Solo Travellers Experience

Lucy always wanted to travel but neither the time, money or travelling companion ever seemed to happen at the same time.

She had always wanted to go and see North America with the Rocky mountains,the bears,the Redwoods,California,the National Parks. Still single and fed up of dreaming and not doing she booked a trip with a camping adventure tour company,bought a plane ticket and headed of to Seattle to meet her fellow adventurers.

How bad could 14 complete strangers in a minibus for two weeks be?

The tour was 14 days in the Canadian Rockies, hiking,camping,rafting,cycling and canoeing with visits to Banff, Lake Louise,Colombia Glacier ,Jasper and then a big lloop back to Vancouver and finally Seattle.

The van was full of different nationalities,with an average age of 25. Camping every night was great fun and sitting under the stars around a camp fire was just what she had wanted. When you live with people in a small space you get to know people very well in a short space of time and friendships for life can be made.
Lucy came back off her trip with an enormous confidence boost and sense that she could now do anything and brush aside any ostacles in her everyday life.

She went on more trips to North America and Europe all with people she did n't know. In fact she even met her husband on one. The experiences and confidence gained have stayed with her ever since.

A little advice on travelling solo

Setting off alone can be exciting and daunting at the same time. When i first travelled alone there was no one to wave me off at the airport and I had to take a deep breath as stepped through security. I had to go because how would I get my bags back! I found splittong up a day into sections helped especially when changing planes,trains and taxis.

I used to do a mixture of independent travel and joining trips so I had freedom but also some friendly faces and a break from organisation.

Being on your home 5000 miles from home is quite liberating the world is out there and you can go and find it however you want to.

Hostels are a good way to meet fellow travellers, if you are looking for a secure and reliable standard then Hostelling International/ YHA is your best bet you can book ahead online and you know that it will be OK. Pack light to make sure you can carry your stuff comfortably, Do you really need all that stuff? A backpack is a good idea.

For women travelling alone can be especially daunting but the key is to not put yourself in a vunerable position in the first place. MAke sure you pack a big dose of common sense ... and i sound like your mum thats because I am one.