I am usually surprised when someone else is surprised when I say I intend travelling abroad on my own. I shouldn’t be as a score or so years ago I would have thought it more likely that I might circumnavigate the seas surrounding Ireland, in a bath with a spoon for a paddle, that head off to foreign parts on my lonesome.
Now I happily do so. Not mind that I do anything adventurous, trekking solo across the Sahara using the stars as navigational aids is not for me. I don’t go far: I stick to Europe. And I go places where: I speak the language (the UK); enough of the language to get by (France); or where English is widely spoken.
On two occasions, in the last decade, to escape the force field of such limited choice, I booked a package holiday. One of those packages was a recent week long trip to Tuscany, so I wasn’t totally alone but alone as part of a group.
It worked well. It was a joy to exit the airport and get on a coach heading directly to my hotel rather than having to find my own way into Pisa town centre, and then find the station, and then the right platform to get a train to the town, Montecatini Terme, where I was staying. All with a case in tow and with an exceedlingly limited Italian vocabulary. Just six words!
There were a number of local tours included in my package and some optional ones on offer. As I had seen most of the towns on the tours’ itineraries I opted out of all but one. Choosing instead to head alone into Florence on three of the days and on another to retail heaven – aka The Mall, a large outlet – not far from Florence. I had one chill-out day in Montecatini Terme and on the only remaining full day I went on a tour to a local vineyard.
There are advantages to travelling alone not least of which is being able to choose to go where you want, when you want. There are others: I particularly like this take on solo travel:
“It seemed an advantage to be travelling alone. Our responses to the world are crucially moulded by the company we keep, for we temper our curiosity to fit in with the exception of others… Being closely observed by a companion can also inhibit our observation of others; then, too, we may become caught up in adjusting ourselves to the companion’s questions and remarks, or feel the need to make ourselves seem more normal than is good for our curiosity.”
Alain de Botton – The Art of Travel
I don’t have strict rules around travelling alone but obviously I don’t do anything or go anywhere that my gut tells me might be unsafe. In busy places I clutch on to my bag tightly and keep my wits in gear. And to ensure that the loss or theft of said bag wouldn’t be a total catastrophe I leave my passport and some cash in the safe in my hotel room. Along with a piece of paper on which I have written the contact details of two friends so in an emergency I could ‘phone a friend’.
I had a great time in Italy – more about that soon.
Just Add Attitude 
I have had several women come through here on holiday from other countries alone. I think anyone going on holiday alone to a foreign land is very brave. Good for you and I think the trip to Tuscany must have been such a great experience for you. I love Italy and I would certainly go their alone any time.
Thank you. I loved Tuscany – the scenery, the treasures, the food … I hope to to go back there sometime. I wish I spoke some Italian: I can say hello and ask for a latte – priorities, eh! maybe I should learn some this winter.
This sounds like a splendid adventure B! I’ve only gone on one trip alone as an adult and I found it to be very relaxing. It’s always a little daunting traveling alone as a woman. I love the idea of traveling with a group though- how fun! Can’t wait to hear more about Italy!
Hello Heather – I agree travelling alone as a woman is daunting. Although in fairness maybe it is, in different ways, for men too. I had a great time and the weather was lovely. I only saw a little of the many treasures Florence has to offer. I would love to go back sometime. B
That seems like an ideal way to travel alone. One could probably do the same sort of thing on a cruise.
Yes indeed one could. Another option. I am sending good wishes across the oceans.
Thank you! I will soon be making another voyage alone across the Tasman to Australia. I don’t mind doing that trip on my own because it is familiar., and I am going for a specific purpose and not a vacation.
Bon Voyage – travel safely. And I hope that the specific purpose has, at best, a happy or, at least, a reasonable conclusion. Take care.
Thank you. There will be a little bit of everything but I am hoping the newest member of the family tree will arrive whilst I am there.
That’s exciting and happy news, I hope the baby arrives while you are there. X
Love to travel alone but nowadays I feel guilty of leaving husband behind. Then I want be in my pace! Difficult choice there.
Difficult choice indeed. Thank you for your comment.
It sounds like you had an lovely time B. A travel group is a great way to have a sense of security but with the freedom to do as much or as little as you want.
I did have lovely time thank Karen. I agree about having a sense of security with a group and yes it was good to have the freedom to head off on my own.
I really love to travel alone because I can enjoy it more, and I can go wherever I want. it is just more simple when you travel alone. I love travelling and vacations.
I love travelling too, even though I don’t head off that often or go that far. Thank you for your comment and I am sorry it took so long to send a reply.