Living There
There may be times when no travel-mates are available and you must head out alone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Sometimes, traveling by yourself can be even more enjoyable, because you can totally focus on and immerse yourself in the culture of the location you’re visiting. Here are some ways that you can get the most out of your solo journeys.
See the Area by Bike
Bicycling around a new area can be a wonderful way to get acquainted with the sights and scenery. You can spot restaurants and tourist attractions you want to come back to, and don’t have to pay a cabdriver to do the driving for you. Besides, speeding past sights in a car only allows you to absorb so much. Walking is fine, too, but you’ll cover much more territory with bike tours.
Enroll in a Cooking Class
If you really want to learn about regional cuisine, learn to cook it through lessons taught by local chefs. Not only will you become more educated in food preparation, you’ll get to work in a kitchen with local residents and then share a meal afterward. Preparing and eating meals with others is a nurturing and memorable experience.
Attend Farmers’ Markets and Craft Fairs
You’ll truly be able to sample the culture if you show up at a craft fair and/or farmers’ market. Here you’ll find the freshest produce, and arts and crafts embedded with the region’s customs and personality. These handmade treasures make the best souvenirs.
Volunteer While You’re There
It doesn’t matter how long you plan on staying at your vacation destination, you can donate a couple of hours or days of your time. What are your talents and passions? Consider sharing them with individuals who will remember you (and vice versa) long after you’ve gone home. You might be able to teach English, work in a community garden, or participate in a cleanup crew.
Rent a Moped
Another type of cycling you might want to try while you’re on vacation is a moped. Mopeds are motorized, so speedier than bicycles, but not as fast or scary as motorcycles. If you want to dash around the region with the wind blowing in your hair, except for the part contained by your helmet, consider renting a moped.
After you’ve traveled by yourself, you will probably feel more confident in your abilities to do just about anything. When you’re courageous in one area of your life, this often spreads out into other areas. Since you’ll probably miss your friends and family members while you’re out on the road alone, you can write them plenty of letters and postcards with the classic line: “Wish you were here.”
