Spring is just around the corner and with it the time to start thinking about what plans we are going to organize in the summer. Although since 2020 everything has changed a little (a lot), life has gone on, we have time, and if we set our minds to it, we can even take a trip to the center of the Earth. There are countless places waiting to be discovered, we can continue to get to know the world and travel safely COVID-19. We live in a digital world, where photographic trips, social networks, and immediacy are the order of the day.
You could embark on the longest journey of your life and end up turning it into a trip to the center of the Earth, that those who were not with you would virtually enjoy your experience. So, if you are thinking of embarking on an adventure this summer, and you are still not sure what to do, we offer you below several alternatives for cheap travel plans, possible end-of-year trips, Ideas for backpackers around the world who want to get out of their comfort zone, and getaways that can be useful if you are looking to travel alone and need some time for yourself.
Have you ever wondered what it's like to travel alone? For example, in “Eat, Pray, Love,” Julia Roberts begins her solo travel adventure when she finds herself lost in a life she feels she no longer belongs to. Her marriage isn't working, she can't find happiness in her routine, and she feels suffocated in a big city. She makes the decision, overnight, to go on her own to Italy, India, and finally Indonesia. Through this year of being a nomad, she finds herself and discovers what really matters.
In the book “Journey to the Center of the Earth” by Jules Verne, a professor of mineralogy, his nephew and a guide named Hans embark on a Journey to the Center of the Earth. What begins as an almost solitary journey without many expectations, which arises from deciphering the content of an ancient scroll, ends up becoming the greatest adventure that these three characters could have ever imagined.
Traveling alone, or with the right company, can become the most enriching and unforgettable experience of our lives. It makes us more independent, free people and helps us mature and grow in many ways. Sometimes we need to escape from certain things, like the daily routine and hustle and bustle, and find who we really are, to understand that living can become a great adventure if we learn to feel alive.
BENEFITS OF TRAVELING ALONE
- Independence: As we mentioned, traveling alone will give you independence. You don't need anyone to accompany you on that trip you dream of. If you have a backpacker's soul and your potential companion doesn't have the same desires as you, why are you going to stay at home waiting for someone to decide to go with you? Become the owner of your experience!
- Economy: If you decide to travel alone, you will surely make cheap trips. Or at least, much cheaper than when you travel with family or friends. You yourself organize the itinerary that you really want to take, you will eat where you most want and where you can really afford it, and, in addition, you will control your finances without thinking about that of others.
- Meet new people: Travelling alone will always allow you to interact with strangers. If at any point during your trip you feel a bit lonely, or you feel like chatting with a backpacker or local in the area where you are, you can do so to exchange information and anecdotes, without the obligation to stay with him or her for the rest of your trip.
- Contact with new cultures: You can get to know the culture of the country or city you've travelled to alone in depth, but not just the touristy part, but also the more real and indigenous part. If you're tired of photography trips, where the objective is to visit monuments, museums or emblematic squares and pose in front of them, and instead you prefer to immerse yourself in the true culture of the place where you are, travelling alone will surely give you the courage to go where few mass tourists have gone, and thus live a more authentic experience.
Always remember that before you dive into your adventure, it is important to think about what kind of trip you want to take; if you are or want to be a backpacker and travel to many places in the world, or if you prefer to get to know the same place thoroughly for a few weeks and not change destinations. Also, always keep in mind if what you want is to take a photographic trip to spots with incredible views, if you are more inclined towards adventure and sport, if you intend to take a cultural trip or if, on the contrary, you consider yourself a traveler. foodie and you intend to make a gastronomic visit wherever you go.
IDEAS FOR TRAVELING ALONE
Whatever your profile and your intentions when it comes to travelling, we'll just leave you with some ideas for trips that you can take depending on what you fancy the most:
Train travel
Travelling by train can be one of the greatest tourist pleasures a traveller can experience. Just imagine all the advantages of travelling by train... sitting on the window side, while reading, listening to music, or simply thinking about all those things you never think about when you're surrounded by people, while looking up and observing the scenery from afar, giving it space and allowing yourself to enjoy it, or simply closing your eyes and resting to the sound of the wheels clattering on the rails.
We know that planning a trip abroad by train, such as the famous Interrail, designed for backpackers, can be somewhat complicated and flimsy in the future, however, we offer you some routes that you can take without leaving Spain, which you may not yet know:
- Transcantabrian: This is probably the quintessential Spanish tourist train. It runs through “Green Spain”, that is, the north of the country. You can soak up its lush and versatile landscapes aboard a train that preserves the romanticism of the great express trains of the early 20th century, but with modern comforts. If you have a backpacker's soul, you don't let go of your camera because you like to document every second and, in addition, you like good food, this option is great for you. You will make this your ideal photography trip, and you will be able to enjoy the traditional food of the Basque Country, Galicia, and Castilla y León.
- To the Andalus: If you choose to board this train, you will take a 7-day itinerary through Andalusia, departing from Seville. You will be able to enjoy the capital of Andalusia, the Cathedral, the Royal Alcazar and the Archive of the Indies, declared World Heritage Sites, and you will also be able to enjoy the typical food of this community and get to know cities such as Cadiz, Ronda, Cordoba, Ubeda or Baeza in depth, and monuments such as the Alhambra. If you already know Andalusia, there are also routes to Lisbon and Porto, with a stop in Merida, the ancient “Emérita Augusta” with one of the most important and extensive archaeological sites in Spain, also declared a World Heritage Site.
- Train of the Pilgrim:If you want to take the famous Camino de Santiago route, but you don't consider yourself a backpacker, you can take the pilgrim train, which will travel the sections of the route for you while you enjoy the views.
Sports Trips
If you prefer to stay in Spain and go on a sporting or adventure trip, one of these two options will surely suit you very well:
- Fuerteventura: You should never go to this island alone, but only with a good surfboard and complete hiking equipment. This island of volcanic origin is a mecca for many surfers, the temperatures are pleasant all year round and the wind creates incredible waves.
- Pyrenees: The Gruppit group organises four-day getaways to the Pyrenees for people who want to do high-mountain sports. This team offers everything from snowshoeing routes to hiking and guided tours for people travelling alone.
Agencies like “1 life 2 travel” They are dedicated to organizing this type of trips, making it possible for travelers to discover other countries and cultures in a very different way, offering an experience as a traveler. Another agency dedicated to adventure travel is “3000KM. The trip is adapted to the group, unlike the usual agencies, where the group adapts to a scheduled trip. In this way, the pace of the trip can be varied to the needs of the traveler and an authentic trip can be enjoyed.
International Travel
Although we are not always willing to leave our countries and travel around the world, there will be times when we can travel more easily and comfortably. For those times, we can choose trips to Amsterdam, for example, which although it may seem obvious and typical destination for an end-of-year trip, this is a perfect place for backpackers who like green spaces, riding a bike and living a quiet life. Amsterdam breathes calm, sunny days are perfect for sitting on the canals or in one of the many parks in the area and enjoying the music, the people and the good vibes that the city exudes. And, why not, since we are dreaming of traveling alone abroad, think about going to Krabi, Thailand, one of the most recommended destinations for any solo traveler. It has paradisiacal beaches, transparent waters, good weather... You can embark on trips by sailboat, by boat and you will also get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You will undoubtedly live in slow motion and have the opportunity to reconnect with your inner self.
TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR SOLO TRIP
Organizing your trip alone may involve a bit more preparation than if you go with more people. You plan the dates, destination, accommodation and routes. However, there are numerous offers from agencies that are dedicated to organizing trips for people who travel alone. We recommend that you take a look at agencies such as “viajarsolo.com”, “Yporquenosolo” or similar agencies that are dedicated to organizing cheap trips of all kinds for people who travel alone and want to do so safely, or even meet new people along the way. One positive thing about these types of agencies is that they have the corresponding measures for traveling safely COVID-19, updated and available.If you are going to travel on your own, we recommend that you keep these information points in mind:
- Have common sense: Find out in advance about the place you are going to travel to. Try to make a mental map of the structure of the city you are going to travel to, as well as the most dangerous places in the place you are going to visit.
- Don't trust: It is important to take care of your belongings if you are staying in a shared room and you do not know anyone. Always carry a lock or password in your suitcase and try not to lose track of it.
- Be cautious: Make a duplicate of your personal documentation (passport, ID...) and send it to your email.
- Travel light:Try to take with you only what you need so that you don't carry excess weight during your trip and leave room for some souvenirs. And, if you still don't want to carry your things during your daily routes or excursions, find out about the companies that take care of moving your belongings from one accommodation to another.
- Stay reachable: Inform your family or friends of your approximate route, how long it will take, and what areas you will be in, so they can locate you if necessary.
INTERESTING LITERATURE FOR TRAVELLING ALONE
If you are thinking of ways to entertain yourself when traveling alone, these interesting books might be of interest to you:
- Into the Wild (Jon Krakauer): In 1992, twenty-four-year-old Chris McCandless wandered off alone into Alaska. He had given away all his money and abandoned his car, and dreamed of a life in the wild. Four months later, hunters found his lifeless body. His story was the subject of controversy; some called him a fearless idealist; others called him a fool and a naive man with no knowledge of nature. Before he disappeared, Chris McCandless wrote to a friend: “Don’t put down roots, don’t settle down. Change places often, lead a nomadic life… You don’t need someone with you to bring a new light into your life. It’s just out there.”
- Journey to the Center of the Earth (Julio Verne): He Professor Lidenbrock deciphers an old parchment, giving meaning to the incomprehensible signs contained within. The deciphering of that text will inevitably involve the professor, his nephew Axel and to the hunter Hans Bjelke to the center of the Earth, populated by prehistoric animals, storms and other risks.
- In full sun (Patricia Highsmith): Tom Ripley is without a doubt one of the most fascinating characters in the history of detective fiction. Intelligent, cultured and amoral, he uses lies, theft and occasionally murder to achieve his goals. In this novel we see how the character builds a fictitious life by impersonating Dickie Greenleaf, a rich and womanizing man whom he murders.
- The meaning of traveling: Backpacking Anecdotes to Awaken Your Adventurous Self (Lonely Planet): This book aims to give you the confidence and security you need to encourage you to buy a one-way ticket. Written by expert travelers, this book will give you tips to overcome your fear of traveling alone.
- Secrets and tips from the experts - Travel and Adventure - (Lonely Planet): This is a guide full of illustrations, where you can find tips to find cheap, safe and comfortable trips.
Have you been encouraged to say “yes” to that solo trip you have always wanted to take, at least once in your life? We think it’s a great plan! In fact, from an interview with a solo traveler who travels the world, called “Maestra Wanderlust” we highlight this answer to the question: What would you say to those people who don’t dare to travel alone? - “Let them do it. And if they are afraid, let them do it with fear. Let them dare. The world is too big and beautiful to see it from the sofa. Let them live it.”
So, If you are tired of crowded trips, you need to escape the stress of the city and you want to get away from the typical trips In a world full of people, posturing on social media, we recommend that you rescue your backpacker soul and dare to take a trip alone. Make the decision, take the necessary precautions, and immerse yourself in adventure, close to home or around the world, and discover remote and unparalleled destinations, even if some of the best ones are deeply hidden within you. Go for it... and let nothing stop you!
