August 06, 2019

I love to travel. I haven't done as much non-business travel as I would like, but that is about to change!

I like to travel with friends but I also enjoy a trip that I travel solo. Some people think I am odd, but I think it is truly freeing.

If you are new to it, traveling alone it can seem daunting. Especially if you are older. But think of it this way, after a lifetime of responsibility for others, having only yourself to please can be wonderfully liberating.

In today's issue I'm going to share some tips and suggestions from a senior travel pro Cathy Bartrop.

Be Well,
Anisa

As always please reply with your thoughts and comments.
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1. Make New Friends

Although you may set out on your own, you certainly don't have to travel in isolation. More and more seniors are traveling and traveling alone. There are even some tours that specify a minimum age and are targeted for the senior traveler.

Here's a tip... as a rule of thumb, the more expensive the trip, the older the age group. That said, being older doesn't necessarily mean you want to be exclusively with seniors. So keep your options open.

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2. Start With City Breaks

If the idea of solo traveling scares you, try easing yourself in with a trip to a nearby city. A few days alone is a perfect way to prove that you can be content in your own company.

Tick off those museums and galleries you've always wanted to see, indulge in local cuisine and culture, watch the world go by from pavement cafes and, most importantly, allow time to just wander and follow your instincts.

3. Cut Costs

Traveling solo is inevitably more expensive. One way to cut costs is to pair up with a travel roommate. Some tour operators offer this option but its random as to who you will be sharing with.

You could even try to buddy up with someone in advance via an online specialist travel forum. Try silvertraveladvisor.com (specifically aimed at mature travelers). There is a forum where you can read about other people's experiences and find others who are open to exploring shared travel ideas.

4. Take A Cruise

Cruising (oceans and rivers) is a hugely popular option for solo travelers. Not surprising as it's a wonderful way to see multiple destinations and yet still have the social life, meals, facilities and consistent standards a ship provides.

Give careful consideration to the size of the ship - it will make all the difference to your experience. The larger the ship, the more extensive the facilities and the broader the age range and social mix, but also the lower the chances of bumping in to the same people twice.

Small ships (200 passengers or less) tend to appeal to an older audience, offer more specialist itineraries with longer in port and, potentially more like-minded souls.

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5. Pursue Your Interests

Special interest holidays work really well for solo trips - whether you want explore with a theme in mind, indulge an existing passion or learn a completely new skill.

Art, history, botanical and culinary themed holidays are popular but Google 'special interest holiday's and up comes a mind boggling array of possibilities.

6. Tick Off The Bucket List

If you've always dreamed of seeing dawn break at Machu Picchu, walking the Great Wall of China, or diving the Great Barrier Reef, it's never too late to tick it off your bucket list.

Round the world tickets are available but if you don't like the idea of going completely independently, you can book with any number of 'adventure travel' specialists. Visit here for some great information on Round the World (RTW) tickets

7. Think Local

Often the best travel experiences relate to people you meet along the way. Encounters will happen naturally but you can also pre-empt connections by getting online in advance. Sites like meetup.com allow you to search for one-off events and gatherings in your destination.

At eatwith.com you can sign up to join home based supper clubs with travelers from around the globe - a great way to avoid the dreaded table for one. Similarly, withlocals.com includes dining but also tailor-made tours with locals.

8. Play It Safe

Safety is paramount for us all but understandably you may feel more anxious traveling alone. Aside from the obvious precautions of keeping money out of reach and not flaunting valuables, you are old enough and wise enough to trust your gut.

If you ever feel unsafe for any reason, forget being polite, be sure to verbalize your concerns, loudly if necessary, to whoever will listen. Better to overreact than say nothing.

9. Give Your Journey Added Purpose

No matter how glamorous or exotic a trip sounds on paper, the truth is sometimes traveling can be plain boring - delayed journeys, missed connections, empty evenings and solo suppers. Use these times to get busy noting down your thoughts - it could be in diary form or perhaps write reviews of your experiences and contribute to websites.

You could even create your own travel blog. Not only is it a fantastic way to revisit your experience long after its over but the process of creating it is a wonderful distraction.

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In Closing...

Traveling alone means you can create ANY itinary you want. My next solo travel is to Greece in September. Although it isn't totally solo as I will be meeting a friend for a portion of my travel.

This is the first time I am traveling to another country on my own, but I'm looking forward to it!