I’m not big on spending a week or more alone, as is obvious if you’ve read much of this blog. While I often love to explore museums and sights without others by my side, I can get lonely if I go for too long without connecting with someone. I happen to like the social life that comes along with a group trip even if I don’t like every member.
One way to guarantee down time as well as social time is to plan an active tour and add extra days before or after the organized trip. If I get lonely in the days before, I have the trip to look forward to. After a trip, I have post-trip adrenaline to keep me going, and memories to mull over while I wander. And I’m familiar with the place by then, making solo travel even easier. 
Also, I’m a little…hm…what’s a nicer word than "lazy?" Once I decide on a place and an activity, it’s great to let others do the planning. For instance, I chose a multi-sport trip to New Zealand’s South Island with Active New Zealand.
Continued…
The trip hit the
highlights of the country. Options to horseback ride, bungee jump and hike in Queenstown. A visit to New Zealand’s wine country. Hiking on a
glacier. Kayaking in Milford Sound. Relaxing in the tiny town of Okarito. And lots more. I couldn’t have done it much better myself. And, I met friendly, funny companions. Several of them are friends to this day.
Photo: Ellen Perlman. Sheep in Kaikoura, New Zealand.
Boldly Go Solo 
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