#solo-travel

#solo-travel

I was grieving and anxious when I left, and it showed in my backpack. I ended up lugging around a massage gun, a portable clothes-washing bag, a headlamp, and plenty of clothes that I never wore. I packed as if Central America had no laundromats or stores, even though they had plenty. Dragging that overstuffed bag onto buses, boats, and up hostel staircases was a pain. A few comfort items, like a small candle or photos from home, are nice to have,

I've been a food and travel journalist for several decades, and solo traveling is a big part of the job. Whether going cross-country to attend a restaurant opening or taking a transatlantic flight to visit a vineyard, I spend a lot of time by myself in hotels and on airplanes. As a female solo traveler who is constantly having fascinating new experiences and learning so much about people, places, and ingredients,

Every year, I leave my home - and my kids - behind for a short time to travel to Japan alone. The distance, both geographic and cultural, gives me enough space and time to live authentically: to be the curious explorer, the immersion-based language learner, and the person I am apart from being "Mom." As an introverted parent, these solo trips aren't just a luxury - they're fundamental to my well-being and actually help me be a better mother.

After more than 25 years of traveling solo from hiking snow-covered trails in the Himalayas to camping in Patagonia's winter chill, wandering Christmas markets in Europe, and sailing past Arctic and Antarctic icebergs, I've learned that winter travel adventures demand a mix of resilience and resourcefulness. "Traveling solo is an excellent way to practice mindfulness, challenge yourself, and build confidence. It teaches you about new cultures and experiences, and more so yourself," says Jan Curl, a retreat leader at Run Wild Retreats.

Solo travel is one of those things that people are either intimidated by or wholeheartedly embrace. Even though I fall into the latter category-I do it multiple times every month-I still find traveling alone as a woman requires research, thorough preparation, and a constant sense of awareness. Some pretrip nonnegotiables for me include downloading maps to use offline, carrying a fully charged portable power bank, and sharing my location with my friends and family.

In February 2023, at 29, I quit. I wanted to head into my 30s with a clearer sense of purpose. I didn't tell my parents, but my friends and colleagues were supportive. Suddenly, I had nothing to do, and that early idleness felt panic-inducing. I was so used to running around, talking to people, and being needed. I felt completely lost for a few days.

When I was 17, I moved from India to the United States for college. The experience shaped my independence, teaching me how to start conversations, solve problems, and feel confident. Years later, when I took my first solo trip to the Himalayas in northern India, I was able to put these skills to use again. I made friends, stayed with locals, and tried tons of new experiences - from paragliding to visiting a monastery.

There's something therapeutic about traveling alone. Without agendas or expectations, nor other personalities to navigate, you can go at your own pace, sleep in as late as you'd like and eat as many bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dogs as your belt can bear. When I travel alone, I'm free. Big cities are always the most accessible destinations for solo travelers, but small cities and towns are my favorites.

The joys of travelling solo are endless. There is something truly freeing about exploring new places alone - you can go where you please, eat when you want, and have uninterrupted quality time with yourself. The interest in solo travel has been slowly rising for a while, but data from UK-based travel organisation ABTA shows that 16 per cent of travellers went on holiday by themselves in 2023, a five per cent increase from the previous 12-month period.

For 22 years, I was a military wife, putting aside my needs to support my husband's career - all for the promise that after retirement, when our children were grown, we'd travel the world together. In 2018, retirement finally came, and not long after, our nearly 25-year marriage crumbled. When his military career ended, it felt like he lost his sense of purpose. I tried to hold things together, but the unhappiness and bitter fights left me drowning, too.

As a mom of three teenagers, most of my days revolve around carpools, meal prep, and managing a packed family calendar. So, when I stumbled upon a cruise timed to my 50th birthday - one that would take me through Norway, a country that's long been on my travel bucket list - my instinct was to figure out a way to bring the whole family along. The logistics seemed impossible, though.

As an avid solo traveler who's used to exploring destinations on my own terms, I had mixed feelings when my boyfriend's family invited me on a river cruise this summer. Of course, I was grateful to be invited and looked forward to the memories we'd make while sailing on the Danube. But after reading the itinerary - packed with eight destinations in seven days - I wondered how it would be possible to get an adequate feel for each location. I also worried about my ability to relinquish control in the planning process.

When I first received an invitation to my friend's wedding in Tulum, Mexico, I was excited and honored to be included. Then, as I read the RSVP instructions, it hit me: I wasn't offered a plus-one. Instead of being upset or offended, I remembered my friend had always wanted an intimate celebration. I also knew the bride and groom had likely considered that I didn't have a serious partner at the time, and that our mutual acquaintances from college would make easy tablemates at dinner.

Driven by a desire to connect with my heritage, I set out on a three-week journey to explore Japan on my own. Though I'm an avid solo traveler and did research about the country, its culture, and what I may expect as a first-time visitor, I still made plenty of mistakes. Here are several things I did wrong on my first trip to the Land of the Rising Sun - and what I'd do differently if I return.

I've visited 90 countries and seen a lot of beautiful places around the world. Wānaka, New Zealand, has an incredible natural landscape. I loved the architecture in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay.

I typically enjoy spending a transatlantic flight watching a couple of movies, listening to music, and catching some sleep (if I'm lucky). This trip was different from the moment I sat down. Instead of keeping to myself, I became engrossed in conversation with my seatmate, Anne, a 95-year-old woman returning from a three-month stay in Paris. I was immediately captivated by her positive energy, boundless curiosity, and enthusiasm for life.

In recent years, the rise of solo travel among Americans has been stark. Whether that's a shift into digital nomadism and heading overseas for a better work-life balance, or simply joining a small group trip around Europe, there has been a marked increase in solo travel of late. While there are various reasons behind this trend, it seems like it's here to stay.

After I found out I was pregnant with our first, I had a different idea for what I wanted my babymoon to look like . I knew becoming a mother would require some lifestyle sacrifices, and that might include fewer solo trips, at least in the beginning. So, during my second trimester, I decided to take a solo babymoon to Grindelwald in the Jungfrau Region of Switzerland, which is known for its stunning natural beauty, scenic alpine hikes, and endless outdoor activities.

Throughout Sri Lanka's tropical landscapes, myths and legends capture the essence of the island with ancient cities, diverse wildlife, and idyllic beaches, making it a traveler's paradise.

Financial barriers remain the biggest hurdle for Black travelers, with 37.3 percent citing cost as a concern, followed by safety worries at 27.3 percent.

Life after the loss of a longtime partner requires significant adjustments in self-perception, impacting identity and creating a process of becoming anew.

Organization is key when living in a small space. Everything item I own has a designated place. I've learned I must put everything back where it belongs; otherwise, things easily get lost.

By quitting drinking, I experienced improved sleep and reduced anxiety, which challenged the societal norms surrounding fun and travel.