Earlier this fall as a Connecticut Chevy Girl I had the opportunity to spend and entire day traveling solo to the Quiet Corner of Connecticut. Alone with just my thoughts, this Baby Boomer experienced the freedom of being able to stop the car at any photo opportunity that caught my eye.

For many Generation X and Millennials, becoming firmly established in a career means that you had to travel solo out of necessity.

Not everyone gets to enjoy the perks of business travel. Perhaps you have some particular travel destinations on your bucket list that you can’t find anyone to visit with you.   Maybe you or your spouse have conflicting career schedules and you’re hesitant as a women to travel solo during the holidays to visit loved ones or friends.   I’d like to share an article I wrote that just might persuade you to travel alone.

Consider Traveling Solo

When you like to to travel and your significant other doesn’t, traveling solo may be something worth trying. If you’re adventurous enough, traveling alone is an exciting concept and something worth considering.

Sometimes traveling solo is just as enjoyable, perhaps even more so, than traveling with a group of family or friends. People travel alone for a myriad of reasons. Traveling solo does have its downside, but life is short, so let’s look at the pros and cons.

My other half is a homebody. When I was younger I always wanted a career as an airline stewardess and wanted to see the world. In my mind’s eye, I can remember thinking that when I was done seeing the world, I’d find someplace else to go!

One of the great things about traveling by yourself is the flexibility. You can be flexible in planning your itinerary, schedules, how extravagant or frugal a trip you’d like it to be. Setting the pace of your excursion will be your own decision without having to worry about what others want to do. There are no restrictions, no boundaries and you can enjoy your trip as you see fit. The pressure of finding common ground or bonding with others is eliminated. Oftentimes when traveling with a partner or buddies, you’ll feel like you have to appease everyone’s preferences and come to a happy medium ~ the choice of accommodations, what to see and what to do; what time and where to eat. You may decide to backpack, stay in an elder hostel or a luxurious hotel. Traveling solo gives you the flexibility to spend your money and maximize your time as only you see fit.

Although I’ve been married 35 years, I like to call myself my husband’s “second wife.” His “first wife” never would have traveled by herself. Many people who’ve traveled solo will say they’ve benefited and gained a greater sense of self and adventure. Solo travelers are more willing and able to see and explore new things in the world than they would have been able to if traveling with companions.

Consider it an esteem-building and confidence-building adventure where you’ll be making decisions, meeting new people and learning about the society and culture that you are visiting.

Be prepared to keep your guard up and also expect a few discomforts and challenges when you’re traveling alone. Have you ever seen someone dining alone in a restaurant? That person usually always has a paperback book or newspaper as a dining partner. Whether away on business for the first time, or for pleasure, most people feel self-conscious in restaurants or eating establishments. One way to overcome the discomfort of eating alone is to strike up a conversation with the waitstaff or another solo diner. Talking-up the locals can also open whole new horizons and make your trip interesting.Feeling melancholy and lonely as a solo traveler for a few days of your trip is a common experience but will quickly pass. As soon as you get used to being on your own you’ll delight in the sensuality of the sights, tastes, smell and sounds of your destination.

You’ll definitely need to be cautious of your surroundings as a solo traveler. Pay attention to the people around you and what is occurring. Seasoned veteran solo travelers heed the old adage “expect the best, but be prepared for the worst.” Depending on your destination, map out your routes in advance to avoid getting lost. Purchase a small, portable GPS device that you can carry. It’s also wise to bring your medication with you in the event of an accident. Abide by your instincts and stay only in places that you believe are safe.

All that being said and done, everyone should experience traveling alone at least once in their lifetime. Yes, use discretion, go with your gut feelings and when you look back, you’ll be able to say “I did it my way.”

Girl Taking Photos courtesy of lockstockb of stock.xchng.

Republished from TypeAMom.com, Cindi Matthews, Editor 50-Something Moms

Learn To Build Confidence As a Woman: Consider Traveling Solo is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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It’s going to be a busy weekend for me. My niece is getting married and the wedding is going to be held at one of the premier wedding facilities in Connecticut. That means that this Hot Momma Baby Boomer blogging Grandma has to get her act together.

Now that the lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer are upon us, I decided it was high time I treated myself to a pedicure. Since I’m going to be wearing some spiffy, trendy strappy toe sandals to go with my  boutique halter-back silk evening dress, my tootsies have to be up to snuff.

In addition to the spa pedicures that I get at the salon I go to, the icing on the cake is the back message that they give when your little piggies are under the dryer! The technicians must have gone to some terrific massage therapy schools to learn the trade for their careers!

Just call me “Twinkle Toes”~

Learn To Build Confidence As a Woman: Consider Traveling Solo is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

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1. Traveling Vicariously To The Outer Banks of North Carolina
2. Baby Boomer Women and Lands End Swimsuit Confidence Week
3. Advice to Help Our Daughters Build Self-Esteem: Dove Campaign for Real Beauty & Giveaway

Where in the world would you like to go?

Recently in one of my posts, I mentioned that I am an Armchair Traveler and that I travel vicariously. It wasn’t always that way. As a typical teen, I carried the typical wanderlust gene.

Like many of my friends, I dreamed of a career as a stewardess flight attendant on any airline. If one took a plane to travel, it was a special occasion, and proper dress was always in order. So exciting! At the time, the position was only open to women, and there was a height requirement that you had to be 5’2”. When I “grew up,” I never qualified for the height requirement!

I did fulfill one goal, and one of my fondest memories was that as a young gal of 17 made my first and only trip abroad across the Pond to England in 1969 at the height of the “British Invasion” when the Beatles were popular. I stayed with an English family for 2 weeks and toured all the typical sites – Big Ben, Tower of London and Windsor Castle. It was an opportunity of a lifetime, for me, at least.

If you’ve been longing to book a flight to New York or any other favorite destinations, it’s easier than ever now to be on your way this summer. DialAFlight is a leading independent UK travel company offering flights, hotels & travel ideas worldwide. The website www.dialaflight.com is full of useful travel information for finding the holiday of your dreams. From here you can search for flights, hotels, car hire and many travel ideas including weekend breaks, beach holidays, spa holidays & much more.

To book with DialAFlight, clients just need to call and speak with one of the UK travel consultants, who will ensure that all requirements are fulfilled. By speaking on the phone with a DialAFlight representative, clients can be assured that their tailor-made holiday is exactly as they want it.

Learn To Build Confidence As a Woman: Consider Traveling Solo is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Traveling Vicariously To The Outer Banks of North Carolina
2. Baby Boomer Women and Lands End Swimsuit Confidence Week
3. Advice to Help Our Daughters Build Self-Esteem: Dove Campaign for Real Beauty & Giveaway

I was an Uptown Girl before there were Uptown Girls. When I was younger, I worked in the Insurance City in Hartford. My BFF from the office and I would take extended lunches, and cruise the best-high end department store in the city, all 11 floors of it on our lunch ‘hour.’ I was Imelda before she was known for her shoe fetish.

Shoes were my weakness. The shoe department was located on the second floor. I must have owned, oh, I can’t even remember, but a pair of shoes for every outfit! Well, that was a long time ago, and the department store has now closed.

But I still like shoes. And now, I can shop to my heart’s content at Infinity Shoes. They have shoes in every style imaginable for every age group! I used to have a pair of Frye Leather Boots to go with my mini-skirts (can you believe it?) Well, they even sell the Frye – I haven’t been able to find those in ages!

My DD, the college student, would probably love the Seychelles shoes for clubbing, or any upcoming weddings she’ll be attending this summer. She also will be interning this summer and for her career wardrobe would really be complete with the Tsubo shoes.

And Birkenstocks! The Flower Child in me still loves these comfortable favorites! With the right pair, I can even walk all over Boston or NYC for the day when I go on Road Trips! Besides my old favorites, they also carry Minnetonka Boots.

So if you want to beat the crowds and shop for affordable shoes on your lunch hour the easy way, bookmark this great site!

Learn To Build Confidence As a Woman: Consider Traveling Solo is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. Traveling Vicariously To The Outer Banks of North Carolina
2. Baby Boomer Women and Lands End Swimsuit Confidence Week
3. Advice to Help Our Daughters Build Self-Esteem: Dove Campaign for Real Beauty & Giveaway