One choice
that transformed my perspective on the world (and myself)
My trip fantasies used to be all about carefully thought-out itineraries, headcounts, and group pictures.
I once believed that the safest and most effective method
for a woman to travel the world was through group trips. And perhaps they were
for a time.
Yet, the day
I unintentionally missed a bus while traveling in Italy with a group changed
everything.
My life's greatest error was that one.
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| Why I Ditched Group Tours for Solo Adventures |
The Day It Clicked - Lost in Florence, Found Myself
I fell behind
in Florence during a well-planned group tour of Europe because I was too
impressed with a local artist's painting in the square. My tour group had left
by the time I looked up.
After a brief
period of terror, I took a deep breath, asked a local for assistance in broken
Italian, and then I managed to get back to the hotel by myself.
I was unaware
of the fire that was sparked inside me by that tiny taste of independence. I
came to the realization that I no longer wanted to blend in with the crowd. I
desired my own story.
Group Tours Gave Me Safety - but Took My Voice
Don't get me
wrong, I learned a lot from group trips. They gave me more self-assurance when
I first started traveling. Still, I also discovered that I was adjusting to the
group's speed rather than my own. The plan told me it was time to move on, so I
bypassed sites I really wanted to see.
Returning to
control looked shocking for a female traveler traveling solo. No more tourist
traps, no more hurried restroom stops, and no more acting as though I liked
places I didn't feel a connection to. I desired real interactions. Ones without
filters.
Solo Travel Gave Me More Than Views - it Gave Me Vision
Since then,
I've traveled alone, dancing in the alleys
of Oaxaca, wandering through the souks of Marrakech, and camping in New
Zealand under the stars. I gained insight from my solo travels, not just travel
stories.
I started to
believe my gut. I gained knowledge on how to interpret maps, deal with language
hurdles, and above all enjoy being by myself.
I learned the
silent power of journaling, just being, and sitting in a café by myself.
Lessons from the Road - What I Gained by Going Solo
Freedom to Choose - No compromising. I can stay at a
waterfall all day if I want to. I will skip a museum if I so choose.
Confidence as a Woman - I discovered that I'm far more
capable than I previously thought when I traveled solo.
Real Cultural Immersion - When you're alone yourself, locals
are more likely to connect with you. I've had invitations to weddings, local
festivals, and residences.
Stronger Intuition - When your safety and decisions depend
on it, you become better at interpreting people and situations.
Deep Self-Awareness - When you're not preoccupied with what
other people think, you discover aspects of yourself that you were unaware
existed.
But Is It Always Easy?
No. It can be
frightening at times. I occasionally lose myself in alleyways or cry in train
stations. However, after that empowerment? Worth all the tears and all the
wrong turns.
Traveling
solo as a woman is about addressing your fears and moving forward despite them,
not about being fearless.
Final Thoughts - Why I’ll Never Go Back
Group trips
are fine; they can be enjoyable and simple. Yet they reduced the attraction of
discovery for me.
I feel alive
when I travel solo. The road turns into an internal adventure rather than merely
a route to a destination.
Therefore, if you're a woman on the edge of traveling alone and you're unsure if you can pull it off, I want you to know that you can.
You don't require authorization. A group is not necessary. All you need is a
decent pair of walking shoes and a little bravery.
And you might
never turn back once you go it alone.
Thinking of taking your first solo trip?
Visit our blogs to see my Top Picks for First-Time Solo Travel Destinations and Travel Advice for Solo Women.
If you're
still undecided, bookmark this post and share it to someone who might be in
need of some travel ideas.
