There are so many of us out there: We love to travel. We have the time and the money, but often no one to go with! We are solo travelers.
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Solo travel can be an awesome experience. You get to meet so many amazing people from all walks of life and are almost forced to socialize and put yourself out there along the way since, well, you’re on your own and in the middle of a foreign world.
Solo travelers call there own shots and go at their own pace. But there are drawbacks as well. When traveling alone you often have to do all the grunt work: plan your days, choose your meals, buy all your transportation costs, create and track your budget, etc, etc.
This can be a lot of fun and also rewarding for some but it gets old fast. There is another way!
Together at Sunset, Bali © Riza Nugraha
Group travel. Now don’t get too concerned because I know what you’re thinking: group travel means your stuck on a big bus tour with tons of other people, getting herded through a country faster than you have time to realize where you are and what the culture is even like! This is not necessarily the case.
Traveling with a group can be an awesome & very rewarding experience for solo travelers unlike the stereotypical group trip above. There are travel clubs and small group tours out there that bring together the best parts of traveling solo and traveling with a group. Below are the key elements to a fun and memorable group trip:
Small Size Group
Keeping it manageable (15 -20 max) means that everyone gets to meet and know each other. The more you make friends along the adventure the better the overall experience is going to be. A group too large can be hard to manage and become a logistical nightmare.
A Good Leader
Make sure you are traveling with a reputable company or reliable group travel organizer. Even with a perfect sized group of 10-15 it is crucial to have a leader who has planned and perfected every detail. This allows the travel experience to feel more like a solo trip without all the grunt work!
A fun and Unique Group
One of the coolest things about exploring the world with a group is the type of group. There are all sorts of travel clubs and companies that focus on specific interests related to travel: singles travel, photography travel, adventure travel, foodie travel, and so many more. You name it and if you look hard enough a travel club that matches your interests is probably out there.
Big Savings
Another benefit of a group adventure is saving money! Group trips often receive special pricing, discounted tours, and extra freebies.
Even better are the group trips that let solo travelers pair up with roommates to save money. One of the most common complaints for wanderlusts with no one to wander with is the costly single supplement rates. A lot of the big tour operators and cruise lines charge astronomical single supplement rates. It’s as if they are punishing solo travelers for having no one to travel with.
There are some travel clubs and adventure groups out there that solve this problem by pairing their members up with roommates and negotiating better single supplement costs compared to the big corporations. By sharing a room with someone who has the same passions and travel interests you can save hundreds, if not thousands, and have an equal if not better experience!
The bottom line is traveling alone doesn’t have to be so lonely! Travelers who love the excitement of exploring a country solo can also experience it in a similar way but with like-minded individuals. Do you love photography? Imagine exploring the pyramids of Egypt with a photography travel club! Or perhaps you love food. What about exploring Morocco with a foodie group that scours the country for the best meals!
The possibilities are endless. Traveling alone but with a group can be a great alternative for single and solo travelers …