Travelling alone can seem a daunting prospect for many, and understandably so. But with Trafalgar, you needn’t worry if you want to ‘go it alone’ and embark on your travels without a spouse, family member or friend: our memorable tours take the stress out of solo travel, and you’ll make lots of new and like-minded friends along the way.
As anybody who has done it will testify, solo travel is both liberating and invigorating. With none of the arguments that can arise when travelling with family and close friends, you’re free to relax and enjoy your surroundings at your own pace, going where you choose, and experiencing local culture as authentically as possible.
At Trafalgar we understand your need for freedom, and we strive to strike just the right balance between time spent with our expert travel guides, who’ll show you hidden treasures that you wouldn’t normally get to see, and leisure time to spend exploring the things that interest you the most – whether with your new-found friends, or on a solitary excursion. Perhaps you’ll want to take a second look at Michelangelo’s legendary Sistine Chapel in the Vatican on a tour of Italy, or treat yourself to a meal in a favourite Parisian restaurant on your tour of France…
Perhaps one of the biggest sources of apprehension for the solo traveller is what to do in the evenings. But with a stimulating programme of evening entertainment and meals taken with your fellow travellers, this is never a concern on a Trafalgar tour. You might choose to attend a concert, or get closer to living life as a local with our unique ‘Be My Guest’ dining experiences, which allow you to dine as a guest in the home of a local resident, or in special dining venues. What better way to become acquainted with Italy’s famed cuisine than on a Sorrento tour, or to experience traditional Hungarian fare on the outskirts of Budapest on a tour of Hungary?
Trafalgar tours make it easy for you to take the plunge and try solo travel, with all the expert advice you could need at your disposal and a group of friendly, like-minded travellers with you to keep loneliness firmly at bay every step of the way.
If you’d like to meet fellow travellers before you go, you could always visit our Message Board too!
Have you ever travelled alone?
What do you like best about travelling solo?
Which cities are best for travelling alone?
Share your solo stories by commenting below!
Traveling on The Best of Italy Tour from May 14, 2011 to May 27, 2011. What kind of temperatures will we be encountering? Can we leave our winter sweaters home?
May is the perfect month to travel in Italy, with weather that is warm but not too hot for sightseeing. The major sights will be slightly less crowded than later in the summer.
Yes you can probably leave your winter sweats at home! But as European weather is always unpredictable, it would be advisable to pack a couple of thinner jumpers for layering in the evening or when you reach higher altiudes. You can always buy a cheap raincoat or umbrella if you are caught in a freak rain shower!
You can ask travel questions in the Trafalgar community here too: http://www.trafalgar.com/community/forums.aspx
We hope you have a fantastic Italy holiday!
I traveled alone last year and it definitely took some courage. It was my first time overseas and I used the experience to write about what I learned each day on a blog I started. Trafalgar made it so easy and I was able to mix with the tour group alot more than if I was there with a partner. Everyone made me feel welcome and anytime I felt alone I just blogged on my laptop and shared my stories with the world.
I cannot recommend doing enough. I am a different person. More inspired, more game to try new things and most importantly I have found a zest for life I did not have before. Being single is not necessary fun these days but on this trip I was the hero – everyone wished they were brave enough to do it!
Wendy.
Hey Wendy,
Thanks so much for your feedback, we really appreciate you sharing your experience with us!
I hope you feel like you can travel alone again in the future – our tours are designed for all sorts of travellers, and solo travellers can especially benefit from our room pairing and many group activities.
So many solo travellers choose Trafalgar each year and usually end up making friends for life!
I am recently retired and want to plan a trip to Southern Italy and Sicily within the next 6 to 9 months. I have traveled alone on numerous occasions over the years and absolutely love the liberating feeling of being on my own. I am reluctant to get into a situation where I feel responsible for a travel mate’s enjoyment!
Hi Peggy,
That’s great! It’s so good to hear from people who enjoy solo travelling, as it’s such a liberating experience and more and more people are embracing it each year.
And what better place to enjoy it than in beautiful Sicily and Southern Italy!
Happy travelling,
Trafalgar Blog Editor
I travelled alone with Trafalgar in January 2010 through Europe. It was simultaneously the hardest and best thing I’ve ever done. The day of the end of a ten year relationship, I met my tour group in Amsterdam and immediatly relaxed! My tour guide originated just around the corner from me in NZ, and my roommate was a laugh a minute. I had a fantastic time on tour and met some sensational people. The hardest part of tour was becoming ill in Italy and having to stay behind while the tour went ahead for a night, and, upon re-joining the group, finding that my bag had not accompanied me on my flight and was still stuck two countries over!! But, even these incidents were treated with calm and humour by my tour manager, and were made as easy and stress-free as possible. Folks from the office in London as well as my tour manager were calling to check on me constantly while I was away from the group and I always felt really looked after!
Touring alone was a blast, and I’m in the throes of planning another couple of Trafalgar tours with a great friend I met on tour for 2012. Bring it on!!
Hi there Stacey,
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us, it really is appreciated – and what a lovely experience you had!
Tour Directors, Local Guides and Trafalgar make every effort to ensure that things run smoothly, no matter what. I’m so glad that your illness and bag mishap was sorted so swiftly! That could have been disaster.
We encourage solo travellers to book onto tours, as there are always other solo travellers, as well as friendly groups who can’t wait to meet new people.
Happy travelling,
Blog Editor
I am also alone and traveling for the fisrt time on Britain & Ireland Delight on Sat 14th May. It is a big step as I am on the other side of 50, but you know what? Live is great and I am sure I will have a wonderful time. I am looking forward to meeting new people and have a whale of a time!!