Traveling solo doesn't always appeal to majority of globetrotters. While touring in groups or as couples does have its perks, going alone doesn't mean lonely. There are numerous advantages and life learning one can experience by venturing into the unknown solo.
If traveling alone for the first time, here are some of the best tips to maximize the trip coming home with no regrets and filled with tall tales to tell.
1. Bask in your selfishness.
Think of traveling solo as the opportunity to fully be in control of what the plans are for the day. Whether taking time off under the sun of Greece or flaneuring all over Paris, solo travelers get to schedule everything at their own pace, see what they want to see, eat what they want to eat and just feel more free each waking minute.
2. Check the map in privacy.
Nothing looks worse than a tourist holding up a map with a lost face in the middle of a public square. If lost, it is essential to step into a shop or move to a doorway and check the map in privacy. Keep it mind that when traveling solo (or even in groups), one needs to look confident. Considering the amount of tourist scams and bad impressions on locals, confidence is a good armor to wear.
3. Treat yourself out to dinner.
There are a lot of people who fear eating alone that there's an actual term for it: solomangarephobia. Many solo travelers like to grab something on the go so they won't feel as if they are some poor shmuck unable to bring anyone to dinner.
As New York Times food writer Mark Bittman shares in his website, "I hadn't realized the depth of flavors I could experience [with] nothing to occupy my mind beyond the plate in front of me and my thoughts."
Thrive in the joy of having a very delicious meal all for you.
Always remember that choosing to go solo in exploring the world is growth in itself and could well lead to become an enjoyable addiction.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
