Traveling solo does not have to be lonely
When Millie Hoffman's husband died, she figured that would be the end of her travel days, but a friend talked her into taking a Caribbean cruise.
Millie had a great time, but not because of her friend, who spent most of the week in the cabin complaining about the crowds and the weather.
So the next year, Millie decided to go it alone. And she's been traveling solo ever since.
The key, according to Millie, is to be realistic about your expectations and your limitations.
"I'm not very adventurous," admits Millie. "I like to be entertained and not have to do a lot of planning."
For Millie, cruising is smooth sailing. Traveling alone on her first cruise, she met another widow who was also alone. They became great friends and still correspond.
"People think when you travel alone, you're stuck talking to yourself," says Jean Cowden, a veteran of solo travel. "But that's not true. It allows you to meet people from all over the world. But you do have to push yourself at times."
Jean remembers flying to Athens, Greece, alone. She thought soaking up the culture would be all she needed. But after three days of soaking up the rain, she was ready to literally throw in the towel.
While sitting in a small café feeling sorry for herself, a little girl seated with her family at the next table smiled at her. The family was Greek, but the mother spoke English and had spent a year in Madison, Wis., Jean's hometown. The family invited Jean to their home and the weather was no longer a problem.
According to travel agent Judy Barr, traveling solo does create some safety concerns, but it's the fear of being alone that stops most travelers from going solo. With a little planning, you won't be talking just to yourself. Here are some suggestions:
• Know your interests and limitations.
Kathy Kuffner had always wanted to try ocean kayaking, so when she heard of a group of women heading to Alaska, she signed up. Before the trip, Kathy trained so she would be in shape to handle paddling through the glaciers. They saw grizzly bears, whales and amazing scenery. And because all the women on the trip shared the interest, conversation came easily.
But one woman on the tour was an obvious couch potato and could barely handle the strenuous routine. On the third day, a helicopter picked her up and returned her to civilization. Unlike the others, she did not have a whale of a good time.
• Find a friend before you go.
Before Mary Carrier left on a three-week tour of China, she talked to her family doctor, who was from Shanghai. He arranged for Mary to meet his family. She took gifts to them and they treated her like an old friend. They introduced Mary to friends and relatives in other parts of China. Mary saw a China other tourists rarely see.
• Sign up for local classes.
When Linda Lindell traveled to Italy, she signed up for a three-day cooking class in Florence. The group became so tight, they have annual reunions in different parts of the world.
• Learn the language.
When Jan Yatso decided to go to Costa Rica for a month, she took a crash class in Spanish before she went. When she arrived, she made a point of talking to the locals. Jan's Spanish wasn't fluent, but people loved the fact she tried to use it and they went out of their way to help her.
Traveling solo does not have to be a lonely experience. As Jean Cowden discovered, if you push yourself a little harder, you might be amazed at the doors you open.
Gail Todd, a free-lance writer,worked as a flight attendant for more than 30years. She can be reached via e-mail at gailtodd@aol.com.