Solo holidays testimonials: Why do you like travelling alone?

Why do you like travelling alone?

Your holidays are synonymous with freedom but especially a big need to be alone. 6 women tell us their experiences.

“IT OBLIGES ME TO APPROACH OTHERs”

MICHÈLE, 53 YEAR-OLD, DIVORCED, TWO SONS OF 23 AND 9 YEARS OLD, MANAGES A CENTRE OF CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS.

“My first job was at World Assistance. I was not allowed to have leave during the school holidays, it is there that I got used to escaping by myself in May, October or January. My friends were never available in these periods. I began with Greece. With other travellers I slept on the roofs, in boats – it was a “hippy” lifestyle. When I met my husband, as he worked at night, we were barely together at the same time at home. We travelled together, but also separately, with or without the children. I worked a lot, I had enough money to hire a helper at home and it enabled me to continue my solo escapades, in the USA, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka… I consult forums and I have my globe-trotter book. I plan an itinerary that I modify according to my desires. Mostly I’ve manage to get air conditioning and Internet, to keep in touch with my family. I travel light but I also allow myself the luxury of a comfortable bungalow, or a great restaurant, and so on. Travelling alone forces me to approach others, to be outgoing, and since I speak four languages, conversation is much easier.”

“I NEED THIS SOLO WEEK”

ANGELINE, 29 YEARS, IN A RELATIONSHIP, PREGNANT, BOOKSELLER.

“I need a solo week once a year. I gained this habit when I began to make my living; a friend of my mother rented me a house in Corsica and I adored this solitary trip in fantastic surroundings. Travelling alone is like breaking away from the daily life – reducing the constraints at least. Without telephone or the Internet. I re-energize by getting lost in my thoughts and by doing exactly what I want. I like cities. I’ve visited quite a lot of European capitals. I have also travelled in France. As I don’t have my driving licence, I get around by train, bus and on foot. I have been in a relationship for three and a half years and I continue to give myself this solo break. I am now pregnant, but I have already planned with my mother for her to babysit my baby so that I can keep this annual breath of fresh air. My boyfriend understands this need very well; he likes knowing that I’m independent. Also, the cities, the museums, the churches, are not his thing. My friends are less understanding. They ask me ‘Why are you going on holiday if you cannot share the moments of pleasure with somebody?’ We simply want to indulge in ourselves.”

“THE PLEASURE TO BE 100% ME”

ÉLODIE, 41 YEARS, DIVORCED, A DAUGHTER, PROGRAMMER.

“We want to inculcate in our children the spirit of independence so should we be stuck with them? Should we feel guilty at the idea of leaving without them? For my fortieth birthday, I went to Cambodia for three weeks, “backpacking” – I went for an adventure. A challenge, a desire. Asia is a good place to go when you travel alone; there are lots of globetrotters, we share tips during breakfast, we spend part of the travel together and more if there are affinities. Far from the daily life, from social opinion, I discovered the pleasure to be totally myself. My internal compass strengthened. I also went to Hong Kong, which is a destination that was not very “friendly” to me. I had the impression of spending one week in a business district… I visited Corsica with my Canadian friend. Travelling alone (and sometimes far), gives self-confidence. Of course, there are sublime things that we see alone. But we can’t have both sides of the coin – total freedom and sharing. I’ve now been in a relationship for one year, but I still plan to travel alone, just by myself.”

“I LEARNED TO MANAGE THINGS”

SALOMÉ, 26 YEARS, IN COUPLE, WORKED IN THE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

“My father was a steward for Air France. Thus I benefited for a long time from preferential rates. At 18 years old, I had to go with a friend to the USA but she cancelled at the last minute. As a result, I left alone. It was for my studies. My host family was great; it was a real pleasant surprise. Then, I left alone, to spend six weeks in San Diego. I had to manage things, especially as I lost my watch and my telephone! It’s true that travel broadens young people’s minds. I went to Romania, India, USA and other countries in Asia. I saw the world such as it is, without prejudices or illusions. I like walking, getting lost in a town. This is how in Chicago, I found myself witnessing an Indian marriage! I met my boyfriend, a French-American guy in Paris, and he lives in Korea. As a result, I often leave for Asia to see him and then I continue the rest of the road alone. Unfortunately, I will not be able to enjoy the cheaper tickets dedicated to people under 26, otherwise I will travel more in Europe.”

“LEAVE/TRAVEL FAR TO AVOID REALITY”

ANNE, 43 YEARS, SINGLE, EVENT MANAGER.

“I grew up abroad, my parents were expats; they gave me a taste for big spaces. Travelling alone, avoids having to organize things with somebody and to manage dissatisfactions on-the-spot. For many of us, if we travel together, we have to do everything together and I really don’t like being obligated to do anything during a trip. In this need to travel alone and far, there is a desire to avoid reality. Asia represents for me a way of putting some distance between our rich society and never being satisfied. It is a continent that is anti-consumer and nonconformist. It is who I am; it feels comfortable. I leave my watch at home. I buy impulse tickets, take a light backpack, a globe-trotter book, the Lonely Planet. I do not skimp on comfort on the plane, but, on the spot, I know how to satisfy myself with the minimum. Everything is possible on a trip, even a love affair…”

“I MAKE WHAT I WANT WHEN I WANT”

HÉLÈNE, 30 YEARS, LIBRARIAN, SINGLE.

“If I had to wait for my friends to finally make a choice, and have the same tastes as me, I would not travel often! I like organizing very fast; I have a correct budget, a hotel, restaurants. I know how to indulge myself. My first journey alone was in Geneva. Then Copenhagen, Vienna, London, Turin, and so on. Museums, strolls, shops, coffees, with the globe-trotter book and the Blue Guide under my arm. I do what I want when I want. I tend to limit contact with my usual life on trips. I do not really make friends; I do not come for that, though there are possibilities to meet people. It is not a selfish approach. On the way back, I gladly share my memories, photos and advice. I have no more than five days alone; later, I need to find my friends. Am I afraid? Never, but I choose quiet destinations. On the other hand, to rent a house in the South, with idleness and barbecues on the menu, is not my cup of tea, I prefer having a group of buddies.

Testimonial: why do you like to go on holiday alone?