- San Sebastian, northern Spain
There are so many types of travel that you can choose to do and for so many reasons.Most people choose a type of organized travel with family, partners, spouses, friends and I have also enjoyed this type of travel as well over the years. However, I have evolved over the last ten years into the joy ( and art ) of solo travel and this has become my preferred way of traveling !
As a close friend told me " Sabrina, you were born with wings under your arms " I love this compliment and I definitely have the " wanderlust " and what I also like to call the " wonderlust " mixed in with it.
When I travel solo it can range from weekend trips alone, to periods of one and two weeks in various European cities and countries. My lengthiest period of solo travel was for six weeks when I rented a small, traditional house on a Greek island. This experience will be one of my upcoming posts. I consider Greece to be my " soul country " and I have been so fortunate to travel to Greece over forty times in my lifetime and have spent time on twenty four islands.
- the Acropolis, Athens, Greece
Over the past thirty years from a Canadian young woman backpacking around the Greek islands, to traveling to Europe for fifteen years in the summers, to living and working in London, England for one year and now in Germany over the past eleven years I have embraced the ex pat lifestyle...and you may guess what profession I am in ( which is one I love ! ) that affords me this type of time.
If you are reading this post you are most likely a solo traveler yourself, and/or wondering if it is right for you and longing to try it and may be a bit fearful about the experience. I would recommend trying a solo trip, even close to your home, for a weekend at first.
I find when I speak to people about solo travel it is usually not the actual travel itself that is causing the fear but rather the fear of being alone. This type of travel is not for everyone and the most important aspect is to know yourself. If you are the type of person that gets the most out of experiences by being with people on the journey than that is your preferred travel style.
Travel is precious and involves costs in terms of both money and our precious ( in our often frazzled, hectic world) TIME. I think as we get older that often time becomes our most precious commodity of all. Hence why it is important to choose and plan wisely with your " golden " travel experiences.
- Athens, Greece
I believe solo travel involves confidence in yourself, a strong element of independence and self sufficiency, risk taking, and just being comfortable with your own company and in your own skin. This is true for both men and women. Solo travel also develops these qualities ! If it is your first time and you can do a solo trip for even two days you will really know if it is right for you or not.
It also involves a great deal of research before hand so you can get the most out of the experience along with being conscious of safety concerns. ( I will write about my own safety tips in another post ) Generally speaking traveling in Europe is quite safe for women.
My style of travel is to take it " slow " and stay in one place for a period of time and be selective in what I choose to see and do. " Slow travel " has become a concept much like the slow food movement but again I believe it is in knowing yourself. Some people would be very bored with slow travel just as I would become frazzled with rushing from place to place with checklists. Know yourself first !
- Happy pintxos, Donostia, northern Spain
Please use the comments to ask me any questions you may have about my solo travel
experiences ! My next post will be practical ones. My safety tips and packing tips !
Carpe Diem * Sabrina FYI - I always use my own photos on my blog !
" The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait
until that other is ready " - Henry David Thoreau ...... and woman !