Traveling solo has its pros and cons. When you’re on your own, you’re independent and in control. You can travel at your own pace, do the things that interest you, eat where and when you like, and splurge where you want to splurge. You don’t have to wait for your partner to pack up, and you never need to negotiate where to eat or when to call it a day. You go where you want, when you want, and you can get the heck out of that stuffy museum when all the Monets start to blur together. If ad-libbing, it’s easier for one person to slip between the cracks than two.
Of course, there are downsides to traveling alone: When you’re on your own, you don’t have a built-in dining companion. You’ve got no one to send ahead while you wait in line, help you figure out the bus schedule, or commiserate with when things go awry. And traveling by yourself is usually more expensive. With a partner, hotel accommodations cost less because they’re shared. Other things become cheaper too when you’re splitting costs, such as groceries, guidebooks, taxis, storage lockers, and more.
Dining Out
Dining solo is as common in Europe as it is in the US, and you’ll rarely stand out as you sit down alone. But if you’re not already used to eating alone in a restaurant, try it in your hometown a few times to get more comfortable with the idea. Although many single travelers savor dining alone, some countries have special meals that are more fun to experience with others.
