Traveling Solo over 50
STORY AND IMAGES BY JONATHAN SIMPSON
There is no denying that choice and freedom are the very foundation of happiness.
If you want to be happy, it is necessary for you to take a break at some time and spend that time living on your own terms.
As part of a group or as a single, travelling solo offers you a great opportunity to make choices.
Planning your solo travel trip?
Here are some other benefits of travelling solo:
1. Freedom – When you're travelling solo, there are no obligations or expectations. You're free to do whatever you want to do. Don't let go of this opportunity.
2. Confidence – When you are independent, you gain confidence. When you travel solo independently or on a tour, you will gain that confidence as you will be on your own.
3. Discover Yourself – You spend a lot of time meeting the demands of your children or your spouse.
Recovery expert Satya Armstrong highlights the need to uncover yourself when traveling, because it’s also one of the best ways to do it.
“You learn a lot about yourself when you’re being pushed to places and doing things you’ve never done before. But once you learn what you’re capable of, the world seems to open up to you.”
Solo travel allows you to rediscover you. Travelling solo offers you the opportunity to know oneself.
If you want to be happy, it is necessary for you to take a break at some time and spend that time living on your own terms.
As part of a group or as a single, travelling solo offers you a great opportunity to make choices.
Planning your solo travel trip?
Here are some other benefits of travelling solo:
1. Freedom – When you're travelling solo, there are no obligations or expectations. You're free to do whatever you want to do. Don't let go of this opportunity.
2. Confidence – When you are independent, you gain confidence. When you travel solo independently or on a tour, you will gain that confidence as you will be on your own.
3. Discover Yourself – You spend a lot of time meeting the demands of your children or your spouse.
Recovery expert Satya Armstrong highlights the need to uncover yourself when traveling, because it’s also one of the best ways to do it.
“You learn a lot about yourself when you’re being pushed to places and doing things you’ve never done before. But once you learn what you’re capable of, the world seems to open up to you.”
Solo travel allows you to rediscover you. Travelling solo offers you the opportunity to know oneself.
PHOTO BY FREEPIK
4. Hone your talents – Travelling offers the opportunity of developing your existing talents or discovering some new ones. You may choose to go hiking or to take a painting course. Use this time to discover a new talent or skill in yourself.
5. Regain confidence – If you have lost someone dear, or you are recently divorced and you're feeling a little down, solo travel allows you to regain your confidence.
The hypnosis experts at Mindset Mastery believe that solo travel is not necessarily the easiest, but certainly one of the more effective ways to boost your confidence.
“Being independent at a later age makes you think back to when you were young and seeing things for the first time. It gives you that youthful feeling of being invincible and wanting to take on the world. Travelling solo gives you that return of confidence.”
We have all been there.
6. Refresh your relationship – Solo travel allows you to get back to your relationship with new experiences, new dreams to share and new ideas. There are times when people do not have any new stories to tell. Traveling solo allows you to make new stories and share with your loved ones.
7. Be youthful again – If you feel that everybody else at work is younger than you, solo travel allows you to demonstrate that youthfulness to your co-workers.
We all know how getting older feels. You should get out on that adventure and travel solo. It will make you feel younger and you will also experience that attitude change in others.
5. Regain confidence – If you have lost someone dear, or you are recently divorced and you're feeling a little down, solo travel allows you to regain your confidence.
The hypnosis experts at Mindset Mastery believe that solo travel is not necessarily the easiest, but certainly one of the more effective ways to boost your confidence.
“Being independent at a later age makes you think back to when you were young and seeing things for the first time. It gives you that youthful feeling of being invincible and wanting to take on the world. Travelling solo gives you that return of confidence.”
We have all been there.
6. Refresh your relationship – Solo travel allows you to get back to your relationship with new experiences, new dreams to share and new ideas. There are times when people do not have any new stories to tell. Traveling solo allows you to make new stories and share with your loved ones.
7. Be youthful again – If you feel that everybody else at work is younger than you, solo travel allows you to demonstrate that youthfulness to your co-workers.
We all know how getting older feels. You should get out on that adventure and travel solo. It will make you feel younger and you will also experience that attitude change in others.
PHOTO BY FREEPIK
8. Stress reduction – If you are experiencing any kind of health problems, chances are that stress is a big contributor to those problems.
According to health and wellness expert Sally Austin, travelling can represent a chance to get away from everything and hit the reset button. “Travelling allows you to switch off from whatever else is going in your life, and allows yourself to just be present in the moment.”
When you travel solo and get to relax, it will bring your stress levels down and you will feel healthy again.
9. Reboot your life – If you feel that your life is on autopilot and you are getting a bit bored, travelling solo is the right way to shake things up and to make your life interesting again. It can be a great stimulation.
10. Fulfil those dreams – If you have lifelong dreams that your partner doesn't share, it's time to travel solo. There are many partners who like to take separate vacations in order to fulfil their personal dreams.
Already planning your first trip once the COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted?
With so many countries and places to go and see, it’s important to check out Holiday Destinations Around The World’s so that you can find a place that you will truly enjoy and fully immerse yourself in.
So, start planning!
According to health and wellness expert Sally Austin, travelling can represent a chance to get away from everything and hit the reset button. “Travelling allows you to switch off from whatever else is going in your life, and allows yourself to just be present in the moment.”
When you travel solo and get to relax, it will bring your stress levels down and you will feel healthy again.
9. Reboot your life – If you feel that your life is on autopilot and you are getting a bit bored, travelling solo is the right way to shake things up and to make your life interesting again. It can be a great stimulation.
10. Fulfil those dreams – If you have lifelong dreams that your partner doesn't share, it's time to travel solo. There are many partners who like to take separate vacations in order to fulfil their personal dreams.
Already planning your first trip once the COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted?
With so many countries and places to go and see, it’s important to check out Holiday Destinations Around The World’s so that you can find a place that you will truly enjoy and fully immerse yourself in.
So, start planning!
Advantages for Over 50's travelers
STORY BY VI HUGHES, 2014
PHOTO BY WAVE BREAK MEDIA
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PHOTO BY TRIXY
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Over 50s usually have more time to travel, especially if you are retired and have the time to ‘smell the roses’ as you don’t have to rush everything and everywhere.
Life is a great teacher and in your “later years” you can utilise your life experiences; you are not naïve and therefore are usually more cautious in unusual situations.
You are likely to appreciate different people, cultures, architecture and history more, often making your holiday experiences a lot richer.
Over 50s are often in a better financial position to enjoy a little luxury from time to time; lash out on better restaurants and shows and treat yourself to some of life’s indulgences.
You probably only have yourselves to think about, as the children should now be self sufficient and hopefully moved out of home.
The other benefit is that when you forget things its more likely to be due to your age..... not because you’re drunk!
Life is a great teacher and in your “later years” you can utilise your life experiences; you are not naïve and therefore are usually more cautious in unusual situations.
You are likely to appreciate different people, cultures, architecture and history more, often making your holiday experiences a lot richer.
Over 50s are often in a better financial position to enjoy a little luxury from time to time; lash out on better restaurants and shows and treat yourself to some of life’s indulgences.
You probably only have yourselves to think about, as the children should now be self sufficient and hopefully moved out of home.
The other benefit is that when you forget things its more likely to be due to your age..... not because you’re drunk!
Read some of our other great stories for Over 50s
Safe Travel Guide for Seniors
Traveling in Europe by Train
7 Trips to Take in Your 50s And Beyond.
Top Holiday Choice for Over 50s.
Safe Travel Guide for Seniors
Traveling in Europe by Train
7 Trips to Take in Your 50s And Beyond.
Top Holiday Choice for Over 50s.
Planning your Over 50's travel
Many people traveled a lot when they were younger and remember the excitement that comes with planning a trip.
But many older migrants who have lived in a country most of their lives but have not taken citizenship do not realise that they risk being refused back into the country of they don't have a re-entry visa.
It is important that you check your residency, passport and visa status:
(Tip: No less than 4 star hotels to make sure your bed is comfortable and you have good air conditioning or heating).
But many older migrants who have lived in a country most of their lives but have not taken citizenship do not realise that they risk being refused back into the country of they don't have a re-entry visa.
It is important that you check your residency, passport and visa status:
- Check that your passport has at least six months validity after your return date.
- Check whether you need a visa to enter a country you are visiting, or a re-entry visa to get back into your country if you are not a citizen.
- Also check entry conditions into other countries - sometimes you have to pay an extra "visa" or entry fee even though you have a visa (it's hard to argue when there are armed soldiers speaking in a language you don't understand)!
- Start planning well in advance to make sure EVERYTHING is thought about and you know what flights and accommodation are available.
- Check your immunisation records and make sure you are covered well in advance.
- Organise travel insurance as soon as you pay for your flights, just in case you have to cancel them. If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel!
- When you are young and carefree, it’s easy to wing it and you can always make do if things don’t work out. In later years, this can become stressful and can spoil your holiday if things are not all properly in place.
- Checklists are a must.
- Check tips for traveling on our website.
- Register your travel details with smarttraveller in case there are any problems when you are away.
- Packing – Comfort is the priority, particularly with shoes. Rolling clothes when packing is usually easier and they will crease less.
- Finding good accommodation is a top priority to make sure you get a good night’s sleep and wake up refreshed. This means backpacking or camping are probably not going to suit most over 50s - the body often can’t take sleeping just anywhere anymore. The last thing you want is to be aching all over and not able to do what you want.
(Tip: No less than 4 star hotels to make sure your bed is comfortable and you have good air conditioning or heating).
River Cruises in Europe
Would you like to experience cruising along a river through central Europe?
Often described as "the holiday of a lifetime", many retired couples choose this holiday.
Often described as "the holiday of a lifetime", many retired couples choose this holiday.