Friday, October 12, 2018

With whom should you travel? (fewer photos)

With whom should you travel? 






This article is not designed for people who are married, living with a significant other, or living with their parents or children. Generally, if you are living with loved ones, you will happily travel together.

This question is designed for people who do not fit into those categories.

As a veteran solo, world-traveler, I am often asked why I travel solo. I also often hear people say they don’t travel because either they need a companion or because they like someone with whom they can share the price.

I travel because it is my lifelong passion. I have been traveling solo all over the world for more than three decades. Based on the Travelers Century Club’s nations list (http://travelerscenturyclub.org), I have visited 98 nations – – mostly solo!

Importantly, I began traveling solo while studying in Europe, during my junior year abroad in college. I was young enough to be fearless and naïve enough to not know what I did not now. As a result, I developed wanderlust at a tender young age and have been traveling the world solo, fearlessly, ever since.

I feel that having a compatible travel companion is swell. I have moved around a lot for school/work, and always lived alone-- so I have rarely had suitable travel companions. However, I never allowed that to stop me from pursuing my lifelong passion of travel.

If you have a passion for travel, I hope you will not deny yourself this wonderful opportunity to see the world. Don’t let the absence of a companion stop you.

One of the many lessons I have learned as a solo traveler is that you connect with people who share your passion for the destination, that you have both chosen, at that time. The people you meet during your travels are compatible with you in many ways. Your friends and loved ones may not share your passion for travel or for your desired travel destination. As a result, they may put a damper on your travel lifestyle.

So let’s answer the question With whom should you travel?


With whom should you travel?--I believe there are only a few categories, as follows:

Travel companion categories
1) People who live together or have lived together in the past.
2. One of you gave birth to the other.
3. You are in love and planning on spending your life together.
4. Very old, very dear friends who know each other's strengths and weaknesses and who truly value the friendship.
5. Siblings who get along.
6. People who are truly passionate about the destination.

What are some considerations you might explore before choosing travel companions? Here are my lists. I wrote the list based on taking a cruise BUT this applies to ALL travel. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

Roommate Stuff
  • Wake up time.
  • Go to sleep time.
  • How neat/organized or not?
  • Storing items in the room. How much drawer and closet space etc.
  • Bathroom time.
  • Bathroom habits.
  • Television habits.
  • Snoring.
  • Talkative in AM? PM?
  • Climate Control/Room temperature.
  • Gender related issues.(Bathroom use, changing clothes, sleeping arrangements, sex expectations etc.)


Travel and General
  • Interests: outdoor, museums, water activities, guided tours, history, food, shopping, etc.
  • Politics. World View.
  • Health: overall, medications, mobility, restrictions, food issues etc.
  • Finances. Spending views/habits.
  • Acceptance, tolerance, love, kindness, respect, gratitude.
  • Humility/teacheability.
  • Attitude toward people from other cultures.
  • Punctuality.
  • Leader/Follower
  • Open-mindedness.
  • Flexibility.
  • Boundaries.
  • Ability to navigate new places.
  • Do everything together versus meet at meal times. Independence.
  • Cruise on board activities: sunbathing, gambling, dancing, game participation, meetings, computer classes etc.
  • Airport/airplane habits.
  • Compromise.
  • Advance planning/research.
  • Dexterity to move around with luggage.
  • Having an opinion about what to do. (ie. some travelers happily defer to the other party; some do little research yet obstruct all decision-making)


I feel it is important to consider these ideas because I have met many people who have severed ties with friends, colleagues, and even family members because they suffered a bad travel experience. Life is too short for this!

I have also met people who are willing to share a room with a complete stranger in order to save money. Often, I hear horror stories about how they did not get along and ended by paying more to procure a solo accommodation. It never surprises me because – – they are complete strangers! Please don’t make this mistake. Work a few extra hours to make the extra money, and treat yourself to the peace of mind associated with having your own room. You can always join an organized group tour but just pay the single supplement and get your own roomI did this on organized group trips to China, India, Ireland, and Viet Nam/Thailand.


What would YOU add to these lists??

Places Where I Have Traveled *=more than once

  • India
  • China
  • Dubai
  • Israel
  • Russia*
  • Iceland
  • Cuba Aug 2016
  • Egypt*
  • Indonesia
  • Tahiti Feb 2016
  • Northern Ireland
  • Cook Islands Feb 2016
  • New Zealand Feb 2016
  • Australia Feb 2016
  • Belize
  • French Polynesia Jan 2016
  • Mallorca
  • Shetland Islands
  • Faroe Islands
  • Brunei
  • Morocco*
  • Brazil*
  • Philippines
  • North Borneo
  • Crete*
  • Ionian Islands*
  • Singapore
  • Hong Kong
  • Azores*
  • Norway
  • Dodecanese Islands (Rhodes)
  • Bosnia
  • Palestein
  • Croatia
  • Romania
  • Argentina
  • Ecuador
  • Tunisia
  • Corsica
  • Bulgaria
  • Columbia
  • Peru
  • Montenegro
  • Columbia
  • Chile*
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Uruguay
  • Jordan
  • Gibraltar
  • Turkey*
  • Bermuda
  • Estonia*
  • Viet Nam
  • Finland*
  • Malta*
  • Thailand
  • Guatemala
  • Crete*
  • Jamaica*
  • Panama*
  • Grand Canyon
  • Scotland
  • Niagara Falls
  • Greece*
  • France* lived there
  • Japan*
  • Bilbao, Spain*
  • Canada*
  • Costa Rica
  • Bahamas*
  • Banff Hot Springs
  • Hawaii*
  • Italy*
  • Catalina Island
  • Luxembourg*
  • St Johns
  • St Marteen/St Martin
  • St Thomas
  • South Padre Island Texas
  • Mexico*
  • Vatican City*
  • Austria*
  • Denmark*
  • Monaco
  • Portugal*
  • Belgium*
  • Holland*
  • Ireland*
  • Alaska
  • England*
  • Sweden*
  • Switzerland*
  • Spain*
  • Germany*
  • Madeira

Events/Experiences

  • Pyramids at Giza
  • Taj Mahal
  • Climbed Great Wall of China
  • Western Wall-Jerusalem
  • Transited Panama Canal 3X
  • Rode Camel in Tunisia
  • fathom Adonia--1st US cruise ship to Cuba--Aug 2016
  • Old Town in Havana
  • Burj Kalifa in Dubai
  • Saw Kangeroos, Wallabees, and Koalas in Australia
  • Kayaked in Bay of Islands, New Zealand
  • Vaparreto # 1 in Venice
  • National Museum in Brunei
  • Saw Geysers Erupt in Iceland
  • Drink at Raffles Hotel-Singapore
  • Fish Spa in Greece and Philippines
  • The Peak in Hong Kong
  • Pedicab Tour in Manilla Philippines
  • Road Amalfi Coast, Italy
  • Chewed Gum in Singapore
  • Marched in St Pat's Day Parade in Dublin
  • Sailed Kotor Bay
  • Old Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia
  • Smithsonian Museums-DC
  • Toured Ancient City of Petra, Jordan
  • Transited Suez Canal
  • Rio for Carnivale 2X
  • Cruised along Cinque Terre, Italy
  • Fish Spa in Corfu, Greece (teeny fish scrubbed my feet!)
  • Subway in Russia
  • Flash Mob (dance) on stage on several cruises
  • Visted 21 Countries on 5 long cruises in 2012
  • Ceviche in Peru
  • Cremation Service in Bali
  • Saw Lamas in Lima
  • Vasa Museum-Stockholm
  • Buddhist Monastery in Viet Nam
  • Drove Amalfi Coast
  • Queen Mary 2
  • Berlin Wall
  • Mummies In Cairo Museum
  • Jordan River; Sea of Galilee
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Luxor at Sunrise
  • Transited the Pirate-Infested Gulf of Aden
  • Ski Dubai
  • Fellucca Ride on the Nile at Sunset
  • 16-day Europe/Transatlantic on Queen Victoria
  • Tahrir Square-Cairo
  • Toured Pompeii
  • In Fashion Show Aboard Queen Victoria
  • Rode Elephants in Thailand and India
  • 7-Country Baltic Cruise
  • Hermitage Museum
  • Checkpoint Charlie
  • Transatlantic Crossing on QM2
  • Climbed Tikal in Guatemala
  • Mediterranean Cruise 6 countries
  • Audience with Swami in Rishikesh, India
  • Poetry Class in France
  • Kissed Blarney Stone
  • Pike's Fish Market in Seattle
  • Photo with Snake Charmer in India
  • Dacau near Munich
  • Hitchhiked from France to Scotland
  • Climbed Washington Monument in DC
  • Oktoberfest in Bavaria
  • Toured Panama Canal
  • Wine Country in France, California and many others
  • Guest of Placido Domingo in Chicago
  • The Alamo
  • United Nations
  • San Diego Zoo
  • Helicopter over Grand Canyon
  • Club Med in Cancun
  • Eurailpassed Twice Thru Europe
  • Hollywood
  • Albuquerque Hot-Air Balloon Festival
  • Rodeo in Dallas/Ft Worth
  • NCAA Playoffs in Charlotte and New Orleans
  • Cucchi Tunnels in Viet Nam
  • Grammys in New York
  • Paella in Spain
  • Rain Forest in Costa Rica
  • Xmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on 5th Avenue
  • Niagara Falls
  • Disney Land & Disney World
  • Voodoo Museum New Orleans
  • Cancun Jazz Festival
  • Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica
  • Las Vegas for Trade Shows
  • Key West for Hemmingway Festival
  • Art Classes in Louvre
  • Black Ski Summit in Vail and Colorado Springs
  • Texas State Fair
  • Mardi Gras in New Orleans
  • Italian Class in France
  • Nude Sunbathing in St Marteen
  • Danish Pastry in Denmark
  • Palace of Knossos Crete
  • Anne Frank House Amsterdam
  • Karaoke in Japan
  • Leaning Tower of Pisa
  • Lobster in Maine
  • Belfast Black Cab Tour
  • Dozens of Transatlantic Sailings