solo travel
You've got somewhere to go, but no one to go with; solo travel is the nexus of independence and opportunity.
My Top 5 Tips for a First Time London Traveler
I just recently came home from my very first solo trip to London. This was my very first trip internationally by myself and I was excited but absolutely TERRIFIED. There is a big difference in getting lost or navigating your own city and navigating somewhere completely different. And in a whole new country no less. Here are a few things I've been able to reflect on now that I have arrived home safely. Hopefully, these 5 tips will help quell some nerves of other first time travelers!
Nicole CarlsonPublished 6 years ago in WanderTravel Before Career
I grew up in a "deaf world." My confidence was never that high, so when it came to leaving school, I had already made my mind up that I wanted a career in theatre. It was as I was finishing college that I found out how hard it was going to be to get into theatre school, so instead, I chose to travel abroad. I was not pushing my career choice aside or diminishing my decisions about theatre in any way, I wanted to broaden my horizon and gain independence and I had heard that traveling was a good way to achieve this.
John A. ColePublished 6 years ago in Wander10 Reasons to Go Backpacking Alone
Maybe solo traveling has never even crossed your mind before, but we're here to convince you why it's one of the best experiences you can have. These are the top ten reasons to go backpacking alone, and why it will be an experience that is invaluable.
Kelsey LangePublished 6 years ago in WanderHow I Found Myself in a Stranger's House in Bangalore
So, this is a pretty strange story that is the direct result of a string of bad luck and great consequences. September 2017, I found myself high up in the southern Indian mountains in a beautiful place called Munnar. Unfortunately, I only had roughly two days here before having to find a way to Goa. After weighing up the options (the cheapest by far being the train, but the quickest being flying), I decided to take a combination transport to get me there reasonably cheaply, that didn’t take too much time. This culminated in a night-bus from Munnar to Bangalore, and a flight from Bangalore to Goa.
Where Will Your Next Adventure Take You?
Growing up in Texas, you are accustomed to traveling down I35 seeing flat field after flat field with no hill in sight. To the east, when you visit family, you gaze at the never-ending trees that, as a kid, when you looked up the window in your car you still couldn't see the tops of the gigantic green trees. Once you finally escape the dusty, dry, arid region that engulfs most of west/central Texas, you come across some of the most beautiful mountains and hills to climb up just so you don't miss watching the gorgeous Texas sunset. I have always loved this great state that I lived in for 21 years; however, I felt a need to explore, a need to get out, a need to find myself individually, and last summer, I did exactly that.
Chase TherrienPublished 6 years ago in WanderI've Quit My Job, I'm Going to Asia... What Have I Done...
"Just go! Quit your job and go!" my dad yells across the dinner table on a Sunday night about three weeks ago. Fathers around the world are infamous for their "wisdom" and "advice." Mine, however, seems to have the self control of an untrained puppy on acid. A summary of his advice over the past decade can be summed up by this classic: "It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission" (a horrific thing to tell an 11-year-old!). And yet I listen, and the fallout is something that my father fears and takes pride in in equal measure.
Kirstyn BrookPublished 6 years ago in WanderCompass Rose
I sat in the airport, clutching my Venti chai latte from Starbucks like a good little White girl, because isn't that what the Instagram posts have conditioned me to do when traveling? Heart hammering in my chest, I stared at the plane that was about to whisk me away to the great unknown. The part of traveling no one really talks about — the part that isn't captured by perfect aesthetically pleasing photos for the gram' or the Snap story — is the flood of terror that runs alongside the excitement. Both these adrenaline powered emotions simultaneously battling for control, mixed with the rush of sweet, sweet caffeine, had me ready to erupt into a fit of uncontrolled hysteria.
Alexandria RosePublished 6 years ago in WanderMy First Trip Abroad
The following is a post I made on my personal blog back on March 21st, 2016, following my very first international trip abroad. Why publish this? If you're curious about what the international life is like, or curious about doing some solo traveling, this will ideally give you a touch of what to expect, sprinkled in with my own thoughts, opinions, and observations.
Calvin FennerPublished 6 years ago in WanderOn the Road Again
Excitement, nerves, wonder, panic, exhilaration. These are all the emotions I was feeling and continue to feel as I packed my whole life into my vehicle in the center of the Historic Lockport NY, and began my journey back across the States to Oklahoma. Being able to cut the amount of things you own down to fit it all in one vehicle knowing that is all you have is a humbling moment. I realized while preparing for my trip how dependent on materialistic items I became. 25 years of collecting and saving things just for the sake of trying to hold onto a memory, had taken over my life. We are taught from a young age that the more you have the more important or valued you’ll be. However during this purge I realized without all these knick knacks, I still have the same memories and the same value on myself. In fact it felt incredibly uplifting to be able to donate everything that has been sitting in boxes to someone that can actually use it and appreciate it. I packed my trunk, put my cat in, and we hit the road at 11:00 am EST.
Olivia ShaePublished 6 years ago in WanderWhat Solo Backpacking Has Taught Me
Since I was a child, I have been travelling with my parents to many different countries within South America, all pertaining to my ethnicity and the familiarity of cultures. Although I did a fair share of traveling in my earlier years, I can say that I never truly appreciated it...nor did I feel any sort of fulfillment.
Sadhna HerodPublished 6 years ago in WanderRolling The Dice On Vietnam
February, 2017 Phu Quoc, Vietnam Earlier in 2017 I had a three week vacation coming up. I was getting off a ship in Singapore and had to be in Sydney for my next assignment. I was pondering where in Asia to spend my long vacation. Unable to make a decision I took to a strategy I had read about in a book a long time ago. I rolled the dice on it! First I asked my colleagues on the ship to suggest 6 countries in the area and we appointed a number to each country. The dice fell on Vietnam and my decision was made.
Anna BalogPublished 6 years ago in WanderThe Definition of Home
The word home always had a very clear definition for me. Images of my parents' house throughout the seasons cycle through my head.
Alex McKeenPublished 6 years ago in Wander