Travelling solo—just you, completely on your own. For some, it stirs up fear and hesitation; for others, it is a slice of heaven, a freedom they crave. So, which one are you? The worrier who plays it safe, or the adventurer who grabs life by the scruff of the neck and says, “Life’s too short—let’s go!”
Ok, let`s look at this rationally. I have done five solo trips, anything from one to four days, including hotel overnights, conferences, and longer trips. I have also done many trips with other people. I love both styles, but there is something special about a solo trip, it is an experience felt by you and you alone. For that simple reason, it is special.
Planning your trip
Where to go and what to do!! Where do you start with the trip? Ok, let me turn back the clock to last year, 2024, and talk you through mine. I planned to have three nights away, just me. No dad. No friends. Just me. My plan was to go to Stanthorpe. It is an area I have always loved and I have fond memories of it. I looked at the map and knew that I wanted to visit a couple of touristy places as well as spend some time walking the Girraween National Park.
I had a Thursday/Friday/Saturday night. On my way into the accommodation, on the Thursday, the plan was to collect some purchases. Click and collect is a wonderful thing. The Friday was going to be spent doing the touristy things. The Saturday was for Girraween.
My route was planned. I knew where to stop for lunch and I was good to go. My accomodation was booked, a studio cabin on a winery overlooking the vineyards. I had things to do, books to read and places to go.
Does travelling solo bother me?
Travelling solo is a prospect that has intrigued me for years. The idea of wandering alone, untethered by schedules or companions, has always carried a certain allure. Yet, beneath that excitement lurked a subtle layer of apprehension—a flicker of doubt about navigating unfamiliar territories and experiencing new cultures without a familiar face beside me.
Does solo travel bother me? If I am brutally honest, no, but if you think about it, it is a question that dances between anticipation and hesitation. There is a thrill in the independence it promises, the freedom to chart my own course, indulge in spontaneous adventures, and embrace solitude as a companion. Solo travel holds the promise of self-discovery, a journey where I can immerse myself fully in the moment, without distractions.
Thinking practically, it will never without its concerns. Safety tops the list. There is the practical side too: the logistics of planning, maybe navigating foreign languages, and the occasional pang of loneliness in a crowded city.
Yet, these worries can pale against the rich tapestry of experiences waiting to unfold. The thought of exploring hidden alleys, savouring local cuisines, and connecting with fellow travellers fuels any adventurous spirit. It’s about stepping beyond comfort zones, embracing vulnerability, and discovering resilience in unforeseen circumstances.
So, does travelling solo bother me? No, not really. It is a blend of excitement tinged with a healthy dose of caution—an invitation to embrace the unknown, armed with curiosity and an open heart.
What if something goes wrong?
What could go wrong on a trip? Let’s be fair, a mountain of things. The car breaks down. You need a tyre change. You get stuck in traffic. An accident on the road sends you on a new and unfamiliar route. That’s before you even get there!!
What else could happen? Well, there is the classic “misread the map” situation. You confidently stride out of your hostel, Google Maps in hand, only to realise 45 minutes later you have walked in the wrong direction and are now on the outskirts of town, possibly in someone’s back garden.
Then there is dining alone. You think it will be peaceful. Sophisticated, even. Instead, the waiter keeps clearing your table prematurely because they assume you have been stood up. Your constant attempts to reassure your waiter are ignored as he rarely sees women dining alone and does not believe that you are travelling alone, despite everything you tell him.
Don’t forget solo photography. Without a trusty travel companion to take your pic, you spend 20 minutes balancing your phone on a rock, a hat, and finally a pigeon, trying to frame the perfect shot. When you finally nail it, a gust of wind blows your hat into the water and the pigeon poos on your bag. Of course, asking someone is always possible, but you dont want to be posing for a photograph as the photographer legs it with your camera!
Yes, solo travel is a wild ride of accidental detours, awkward dinners, and questionable selfies—but it is also hilarious, empowering, and packed with stories you will dine out on for years… albeit alone.
