I used to be the kind of person who wouldn’t go to restaurants by myself. I felt like everyone was staring at me, wondering why I didn’t have someone to eat with.
So, if you told me that I’d fly to Germany for three weeks on my own and love every minute of it, I would have questioned your sanity. But here’s what I discovered: Solo travel can be the most healing, liberating and all-around-fun experience ever.
I’m not the only middle-aged mama who thinks so. According to the U.S. Travel Association, the average solo traveler is a 47-year-old female. In fact, an estimated 32 million U.S. women travel on their own each year.
I reached out to women between the ages of 40 and 75 to learn about their best solo trips and get their advice. Here’s what you need to know — and why you should go.
It’s All About You
Jeanette Mendy recently retired after a career in the U.S. Army and the Department of Veterans Affairs. “I’ve traveled a lot for work, but now it’s my time,” she says. “I can have experiences I’ve only dreamed about.”
Mendy admits: “My first solo trip was a river cruise on the Rhine, and I definitely felt nervous. Would other people judge me for being alone? I took a deep breath and went anyway. It turned out that everyone was too busy enjoying themselves to care about what I was doing.”
Swimming with The Big Blue Swim
Jean Rutter found that solo travel was a great way to meet people who shared her passions. “I love ocean swimming, and I found a company, The Big Blue Swim, that offered trips to the Greek Islands. But none of my friends or family wanted to join me. After worrying about it for months, I booked a trip on my own. I ended up meeting five swimmers from Australia who became good friends.”
‘Solo’ Doesn’t Have to Mean ‘Alone’
Many tour operators have small-group trips that are perfect for solo travelers. El Camino Travel offers excursions that connect women with “female entrepreneurs and artisans who share their works and worlds with us,” according to founder Katalina Myorga. Bestie and mother-daughter groups are welcome, but the majority of travelers go solo.
Traditional Dancing in Aswan, Egypt
Canyon Calling was founded in 1996 with the goal of empowering women to explore the world. “I tell first-timers, you may come by yourself, but you’ll quickly find your tribe,” says owner Janet Scalzo. “Lots of our travelers are at a turning point in their lives or just need a break from the daily grind.”
Another small-group tour company, Intrepid Travel, features women’s expeditions, with the goal of breaking down cultural barriers in countries such as India, Morocco and Iran. “Our travelers enjoy authentic connections and experiences, some of them literally ‘behind the veil,’” notes spokeswoman Jenny Gray. “We’ve been to a hammam — a traditional steam bath — in Jordan and a beauty salon in Iran.”