Boldly Go Solo

One of my biggest beefs is how the world views solo travelers.  As if we’re some kind of oddity, or people to be pitied. This is the opening sentence of a story by the Reuters news agency:

"No one to go on vacation with or escaping a broken heart? That’s no reason not to travel."

Give me a break. I excuse this pitiful story lead only because it was around Valentine’s Day and someone thought he/she was writing a clever tie-in to the "holiday."

As I’ve said before, I often purposely travel solo because the experience is that much richer. Instead of gabbing with a friend, I’m observing the world around me. If I’m on an active vacation, I’m meeting new and interesting people.

I don’t want to bring home with me. I don’t want to have to deal with the quirks of my friends when I’m supposed to be relaxing. And sometimes, I’d prefer that what happens on my vacations stays on my vacations, as far as the gossip chain in my regular life goes.

What I found oddest of all about the story was the top-10 list that Reuters referred to. It was created by IgoUgo, a website owned by Travelocity that’s full of reader recommendations.

Number one on the list is Vienna. This is what the says:

"Each spring for the past few years, I’ve indulged in a solo trip to Europe, usually prompted by some long-standing fantasy I’ve had. One year I tramped around Dartmoor; another found me footloose in London. But this year’s trip was one I’d dreamt about for decades: to Vienna, to sample its mind-boggling array of concerts and operas."

That’s it. 

Now someone explain to me why Vienna is a "top 10"
place to fly solo? Or why number two, Rio, which "rewards those who
travel solo" is on the list? I’m not saying these aren’t great places.
But if they’re great places, they’re also great places for couples, families and Snow White and all her dwarfs. 

In the
couple-centric travel world, this list offers no particularly useful
information to solo travelers. Was the single supplement waived? Was
there a particular place to meet up with other travelers? Did the king
or the president or the emperor throw open
the doors specifically for a solo-traveler reception?

No?

Then these are simply nice places to visit. Why
are they the top 10 places for flying solo? I’m asking this seriously.
Can anyone tell me the value of this list?

Solo travelers can go anywhere they want. And have a good time. Or not. Just like "regular" people. Shocking, but true.

If you’re going to write a story about solo travel, make it make sense. Offer a reason why a certain destination or hotel is better for solo travelers than another. Am I off base here?  I look forward to comments.