Boldly Go Solo

One response to “Rick Steves outlines the joys of solo European travel”

1. 

   Ted

   May 22, 2010

   Your blog software somehow appended the URL of Rick Steves’ Web site to that of the article. Copy the URL into your Web browser and manually remove “http://www.ricksteves.com/” from the end.
   The article is interesting in several ways. First, this is the first time I’ve seen a man talk about the advantages the soloist has in meeting people. It’s good to see someone with such authority and personal experience remind us that solo travel isn’t just for women (although Rick’s unmentioned camera crew just might make him more approachable than an ordinary solo man).
   Second, it’s interesting that he wrote this article himself. His “Europe through the Back Door” guidebook has an extensive chapter on solo travel. It’s called “The Woman Traveling Alone.” He delegated the writing to a female employee on the grounds that everyone who asks him about solo travel is female, and thus a woman could better address those issues. Although he adds an afterthought to the effect that much of it could be useful for anyone who travels solo, male or female, I found this rather surprising in a guidebook that otherwise goes out of its way to be inclusive. So I’ll consider this article sufficient atonement for that transgression.
   Third, Rick perhaps inadvertently highlights why Europe could be a more congenial place for the solo traveler than the United States. While there are hostels and B&Bs here, the former are mainly for the low-budget youthful traveler and the latter tend to be expensive romantic getaways for couples. The hotels and motels where travelers typically stay aren’t really set up to encourage strangers to mingle. Nor do the airplanes and cars that Americans prefer (for good reason) to trains and coaches. On the other hand, most of his advice about eating alone and lonely evenings would work just as well in the United States– with the advantage of being able to understand the evening entertainment! A soloist in the US could probably join walking tours just as in Europe, but joining strangers for a group feast may be more challenging.
   As for your admonition not to put off travel dreams because “summer’s coming,” I think solo travelers actually would do better to put off their travel dreams– until the autumn. I’ve found it best to avoid high season for solo trips because most places are more enjoyable when they’re not packed full of families. It’s also cheaper.

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