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Solo Travel Solo Travel
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Solo Travel

soniareznick011933
soniareznick011933 over 5 years ago

I have been on many trips as a solo traveler without a roommate and have had mixed experiences.  On a recent trip as the only one without a partner I was frequently asked to change my place at the table so couples could sit together, and I would get moved down to the far end of the table.   With other groups though, if I offered to move I was reassured it wasn't necessary as they didn't need to sit together all the time.  Groups have different temperaments.  Another time several of the hotels had tables set up for exactly four people and I was pretty much excluded from this set up. Or the  dinner on your own would occur after a free afternoon or siesta time so I was alone because couples, (including) roommates made their plans when I wasn't around so I had no way to ask or be asked to join anyone.  One time we were so many single women that a consensus  was never reached and we just had pizza in the hotel.

I want to emphasize that uncomfortable situations have been the exception, but I always know  that they may arise, and I certainly won't let such occurrences spoil my trip. But also, before choosing a trip, I check how many dinners are not included, and this is part of my decision. Occasionally I  travel with all women, not with Road Scholar, and there the group leader usually suggests a place, and most people including the leader go together. But in my experience Road Scholar leaders generally are not around when plans are being made and are not involved in the process.  

Other than meals, almost everything is done as a group, and the group is usually together just before the free times, so plans can be made with  others.  So I may set out with others, but often prefer to go at my own pace and follow my own interests. Still I never hesitate to travel with Road Scholar as the problems I mentioned are definitely the exception.

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  • larrylobo42010500
    larrylobo42010500 over 5 years ago +1
    Since my only experience traveling solo was with RS in Jan/Feb, on a trip to San Miguel de Allende. I was the only
    solo in the group, but everyone was so friendly, and I was always included at meals…
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  • larrylobo42010500
    larrylobo42010500 over 5 years ago
    Since my only experience traveling solo was with RS in Jan/Feb, on a trip to San Miguel de Allende. I was the only
    solo in the group, but everyone was so friendly, and I was always included at meals, whether the entire group or being
    asked to accompany a small group of four or six people to a local restaurant. My experience was certainly a positive one.
    Since my wife passed away a year and a half ago, I shall be traveling solo with RS again in Novmber.
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  • slindsay1062753
    slindsay1062753 over 5 years ago in reply to larrylobo42010500
    I am a neophyte solo traveler as it seems that my peer group seemed to want to venture before they were able to (work and kids). Now that they are able to they seem to have lost the urge or nerve which I can understand. I am the point where I need to find like minded, fairly able bodied and like minded people to make travel fun. Traveling all alone , not in a group some sort can be lonely for many reasons. I hope my venture into this group will be positive as I want to be with couples of all types as well as singles of all types. Here's hoping for the best .
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  • bluebearmom011445
    bluebearmom011445 over 5 years ago in reply to slindsay1062753
    If I waited for my peer group to go along with me, well, I wouldn't go anywhere. There is alot to see and do. I will have my first solo RS experience in Sept. to Utah. I am hoping to enjoy the experience to the full extent. If I make friends along the way , that would be icing on the cake! I know that those lonely moments may rear their ugly heads, but forewarned is forearmed. I hope you enjoy your adventure!
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  • shelley334080600
    shelley334080600 over 4 years ago in reply to slindsay1062753
    I am looking for someone to travel with. Would like to connect with you to exchange ideas. Best, Shelley fshelley3@gmail.com
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  • evelyn101608
    evelyn101608 over 4 years ago in reply to slindsay1062753
    Lindsay, I am in the same situation as a traveler. I was widowed in February this year and my first travel alone is coming up next week. I will be going to the Holy Land--escorted tour with no room mate. I will get back to this discussion after my trip to share my experience with you. My next travel solo is with RS in three months. Wishing you and I pleasant traveling experience.
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  • nandonsky011905
    nandonsky011905 over 4 years ago in reply to shelley334080600
    I'd like to communicate with you and see if we might be roommates on one of the RS trips. Please drop me a line. nandonsky@gmail.com
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  • sjpet3767070815
    sjpet3767070815 over 4 years ago in reply to slindsay1062753
    I have traveled a few times solo to Europe and Asia, meaning alone in my mid and late 50s without any group all on my own plans and agendas. So many locals or other travellers open up to you since they see I were alone. I felt that they were very curious about a lone female traveler taking the public transportation, walking the streets , marveling at the sites and also inherently people are kind and helpful. I had so many sweet and great memories which would have never happened if I had even one fellow traveler. The best memories I have are those little moments or not- so- little moments when people went out of their way to help me and lift me up. The famous art works and buildings and sites are very exciting, but they all take the back seat to these spontaneous contact with the people. Of course one has to be extremely careful for the safety. First thing to do is have the attitude that no one is going to mess with me sort of confidence, not stiff but gentle and open way. Just writing this article lifts my spirit up remembering all those positive experiences. Actually when I arrived at LaGuardia airport to fly to my home from one month of trip to Europe in 1990's , an American (USA) man tried to have me detained by the airport security who took one look at the situation and left the scene with a wink at me. I am an Asian American, and I believe that he was sort of racist who could not stand that I was so comfortable at the airport by myself. He tried very hard to make his fellow group travelers to denounce me, no one seem to agree with him and left him alone to harass me by himself (It would have been nice any one of them told him to stop his nonsense.) I traveled total of 3 months throughout Europe and 2 month in Asia, and this is the only negative encounter of those trips, that is in my own country.
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  • avy5032233
    avy5032233 over 4 years ago in reply to evelyn101608
    Hi, am having a roommate for my upcoming trip to Central Europe in June. But I have been wondering about it. I hope that my experience is good otherwise I will be miserable. I lost my husband eight years ago.
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  • avy5032233
    avy5032233 over 4 years ago in reply to sjpet3767070815
    Sometimes is very hard to find someone to connect with and be friends during the trip,
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  • avy5032233
    avy5032233 over 4 years ago in reply to shelley334080600
    I have been interested in finding someone that I can get click with to travel. I do not know if we have the same travel plan ideas. For one thing I do not like to repeat the same places . We can check k it out.





    Should we Check it out?
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  • avy5032233
    avy5032233 over 4 years ago in reply to avy5032233
    Yes we can try it. I live in a small town in Illinois called Palos Heights. Am a widow, friendly, easy to get alone with,open minded and physically fit. Who is a retired teacher, and am still working as a sub at my high school district and other high schools in the area. In June 26th am going to the Best of Europe. They are going to give me a roommate who I do not know yet. In November i signed up for The Best of Central Mexico November 1 - November 15 . Am also looking at Christmas in Mexico, and the Best of Italy - Rome, Florence and Venice for next summer. I have done a lot of travel on Princess Cruises alone before I joined RS. In a couple of weeks am going on the Copper Canyon trip thru Mexico beginning in Los Mochis, Copper Canyon, Creel and exiting to the US thru Chihuahua Hope to hear from you. Avy
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  • silverrune17071531
    silverrune17071531 over 4 years ago in reply to kareliray051258
    Have taken 3 RS trips solo and have never had a problem. Almost all participants are friendly and inclusive and there always solo travelers on my trips.
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  • arjimenez888011202
    arjimenez888011202 over 4 years ago in reply to silverrune17071531
    I have taken 4 RS trips. Two abroad and two in Sedona, Az. I also travel solo and have never had any problem. With every trip I have taken there has been other solo travelers and we just seem to gravitate to one another. I'm heading for the Yosemite Watercolor class in October. Anyone else taking that class?
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  • PHYLLISUSA042740
    PHYLLISUSA042740 over 4 years ago in reply to bluebearmom011445
    Something that I have found helpful to do is to try to learn everyone's name and greet them using their name. I'm like you, if I waited for other people to travel, I would sit at home. If you don't have a Kindle yet, go buy one. You are never alone with a good book - also a good company at dinner. Phyllisusa70@gmail.com
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  • OSTERFARMS043028
    OSTERFARMS043028 over 3 years ago in reply to bluebearmom011445
    I agree with all of your comments, bluebearmom! Some friends say "How do you dare start out by yourself on such a trip?" I say, "Every time I leave my house, I put myself at risk driving a car!" Others say "Won't you be lonely?" I say, "I have lonely times wherever I am, so why should I stay home because of this concern?" Nothing ventured, truly nothing gained!
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  • larrylobo42010500
    larrylobo42010500 over 3 years ago in reply to OSTERFARMS043028
    Hello OSTERFARMS. Your comments are spot on concerning how the typical RS roadie approaches life in general,
    and RS adventures in particular.
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  • maccollum2033006
    maccollum2033006 over 3 years ago in reply to avy5032233
    Hello Avy,
    I am also a widow and love to travel. I just retired but all my friends are married. Do you have any trips planned for this year (2019)? I now live in FL but lived in Indianapolis for many years. Would it be possible to speak with you? I have never taken a RS trip but I am looking at the one to Slovenia. I look forward to hearing from you. Marilyn
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  • maccollum2033006
    maccollum2033006 over 3 years ago in reply to avy5032233
    Hello Avy,
    I am also a widow and love to travel. I just retired but all my friends are married. Do you have any trips planned for this year (2019)? I now live in FL but lived in Indianapolis for many years. Would it be possible to speak with you? I have never taken a RS trip but I am looking at the one to Slovenia. I look forward to hearing from you. Marilyn
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