Solo or not?

[iris lilies]

DH and I are going separately to Europe in August. He to Switzerland, me to Prague. He will meet up with me in Prague after and few days and we are then going together to Romania.

[awakenedsoul]

I've traveled with my dog, with friends and family, and on my own. I kind of like solo travel. It's nice to mix it up and meet people, but to have your own space, too. I've never been big on doing things in big groups. I recently was invited up to stay the night at a gorgeous house on the Russian River. I had a wonderful time seeing my childhood friend, but the group pressure was kind of intense. Several of them were debating politics for hours, and I just wanted to enjoy the scenery, nature, and kayaking. I mentioned it to my friend in private, and some of the people got really mad. Oh well. We still had a blast on the water. It was so much fun to ride down the current on inner tubes, rafts, and in the kayak. I did the stand up paddle board, too. Next time I'd like to just go when people who are outdoorsy are there. The rest of them were still going on and on about abortion the next day. Ugh. I couldn't deal...

[frugalone]

Thanks, all!
I've had good and bad experiences with others. A lot of the trips I've taken were to the seashore. I remember one trip in particular where my friends and I got tetchy with one another, and I think I started going to the shore with my mom after that. Now she is not interested in traveling (health issues).

I don't know what it is with me, but I really have not met any people on my last two solo trips. I mean, anyone I could really hang around with. I did meet one woman on a day trip, and we exchanged Christmas cards, but that's as far as it went. I don't really know how to meet people in a foreign country. At least not anymore. I think I was less inhibited when I was in my 20s.

[Gardenarian]

A while back I went on a tour with Insight Tours. As far as I could calculate, it was less expensive than trying to make arrangements on my own. (They get amazing rates on hotels and flights.) The downside is that you spend a lot of time on coaches.

A tour does take a lot of stress out of travelling, especially if you want to see numerous countries. You don't have to stick with the group and be herded around; you can go have your own adventures (as long as you don't miss your coach!)

There were not a lot of single people on the tour, but there was a group camaraderie that was fun.

Generally, I prefer to travel solo, but if were going someplace entirely new I would consider a tour again.

I'm so sorry you caught a cold! Illness and travel - bad combination, but all too common.

[frugalone]

I think I would be most likely to go on a tour if I were visiting a country where English was not the spoken language. I know many Europeans speak English, but being alone in, say, France, makes me a wee bit nervous.

Last year, I got sick after I came home. I remember getting a cold in London in '84.

A while back I went on a tour with Insight Tours. As far as I could calculate, it was less expensive than trying to make arrangements on my own. (They get amazing rates on hotels and flights.) The downside is that you spend a lot of time on coaches.

A tour does take a lot of stress out of travelling, especially if you want to see numerous countries. You don't have to stick with the group and be herded around; you can go have your own adventures (as long as you don't miss your coach!)

There were not a lot of single people on the tour, but there was a group camaraderie that was fun.

Generally, I prefer to travel solo, but if were going someplace entirely new I would consider a tour again.

I'm so sorry you caught a cold! Illness and travel - bad combination, but all too common.