Traveling alone

Hi Mary, I"m so sorry for your loss. You've come to the right place, many of us travel by ourselves, with and without tours, including RS tours. Here's a thread to the Couer d'Alene meeting taking place this weekend. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/travel-meetings/coeur-d-alene-spokane-travel-meet-up-sat-august-2.

Let me see what else I can find on the Forum for you....
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/ireland/solo-travel-with-rick-steves-tours

thank you so much!

This was really helpful, thank you again!

I am now 74. I was widowed at age 47. At the time I still had a job and teenagers in the house so I didn’t really have either the time or the money for travel (although I took a couple road trips with the kids). At age 57, I took the plunge and traveled by myself to Europe for a couple weeks. I knew that if I wanted to see the world I would need to go for it on my own! I was nervous at first, but became exhilarated by a feeling of independence and power.

Since then I have traveled extensively to over 30 countries. I often combine an organized tour (10 times with Rick Steves and multiple times with other companies, as well as volunteering overseas) with some independent travel. I enjoy the groups I have traveled with - there have always been other “solos,” but couples are often very friendly and inclusive. I like having someone else figure out the logistics and, of course, there is a feeling of safety with a group and tour guide. However, I also enjoy my days on my own, doing exactly what I want with no need to adhere to a group schedule or to negotiate with a companion about the day’s plans.

I encourage you too to take the plunge! Do some research and then go! You will find friendly and kind people all over the world.

This is really helpful Renee, thank you so much!

Mary, I'm so sorry for your profound loss. And I'm extending a warm welcome; I'm so glad you've made your way here. That you're committed to living out your travel plans, though in a way you never anticipated, is such a powerful way to honor your husband's memory.

I'm new(er) here, too, and I know you're going to find the most lovely, kind, helpful, and supportive group of people, especially in a wildly inspiring group of solo women travelers. That you live in Spokane and can join that group live and in person -- Pam! Jean! -- will be such a a gift.

Oh Thank you Hannah!

Hi, Mary.

I think you will find a number of women on this forum in your same life situation. I know solo travel can seem intimidating at first, but I actually really enjoy it. Here’s another thread.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/safe-solo-travel-for-older-woman

I would say to do some searching on the forum for tips, pick where you want to go - and then just do it. The first time is always the hardest. Once you narrow down more specifically what you are feeling, hopefully we can help. I don’t do tours myself, but a lot here do (obviously) and it may make a good place to start.

Thank you!

Very sorry for your loss. Very glad you are looking for ways to continue on with your dreams.

I am also a widow. Solo travel works very well, but it can take a bit of an adjustment. Give yourself time to make that adjustment. Your first trip may feel a little awkward at first. Grief will show up somewhere unexpectedly. Your next trip will feel more natural. Your confidence as a solo traveler will grow.

A Rick Steves tour is a great idea for a way to get started and I loved my Best of Adriatic Tour. I think you should go for it.

Here is my advice. Research your destinations and have ideas in mind for the free time portion of the trip. If you want company for dinner, say something like “Is anyone interested in having dinner together?” They won’t know if you don’t say anything. Finally, be prepared to go off on your own if others already have plans.

I’ve been on 5 RS tours and people have always been very friendly and inclusive.

Carol, thank you! Great advice. I just bought a RS travel guide for Croatia and Slovenia so I can research solo activities.

Hi Mary, I just responded to you on our local Coeur d’Alene meeting notice, and now I see we have even more in common. I am sad that you are having to go through this painful time, too. We are about the same age, and my husband died unexpectedly last year.

I have traveled several times solo in Europe, including the RS Adriatic tour. I will miss our next local meet up this Saturday - going to see my sister out-of-state, but if you would like to get together for coffee in CDA a later week, I would gladly answer your questions.

Here’s a couple of my trip reports you might find helpful. The first one is not your destination, but you can probably relate to my feelings:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/a-widow-s-trip-southern-spain-february-trip-report

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/june-2023-trip-report-14-day-rs-best-of-the-adriatic-tour

Oh yes, Mary...we are all looking forward to meeting you on Saturday!

I'm so sorry for your loss. I admire you for wanting to get out and travel on your own!

The meet up group at this point is mostly women although we occasionally have a husband or two show up. A couple of us are always solo travelers, a couple of the married women also travel solo at times so we've all got good experience for you!

We try to grab the big table in the center of the room. I will try to get there early to try to claim it, lol. Sometimes they will reserve it for us but this Saturday being the art festival they won't be able to do that. We should be easy to spot!

Thank you so much Pam and Jean, looking forward to meeting everyone Saturday. I am not familiar with downtown Coeur d’ Alene but will leave early to find my way.

A warm welcome to the RS forums, Mary!
While not in your situation, I'm SO pleased that you've posted your question as indeed we do see quite a number of posts from other travelers who are adjusting to loss of their partner. My sympathies on the loss of yours.

You are going to find oodles of help here, and can promise that you'll be welcomed with open arms to the Coeur d’Alene/Spokane travel group. I've not met them yet in person but have crossed paths on the forum many times with Jean and Pam and they are both just lovely people with great advice to share. LOL, I've often wished I lived closer so I could join in the fun! :O)

Thank you Kate!

Mary, I'm so glad to see you reaching out and attending this week's live meeting!! Now that Pam & Jean have responded, I can add, "you're really going to enjoy getting to know them, they're both amazing single travelers"!

There's so much advice here about single travel, but yes first go with RS on a tour, are there any openings this autumn?? LOL, not to be pushy! When I travel alone, I like to tack on walking food tours & day tours where I could meet others. Let us know how the meeting goes, and anything else you want to add to this thread... and again, a very warm welcome!

FYI……you’re not an official Senior, where I live, for another year! ;)
Yes, lots of us here travel mostly alone and love it.
I have a husband but he’s not a traveler and dreads flying, so off I go each year by myself while he looks after our home and cat.
I also take a walking or food tour when I’m in a new place, and am sure to connect to home every day or so.
I haven’t felt lonely yet!

Thank you Sandansisco and SJ,
I am looking at the Tour of the Adriatic next fall. I look forward to meeting folks in CDA/Spokane and learning more about solo travel. I appreciate the wealth of information you have all shared.

On the meeting thread, SunnyBlueFlax suggested taking the 4th street Exit from I90. I think that is a good idea.

You'll go to the right when you get to the intersection, then just at the car dealership the road divides with 3rd going south and 4th coming back up. Take 3rd down to Lakeside Dr where you'll take a left. Park anywhere along there as Woops! is on the corner at 4th, just one block.

Mary, I just saw this thread about RS scrapbooks, would be a nice way to get to know the tours. https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/scrapbooks/tour-alum-scrapbooks

Great, thank you!

There's a new TV series, Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross on Roku channel. Ms Ross is Diana Ross' daughter. I haven't watched it, but it might be useful for you.

also a review: Tracee Ellis Ross on the Joy and Loneliness of Solo Travel

Oh, thank you so much! I’ll check it out.

Thanks Going234 - Great article. “There’s got to be something between cat ladies and Joan of Arc. You know what I mean?” HAHAHA. Yeah, really!