Thinking about travelling alone? When it comes to solo adventure missions, everyone has different attitudes and opinions. For some it's the dream of a lifetime, ultimate liberation and freedom of self. For others it's a more daunting idea. Appealing yes, but in reality it can actually be quite terrifying. Kelly Jackson, General Manager for Contiki provides five of the benefits of travelling solo.
Ultimate Freedom
“One of the best things about travelling solo is that you get to do what you want to do, when you want to do it. Don’t want to go to an art gallery today? Visit the market instead! Want to stay out all night or catch a few extra zzz’s? No one will be telling you what to do,” says Kelly. “You get to call the shots and spend your time doing what you want to do.”
Friends, friends, friends
While travelling, it’s inevitable that you’ll meet heaps of new people. Being away from your normal group of friends puts you outside of your comfort zone. You can’t sit back and let the conversation happen, you have to go find it, get involved and let your personality shine. “Travelling solo puts you in situations that at first you may feel uncomfortable with but trust us, you CAN go over to that group of friendly looking peeps and just start chatting away. It’s kind of the unwritten rule of travelling,” Kelly adds.
Knowledge
Maybe not in terms of the history of France (unless you pay close attention) but you’ll definitely learn more about yourself and what you’re capable of. Being out of your comfort zone and your everyday expectations of yourself is a fantastic thing as it opens up a whole new way of thinking and seeing the world. After all, what could be a bigger confidence boost than knowing you can survive in a completely foreign country on your own?
New challenges
“You didn’t think you’d ever be able to navigate your way through the New York City subway system or through the rabbit warren streets of London? Well, you might just surprise yourself,” says Kelly. When you’re in a different country you face new challenges that from the outside might seem impossible but soon you’ll discover that you’ve got this.
Trying New Things
You might end up going on that white-water rafting day trip or paragliding the Tyrol – those once in a lifetime experiences that you never would have done if you’d been in the comfort of your own country and friends. Because hey, YOLO.
If you want to know more about travelling solo with Contiki then contact them on (011) 280 8400 or visit contiki.com