Solo Travel Tips & Ideas

 "Why don't you find someone to go with you?" Have you ever heard that from a travel supplier if you are looking to take a trip by yourself? Let's be realistic not everyone has a partner or a spouse and it can be for a variety of reasons that you really shouldn't have to explain. Or I have friends that their spouse doesn't want to go. Not all of us have wanderlust and while I think that is weird it's okay. And friends, well maybe they have a variety of reasons why they don't want to go. And nothing will ruin a good friendship faster than traveling with someone who perhaps doesn't have the same routine as you.

Don't worry, the travel industry is slowly coming around to the fact that solo travel is a growing segment and many companies are looking to tap into this growing market. And not everyone is making you pay the full solo supplement.

Cruising- Yes cruising is one of the more solo friendly ways to travel. Norwegian Cruise Line introduced the Studio Cabin on the Norwegian Epic back in 2010 and it has been a fixture on all their new ships. It's a stateroom designed for solo travelers and they also have a studio lounge that is for the studio passengers use. There is where you meet up for dinner, so you don't need to eat by yourself if you don't want too. And it's a great way to meet others, I sailed in one of these cabins on the Epic a few years ago yes I went all by myself. After the first dinner a bunch of us arranged to head out to Maho Beach in St Maarten to watch the airplanes land. Had a great time and you will find a wide age range of people who book the Studio cabins. Cunard added solo staterooms to the legendary Queen Mary2. Smaller ship? Silverseas has low single supplements of 25% along with some of the other luxury lines.

River Cruising- River cruise lines can also be a good choice. The majority waive single supplements on certain cruises and some have solo cabins, like Tauck does on their newer ships. But since they limit the waiver booking early is good idea.

Land- If you are looking at tours, Globus will offer to match you with a roommate, but if no one requests your departure they will waive the single supplement. Now if you are looking at higher end tours, they usually offer a better value in regards to the single supplement than say a cruise. Tauck and Abercrombie & Kent are two companies that value solo travelers. While not a luxury product, G Adventures offers various small group travel styles with trips from the Arctic to Tanzania and also will match solo travelers and has a low supplement if you don't want to share.

So there are really not many excuses to stay at home and not explore the world if you are a solo traveler. Give it a try, you'll see the world and maybe make a friend or two along the way.

5 Trips You Should Take If You Win The Lottery

Admit it you buy Powerball or Mega Millions tickets when the jackpot is some huge amount. And then dream about what you would do if you won. Pay off your mortgage, make sure your parents are taken care of, put money in college accounts for the kids. Take a trip. Because money isn't an issue here are some trips that you may want to put on your list.

1. Around the world by private jet- You will do it in 26 days, not 80 and fly in Abercrombie & Kent's private  Boeing 757 with lay-flat seats and only 50 passengers. Dedicated flight crew with you the whole trip and tour directors. Visit in one trip, cruise the Amazon River and visit Easter Island are few of the highlights along the way. On some trips you will be joined by A&K's founder.

2. Cruise to Antarctica- It is an ultimate bucket list trip, the scenery and wildlife will be etched in your memory forever. There are ships that cater to more adventurous travelers and others that are pure luxury. All will have polar experts on board that will allow you to gain more understanding of this continent.

3. African Safari- There are so many options here, the traditional Kenya/Tanzania trip to see the Great Migration and South Africa if you are not wanting to spend 2 weeks in the bush and see Cape Town and some of the great South African Vineyards. You can tag on trips to Uganda/Rwanda to see the Silverback gorilla, Botswana for Chobe National Park, one of the largest concentrations of game in Africa and Okavango River Delta. And don't forget Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia/Zimbabwe. Scheduled safaris are usually small groups since the camps are not large. And safaris can be tailored made to fit what you want to see.

4. Galapagos Islands- If you are in to wildlife this is the trip for you, because the majority of species only live here and the best way to see the islands is by cruise ship. These are smaller more intimate ships where you go off in small groups to explore the islands. Galapagos Giant Tortoise, Galapagos Iguana and the Galapagos Penguin. Once again these cruises have experts on board to enhance your experience.

5. World Cruise- Unpack once and see the world, that's what you can do on a world cruise. The typical world cruise is around 100 days and departs in January, great way to get out of the snow for us Northerners. Many cruise lines offer these types of cruises, from the familiar Princess, historic Cunard and the ultra luxury ships of Crystal & Regent Seven Seas. 100 days too long, you can book segments of the world cruise that concentrate on a  region that interests you.

These are my top 5 picks, what are your top picks for money is no option travel?





















































































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