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Things to Love About Solo Travel

February 16, 2017 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 13 comments
Things to Love About Solo Travel

“I decided I want to travel by myself and I want to go to Canada!” I told a friend of mine as we filled our drinks before a movie.

“Me too!” she exclaimed.

And that’s how one of my closest friends and I discovered we were both planning trips to Canada and traveling by ourselves.

Solo travel is something I’ve wanted to do for awhile. I often travel by myself to a destination, but I always meet someone there. I wanted to experience what it would be like to arrive and still be alone. It’s something I had been toying around with for awhile and one day last fall I decided that it was time. I don’t have a serious boyfriend, fiance or husband, so I don’t have a built in travel partner. Now’s the time to venture out and take this step to travel on my own.

Solo travel: why I loved it and a few tips. // dreams-etc.com

After I started looking at destinations, I stumbled upon this post on the Pros and Cons of Solo Travel by Chelsea from Truelane and it felt like confirmation that I should go on this trip. I’ve always enjoyed following her adventures on Instagram and Snapchat and have always admired that she travels alone from time to time. After reading that post I read a few more that had popped up on social media.

I was so excited! But as the trip grew closer I became a little nervous. Just as I had suspected, even though I’m comfortable traveling from home to another destination by myself, having someone on the other side made me feel much more secure. I always had someone on the other end who would be able to pick me up from the airport. I always had someone who would be able to tell this directionally-challenged girl how to get where she needed to go each day while traveling. When I’ve traveled and wasn’t meeting someone on the other end, I’ve always traveled with someone, so I wasn’t doing all of this by myself. That, I learned, is also a safety net. Even when my travel buddy was just as directionally-challenged as me, there were two of us to figure out our way.

I discovered that’s what created the most stress for me: not safety or the thought of being in an unknown city by myself. It was the logistics. How was I going to get to my hostel from the airport? How was I going to get around the city?

That’s not to say that safety wasn’t a concern. It always is, but I followed the same rule that I talked about in my post on Tips for Traveling to Colombia: I was vigilant and cautious, just as I am anywhere, even in Minneapolis. Be aware if/when you do let your guard down. Walk with purpose.

Other safety tips:

>> Whenever I felt as though security could be an issue, I got myself out of the situation. That only happened once as I walked down a side street. I just didn’t feel safe there, so I avoided that street in the future.
>> At night if I was traveling a distance I chose to take an Uber over walking.
>> I kept in touch with a with people during my trip, so that if communication suddenly stopped it would catch their attention. Those people were my mom, a friend who I already talk to on Snapchat every day, and my sister.
>> I paid for phone service in Canada ($2/day with my provider to have access to my plan).

[Tweet “A few safety tips for solo travel. #travelblogger #solotravel”]

What I loved about solo travel:

>> I could do what I wanted, when I wanted. My itinerary was entirely up to me and I was able to switch it up on a whim if I wanted (which I did when I learned that a writer whose books I enjoy was speaking at a writing festival). Also, everything that I did was something I wanted to do and not something I was doing because the person I was with wanted to.

>> I was able to take breaks when I wanted or needed to, without feeling like I was inconveniencing someone else. This was nice, because I was born with clubfoot and even though it’s been corrected I still feel it when I walk excessively. There were a lot of beautiful benches that I could have taken quick breaks on as I walked around the city, but it rained the entire time I was there so the benches weren’t an option. I took frequent breaks to sit at coffee shops or head back to the hostel for a bit when I needed to get off my feet.

>> I was able to do one of my favorite things: walk around a city by myself to get a feel for it and learn my way around. I was able to live in my head a little bit and let the experience inspire me as a creative. Travel is always a source of inspiration for me, but I was able to live with the inspiration as it was coming.

[Tweet “Traveling solo allowed me to seek inspiration as a creative. #solotravel #travelblogger”]

If I were to sum up my experience with solo travel in one word, it would be free. I was free to do what I wanted, when I wanted. I was free to let my mind wander. I was free to explore. It was a trip I should have taken long ago, but it also came at just the right time.

I love traveling with others. I also love visiting people in other cities. But I’ve discovered I also love to travel by myself and I want to make plans to travel in all of these ways in the future.

Have you traveled on your own? What are some of your tips and tricks? If not, is it something you’d be interested in?

[Tweet “Let’s chat: what was it like to travel solo? #travelblogger #solotravel”]

[Tweet “Let’s chat: are you interested in solo travel? #travelblogger #solotravel”]

Solo travel: why I loved it and a few tips. // dreams-etc.com

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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13 comments

  1. aballadofbright says:
    February 16, 2017 at 8:00 pm

    Obsessed with this post!! I’ve NEVER traveled by myself, although I’ve thought about it. I’m too scared!! What about going out to eat?? did you do that alone? That’s one of my favorite parts of traveling, so I just can’t get past that! I like the idea of being free but the logistics part would stress me out as well, and I dont know, I just feel like I’d get lonely? I wish I was brave enough!

    Reply
  2. kdwald says:
    February 16, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    Wonderful! I travelled solo in Spain, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mexico, and more. It was fantastic and intimidating and fabulous. So glad you have a great experience!

    Reply
  3. Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird says:
    February 16, 2017 at 9:02 pm

    I have always wanted to travel solo! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  4. duemidwest says:
    February 24, 2017 at 9:37 am

    I took my first international trip alone to Ireland in 2015. It was great! It got a bit lonely at times but I loved the freedom of doing whatever I wanted when I wanted! I’m now going to England by myself in May. šŸ™‚

    Reply
  5. everydaybelle says:
    March 8, 2017 at 10:08 am

    I love traveling alone! I took my first solo trip after a rough breakup and it was so empowering. Now that I’m married I still tell my husband that I always plan to take some trips on my own.

    Reply
  6. Joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie says:
    March 8, 2017 at 11:19 am

    You’re so brave! It would be a bit intimidating to me, but I love the fact that you are free to do whatever you want when you travel alone. Thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  7. Melissa Chee says:
    March 8, 2017 at 11:28 am

    I also did solo travel for the first time last year! In Greece for a little longer than a week šŸ™‚

    Reply
  8. Esther says:
    March 8, 2017 at 7:47 pm

    I’ve done a few solo trips. I prefer traveling with friends or family, but I refuse to stay home just because I can’t find a travel partner. Solo traveling has a lot of freedom like you said, but I’m such an introvert that I struggle to meet people while traveling and it feels isolating.

    Reply
  9. Christina says:
    March 8, 2017 at 7:57 pm

    Solo travel is a great way to really get to know yourself!

    Reply
  10. Cameron says:
    March 9, 2017 at 9:53 am

    I have one of those built-in travel partners you mentioned haha, but I think it’s so important for each of us to be on our own for a while. Traveling or going to new places by yourself is a great way to become more comfortable in your own skin!

    | diaryofasouthernmillennial.com

    Reply
  11. Mona Ahmed says:
    March 12, 2017 at 1:10 am

    I’ve never traveled alone I think with my anxiety it will be a disaster lol but your trip seemed nice and easy going. It was very brave of you šŸ™‚

    Mona
    http://makeupwithmona.blogspot.com

    Reply
  12. Dia says:
    March 18, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    I love traveling alone. Everything is totally under my control. I decide what time I get up what sights I see what restaurants I try. It’s the best.

    Reply
  13. Ashley says:
    March 18, 2017 at 4:13 pm

    I’ve never really traveled alone, but when my husband and I travel – we tend to go off and do our own thing from time to time. It’s nice to be able to wander on our own.

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. šŸ’™
Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. ā€œThe water looks cold,ā€ I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. šŸ˜‚)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. šŸ˜ PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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