Travel Goals

1. Climb to Everest Base Camp.
2. Climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
3. Learn to Scuba Dive.
4. Visit every continent.
5. See the Galapagos Islands.
6. Sail down the Amazon River.
7. Climb Ayer's Rock.
8. Ride the Trans-Siberian.
9. Go into space.
10. Go wild at La Tomintina.
11. See the sunrise from Mt. Fuji.
12. Gaze at Borobudor.
13. Visit the Pyramids
14. Safari in East Africa.
15. Go to the World Cup!
16. See Machu Picchu.
17. Join the Century Club.
18. Visit Antarctica.
19. Do development work.
20. See Petra Jordan.
21. Backpack the Eastern Block.
22. See the Northern Lights.
23. Vegas Baby! Vegas!
24. Greek Island hop.
25. Cycle Tuscany.
26. Visit India.
27. Lounge in the Seychelles.
28. See Morocco.
29. Oktoberfest!
30. Caravan across the Sahara.
31. Visit Tibet.
32. Fly first class.
33. Go to Israel.
34. Carnival!!!!
35. Mardi Gras!
36. Cannes Film Festival.
37. Sundance Film Festival.
38. Eat a sushi meal at NOBU
39. Pacific Island hop.
40. Spend a night in the Ice Hotel.
41. See Glacier National Park.

Learn a Foreign Language

Are you planning to travel around Europe? Why not learn Italian or French before you go to maximize your experience.

Book Your Travel Here!!

Both solo travel or group travel have advantages and disadvantages. You need to decide what choice best fits your preferences. For example, would you prefer the freedom of making all decisions yourself and going where your whim takes you? Or rather let others decide once in a while? Independent travel brings a lot of flexibility- you can do what you want, when you want. However, in group travel, you need to watch the needs of others too. You might all have different interests, travel budgets and expectations. Traveling with people who feel like partying all night and sleeping until noon while you prefer to rise early and explore the city obviously won’t work. To avoid disappointments and make sure you are all on the same page, discuss with everyone before leaving what you want out of the trip.

In a group, conflicts and arguments on what to see and do, when to move on, and where to go, might occur. However, at the same time, you always have company and won’t feel lonely. You get to share great experiences and moments of awe with people you love, not a brief acquaintance who will head off somewhere else the next day. (Although don’t forget, people you meet on the road can also turn into excellent travel companions - even friends for life.)

How your trip ends up depends a lot on your mind-set. With a positive and outgoing attitude you will easily make new friends and improve your foreign language skills through talking with locals. People also tend to approach single travelers more often. When you travel solo, locals might even invite you to stay in their homes - especially in a region where there are fewer tourists. This probably wouldn’t have happened if you went with a group.

When you travel with friends there’s a risk you won’t break out of your group instead of making a real effort to get to know your surroundings. As a single traveler you will experience things differently and learn a great deal about yourself along the way. For some, solo travel means boredom. But traveling alone doesn’t mean you will feel lonely. You can stay at hostels to meet other travelers, or join a homestay program to meet locals and learn about their culture. On the road, you will encounter so many new people and places, boredom will be the least of your worries.

Apart from the fun aspect of traveling with friends, many people choose group travel because it gives them a greater sense of security. You know you have trustworthy people around you in case you need help with something or want to share ideas. Before booking your trip, ask yourself, “Would I feel comfortable taking all decisions by myself?”, “Can I strike up conversations with strangers?”, “Enjoy my own company for hours, days, weeks in row?”, “Move from one point to another by reading maps and ask for directions?”, “Trust my gut feeling if a situation doesn’t seem right?”

If you feel comfortable traveling on your own, I would say go for it. Otherwise, travel with friends the first time before taking that four-month solo trip overseas. Travel is an individual thing but whatever route you choose, the most important thing is that you get out there and travel!

Erica Johansson is a freelance writer and photographer from Sweden. For up-to-date travel news, tips and information, visit her travel blog at Travel Blissful

8 Responses to “Solo vs Group Travel”

1. Quickroute on May 27th, 2008 4:13 pm

   I used to prefer to travel alone as it opens up new opportunities to meet people as you push yourself more. Now that I`m married I do most travel with my wife which is also fun as if you can still talk to each other after a month of backpacking then you`re meant to be together!

2. Erica Johansson on May 27th, 2008 4:26 pm

   So far I’ve travelled in large groups, small groups, with only one friend and also solo. Even though it can be really fun to travel with a group of friends, I have to admit I prefer solo travel or taking a trip with just a good friend - especially if it’s for a longer time period. It’s simply easier and it definitely won’t get boring ’cause you’ll meet so many new people along the way.

3. Cuckoo on May 28th, 2008 6:32 am

   Very informative post. And I agree with you on solo vs group traveling… have done both kinds.

   Looking forward to more.

4. Soultravelers3 on May 28th, 2008 10:49 am

   Good post! I think I have done every scenario of travel from solo to a group of 100 peace proponents from around the world who traveled all over USSR in 1988.

   I found it all good and all different , from solo to group, to couple travel to family travel. One can not really go wrong, huh? You are right though, it is good to get some experience before going solo, especially if you are a woman.

   I have to admit my favorite is very slow travel as a family! We are doing that now on our open ended trip around the world. It has been bliss and now I wonder if we will add one more style….permanent travelers.

   Thanks Nomadic Matt for a great site and Erica for a great post!!

5. Debo Hobo on May 28th, 2008 4:14 pm

   I think if I were travel international I would travel with a group, but when within the states I prefer solo.

   Great post:)

6. Nomadic Matt on May 29th, 2008 12:42 pm

   Wow! looks like the consensus is towards generally traveling solo…at least most of the time.

7. Good Group Travel : Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site on June 13th, 2008 5:26 pm

   [...] Travel began our blog series on the merits of solo and group travel by discussing her opinion on which was better. More often than not, the question is not should I go alone or with friends but [...]

8. Solo Travel : Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site on June 18th, 2008 2:13 pm

   [...] discussion about solo or group travel. Guest Blogger Blissful Travel started it off with discussing her preference. Last week, we talked about the benefits of group travel. Today, we’ll bring it to a close [...]

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