Making the Most of Traveling Solo

Dear Coach,

I’m a widow in my 70’s who, in the past, enjoyed traveling with my husband. Now that I’m alone, I miss having travel experiences. Many of my women friends feel they are no longer able to travel because of poor health, financial limitations, or adult children who don’t want them traveling on their own (even with another woman). 

I have a trip in mind for next spring and, as I plan my itinerary, I’m wondering if you have any tips for a woman traveling solo.

Thanks,

Wunderlust

Dear Wunderlust,

What perfect timing for your question! I recently returned from a solo trip to the Sand Hills of Nebraska to do research for an upcoming historical fiction, “The Boot Maker’s Wife.” I flew from Chicago to Lincoln, Nebraska, rented a car, then visited a variety of locations over a weeks’ time. I was by myself.

As much as I love sharing travel experiences with my husband, this trip was perfect to do on my own and I had an amazing experience. Meeting really interesting people at each location was one of the unexpected pluses. Here are a few tips that I think helped make my travel experience safe, enjoyable, and productive.

1. Determine the main purpose for your travel. What’s calling you to a particular location? What will make your trip successful? You may say that your purpose is, “To have fun” but I’d encourage you to be more specific. What will be fun for you? Visiting a certain historic site? Going to a cooking class? Relaxing on the beach? How will you measure the success of your trip?

2. Plan, plan, plan. I made advance reservations for each night of my trip. You probably won’t need to do this but, because I was going to a very isolated part of the country, miles and miles between tiny towns with few, if any, amenities, I was detailed in my plans for where I would stay for the night. I mapped out my trip on a paper map so I could estimate the travel times and sequence of my trip. The two locations that were in the most desolate region of my trip, I stayed two nights each.

3. Arrive at your overnight location in the afternoon. Depending on where you’re going, you probably don’t want to be looking for a B & B or hotel in the dark when you’re tired and hungry. By the way, B & B’s and similar lodgings are great places to meet people. The host/hostess will also be a resource for restaurants and things to do in the area. Check to see if the owners are members of The Bread and Breakfast Association for their state.

4. Be discrete about giving out information of where you’re staying. I was especially careful about not divulging my middle-of-nowhere lodgings when I met strangers at lunch or dinner (I met people at every stop!).

5. Pack light. You’ll be carrying your own luggage. I use a backpack (for my airline carry-on) and a small suitcase. I had a rental car so I could leave my suitcase in the trunk and transfer what I needed for the night and the next day to my back pack. I found this particularly helpful in the event of stairs.

6. Bring healthy snacks. After a long day of driving or sightseeing, you may not feel like finding a place to eat. If you have healthy snacks on hand, you can get by until morning. Conversely, you can enjoy a light breakfast of a granola bar and a banana, and you won’t have to find a place to eat breakfast. 

7. Keep a journal of your travels. When you travel alone, you are the sole memory keeper. Write down the delicious little details of your journey before they slip your mind. 

8. Share photos of your trip along the way. If you’re a social media person, consider “taking your friends with you” on your journey. It gives you a chance to share and it gives them a chance to be an armchair traveler.

Traveling solo can be a rewarding and empowering experience. I highly recommend it!

Safe travels!