Not cut out to be a 'good' travel companion....

What have you been doing up to now? Not going anywhere, or not going anywhere unless someone went along ? Unless that travel companion is a spouse or family member, or paying for everything, there's no reason to be with him or her in the first place.

Solo is the only option for me, and I highly recommend it. But you and I differ a lot since meeting other people is not one of my interests, or reasons for going somewhere.

Anyway, saying "it is best for me to go off on my own" sounds good to me.

oh dear... have you had another bad experience? i am mainly a solo traveller, and have no problem staying that way... however when i travel i often team up with another traveller for as long as it's convenient and pleasant for both of us. no problems saying good bye... no excuses... just moving on.

Not another bad experience, no but I have found that travelling with someone crammed my need for personal space. Thank goodness I had the foresight to insist on a couple of days break before we meet up again in Lake Como.

I think my mistake is thinking that I am flexible enough to make it work, and it did up to a certain point. However, I soon discovered it almost impossible to enjoy personal space whilst we shared a car and staying in places where we were reliant on driving everywhere. Don't get me wrong I do appreciate that I get to see places where it would be almost impossible to get to without a car. Another plus is, halving the cost of accommodation but still the part that yearns to be a free spirit again is greater. Now, I just have to find courage to let my tc know that after Lake Como, it is time for us to separate.

I had been dragging my heels

Now, I just have to find courage to let my tc know that after Lake Como, it is time for us to separate.

It's entirely possible, of course, that she feels the same way and is wary of telling YOU.
Not that there's anything wrong with you - I enjoyed our day together and am looking forward to tomorrow.:>))

But travelling with someone shouldn't be a tied-at-the-hip experience. Which it becomes if you set off together. So don't be afraid to tell her you need your own space, and arrange to meet up at meal times, or decide in the morning if your plans coincide and, if not, go your own separate ways for the day.

Last year I went on a two-week trip to Cornwall with a guy I'd travelled with (by coincidence - we met on the train to the ferry in Aswan) in Sudan two years earlier. We said, if we were still talking to each other when we got home, that would be a plus. Because we're both solo travellers.
But every day he went off for a walk on his own for a couple of hours, and we're still good friends.

Hi,

I usually just go alone if, on rare occasions, I do bump into someone along the trail and travel with them it is always made clear that it is just a travel arrangement plain and simple. There are obvious pluses and minuses with travelling alone and solo. I always am happy alone, in company I have had mixed experiences - from good through ok to diabolical. Maybe it is me.

If you have to "manage 1 week" then you should have bailed before. It strikes me that you like to travel alone but love to meet up. Prearranged or not there are benefits to this surely. Do not be confined by travelling with someone for "too long" just be a loner for most of the time with short interludes of mutually agreeable companionship. That does not make you a not 'good' travel companion. Enjoy your travels.

Do what's right for you - there's no 'right' way to travel. If you like going on your own - go on your own. You'll meet people, maybe spend a day or so together, then move on.

Some people tremble at the idea of travelling alone - all those crumbling hotels without someone else to see the funny side, the solitary meals. While others love it - they always do what they want to do without reminding a travelling companion to carry toilet paper.

I love travelling on my own - I feel I meet so many more people that way. And sometimes I team up with someone for a few days.

Go - try it - you'll find out what works best for you.

Thanks, guys for your words of encouragement and wisdom.

Hooray! I just booked my flight from Barcelona to London for 3 July. So, from 24 June, I will most likely team up with another tc but we have decided to share accommodation only but spend the days apart doing our own thing.

Most likely we will travel from one place to another together until after Barcelona where we will split. Tc to head off to Amsterdam and I to London.

Go_2, looking forward to catching up with you tomorrow and hopefully after 3 July.

OMG! I can't believe how the days fly as my departure date from London is 14 July. But, as the Terminator says "I will be back." lol

p/s I have also found the courage to let the other tc know of my travel plan after Lake Como. :)

p/s/s Brax, was hoping to meet you somewhere in the midlands but as I have decided to opt out for Europe, it has to be another trip. :)

Hi,

Hmm I would prefer Europe to me also he he. Enjoy those travels.