Male traveling as solo

I've posted on several threads about solo travel and I believe I've seen postings from other male solo travelers.
Since my only RS experience was my first (and so far, only) trip in Jan/Feb, and I was the only solo, I can't speak
about trips where there are 'a number' of other men also traveling solo. Yet I'm pretty sure there must be.

We wish!! I’m a solo traveler. Not by choice. Lost my husband but not my enthusiasm for traveling. I always hope there will be more solo men traveling. It adds a certai J’en sais pas to the trip

I have questioned if I want to travel alone as a single male. My wife and I took two RS trips, Sedona, AZ and the Oregon coast; both great experiences. Now, traveling alone, I booked back to back trips to the Canadian maritimes and New England. Most of the people traveling were couples, mother/daughter or family groups. I enjoyed everyone's company, but when there was free time, I was on my own. There is a Zen expression, "The sound of one hand clapping". I have booked another RS trip, the debate at Cornell in October. I don't think that I will be faced with as much free time. Davis

In answer to ditodhunter, one of RS's most prolific poster, CT_PBW, once suggested asking people "What is your
passion?", or variations on that theme. I thought that was a brilliant suggestion.

Davis, I was interested in the Cornell debate program as well but the timing doesn’t work for me. That program is much more like the original Elderhostel (RS’s previous name) curriculum. Have you been to Cornell before? The campus is lovely, especially at sunset. The fall foliage ought be worth the trip itself.

I have a few suggestions for you to consider. If you have time before or after the trip, and if you are interested, take a winery tour. There should be many good restaurants in the area if you have a “meal on your own” but a very famous one is Moosewood. It serves vegetarian and natural food but even if you are not a vegetarian, you might like its offerings. The Statler Hotel, which is on campus and is run by the university’s hospitality or hotel school, serves good food as well. If you find yourself as the lone solo again, just tell people what you are interested in and see if people would like to join you. Take the initiative. I have found that more people would be happy to join someone than take the lead.

I went on a RS Canadian Maritime trip last summer. It was great to have seafood twice a day, every day, including some amazing local ones. I went mainly to see the Bay of Fundy. It was impressive but I wish we could have stayed to watch the tide return. I hope you enjoyed yours.

I was unaware that you are one of the most prominent speakers in this forum. You’re open and thoughtful. That’s why I’m
Sure people gravitate towards you.

Thank you for the suggestions. I have traveled extensively throughout upstate NY but never below the finger lakes. I am really looking forward to the fall colors and fall weather. I live in the San Francisco bay area so our "fall weather" isn't much to write-home about., Davis

LOL. I didn’t either. I just happen to enjoy travel and travel research. Am
sure to those close my interest in factoids is annoying. To those looking for such, I am useful.

Same experience. Not only traveling solo! But traveling solo female. Add to that I’m a New Yorker! Eyebrows are raised and I’m eyed like an alien...and perhaps a predator. Obviously a “know it all” and frequently avoided

I travel solo always. Never had a problem. I have had people ask me why, which is a legit question. As I have said before my answer is I travel with the best travel companion ever; me. Seems to shut it down with a sense of humor. Of course I don’t carry the stigma of being from NYC. Don’t we all wish we could live in NYC?

I will be attending a RS debate forum on Artificial Intelligence at Cornell in October; I'm hoping being a solo traveler will be more comfortable.

If not for a schedule conflict, I would be attending the AI forum at Cornell myself. Hope it is offered again next year.

Guess I am considered threatening. Took one Road Scholar trip with my sister, but 2 as a solo and a 3rd one coming up solo. The last one that I took had a lot of solo women on it. Some were with friends, but some were not. Don't know who feels threatened by me. I am definitely NOT after anyone husband!

Hello gilmoucj. I get the sense that , despite the negative vibes you've experienced on previous trips, you're
still willing to brave the unknown social consequences and press on with RS. Good for you!! Hoping your
upcoming trip surpasses all your expectations.

Makes total sense to me.

eryan, while I respect your response, my experience has been quite different. As a solo woman, I've enjoyed conversation and time spent with BOTH male and female solo travelers. All were friendly, entertaining and helpful when necessary. No one seemed to be "looking for love", so there wasn't that awkwardness. And there surely was no sense that solo folks were odd or threatening. Gender was unimportant--just folks eager to travel and learn!

No

No