TRAVEL | Go For It! Solo Overseas Travel Is Liberating, These Are Our Solo Travel Tips

November 18, 2014 Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Adventure Travel, Homepage Feature, Travel

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I’d say that I’m fairly independent, but when it comes to new experiences, I’d always figured that a shared experience was better than experiencing something alone. So when I decided to travel alone to rural Egypt for a yoga and meditation retreat, it felt like a big deal.

Read on to find out how my first ever solo trip transformed my life, and find tips on planning solo travel adventures.

Me diving in Dahab — *Diving in Dahab, my first ever solo travel experience*

I’ve always enjoyed Yoga, but didn’t regularly practice and am way too inflexible to manage any advanced poses, but the idea of early morning yoga every day, the chance to meet new people, visit a new country in a region well off the usual tourist trail, and the chance to spend time alone with my thoughts felt like it was exactly what I needed.

I did some research, followed a few companies on Facebook and decided that Dahab, a small Bedouin fishing village on the hippy trail, was the right location for me, then I booked my space on the yoga retreat.

solo yoga holiday — *Relaxing by the pool on a solo yoga retreat in Dahab, Egypt*

A couple of months later, I found myself at the airport, wandering around doing the usual passing-time-at-the-airport things, with an almost constant inner dialogue in my head. I felt slightly bemused, but importantly, I was enjoying myself, and I felt excited and instantly liberated.

As the plane touched down, I won’t lie, nerves did hit me. What if I couldn’t find the person there to greet me? What if I didn’t like the other people on the retreat? What if I was really rubbish at yoga compared to everyone else? I pushed the worries away, put a smile on my face and confidently strolled off the plane. The airport immigration process was frantic, the heat cloying and everything was chaotic, but I was loving it.

Some of my smaller concerns about being sociable, remembering names, and flailing around dramatically rather than managing a perfect shoulder stand (which at that point I’d never done before) quickly melted away, and I realised that there really was nothing at all I needed to fret about.

Getting up early every day for 3 hours of yoga was a joy, as was our shorter afternoon session. There were optional group activities, like a walk into the village, tea with Bedouins, a hike up Mount Sinai and diving, and our small group quickly bonded, spending time together, but respectful of each others need for space.

Quiet time I so desperately needed

What the holiday gave me, wasn’t just a chance to advance my yoga abilities, it gave me the chance to find myself again. Without wishing to come over all Shirley Valentine, it had been literally years, since I’d spent anything more than a few hours alone. As a mother and a wife with a full time career, there was no such thing as down time, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt relaxed.

My mind was racing; increasingly cluttered, and my body was tense, due to constant low-level stress. I wasn’t happy with my outwardly amazing life and I just didn’t know why, but I instinctively knew I needed time and space to work things out.

I’d spent so many years being a mum and wife that I no longer knew who I really was. I had no idea what made me happy and the holiday gave me the necessary space and time to figure it all out. The meditation techniques that I learned during that week have proved exceptionally helpful, time after time.

solo yoga holiday in egypt — *The rest of the group on the yoga retreat*

The holiday taught me a lot about myself, it made me braver, tougher and gave me a sense of wellbeing that has never truly left me. It took me way out of my comfort zone; even little things like leaving my room and approaching a table of people in the restaurant filled me with anxiety, but I did it and I thrived.

How My Solo Yoga Holiday Changed My Life

Solo travel taught me that stepping outside of our comfort zones is absolutely necessary for personal growth and that spending time alone, with a still mind and none of the distractions of the modern world, is crucial to wellbeing.

Within weeks of returning I made a raft of very major changes; things I’d been considering for some time, which I now knew I needed to do. As well as quitting my job and taking a big jump up the career ladder, the decisions I made had a life-changing impact, ultimately providing me with a much happier and far less materialistic life. Oh, and I also learned to do a pretty mean shoulder stand too.

Why You Go On A Solo Holiday

If you are thinking of going on a solo holiday, my advice, without exception, is to do it. If you are worried about solo travel, then why not travel independently, but once you arrive at your destination, hook up with other solo travelers or choose a loosely organised trip, like the one I went on?

It’s a great way of building your own confidence and feeling of independence.
You discover what truly makes you happy, and get to do exactly what you want to do with no need to compromise or convince anyone else.
It gives you time and space to think.
It takes you out of your comfort zone which can be exhilarating and highly rewarding.

Solo Travel Tips

Plan an itinerary that will provide you with plenty of things to do so you’ll never be bored – my advice is to take plenty of books with you.
Use a holiday or travel company that specailises in trips for solo travelers, that way you can travel alone, but will get to meet and mix with other like-minded people once you arrive.
Go on a specialist themed holiday; for example a horse riding holiday, a walking break, or a yoga retreat like the one I went on.
If you aren’t sure a solo holiday is for you, then why not book a solo weekend break somewhere closer to home first. We’d recommend giving Gogashala Yoga Holidays a try.
Make sure you do your research and only travel with an experienced company and check out reviews before you go. Follow them on social media before you book anything to get a better feel for what’s on offer, and make sure, once at your destination, that you don’t wander off anywhere by yourself, without leaving a trail of some sort.
When planning excursions, let someone at your hotel know, leave a note in your room, or send a text or email back home outlining your plans, just to be on the safe side.
Always make sure you have some cash on you, a credit card stowed somewhere safe and your phone.
Don’t scrimp on travel insurance.
Ensure you are familiar with the religion and culture of the country you intend to visit; when on my own in Muslim countries I always wear a head scarf, in order to blend in more for example.

I’d love to hear your own experiences about solo travel, so use the comments section below to share your thoughts.

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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