Solo traveling is all about finding the link between one’s superficial and spiritual self. Initiating the inner drive is the most crucial part of the journey. But once the engine is started and the earliest speed-breakers are crossed, the road becomes clearer. We have captured through real life experiences how female solo travelers play a big role in documenting the significance of exploration.

Today the roles of women are no longer restricted within the territory of the home and hearth. Many have embraced the road and liberated themselves, the resulting reinforcement being female solo travelers. If you’re thinking that someday you will be “...tied down to a career, family”, follow Jessica’s path. She says,

I knew if I didn't do it now, I might never do it.

“Now” is always a good time to start! Jessica is a nomadic soul who wanted a taste of the world to remain on the tip of her tongue. That led her to dig deep until she found an English teaching program in Spain. It’s not that she has not fought odds in her journey, but in the end, what did not kill her made her stronger!

All travelers have been first-timers during which they learned to let go of their ‘what if’s’. They see solo travel as not just nurturing on an individual level, but it also works as foreplay culminating into the understanding of self-care. As Moni says,

solo travel taught me that it's okay to take care of me first, that I don't have to put my own self-care on the back burner

Google Maps might rule the roost but “obviously you cannot control everything” says Ilana, an academician and journalist from Germany for whom traveling is a challenge, a trough from which knowledge can be drunk and a tool to study the cultures of the world.

In a digitized world where realities are augmented and intelligence is rendered artificial, traveling still remains a hardcore physical activity. One needs to connect with a new and unknown place on a personal level to be affected by it spiritually, emotionally and intellectually. Sav recalls how she triumphed over matters like navigational issues and taxi scams in Costa Rica by accepting the notion that it is okay to be a little lost in order to find one’s way back while traveling. She is a novice when it comes to hitting the road solo, but clearly, the travel bug has bitten her.

Now, the burning question is why “solo” traveling? The answer is quite simple; self-discovery and the motivation could be many. While Moni Boyce left her glittering career in the film industry and boarded the solo caravan to engage in a tryst with herself, Lindsey left a drab corporate job and found the sheer joy of the reel life through her movie-like experiences across India, Morocco, and England.

I found myself living a similar replica of the movie Eat, Pray, Love. I’ve spent the bulk of my time in 3 countries- Morocco, India and now England. I accidentally met someone in India & am now in England because of him.

For Moni, exploration restored her love for the self, while Lindsey made peace by loving another. There might be hurdles on the road, like detention or rude attitude at the airport, hostile behavior, being clicked without permission, dress code issues, tourist scams, unknown people following you, inadequate medical care etc. But those who are spirited can hardly be fazed. Seasoned travelers, like Co, would suggest,

give yourselves some time off while you're traveling, you don't have to see or do everything at once.

Getting oneself acquainted with the political and social situation also helps, as Ilana suggests. Many who travel solo believe that a community of their own where they can share ideas, experiences, cautionary details, interesting discoveries, etc, might work as a sound support system. Sav says,

having an app as a more experienced friend in these circumstances would definitely put my mind at ease.

Jessica thinks that a digital community might be a good idea. According to Lindsey

It’s nice to have a travel community, to isolate & address issues
IlanaTraveler

Through travel I open doors to knowledge of new histories, languages and human connections. It is a way of life.

Moni BoyceTraveler

What is travel if not a means to grow and evolve on a personal level! Plus, it teaches us to be open and unafraid of transformation.

V. GrantzTraveler

Solo traveling is an investment in one self. It challenges you mentally, physically and emotionally....

Sav FresnerTraveler

Sav considers herself to be fortunate enough to travel internationally and at home. To her, travel i...

JessicaTraveler

Travel is opening your eyes and heart to the world around you by appreciating the differences in thi...

CoTraveler

Freedom. Culture. Discovery. A medium that gives us wings to go places and learn about the people of the world and discover ourselves- that’s what travel is!

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