Did you know that approximately 30% of baby boomers are single? The statistic from the U.S. Census Bureau 2006 American Community Survey isn’t surprising. In fact, it’s sure to rise as boomers age. But just because you’re single — whether that’s always been the case or you’re widowed or divorced — doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy traveling alone. That’s right, all by your lonesome.
If this sounds a little scary to you, The Solo Traveler’s Handbook
, by Janice Waugh, provides confidence building tips for traveling the world on your terms. In 123 pages of lighthearted reading, Janice shares her personal travel mistakes and triumphs along with tips for how to negotiate the world of travel on your own.
Janice is no stranger to offering solo travel advice. Since 2009, she’s published the blog, Solo Traveler. That’s about the time Janice started her own solo travels after recovering from the grief of losing her travel companion and husband in 2006. Janice also hosts a group of lively solo travelers on Facebook at the Solo Travel Society.
Finding Joy in Traveling Alone
Let’s be clear. The Solo Traveler’s Handbook isn’t about how to cope with traveling alone. Instead, the book celebrates the joys of traveling solo and why we should all travel that way, even for those of us who have partners.
As Janice says, “You get to know yourself better and discover new passions as well as strengths you didn’t know you had. Along the way you may collect a few souvenirs like new skills and self-confidence.”
Smart Tips on Solo Travel
The Solo Traveler’s Handbook is filled with nuggets of advice based upon Janice’s personal solo travel experiences. Chapters include tips on planning your trip, how to manage while you’re on the road and an excellent section on travel safety. I especially like her advice about arriving at a destination that’s new to you early in the day. There’s nothing worse than struggling to find accommodations — alone — in the dark — in a city that you don’t know. Janice writes about a similar experience in an account of her first solo travel trip to Cuba.
Are you a single boomer interested in traveling solo? Read The Solo Traveler’s Handbook for the confidence to travel on your own. Join the conversation at the My Itchy Travel Feet page on Facebook or send us an email with your comments or questions.
Janice Waugh provided a copy of The Solo Traveler’s Handbook for my review. I have included an Amazon Link to The Solo Traveler’s Handbook for your convenience; however, My Itchy Travel Feet does receive a small percentage for purchases made at Amazon.com.