Top 5 Reasons I Love to Travel Alone

Mom is not a travel agent or tour guide.

I’ve been a mom for almost 20 years. I try to be the mom that loves family vacations and loves coordinating the itineraries. (I have some control issues I need to work on.) But let’s face it; that’s a lot of work. I readily admit that family vacations are NOT relaxing for me.

Over the years, we’ve taken some incredible family vacations. Traveling as a family can be a lot of fun, especially witnessing your children experiencing new places (that’s the best!). However, there are some very fundamental differences between the ways my husband and I recharge. He likes to stay home, and I like to travel spontaneously. 

I don’t always travel alone. I am fortunate to have friends who love to meet me places. And I have five sisters (yes, five) whom I have traveled with before as well, but there’s nothing quite like traveling alone.

Here Are the Top 5 Reasons I Love to Travel Alone

1. I get to make all the decisions for myself, and I don’t have to justify them or reason with anyone else! I don’t have to worry about kid-friendly restaurants. And I can also spend an entire day shopping at a department store and pretend I’m Carrie Bradshaw in the Nordstrom shoe department.
2. It’s cheaper! Anyone who has spent the money traveling with their family knows that the difference between traveling with a party of four instead of a party of one can be astronomical. It’s simple math.
3. I can go to art museums. My husband hates standing in lines. He appreciates art but really doesn’t care to spend hours in a museum. My kids? Forget it; they might be down for a history or science museum but not art. Me? I am 100% down for spending an afternoon staring at priceless pieces of art. In fact, that’s usually what I end up doing most of the time when I travel alone.
4. Reservations at fancy restaurants. Sometimes it’s impossible to get a reservation even months before your intended travel dates. If you’re a solo diner, you can usually talk the hostess into letting you eat at the bar. I’ve dined at some of the most amazing restaurants simply by being willing to ask for a seat at the bar. Also, if I feel like skipping dinner for a glass of wine and some Netflix in my hotel room? No one else is there to change my mind.
5. It’s self-care. It recharges me. The time away reminds me that I’m still my own person, not just a wife, not just a mom, not just a worker in an office. I am me, and I am enough just as I am.

Who is ready to take a solo vacation?

Originally published May 2021.

The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ABQ Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.