Instagram conqueror and adventurer Jack Morris told Playboy where the best places to go for a lonely wanderer are.
For experience-hungry millennials, a new way to feel free is to travel solo. Solo travel has increased by 10% since 2013, market research company Millward Brown recently reported. A Topdeck Travel survey found that nearly 30% of millennials took unaccompanied trips in 2016. Add to this young bloggers, whose posts and photographs inspire to travel to unexplored places, as well as platforms like Airbnb, which allow you not to wait for friends and go alone.
We asked 26-year-old professional traveler Jack Morris, who quit his job at 21 to focus on exploring the farthest corners of the world, for his travel recommendations. Solo travel requires interesting sights and beautiful places to take meditative walks and laze on secluded beaches. With 2.7 million Instagram followers and contracts with brands like Disney and Belkin, Morris is an easy choice to be our guide.
After reading this material, you can plan a trip for yourself alone: lie on the beach in Bali, trample through the Rocky Mountains, or any other option.
1. Islands of Greece
Jumping gallop
Greece is best suited for island hopping. Santorini has traditional white houses, and the beautiful sunset is best seen from the town of Oia. Everyone thinks of Ios as a party place, and it is, but that's it. big island There are a lot of interesting things: you can dive from a cliff into the clear sea, or you can drive a car, exploring its picturesque surroundings.
Mykonos is famous for its white houses with blue trim - it feels like you're in a movie. If you want to wander away from human eyes, go to Zakynthos, which is easily accessible from Athens. Put this island first on your list. In the north of Zakynthos there is Navajo Bay, also called Shipwreck Beach. Get to the top of the cliff and look around - better view I haven't met.
But Milos - 96 km from Santorini - is undoubtedly my favorite island in Greece. It's quiet, calm, and you can ride a motorcycle mindlessly, discovering new cool things every time.
2. Montana, USA
Lakes from morning to evening
When I worked with the Montana State Tourism Office, my evening trips often took me to the Rocky Mountains, where I could find the perfect spot to watch the sun slowly set. And during the day you should definitely see Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park: the bottom is covered with colored pebbles, and there are mountains all around. But my most vivid memory in Montana was going to Cracker Lake - a huge bright blue (very beautiful) body of water in the northern part of the state.
3. Kenya
Walking with animals
Kenya is unique for me - it was the first time I was among so many wild animals walking calmly in their natural habitat. The country is ideal for solo travel: you won’t get tired of traveling by car, because something unexpected awaits you everywhere.
Be sure to book a room at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi. This is a boutique hotel where Ugandan giraffes, also called Rothschild's giraffes, roam freely around the grounds.
4. Southeast Asia
Loneliness together
Many people go to Southeast Asia alone, so there is a high probability of meeting like-minded people there. People often travel alone to Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Bali, Vietnam, Laos and Indonesia, but if you need to choose only one country, go to Bali. This is probably my bias - I live there - but it really has everything: great cafes, beaches, incredible scenery, culture and a carefree feeling to boot.
5. Morocco
In the style of "Casablanca"
I once drove through Morocco - which is practically a desert - in an old, broken down car, which was shaking all over from a speed of 80 km/h. During a dust storm or rain, the wipers suddenly stopped working. But it was fun.
Chaven, 563 km north of Marrakech, is also known as the “blue city”, with 15th-century buildings painted in shades of blue. And don't forget to stop in Casablanca - feel the Humphrey Bogart vibes.
6. Jordan
Wonder of the world
Many people are afraid to go to Jordan because Syria is nearby, but the country is safe and the Jordanians are incredibly friendly. You will meet a lot of people, but it is better to create your own journey. Visit Petra - a famous archaeological site in the southwestern desert. At night this abandoned city is incredible. The treasury and the entrance to the city through the Siq gorge are illuminated by hundreds of candles. Relax and listen to Bedouin music while you explore one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
7. Sri Lanka
Swings and stars
Rope swing over the ocean in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
I'm not a big fan hiking, but Adam's Peak in Sri Lanka is something. You will have to walk for four hours - thousands of stone steps lead up, but then you will see such a breathtaking view of the mountains that you will not regret it. During my climb, I saw a 75-year-old woman climbing the steps to perform rituals at the top. Sri Pada ("sacred footprint") is a two-meter high rock formation on the top of the mountain, which is believed to be the footprint of Buddha. If you want to be closer to sea level, you can ride on a rope swing over the ocean in Unawatuna, on the south side of the island.
8. Tsarabanina Island (Madagascar)
No shoes - no stress
To the north of Madagascar there is an island - real paradise. Getting there is expensive, but if you have some money and want to clear your head, this is the place for you. This is also an island of bare feet: as soon as you step on the shore, you put your shoes in your bag and never wear them again on the island. Small resort Constance Tsarabanjina still has some elements of luxury, but everything else is close to nature. There's a decent distance between the 25 villas, so it's a very private getaway. You can walk around the entire territory in an hour. Scuba diving and snorkeling are a must on the island. The water is the purest blue and you can see stunning fish and coral reefs.
Traveling alone for 3-7 days is a new fashion trend that has replaced “outings” with a crowded, cheerful company. Alone, you can just go for a walk, or you can arrange a thematic trip - for example, “a tour of Italian food”, “a route to the best coffee shops in Greece” or “a voyage to the places of famous emigrant writers”. And sometimes a trip alone is needed in order to step back a little from a confusing everyday situation and think about it, as if “from a distance.”
Pros of solo travel:
- You decide what time to wake up, where to go (or not to go), what to eat and what to do;
- Tickets for one are cheaper than, for example, for a family;
- You can stay inexpensively in hostels;
- You choose which impressions to share and which to keep to yourself.
Minuses:
- Renting a car or renting an apartment alone is more expensive than sharing with friends;
- Sometimes it can be scary to visit some dark places alone;
Where can you go in splendid isolation, and why?
An excellent option for 3-4 days for those who want to “switch.” Formats of lonely relaxation in one of the oldest and the most beautiful cities There are a lot of Europe. For example, you can arrange a “medieval trip” for yourself - take a long dress (men can also upgrade their wardrobe in a knightly manner), settle in the Mustek metro area or on the other side of the Vltava - in the Letenska street area, preferably in an apartment in an old building (the average price of small apartments here start from 35 euros per day) and spend your leisure time walking and taking photographs in the medieval streets of the Old Town. With no less success, you can arrange an individual gastronomic journey– sausage, dumplings and, of course, beer. You can create a mystical route for yourself by combining the works of Kafka and local legends about the Prague Golem. Or you can do a park tour - better in spring or in the summer, when luxurious gardens and parks bloom in abundance in the capital of the Czech Republic.
One of the key advantages of Prague is high level safety in the city. The risk of getting into trouble or being robbed in this city is minimal.
The best option for instant travel from winter to summer, without visas and in just 3.5 hours. As you may have guessed, the tradition of traveling around Israel in splendid isolation has been around for over two thousand years. You can fly here for just two days, but return as a completely different person. Of course, you can visit Jerusalem if you need to think about your life and touch the history of the world's main religions. You can feed off the energy of modernity by living for a few days in the noisy and cheerful Tel Aviv. Or you can simply relax on the shores of the Dead or Red Sea and gain strength for a new breakthrough in life.
It is worth knowing that Israel is a rather expensive country. This applies to hotels, cafes, and supermarkets. average cost a modest lunch without alcohol - at least 20 euros.
A romantic and crazy port city on the coast Mediterranean Sea. Not as prim and obliging as Paris or Nice, Marseille is perhaps the best choice for “licking wounds” after an unsuccessful romance, as well as for sea romantics. It is most profitable to stay in small guesthouses in the houses closest to the Old Port (go deeper from main square for 2-3 blocks and look for signs with room prices - as a rule, they start from 25 euros per night). And then go for a walk - to numerous seaside restaurants (there, be sure to eat the most famous Marseille fish soup - bouillabaisse soup), climb the mountain to the Cathedral of Our Lady Guardian of Sailors (with observation deck offers a unique view of the city, the port and the famous Prison If, standing in the middle of the sea).
But you shouldn’t walk alone in the evenings through remote neighborhoods far from the tourist streets: several hundred refugees from northern Africa, and they are sometimes not very friendly to solo travelers.
It’s not the most budget-friendly trip, and you’ll have to tinker with a visa, but this city is definitely worth it. New York is, literally, a time machine in which the glamorous 1950s, the hippie 1960s, the disco 1980s and all other eras of the last hundred years coexist at the same time. This means that you can “infiltrate” a time that is especially close and interesting to you. If there is no such task, then simply indulge in shopping (in all major department stores all year round there are discounts and promotions), walks around Manhattan, sit with a liter glass of coffee on the steps opposite “Carrie Bradshaw’s house” ( the exact address– 64 Perry Street, just south of the fork between 8th Avenue and Greenwich Avenue), take a walk in Battery Park and climb the unique soaring Highline Park. Notice how many people are alone among the people walking!
Even though New York isn't too cheap city, there is one great free activity here: the ferry to and from Staten Island. A ferry departs every 20 minutes from South Ferry, which is very easy to get to: it is the terminus of Metro Line 1. The ferries sail past the Statue of Liberty, and you can spend the whole day riding back and forth to take photos. famous monument from all angles.
The main advantage of the capital Spanish Catalonia– it’s very easy to get to. Almost three dozen flights fly from Moscow to Barcelona every day, more than ten of which are direct. Traveling around Barcelona alone is a great pleasure. It is only important to plan your trip correctly. First of all, I sincerely do not advise you to stay in local hostels, especially those remote from the central tourist areas. Most of them are quite unhygienic and attract a suspicious crowd. Moreover, for almost the same money (from 30 euros per day) you can rent an apartment with a kitchen, where you can cook for yourself using amazing products bought in the morning at the Boqueria market. If you don’t want to cook, don’t, the city is full of cafes for every taste and budget. I wouldn’t recommend eating it on the Rambla and the streets adjacent to it: it’s expensive and tasteless. It is better to go deep into the Gothic Quarter and look for a cafe there. There is a third option: go to one of the large supermarkets (there is one on the Rambla) and buy yourself ready-made salads, sandwiches and wine: an excellent fresh dinner will cost you 7–10 euros.
Important point: Do not use dirty street ATMs without a specific bank logo to withdraw cash. Find any local bank branch and withdraw money from there. This is much safer and will not compromise your card.
If you want you, a lonely wanderer, to be accepted as family, generously fed, showered with compliments and helped in every possible way - go to Yerevan. You don’t need a visa to Armenia, the flight from Moscow is about two hours, and you are in beautiful, green (if not in deep winter) and kind Yerevan. It’s very pleasant and cheap to relax here: a room with its own bathroom in private hotel near the city center can cost less than 600 Russian rubles per day. Lunch (oh, what food there is in Armenia!) in a decent restaurant, accompanied by local wine or famous cognac - from 500 rubles, a cup of excellent coffee brewed in a cezve on the sand - from 30 rubles. In general, Yerevan is worth moving in splendid isolation between small home restaurants and coffee shops. But there is one “but” - they won’t let you feel truly lonely: wherever you go, you will be taken care of, like your own grandmothers.
I advise you to choose housing between Republic Square, Northern Avenue and the area opera house(to Moskovyan street). These are comfortable and completely safe neighborhoods where you can safely walk at any time of the day.
A city where you will definitely feel good alone. It is impossible to visit all its attractions even in two weeks, so decide what exactly you are going there for. One of best ideas– arrange a date with yourself in Istanbul. Take a walk along the embankment along the Golden Horn. Go down from Taksim to the Galata Bridge along narrow ancient alleys. Drink Turkish tea in Sultanahmet Square. Eat fried anchovy and fiery adana kebab at any “local” eatery. It is best to stay in small hotels in the Sultanahmet area - here a decent room in an ancient building will cost from 15 euros per night, including breakfast!
Advice for single female travelers - be careful. Despite the fact that Turkey is a secular state, there are neighborhoods in Istanbul whose residents adhere to traditional views. There may well be purely “male” cafes and shops that do not serve women. It's a shame, of course, but you have to take this rule into account.
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Lots of people like to travel alone. They say that this way they can get to know the world and themselves better. And besides, you don’t need to adapt to anyone: if you want to lie on the beach all day and not go anywhere - please, suddenly decide to go explore the ruins - even right now!
The main thing is that your travels leave only good impressions and are safe. That is why this selection presents the 10 countries with the highest scores on the Global Peace Index and the International Happiness Index.
website wishes you memorable and pleasant trips.
Norway
The best way to experience Norway is to take a ride aboard one of the ships that sail along the country's coastline, passing through some of the most beautiful fjords and stopping at dozens of seaports along the way. Or go on a multi-day trek along the fjords, staying in hotels and mountain huts. Northern lights will be a bonus for you.
Switzerland
Arm yourself with some good hiking boots and set out to explore the great outdoors of Switzerland. Fortunately, the transport structure here is very well developed, so everyone interesting place there is a tram, train or boat. Visit Zurich, then head south to the shores Lake Geneva, to Montreux and Lausanne, where you will find plenty of entertainment: restaurants, nightclubs and luxury hotels.
Vietnam
Vietnam is full of colorful cities, rich markets and smiling local residents. You can combine a beach holiday with an educational one in Phan Thiet. This resort is one of the most attractive in Asia. But for entertainment it is better to go to Hanoi.
New Zealand
Inspiring landscapes, glaciers, rainforests, the mountains - this place is simply magical. The fabulous landscapes seem to have been retouched in Photoshop. You walk and don’t believe that all this is real. Lovers active rest will be able to try bungee jumping, boating and hiking on the legendary Milford Track - the most popular of New Zealand's nine Great Walks.
Austria
Small and compact, Vienna is one of the most suitable European cities for solo travel. A bunch of concert halls, dozens of museums and cafes where you should linger. Salzburg, where Wolfgang Amadeus once lived, is even smaller, but no less worthy of a visit. And to the cleanest lakes and hot mineral springs travel to charming Carinthia.
Japan
Spend a few days in the exciting metropolis of Tokyo, ride the bullet train past Mount Fuji and enjoy the tranquility of old Kyoto. As for the number of attractions and museums, everything is in order here: Japan will find something to surprise even experienced tourists.
Chile
Chileans are friendly and welcoming, which will be a big plus for those who like to travel alone. Chile is 3000 km of deserts, mountains and endless coastline. You can head north to the magical Atacama Desert, or south to the islands of Chiloe or Patagonia. It's worth visiting Santiago, the largest Chilean city. Chileans are very hospitable - so you can easily join a family barbecue and become part of the Chilean family for a while.
Sweden
Stockholm is ideal for our way of traveling. It is quite compact and difficult to get lost in. Want some fun? Kayaks? Please. Want to spend the day exploring city parks by bike? As easy as pie. Outdoor cafes with amazingly delicious food, the artistic treasures of the Museum of Modern Art, Swedish designer shops, as well as amazing hotels and a vibrant night life. All attractions are easily accessible on foot.
Costa Rica
Many travelers who have visited the happiest country in the world call it the most beautiful in the world. This favorite place for surfing and river rafting. There are endless mountain ranges, covered with sparse forests, numerous National parks, nature reserves and volcanoes, exotic beaches with black and white sand, noisy waterfalls and much more.
Indonesia
Temples, yoga on the beach, cheap food, accommodation and massage. One of the favorite places for spiritual seekers. All this Bali is the most popular travel destination in Indonesia. Here coffee plantations give way to emerald terraces, the purest sacred lakes- volcanic lakes. If you prefer more or less popular tourist destinations, visit Lombok, an island off the coast of Bali.
Travel is always good. Especially when you don't have to coordinate your plans with other people and look for compromises. It’s even better when you can go on a budget to where you’ve long wanted, without having to explain why you need to go to this particular country or city right now.
Do you know when all this is possible? When you travel alone.
Why traveling alone is a great idea
You have five reasons for this:
- You can fly away as soon as possible. There is no need to check schedules with friends, trying to find a date when it will definitely be convenient for everyone (in three months, for example). Everything becomes much simpler: you see a promotion and fly away.
- Tickets will be cheaper. If tickets are on sale, then it can only apply to one seat, and the rest will go at full price. Plus than more company, the less likely it is that you will all fly on the same low-cost flight.
- You can choose a trip with the craziest transfers: no one will whine that they want to get to their destination quickly and don’t care about the eight-hour transfer in Prague with the possibility of going into the city.
- No shame: if you want to sleep all day in your room, you sleep in your room, without feeling guilty for a “seal” vacation. If you want to have breakfast with tequila and chips, you have every right to do so without judgment from the outside. And you don’t need to prove to anyone the historical importance of the light bulb museum that you’ve been dreaming of visiting since third grade.
- If you are traveling somewhere alone, you can find yourself a new company (and hide from it if something happens, and not fight simply because you live in the same room and are a little tired of each other).
How to travel alone and not worry
1. Luggage
It is clear that if you are going for one weekend, then there is no point in taking a huge suitcase with you. But, surprise, even on a two-week trip you don’t really need it. For warm countries(like Israel, Spain or Italy) and summer trips, everything you need will fit into a good backpack. Evaluate your wardrobe and choose universal items that will give you many options for combinations. Sneakers can be worn with anything.
- Important: if you plan to take alcohol and delicacies with you, it is better to buy a return ticket with luggage and choose a stronger backpack.
- A string bag will fit into the most crowded backpack and will save you from having to lay out all your things over and over again in order to walk around the city.
2. Finance
Look in advance at how things are with plastic cards in the country you plan to travel to. If in Finland cards are accepted almost anywhere, then in Germany there are serious problems with this. Depending on this, determine the amount of cash you will take with you. Be sure to leave a reserve on the card, which can be withdrawn in case of force majeure. It’s better to pay a withdrawal fee than to lose your entire budget at once.
3. Housing
When it comes to renting hotels and apartments when traveling alone, things are the worst. It is clear that for two people you can rent a separate room for the price of a bed in a hostel, and for 3+ people you can rent an apartment on Airbnb for the same price. But solo travelers have an increased chance of staying for free with someone local via Couchsurfing.
- If you are embarrassed by the prospect of living in an apartment with a single man, just select the “Women Only” filter. It's the same with age.
- Be sure to read the reviews - this way you can find out whether the owner of the apartment is harassing guests and whether previous travelers have had any “difficulties” with him.
- It is best to look for accommodation a week or two before your trip. This way, the owner of the apartment will definitely be confident in his plans and will be able to immediately say whether he will accept you.
- Don't be shy about asking for a tour - locals are usually happy to show off their favorite restaurants and bars to visitors. It's a nice gesture to cook something from national cuisine as a thank you.
- The maximum length of stay for couchsurfing is three days. You can negotiate for longer, but it won’t be very polite. After all, this is a free stay, not a hotel, so there are certain boundaries.
4. Security
The main rules: do not leave your drinks unattended, use only official taxis and check in advance the areas of the city that are considered disadvantaged.
- If you are traveling to a religious country, it is better to clarify the dress code rules in advance. You may have to leave the ultra-short shorts at home.
- In some countries (for example, Georgia), it is better to take a ring with you to wear on your ring finger. Yes, this is not very feminist. But this slightly stupid method can save you from unnecessary questions and actions.
- Write down the embassy number in case you lose your passport. To do this, you should take photographs of all important documents and save them somewhere away in the cloud (but so that you always have access from any device).
- In southern Europe, girls are often approached with a request to sign a “petition” or “appeal.” This way you can lose your last big cash or all your contents at once.
We asked three questions to three girls who travel alone for different reasons and in different ways.
- Why are you traveling alone?
- What life hacks help you? From finding hotels and activities to basic security.
- Three ideal places for traveling alone?
Anna Polyakova, author of the @ru_girl_travel channel on Telegram.
Travels by car, maximum for one trip - about 25,000 kilometers.
Why are you traveling alone?
Traveling with just yourself is an opportunity to plan your vacation 100% the way you want. Some people like to go to museums in new places, some like architecture, some like zoos, some like food (like me). Solo driving trip long distances- this is a kind of meditation and an opportunity to sort thoughts into categories. While you are busy with mechanical work (driving), and beautiful landscapes change outside the window, you can think about what in everyday life there is not enough time for in the hustle and bustle. And you don't need a travel companion here.
- I search for all hotels through Booking. Even small hotels in Amur region marked there.
- The site drom.ru and LiveJournal helped me find entertainment. I entered a query, for example, the Irkutsk-Yakutsk road, and from the reports of people who passed this route, one could read not only about the pitfalls of the route, but also about interesting places.
- If you are planning to go somewhere for the first time, look for the latest reports from other travelers so that you know where a grader will overtake you, which city is better to drive through the bypass, and at what kilometer to make a small detour away from the highway so that wonderful landscapes will open up before you. its beauty of the place.
- It’s not at all boring to be alone in Karelia and on Kola Peninsula. The M-18 “Kola” highway is of excellent quality and is easy to drive along. Having passed through it all, you will see endless forests, Lake Onega, Belomorkanal (despite its scary story it is amazing a nice place), ancient wooden churches, waterfalls, raging rivers, marble canyons. And then the taiga will turn into endless tundra before your eyes, you will cross the Arctic Circle and you can see the Barents Sea, which flows into the Arctic Ocean. And these places are also very quiet and peaceful. An ideal place to take a break from stress and clear your head.
- Incredibly beautiful in Kamchatka. The best option to get there is by plane. If you wish, you can rent a car, which is what I did. The federal highway here is short, about 200 kilometers, until it turns into stones, but it is very beautiful. In essence, it doesn’t matter where you are going when incredible hills and volcanoes rise on the horizon around you. You can visit hot springs (including mountain and wild ones, where you can sit in hot water right in the middle of the snowy peaks completely free). Not far from the City (as Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is simply called) there is access to Pacific Ocean(Khalaktyrsky beach), Sea of Okhotsk(it is especially beautiful in the village of Oktyabrky). And at the market you can carry buckets of crabs and caviar. IN last days in Kamchatka I ate just bread, because caviar and crabs didn’t work (for six months afterwards, just the thought of them made me sick). By the way, buying a bucket of caviar is actually cheaper than a cafe or regular products.
- The third most beautiful place is Altai. Chuyky Trakt is included in the list of 10 most beautiful roads Russia, because in just 800 km you will find everything climatic zones: from the icy taiga to the hot steppe. And here you can try bear, deer, moral, wild boar and hare, buy shampoo made from antlers or deer blood, the most delicious honey or tea. In general, for a gastrotourist it is a paradise, and the landscapes are eye baths. I’m thinking of going there some other time, but most likely I’ll fly to Novosibirsk by plane and rent a car. With this option, the trip may well fit into a weekend tour. The places are beautiful, but the route itself is not long. 2-3 days, depending on your pace.
Sasha Bogino, journalist at Mediazona
Travels around Russia for trials and around the world for fun
I often go on business trips. If you just want to leave somewhere from Moscow and relax, I usually go alone too: mainly because almost all my friends work, and our weekends simply don’t coincide. After the flight Moscow - Abu Dhabi - Melbourne - Hobart (almost a day, taking into account the time waiting for the plane), even a five-hour journey no longer seems so long to me. By the way, on a plane I always try to find a free row so that I can at least lie down - if there are significantly more seats than passengers, no one will forbid you from doing so. Enjoying new places alone is very easy: if the weather permits, all you need to do is take a walk in the company of good music and delicious coffee. Often on business trips I simply don’t have time for museums, bars and local sightseeing, so I try to walk around a lot to get at least some impression of the new city.
2. What life hacks help you? From finding hotels and activities to basic security.
- As a teenager, I went to Berlin for a couple of weeks: I still remember how I filled my suitcase with clothes, thinking something like this - what if I want to wear not this dress, but another, I’d rather take both. I remember even better how my hands fell off while I was carrying this suitcase with me, so now I don’t take a lot of things with me on trips. I travel everywhere with a small, comfortable suitcase (half empty, so that there is room for some purchases).
- Before traveling, I buy local currency in Moscow: it’s better to think about this in advance, because the exchange rate locally will obviously be less favorable. I leave about a third of the money saved for the trip on the card, just in case. By the way, many banks ask their clients to inform them about their trip in advance. If you don’t do this, if you try to pay in another country, your card may be blocked (I once in Canada, in front of a huge queue, scraped out the last change to buy myself a coffee, it was unpleasant). I keep cash and cards in different places just in case.
- Having checked into the hotel, the first thing I do is pester the staff and ask where the nearest pharmacy and grocery store is, and also what is nearby around the clock. In response to such questions, most likely, they will give you a map, draw everything and explain it in detail - you should not neglect this, especially if you do not have mobile Internet during the trip.
- On the subject of safety: when I travel alone, I only travel public transport or a legal taxi (all about this, by the way, can also be found out at the hotel). In the dark, I avoid city outskirts and all sorts of dark places. In the spring, for example, I was in Krasnodar: my hotel was not very far from the center, but in the evening I still called a taxi because it was a long walk from the stop, and I didn’t really like the area.
3. Three ideal places to travel alone?
- Berlin is good at any time of the year (although if you are not a fan of the heat, then take a closer look at the local weather forecast for mid-summer).
- Budapest, and especially in spring!
- It’s also cool to travel around Russia. Of course, sometimes a plane ticket to New York is cheaper than to Kamchatka, but you don’t have to travel that far to see something new. Think about it when last time you traveled further than 50-100 kilometers from the city where you live. Surely even within the region there are plenty of interesting places.
Maria Sokolova, digital nomad, translator, author of the @marisokolova channel on Telegram
Manages to work in a dozen countries in a year
1. Why are you traveling alone?
I travel alone for several reasons, but there are two main ones. First, I often find it better, more comfortable and more interesting to travel alone than with the wrong company. Second, my lifestyle and travel do not match the lifestyle of most of my friends. I like to come somewhere for a month or two, I definitely need to devote at least two to three hours a day to work, and it’s not necessary to see everything at once, so it’s quite difficult with those who go on vacation. The paradox is that when I travel alone, I am rarely alone. I have many friends all over the world, I rarely come to places where I don’t know anyone at all, and it’s easier to meet new people alone, be it neighbors in a hostel or that same dating app.
2. What life hacks help you? From finding hotels and activities to basic security.
- To find travel companions and companions for lunch and dinner in an unfamiliar city, I sometimes use the Hangouts function in the couchsurfing application, sometimes Tinder (no, this is not only for sex, you can also just meet different people, including the same gender). Sometimes specialized groups on Facebook help (I search using the keywords digital nomads/expats in...).
- By the way, in such Facebook groups you can often find accommodation for a couple of months and a million different events.
- In general, I try to find out in advance what popular routes for tourists exist in the country, keep an eye on my drinks at the bar, use Uber wherever I can, and check online reviews of the places where I’m going to stay. Well, I go on dates in crowded places :)
3. Three ideal places to travel alone?
- If I had to choose, in terms of the level of comfort for singles, I would choose Thailand and Southeast Asia in general, where you feel safe, you can always meet a bunch of the same solo travelers, and where it’s cheap enough to rent a house alone.
- I also like to travel alone around the Balkans (this is one of my favorite regions in the world), because it’s more interesting - stories start happening to you as soon as you leave the house.
- The south of Europe, where it’s just good, and if you don’t have company, you still feel good.
The first thing that comes to mind when a person travels alone is that he has no friends. This is wrong. Thousands of people around the world go on trips alone, and not because they have no one.
If your vacation schedules or desires for a place to visit do not coincide, this is not a reason to abandon your plan or frantically look for travel companions. Here are some benefits of traveling alone:
Penetrate deeper into the atmosphere
When you're talking to a friend, you don't see half the interesting stuff because 70% of your attention is absorbed in the conversation. Alone, you completely dissolve in a new place, hear and see everything. Because of this, you have much more vivid memories of the places you visited.
Do only what you want
You don't have to find compromises and wait for someone. Wake up and go for a walk whenever you want, go only to places that interest you, live at your own pace, without adjusting to other people.
Take a break from it all
Sometimes you get so tired from the constant bustle that you just need to be alone, sort yourself out and your thoughts, and solo travel will help do this. Meditation week environment, unfamiliar areas and beautiful views. This will help refresh your perception and “restart” your brain.
There are probably other reasons to travel alone, but this is enough to at least try. Here are seven ideas to get you started.
Ideas for solo travel
1. Hostels: loneliness or company to choose from
If you stay in a hostel for a few days, there will be plenty of travelers around who are also traveling alone, and among them you can find friends for the duration of your trip.
You can explore the city with them or alone - just sit in a coffee shop, wander the streets and forget about your smartphone for a while.
2. Travel by train
Traveling by train can create many memories. Firstly, it is comfort, and all amenities are within easy reach. Secondly, such trips promote reflection.
And even if you don’t talk to anyone, just looking at the flashing landscapes will be enough and you won’t be bored.
3. Explore a small town
If you are tired of the constant noise and bustle of big cities, you can go to a small town and walk around it while all the townspeople are at work or school.
Ask locals whether they like living in this city and what is interesting here. Surely they will be pleased if you say that you came just to get to know their city, and they will be happy to tell you what to see and where to go.
4. Beach holiday
Relax on the sand, swim in the sea or just listen to the lapping of the waves and enjoy it alone. Not every trip has to be an endless party, you need to find time to be alone with yourself, and where to do this if not on the beach, in a relaxing atmosphere?
5. Choose a city you’ve always wanted to visit
Probably everyone has several cities that for some reason attract people and don’t let them be forgotten. Don't put off your dream until tomorrow, which may not come. In the city of dreams you will always find something to do, and you will not be bored.
6. Visit a country without knowing its culture and language
This is a somewhat extreme activity, akin to immersing yourself in another reality. By exploring an unfamiliar world alone, you break your comfort zone and inevitably change. In any case, it will be much more interesting than traveling around a country that you know.
7. Participate in volunteer programs
If you want to travel on your own, but don't want to be alone, you can take part in volunteer programs in Russia and abroad. This way you will always find something to do, you can go for a walk alone or in the company of other volunteers, have fun and make the world a better place at least a little.
Starting a solo trip isn't difficult, and who knows if you'll want to travel differently later?
Maybe you have already tried traveling alone? Share your experience in the comments.
