Solo traveling

That are a lot of questions.

I've travelled a couple of times on my own but since I'm married I always travel with my wife.

The thing with solo travelling is that everything is more extreme: good things are better and bad things are worse. If you're on your own you'll meet much more other people, locals and other tourist. You'll have many more nice encouters because you're more open for it. But if you are sick and not in a nice place and nobody to take care of you, it feels much worse than when you travel with somebody else. All by all, you'll have more good things than bad things when travelling on your own.

The rule with solo travelling is to stay where other solo travellers stay: dormatories are great places to meet other people. Learning a bit of the language will make it easier to talk to local people.

The easiest countries to travel are the countries where you can talk to other people, speak the same language. Also, if there are less tourist than it's easier to meet other people.

You may be able to "do" a lot more things than if you are in a group because you don't have to reach a consensus.

I like to do short trips (i.e. long weekend) on my own, but once they get longer I often miss somebody to talk to - also in countries where I speak the language. In countries where tourists attract a lot of attention it is so much easier if you are a group because then you can alternate in answering (usually the same) questions all over again. I find it is easiest to come into contact with other people if you are two people because you yourself don't have to be witty and alert all the time but only half of the time.

Travelling alone sometimes costs more, especially in regard to hotels (especially if there is no dorm style accommodation) or taxis (if there's two of you the taxi ride is only half as expensive) and market power (if you are a group of four your bargaining power is a lot stronger than of you are alone)

If you are two or more travellers you can also play the "good cop - bad cop" game on purpose, i.e. youn want to bargain about the price of a taxi-tour or hotel room or want to politely decline an offer and one can deliberately play the bad cop "it's too much, let's go" and the other the good cop "I'd do it, but my friend doesn't want to".

If I travel alone I usually do it because it is only a short trip (weekend away). For these trips, I actually often prefer going on my own because it can be more intensive that way and because I can do whatever I want however I want (with an emphasis on the I)

If I travel for a week or more I prefer to travel with other people because of the support it gives and because there is somebody to talk to if you are down and someone to celebrate with if you are upbeat.

However, I often don't find anyone willing or able (sorry, not time/money) to accompany me, so I rather go it alone than stay home.

If you go alone, there is also no one to share the experience with and most people are not interested in your stories at all when you return home or cannot relate to your experiences in any meaningful way or think you are totally crazy.

Travelling (the experiences and adventures you had together) with someone strengthens the bond between you which is good because you usually see them again often.

If travelling in a group I like to do something alone too. You don't have to do everything together just because you are going on the same trip. Example: You prefer the science museum to going shopping for shoes and handbags (the latter would really go on my nerves).

So it is best to split up and allow everyone their own space and ideas. People are not used to spending time 24/7 together anymore so it is best to give everyone their personal space.. Best is you can later tell each other something new you just experienced. Hint: Have a plan B if the rest of the party doesn't show up on the meet up point (i.e. meet underneath the Eiffel tower at 5pm, if you are not there by 5:30 it is OK to quit waiting and you'll meet later in the hotel. Modern communication [text messages] helps a lot)

I think it is easier to travel alone in countries which are closer to your own language and culture wise (example: UK) than to countries which are further away from your own (example: Syria).

It is often easier to alter travel plans on short notice in order to continue with someone you just met at the hostel in Third World countries as all accommodation and travel arrangements will be made locally as opposed to travel in First World countries where it is either pre-booked in order to get a good deal or you'll pay through your nose.

Solo travellers (and I am one) should never walk the streets after dark when pissed.

Taking a young child with you, you have the best of both worlds. You have the freedom to do and go exactly where YOU decide but you always have company, which is nice for eating in the restaurants, memories to share together and people are very receptive of you especially in the ME.
I've taken my young son away several times, starting at age 4, on fairly low budget backpacking trips. Fantastic companion!

Thank you so much for your answers and Njoy the road again.

Greetings Irene