York
and Northern California, where solo travelers can immerse themselves in trail-running,
climbing, yoga, meditation and more. Instead of camp counselors, expert guides and pro
athletes lead the charge. Also included are meals, nightly socials, open bars, firepits and
live music, plus all expert instruction.
For Younger Travelers
Under 30 Experiences, (888) 839-2086, under30experiences.com
The emphasis is on gathering young simpatico adults with a passion for global travel. Under
30 Experiences offers opportunities for travelers 21 to 35 to immerse themselves in rare
experiences from snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands to dancing the flamenco in Seville,
Spain, while engaging in philanthropic overseas projects.
Hostelworld, hostelworld.com
Hostels offer living rooms and kitchens for socializing with other travelers as well as staff
who can plan or suggest outings, which make hostels affordable places to meet other solo
travelers.
—LAW
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