If you could go anywhere in the world all by yourself, where would you go?

I'm considering planning a solo vacation for the dead of winter this year, when I know getting some sunshine will be absolutely necessary for my soul. While I've flown alone quite frequently and spent a few days by myself here and there, I've always had someone I was visiting, even if for only a short time. It may be just the time in my life to go it completely alone.

As I mentioned on another thread, I'm looking at an all-female surf and yoga retreat in Bali, ( http://www.surfgoddessretreats.com/ ) but I'm not fully decided yet. I also plan to pick up this book for some research today:



Where would you go?

Carrie have you read the book Eat, Pray, Love (Elizabeth Gilbert)? It's great, all about a woman who takes off on her own to Rome, India and Indonesia. You reminded me of it when you said you wanted to travel alone, I think you should give it a read!

That being said, I'm deathly afraid of traveling alone. I get lost easily and when it happens I freak out. So I doubt I'd go anywhere very far by myself unless I have been there already!

Kudos to you!
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[Edited 10/17/07 8:24am]

definitely Dubai.

Carrie, I'd definetely recommend travelling on your own. I did it in New Zealand and Brazil and enjoyed the experience being on my own a lot more. Travelling on your own allows you to do what you want, when you want. It also allows you to meet and get to know people more.

Why Bali though and not Thailand? I can't speak for Bali but by going to Thailand you can easily land hop to Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. It's not always easy but flights to and from each country are generally cheap.

Personally I'd love to go inter-railing throughout Europe and travel on the Trans-Siberian Express. I also plan to travel and work in Japan. In time I'd also like to go to the Middle East and North Africa, Canada, USA and Central America. I'm not too fussed about Africa for what reason I'm not sure of.

CarrieLee said:

I haven't, but I definitely want to check it out! I'll pick it up today when I get the other one. Thanks for the recommendation!

I'm maybe a little, oh, anxious about traveling alone. But I've done it before, at least to some extent, and I think I'm finally at the place in my life where I'm realizing this is it. I'm all I've got. So I think it would be good for me.

CarrieLee said:

That's part of the fun.

CarrieMpls said:

I think it's great that you're not letting being alone stop you from doing things. I can't help but think that what you said there sounds a bit depressing too though.



messed up html edit
[Edited 10/17/07 8:40am]

JDInteractive said:

Meeting people as a single woman traveling by yourself in a country you don't speak the language can be very intimidating, though. I think it's very different for a man traveling by himself, which is why I'm planning to check that book out.

I've not ruled Thailand out yet, but the Bali vacation would be just that, a vacation. I've never actually taken a vacation. I always "travel". If I did the Bali retreat I'd learn how to surf and have yoga on the beach every morning and take an indonesian cooking class, and have spa treatments and be fed all organic yummy all the livelong day. That appeals to me as well. But I'm not completely sold on it yet either.

Or I may wait and do some other things later in the year next year. I'm just checking out my options.

retina said:

Maybe, but it doesn't have to be. Hence the making my plans anyway.

CarrieMpls said:

Tampa, Florida

CarrieMpls said:

I don't agree based on experience but I can appreciate your sentimentalities.

JDInteractive said:

I agree with Carrie. You have to be a woman to understand!!!

Imago said:

CarrieLee said:

I met plenty of girls travelling on there own. You either do it or you don't I guess.

Good for you carrie ENJOY


I have - do - will travel alone !

I started at the age of 12 flying every summer from Detroit to Bozeman Montanna

If I could at this time in my life take the extra $ and time away from here I would go to the Maldive Islands for a month solo

Mach said:

That looks lovely.

CarrieMpls said:

I would have to dig out the scuba gear and maybe even take a refresher class before I went

I would be IN the waters A LOT

JDInteractive said:

And I'm sure that at least one of them have had problems traveling alone because of a language barrier and because they are a woman. It's hard to describe. Both Lesli and I were treated much differently when we weren't with our male friends

That's a very good question, I'd go any and everywhere...well, maybe not any. there are some place where it's not safe for a female to travel alone to.

CarrieLee said:

Carrie's right, it's not all parties and roses. It really is different for women traveling alone. Maybe unless you're a woman, you simply won't get that. Women simply aren't afforded the same respect the world over and there is always the violence, sexual and otherwise to consider. Heck, we have to consider that walking alone near our own homes where everythign is utterly familiar.
But of course it can be done, and comfortably as well. Which is why I'm even looking into doing it. But it takes research to find the best way to go about it, the areas that are woman-friendly and most of all, safe.

Mach said:

The women who run the surf retreat in Bali also do a dive retreat for women. I was looking at that one as well. I've never done either before.

egpyt. but i've always been told it's dangerous for women to travel alone there.

I am a scaredy cat when it comes to traveling alone...I do not mind going out to a restaurant alone though!! It gives me a chance to enjoy good food and enjoy a good book!

I do several things on my own but traveling would not be one of them, too scary for me

evenstar said:

It's really a wonderful experience - If you like swimming and water and all that

JDInteractive said:

Cos Bali isn't run by a military dictatorship?

I LOVE to travel alone, but then I like my own company best in any situation. Do it Carrie!

Mach said:

evenstar said:

i admire your willingness to travel alone... i can do a lot of things alone, i am a single mom (have been for nearly 10 years), i can run a business alone, and i have no problem being alone at most things.....


but a vacation seems like you would want someone to experience things with i say grab a girlfriend and see the world !

either way, enjoy yourself.... and have a blast

CarrieMpls said:

Sorry.