As solotravelworld.com states:
While you may discover solo travel by chance — because you don’t have anyone to travel with when you have the time and the money to go — you will likely do so again by choice.I decided to quote this statement because that's precisely what happened to me. Two weeks ago I was on my first solo trip ever in Milan, Italy. It was terrific, and now I'm planning more! In this post, I would like to share with you what I learned after being alone for a couple of days abroad in a completely different country and share my experiences of how I felt.
Why alone?
Unfortunately, not everything in life always goes according to the plan. That's what happened to me. One night I spotted very cheap tickets to Milan and decided to buy them thinking that one of my friends for sure will join me because such promotion does not happen so often. Time went by, I was asking more and more people, but no one was willing to go this time with me. They either didn't have enough time, money or something that they didn't have control over was stopping them from joining me. Accepting the fact that I might not find any companion. I started thinking of going alone. I had a few conversations with friends people who already this and all were strongly positive about going somewhere alone. After considering all the pros and cons, I've made my mind and decided to give it a try.You have control
The most significant advantage of solo traveling over going somewhere with friends is that you won't have to make compromises. When you are in the group, you discuss where to go consistently. The larger the group is, the harder is to create a comfortable and satisfying plan. If you are alone, you do what you want, when you want, and no one judges any of your decisions except you.You can focus on your interests
You have an unusual hobby like me that you like to admire casual corridors and building entries in Italy? No problem. You can spend as much time as you won't taking photos of a thing you like. You can change your day plan just because you passed by a place that meets your interest like a museum of modern art. That's another beauty of being somewhere alone. You focus on yourself and your own interest no matter what they are.You have time to think
You are alone, so you have lots of time to think. It's an excellent option if you are looking for a time to get rest – spending time with your thought is one of the most effective ways of filling up your battery.You meet new people
When you are in the group, usually you spend time together, and you don't think much about making new friends. However, when you are alone, after walking a whole day through the city, you will look for a person to talk with. I strongly recommend you trying Hang-out feature of Couchsurfing App. It's truly remarkable, you can meet lots of inspiring, and easygoing people who are also solo travelers and have tons of intriguing stories to share!How does it work? RollieOnTheRoad has made a good explanation:
Important note: Buy insurance!
That's an important thing to have no matter where you go, either alone or with the group. You never know when you would need some medical help, so always be prepared!Traveling alone always make memorable experiences. This solo trip was one of the most intensive concerning experiences trips this year. I have fallen in love with solo traveling, and I encourage you to try it too! You won't regret it!
Questions:
- Have you ever tried solo traveling? (if not what stopped you from going somewhere alone)
- Have you heard of Couchsurfing or had any experiences with people from its community?
- Do you buy insurance for all your trips?
Sources:
- https://solotravelerworld.com/travel-alone/
- https://www.couchsurfing.com/mobile-hangouts
Comments
I've heard about couchsurfing but never used it. There is so much things I want to try.
No, I haven't, although I have a few friend who are hosting travelers.
Yes, I do. Fortunately, I haven't had any issues concerning the insurance, but I heard different stories form friends that it's better to have an insurance.
I haven't tried to travel alone. I have fears that something may happen to me, and no one will help me.
2.Have you heard of Couchsurfing or had any experiences with people from its community?
Heard about Couchsurfing, but no experience. I guess I'll never use couchsurfing. There are different people, and it is unclear what they have in mind.
3.Do you buy insurance for all your trips?
If I buy a trip through a travel agency, then it must be there, but I have never used it.
Yes I heard about couchsurfing and I had used it at the beginning of my Erasmus exchange before I have found a suitable flatshare.
I always buy insurance for all my winter and long trips, when it comes to short trips e.g.: during weekends usually I don’t buy insurance.
I have never heard of Couchsurfing, sorry ;(
I try to buy insurance for most of my trips, especially that I do not use any travelling agency - I plan everything by myself.
I have never heard about couchsurfing and I think that this community is without major goals in life and want to experience the most extreme.
Yes, I always buy such trips because you never know if, for example, you will never go to a hospital, and there are unimaginable costs
I ve heard about Couchsurfing but i haven't met anyone who had done so to talk about it, and im not really interested in it.
For me its important to have valid insurance cover wherever i go is it alone or with someone, so yes i do always care to my insurance before a trip.
As far as insurance is concerned, I always take it out, it is not expensive, and I am always protected against any accident, especially since I often travel on skis and everything can happen there.
Couchsurfing - I heard about this community, but it's scary to live with a person you don't know at all. Especially when it’s free, I don’t believe that there is something free.
Yes, of course, you never know what can happen. I'm generally like planned vacations. I am much calmer when I know how I will get or where I will live. I do not exclude unforeseen situations, but for a start, I have a plan.
I haven't heard about it, so I can't say too much about it, but its idea seems cool to me. :)
It depends on the time which my travel will take. If it's just couple of days then I don't bother with insurance, but when it's a week or longer then I buy it.
Yes, I have been travelling alone trough Italy some years ago and I remember it as very challenging experience. Not everybody were speaking English and I was prepared only with some basic Italian expressions so sometimes it was hard to communicate. I enjoyed being alone but after some days I was missing a company and person to share my journey with.
2.Have you heard of Couchsurfing or had any experiences with people from its community?
I have heard about it but I haven't used it yet. From one hand, I think it can be dangerous when you are going to someone's house and you actually don't know anything about this person. From the other hand, I know people who are couchsurfing and they never had any bad experience.
3.Do you buy insurance for all your trips?
Yes, I always buy insurance. It is always better to be prepared in case of any emergency.
Yes,I heard about Couchsurfing but never had any experience with it.I have a lot of friends who use this service and have different experiences.
Yes I use insurance for all my trips.
I've never heard of it before. I learned about this from your article.
I never buy extra travel insurance if I do not have to. This is a very good idea to buy such insurance. I never remember to deal with matters related to insurance.
No, I have never heard about Couchsurfing but I think that is good idea for solo travelers (who want to meet new people).
Yes, of course I always buy insurance for my trips because health is the most important for me. It can be unnecessary when you are travelling near to your country but when you are choosing places with different climate, food and diseases it's require.
2. No, I've never heard of Couchsurfing and I've never had any experiences with people from this community.
3. Yes, I do.
Never tried it. I think it's better going with at least your friends as it's more cheerful.
2. Have you heard of Couchsurfing or had any experiences with people from its community?
No, however it might be interesting and i might try it next time travelling. It's a great opportunity to meet new people.
3. Do you buy insurance for all your trips?
Yes, you never know what might happen. Life is precious.
I have never traveled alone. First of all, it's a bit scary. And secondly, it's boring and not interesting. It is clear that you can also admire new places yourself, but it is much more pleasant to share it with someone, to share your impressions.
Have you heard of Couchsurfing or had any experiences with people from its community?
Yes, I heard about this site, even one time I planned to take travelers in my apartment.
Do you buy insurance for all your trips?
Never did it on purpose. Sometimes travel agencies make insurance. And when I go on my own, I hope for good luck.
Yes I’ve heard of couchSurfing but I’ve never encountered anyone from its community.
I always buy insurance. No matter where I go. It’s one of the moste important things on my check list before I go somewhere
I did hear of couchsurfing, it's a great way of making new friends and getting to know the culture better.
No I'm not getting insurance for each trip I take.
Yes, I have heard about Couchsurfing service, but I have never used it.
I’m buying insurance when the trip requires it. For example, to stay in Poland I need to have an insurance for all the year.
2. I have never heard of couchsurfing and I hadn't any experiences with people from its community. :(
3. I always buy insurance for all my trips because I feel more safety abroad when I have it.
Yeah I've heard about coachsurfing, I have never tried it , maybe beacause I am distrustful person and I don't like the idea to sleep in strengers home if I would be a girl then definately NO, especially in the times we live in.
Yes I do buy insurance everytime I go abroad, its not that expensive and sometimes could save you from unescessary expenses.
I heard about couchsurfing and my girlfriend and I have hosted couple guests from different countries during last summer. Unfortunately I don't have an opportunity to be a host now because I moved to the new place two months ago and I don't have much space here.
I've never bough an insurance for my trips because I'm a tough guy.
- No, I haven't tried solo travelling yet, because I prefer to spend my holidays with my friends and family. But I will give it a shot!
2. Have you heard of Couchsurfing or had any experiences with people from its community?
- I've heard about it two weeks ago when one of my friends told me about it. I think that I will try it next time to save some money and find new friends!
3. Do you buy insurance for all your trips?
- Of course, it is important to buy insurance. It is always better to blow on the cold.
Yes I tried a little bit. But it was long time ago, when I was more closed person, so I didn't find a lot of friends. But for a long while I travel with my girlfriend and enjoy it. I think that I don't miss anything because it's so much better. Also travelling with someone don't limit you in looking for adventures and new meetings.
Have you heard of Couchsurfing or had any experiences with people from its community?
I heard a lot. I even registered there. But because I'm a lot of planning person, I prefer stability and reliability before adventures.
Do you buy insurance for all your trips?
I don't know a person that don't insures before traveling. It's such a basic thing. Also laws often make you to make insurance before entering country.
Have you ever tried solo traveling? (if not what stopped you from going somewhere alone)
Nope, but I'm planning to travel to the Asia alone. I didn't travel, because I have a lot of good friends and in holdays I don't have time to spend time alone. In the other hand, my friends hate winter sports & mountains, so maybe I will try alone adventure in this season?
Have you heard of Couchsurfing or had any experiences with people from its community?
No, I didn't, but I'm not surprised that something like that exists.
Do you buy insurance for all your trips?
No, I never buy insurance, but in my opinion I should start doing it.
2. yes I heard about couchsurfing, but i never met somebody, who is couchsurfer.
3. yes, I buy a insurance always before a travel in my opinion it's one of the most important things what we should do when we planning a travel.
2. Yes, I heard about it, but I do not have any experience with it. Few of my friends told me about that and they've been using it for a few times. They said it's a cool experience and a great possibility to make new friends.
3. Yes, I always do that. This is one of the important things.