Why You Should Plan a Solo Vacation

Taking a vacation by yourself may sound terrifying to most people but in all honesty, it can be quite fulfilling and enriching.

Just the thought of having to eat alone, stay in a hotel by yourself, and essentially explore an entirely new city or even country may seem like a depressing and daunting endeavor, but there are some great benefits to it too.

Why You Should Plan a Solo Trip

Here are some of my favorite reasons why I believe you should plan at least one solo trip in your life:

1. More Flexibility

I love sticking to schedules. But sometimes plans and moods change and you just want to pull a complete 180 and do something completely different. But if you get this sudden mood change when traveling with a group, it’s almost logistically impossible to adjust your plans without possibly breaking the bank.

Want to stay in Disney World two days longer? If you’re by yourself, that’s an easy change. Just add a couple of days to your tickets and see if you can extend your hotel an extra two nights. And if your hotel happens to be sold out for those new dates, you can easily find a hotel that meets your needs and budget in the surrounding area.

Want to ride Tower of Terror four times in a row without having to convince your party? Go book another Genie return time!

Or maybe you just want to eat something unique or different. Want to eat at a Japanese restaurant enjoying handmade nigiri by Iron Chef Morimoto instead of eating a cheaper option like corn dog nuggets and fries for a third time that week? There’s literally nothing stopping you during a solo vacation.

2. Focus on Your Own Interests

Everyone has their own travel style and preferences. Some folks prefer to discover new foods, while others just want to sleep in and lounge around the pool. But if you weren’t traveling solo, you sometimes will have to compromise.

However, by taking a trip by yourself, you are the number one priority so you can vacation the way you want. 

Want to eat all day without stepping foot in a world-famous museum or historical monument?

Or maybe you want to finally go whale watching in Alaska after trying to local seafood and cuisine in a small Alaskan town on the coast.

Or maybe you want to have a drink at every country in Epcot without being forced to wait in line for Test Track or Frozen.

3. New Social Opportunities

I think there’s no better way to go out of your comfort zone than essentially forcing yourself to go out and be social.

A few years back, I did a Contiki Trip across Europe for 27 days by myself. Sure there were 41 other people my age on that bus, but the fact that I was traveling alone without any new friends basically forced me to go out and meet new people, a few of whom I still keep in close contact with 8 years later.

4. Less Conflict

As fun and enjoyable a trip with friends and family can be, there are always those moments during every vacation when issues arise. Whether if it’s deciding what to do or choosing a place to eat, traveling with multiple people also involves multiple opinions and personal preferences.

By traveling alone, you never have to worry about all those headaches. 

Want to eat at a steakhouse for breakfast? Go right ahead. Want to go on Space Mountain twice, there’s nothing stopping you.

5. Boosted Confidence

From a personal standpoint, going on a trip by myself boosted my confidence tenfold. And to be honest, I don’t think I would be the same person I am today without taking a a leap of faith and traveling solo..

From no longer having to worry about the negative stigma of eating alone or just feeling like a loner when exploring museums and other tourist attractions, the confidence boost I received has honestly improved my social life and my overall mental health.

6. Self-Exploration

Choosing your own itinerary during a solo trip can leave room for you to explore new areas, try new foods, and partake in activities you would normally think twice about.

This also can help you figure out what kind of stuff you actually enjoy or even hate.

Maybe you always wanted to try pineapple ice cream but come to find out it’s actually disgusting.

Or maybe you wanted to go on your first every rollercoaster but realized you’re scared of heights.

Or even maybe you had a fear of horses only to find out that horseback riding is probably one of the best things you’ve ever done.

The more at-bats for trying new things, the more you’ll learn about yourself.

7. Personal Enrichment

By taking a solo trip, you have the option to do whatever you want literally, no questions asked. 

This also provides you with the opportunity to try something new like learning how to speak a new language like Japanese or maybe even taking a French baking class in Paris. Shoot, maybe you even want to learn how to Flamenco dance in Barcelona or take a ghost walk in New Orleans. The opportunities to enrich yourself are endless.

…

Hopefully, you’ll give it a shot 🙂

(Pssst. Disney World is the perfect destination to try it out)