weird question

[jthomas]

The last two times i traveled to europe were not as fun as i had hoped. The reason being, the first time was with my ex boyfriend, the second time with a lame friend. I REALLY want to go back and I do not have any friends that want to go or can afford to go and i definitly do not want to do a tour. my question is, do people ever search out random travel buddies for just this reason? Or can anyone tell me if traveling alone is worth while and not too lonely?

Thank you!!

[Eagle]

jthomas,

Your question is quite valid, and one that seems to be asked on a fairly regular basis.

I travel solo these days (I don't have much choice at the moment) and while it can be lonely at times, there are ways to minimize that. If you're staying in Hostels, there's usually lots of people you can travel with for day touring or short excursions. Taking day tours is another way of travelling with a small group.

I wouldn't want to "search out random travel buddies", as I wouldn't want to be with the same individual for the entire trip. That would limit my freedom, the ability to see the sights that are important to me and I'd have to adjust my schedule to something acceptable for both of us. I've found in the past that even travelling with someone from the Hostel for a few hours can be "problematic".

I should point out that my travel method lately has been to combine a tour of perhaps two weeks, with an equal amount of time on my own. This provides the best of both worlds. I'm with a small group (no more than 27 plus the Guide and Driver) and yet there's lots of free time provided on the tour so I can tour on my own. It's a fairly easy way to travel as all the transportation and hotels are provided. After being with a group for two weeks, that first breakfast on my own is usually terribly lonely, as I'm expecting to see familiar faces across from me. I usually get over that quickly once I get up to touring speed on my own.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both travel methods, but I much prefer the freedom of being on my own. With precise planning, my trips usually go smoothly.

Hope that helps? Cheers!

[Libby]

This isn't a wierd question at all.

I know some people who have advertised for travel buddies but it rarely works out (or so it seems). I've travelled on my own and with friends. Both have their advantages. Why not try mixing it up a bit? My first solo trip was a month to England and Scotland. It was great. I met lots of people at the hostels and made some close friends. My second big trip was last May and I mixed it up. The first week was with a friend in London, my second week was on my own in Belgium and the Netherlands and then the final week was in Germany with another friend. The key was even when I was with my friends we still did our own thing. It was pretty cool. The trip I'm currently planning is another mixed adventure. The first week I'll be on my own in Sweden and the final week will be with a friend and her family. I'll need the solitude of the first to prepare for the second

[jthomas]

thank you this all definitly helps. I think I may need to gather up the confidence and head out on my own.

[kayling05]

I love traveling by myself. I started out by traveling with one friend when we did a study abroad together last year, but we both did our own thing separately sometimes. Then I went to San Francisco with a classmate (not a friend, but an acquaintance) for a conference, and ended up hanging out with random Australians from the hostel instead of her (she hung out with another classmate who we met up with there), and also doing my own thing occasionally. Then, in April, I went to Chicago by myself and it was my first time even flying alone. I stayed in a conference hotel with my professor for 2 days, but the rest of the time, I couchsurfed with a girl I met on couchsurfing.org and spent pretty much all of my sightseeing time (3 days) alone exploring the city by myself... and I loved it! I could go where I want, when I wanted, and spend as much or as little time in museums and places as I wanted without worrying about other people. I rode the L train, made it to and from the airport-- including check-in-- by myself, spent time nerding out in a natural history museum and aquarium, went to the top of the sears tower, and just sort of walked around exploring everything. (the only problem was that it was FLIPPING COLD and snowed on me the last day)
Now I for sure want to go back to Europe and do the same thing!
I would surely encourage you to break out on your own and have a good time. Now, I am an only child and used to spending time by myself and have lived alone before and quite enjoyed it, so maybe this is just me and my personality type, but I would DEFINITELY recommend it.