Travel is about more than just visiting new places; it's an opportunity for personal growth, self-discovery, and connection with the world around you. Travel coaches understand the transformative power of travel and have valuable insights to share with those looking to embark on their own adventures. We reached out to members of our Travel Coach Certification Program and asked them to share what they wished everyone knew about travel. These powerful insights will inspire you to embrace the world of travel with confidence and enthusiasm.

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1. You Are Capable of That Solo Trip

One of the most common misconceptions about travel is the belief that it's only possible when you have a travel companion. While traveling with friends or family can be enjoyable, don't let the absence of a buddy deter you from exploring the world. You are more capable than you might think of embarking on a solo journey!

Solo travel offers a unique opportunity for self-discovery, independence, and...

By Sue Cockell at Sue Where Why What

A question I hear regularly is “Don’t you find travelling alone, lonely?” I’ll be honest and say that yes, of course it can be. One of the biggest fears when you decide to venture out into the world as a solo traveller is loneliness.

I started my new journey travelling the world alone after losing my husband back in 2014. We had been very happy together for 18 years. I am therefore very familiar with experiencing moments of crippling loneliness. As a result, it’s hard to look anyone in the eye and dismiss their concerns.

But I have discovered that being alone does not automatically mean being lonely and even if it did, it is not necessarily sad.

Initially, I was very concerned about how others would see me, especially when I went into a restaurant:

“Will they all stare at me? Think I’ve been stood up? Have no friends? Am trying to pick them up? What if nobody talks to me? Or even worse, what if they...

By: Alli Iacullo

I had become quite the expert at traveling as a solo traveler with small group tours, but in the fall of 2021, with nine group tours under my belt, I decided I was finally ready to make the leap to completely solo travel.  As a result of the pandemic, I had new found flexibility to work remotely so instead of suffering through another long winter in New Jersey, I thought why not escape to somewhere warm.  

A friend suggested Mexico…it was close, cheap, and warm, and who doesn’t love margaritas and guac?  Mexico was unfamiliar territory to me as I’d only been once before when I was 16, but I did some research on possible locations, made a quick trip to Playa del Carmen to scope it out and decided it would totally work.  

Since I was anxious about traveling completely solo, I planned everything to a T for my 7 week stay in Mexico:

• First 30 days: Playa del Carmen would be my home base.  Non-refundable Airbnb...

By: Norah Connolly

When I was in my early 20s living in Jackson, WY chasing the ski bum dream, I was diagnosed with endometriosis. Fortunately for me, I have never experienced extreme pelvic pain, which is the most common symptom of a disease that is still not completely understood. Unfortunately, though, my type of endo created grapefruit-sized tumors in my abdomen and so living far from the excellent medical care I received in Boston, MA was not an option for me.

In the spring 2017, after multiple abdominal surgeries and because of increasing symptoms at the time, my doctor and I decided to schedule a full hysterectomy for that summer. For the first time in a long time, I had hope that a new life was waiting for me on the other side of the operating table; one that could allow me to move to a more rural New England life near the best skiing the northeast had to offer. It was time to let my body and mind heal from the emotional turmoil of disease.

Before my hysterectomy, I decided...

By: Christine Mak

When I was younger, I would go on road trips or bus tours with my mom. From what I can remember, we only used the car when we were seeing family or were with a lot of people and joined a bus tour if it were just her and I. We mostly traveled along the east coast of the US and went for short little weekend trips or day trips.

As a teenager, I didn’t have my own car after I got my license and would either borrow a family member’s or join friends in theirs to get to places when I lived in the suburbs. I would only be in the suburbs for a short period of time before I would move back into the city, so there really was no need for me to have a car at all, since public transportation was more suitable for my lifestyle then.

As I got a little older, my interests grew as well as my desire to explore or travel somewhere. I would try to make plans with friends, but those plans never came to fruition. Either our interests were different or we couldn’t agree...

By: Jenni Potter

Who am I? I’m a solo traveller on a mission to get other women initiated into this world of freedom and adventure. Whether you want to start off slowly, or dive in deep like me, I’ve got you covered. 

I started my solo travels on a 2 month trip to South America, with no prior experience and not much more than a one-way flight booked. It changed my life for the better and I want to help you get over your fears and embrace solo travel.

1. Prepare it – and yourself!

The greatest hurdle you will have to face when solo travelling is getting over your fear of doing it. More often than not it will be misplaced, but remember that it’s also a handy self-preservation tool. Preparing for different eventualities and keeping your safety in mind is key, but overthinking can cause a blockage when you really want to be getting excited. 

Reading blog posts by other solo travellers who have taken the plunge and done it all before can help to...