Many of usโme includedโhave struggled with traveling alone. Solo travel for women can be complicated and scary. This is a story of how a Barefoot Blogger friend, Kathleen, has conquered her fears.
Childhood Adventures: Where My Love for Travel Began
Iโve loved travel since childhood. My grandmother often took me on road trips along the East Coast of the U.S., introducing me to the thrill of exploring new places. After graduating from nursing school, I spent a summer exploring Europe with two other nurses, a dream trip that expanded my love for discovering different cultures. Later, I traveled with my husband on cruises, and even after having children, my husband and a sitter covered for me so I could cruise with my mother. Each trip deepened my appreciation for travel and the joy it brings.
From Teaching to Traveling: Leading Student Trips to France
In 1997, I teamed up with two friends to take our 7th graders on 10-day summer trips to France. Seeing the same beautiful destinations through new eyes each year became one of my favorite experiences. Traveling with my teacher friends during school holidays kept the excitement alive and gave me a built-in network of companions. Those were some of my most fulfilling travel years.
Learning from My Motherโs Regrets
My mother and I shared a love of travel, and before she passed, we often talked about the journeys weโd taken together. One of her biggest regrets was never making it to Australia and New Zealand. While independent, she didnโt want to travel alone and couldnโt find anyone to accompany her. Her regret left a mark on me; I knew I didnโt want to find myself in the same position, wishing Iโd been brave enough to explore on my own.
Embracing Solo Travel: My First Journey Alone
After retirement, I made a list of places I wanted to visit and decided that solo travel was the answer. My friends were still working, and my husband no longer wanted to travel, so I planned my first solo cruiseโa New England and Canada journey from Boston. I booked a back-to-back Boston-Montreal-Boston cruise, which allowed me to visit my son and daughter-in-law before and after. I met wonderful people on the ship, enjoyed lively dinners, and gained confidence.
Overcoming My Fears of Solo Travel
Initially, I had my fears. Traveling alone for the first time felt daunting; I wasnโt sure I could handle everything alone. To ease into it, I chose a familiar mode of travelโcruisingโwhere I could feel safe in a controlled environment with structured activities. I met wonderful dinner companions and discovered that solo travel didnโt have to be lonely. Being able to meet others and share stories each evening gave me a reassuring sense of community, and this first successful trip became a stepping stone.
Building Confidence Through New Adventures
I also feared that managing logistics by myself would be overwhelming. Yet, emboldened by the success of my cruise, I planned a bigger adventureโa transatlantic journey with a stop in France. Reading about Uzรจs on the Barefoot Blogger made me comfortable choosing it as my destination, and arranging the car rental and accommodations gave me a strong sense of accomplishment. Navigating my trip independently in a beautiful, unfamiliar town made me realize I could handle solo travelโand enjoy it.
Encouraging Other Women to Embrace Solo Travel
Now, I meet women who think they canโt travel solo, but I encourage them to try. Solo travel isnโt for everyone, but for those willing to explore, itโs possible to do it safely and joyfully. My journey has continued, each solo trip building my confidence and joy.
Taking “Baby Steps”
Kathleenโs journey into solo travel was about more than just visiting new placesโit was about proving to herself that she could do it. By starting small and building her confidence, she found a way to travel on her own terms, safely and enjoyably. From cruises to renting a car in France, each experience helped her grow more comfortable navigating the world solo. Now, she encourages other women to give it a try. Itโs an opportunity to discover new destinations and your own strengths and independence.
Do you have a story about solo travel you would like to share? Please send me a note. I love hearing from you!
6 Responses
Dear Fellow Travelers or soon-to-be-Fellow Travelers,
I, too, started with baby steps in traveling solo, or almost solo. I began by flying to Europe to join groups taking language courses, and although I would be with other people for part of the day, they were strangers, at first, anyway. This was a safe beginning, and I continued for years by going to yoga classes in Costa Rica, Portugal, Italy. I would meet with the class twice a day then have the rest of the day to explore on my own. I’ll never forget being in Lisbon at 9 p.m. waiting for a trolley on a busy street only to find out it was the wrong street. Grateful to the passerby who pointed this out. And no one cared if I was eating alone in a Paris cafe. I began in my mid 70s to venture on these alone-yet-not-alone trips, so give it serious thought if you have a desire in your heart. Life is just too short.
I love this JoAnne! It sounds like you made the best of every travel opportunity. And whoโs looking if we think weโve made a fool out of ourselves?! Weโre just experiencing life.
I love solo travel but am changing now from doing it all on my own to doing group tours, mainly because of my age (late 70s) and the health concerns that may arise. (So far none, but after a health issue that arose during a local hike, I’ve decided I need to build some caution into my travels.) My favorite solo trips were those taken during the years I lived in Russia for work in the mid 2010s. Twice a year, I would put my tiny dog in her carrier and we would fly to France where I would rent a car and we would go exploring for 9 days. We even spent a week in Uzes! I still combine some solo time in cities before and after a tour, most recently a week in Istanbul before a two week hiking trip, followed by a week in Edinburgh and London. I think I must have inherited a wandering gene from my mom, who adored travel for the culture, the history and the people, introducing us to Europe while I was still in grade school. I want to do as much as I can until I can’t. It’s such a joy and I heartily encourage it!
Alicia, I feel like I’m looking into a mirror with your love of travel. I’m sad, though, because my precious adopted senior dog, Fanny, died before we were able to do all the trips I wanted to go on with her. She did get to travel to the US and dip her toes in the Atlantic. Yes, I agree, too, it get a bit more concdrning to travel when you’re getting older.That’s why I’m enjoying life in France. I can reach most places by car or train… and life is good everyday! Thank you so much for writing. Hopefully, you’ll get back to Uzรจs someday and say “hi.”
I did not take baby steps. I jumped right in.when my husband passed away at 61 years old, I decided to retire. I had a bucket list of places I wanted to visit. Luckily my husband was well enough to go with me to Iceland, London, and Paris. Soon I wanted to go to Finland to see the northern lights and sleep in a glass igloo. I couldn’t find a traveling companion so I went alone. It was wonderful. I am currently planning a solo trip to Scotland.
So glad to hear from you, Carol. That’s just the spirit I hope more women can achieve. It sounds like you already have been on the go. Enjoy Scotland. I visited a few years ago and I’m anxious to return. Perhaps you’ll enjoy this story …https://barefootbloggerworld.com/2016/06/22/one-fine-day-in-glasgow/ Thanks for staying in touch. Happy travels!