Anyone ever take a spontaneous vacation by themselves?

[chubbyfatazn]

Thinking about taking a spur-of-the-moment trip to either Dublin or Athens, although Rome/Vienna/Dusseldorf are in consideration as well. Though if I can find cheap tickets to anywhere in the old Soviet bloc (e.g. Prague or Bratislava or Kiev) I'd take those over Western Europe.

I've never been to any of those places, and I haven't taken a vacation anywhere since 2012. I'd probably target 5 days, and I'd be going alone. I wasn't even considering a vacation but noticed tickets to Europe were cheap for next month and figured "why the hell not." Although I have no idea what I'd do wherever I go.

Anyone else ever do something like this?

 

[Paladin3]

My daughter is headed to San Francisco with her high school band at the end of the month, which leaves me home alone for about a week. Considering a solo camping trip or motorcycle ride for 4-5 days pending weather. It's still snowing off and on here in North Idaho.

Not as exciting as Europe, for sure.

 

[WelshBloke]

Thinking about taking a spur-of-the-moment trip to either Dublin or Athens, although Rome/Vienna/Dusseldorf are in consideration as well. Though if I can find cheap tickets to anywhere in the old Soviet bloc (e.g. Prague or Bratislava or Kiev) I'd take those over Western Europe.

I've never been to any of those places, and I haven't taken a vacation anywhere since 2012. I'd probably target 5 days, and I'd be going alone. I wasn't even considering a vacation but noticed tickets to Europe were cheap for next month and figured "why the hell not." Although I have no idea what I'd do wherever I go.

Anyone else ever do something like this?

Out of those choices, and considering that you've not been to any of them, I'd pick Rome without a second thought!

 

[Mai72]

I went to South Korea by myself. I worked there for 2 years and met some great people. Now that I think about it, it was kinda crazy. I took a 21 hour flight from Philly to Cali, and from Cali to Seoul. Got off the bus, met my recruiter for 5 minutes. She put me on a 4 hour bus ride. I was the only English speaking person on that bus. The bus had a flatscreen that was playing Korean drama. It all seemed so surreal. It was exciting. I finally got out of my comfort zone.

When I was working in SK I would take vacation trips to Thailand. Normally Pattaya and Bangkok. I went alone and they lasted 7 days. Knew absolutely no one. Met an American during my stay. He was a great guy. Had an amazing time.

All that I know in this life is you only go around once. When you're 80 and you're looking back on your life, you don't want to have regret because you were to timid to go alone. Fu*ck regret.

 

[Exterous]

I've done a fair number of business trips with 1-2 days at the start or end for leisure but thats about it solo. Meals are about the only time that ever seemed awkward at first but I got used to it. Met plenty of fun and interesting people on the trips though.

If you want old Soviet bloc countries I wouldn't discount Vienna. Bratislava is a 1 hour train ride away and Budapest 2.5 hours. You can prettily easily string together a trip involving all 3 cities as Bratislava is partially between Budapest and Vienna. (If you end up doing something like this we liked Budapest the most of these cities)

What I've been doing lately is booking a flight to a city with crazy cheap airfare and then using the site below to figure out where else I can easily\quickly get to by train.
http://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Vienna.htm
(example from vienna)

I've been using that site for a couple of years now and its spot on about pretty much everything. Price is a bit off on the cheapest possible fares sometimes but its always been in the ballpark for me.

 

[louis redfoot]

all the time, if anything it's the norm these days.

europe is cold right now, that's why it's cheap. for an l.a. guy, europe's not warm enough until at least may/june

 

[ponyo]

Solo travel is the best travel especially if you're going to a new place without a plan. You can explore at your own leisure and do things you want to do. Eat things you want to eat. Meet people and find yourself. But 5 days is kind of short for first time self discovery trip.

 

[Thebobo]

My sister just took a staycation to Thailand. She posted her day do day on FB and at first I sorta believed it lol.

 

[Thebobo]

I would go on backpacking trips to Shenandoah NP or Monongahela national forest trips by myself. Hike down the AT for days then hitch a ride back up to the car. Took Road trips down Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

It is nice to share things with someone though. If you can take a friend I would. If not go for it and take lots of video/pics imo.

 

[brianmanahan]

i just took my first solo spur-of-the-moment short trip a few weeks ago and loved it

thinking about saving a week of vacation every year just for a couple trips like that

 

[zerocool84]

Solo travel is the best travel especially if you're going to a new place without a plan. You can explore at your own leisure and do things you want to do. Eat things you want to eat. Meet people and find yourself. But 5 days is kind of short for first time self discovery trip.

Yea 5 days is very short. I visited Washington DC for five days and wish I would have stayed another week because of everything to see.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Spontaneous? No. I have a job.

Vacation by myself? Yeah, I'm a single introvert and I like camping.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Does being involuntarily committed count?

 

[brianmanahan]

Yea 5 days is very short. I visited Washington DC for five days and wish I would have stayed another week because of everything to see.

my 3 trips to DC have been 1 day, 2 day and then recently 3 day trips. not enough time but could at least see the big stuff.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

Thanks guys... starting to feel not-so-crazy about the idea.

Out of those choices, and considering that you've not been to any of them, I'd pick Rome without a second thought!

How come? The standard touristy stuff like The Coliseum and other ruins?

I've done a fair number of business trips with 1-2 days at the start or end for leisure but thats about it solo. Meals are about the only time that ever seemed awkward at first but I got used to it. Met plenty of fun and interesting people on the trips though.

If you want old Soviet bloc countries I wouldn't discount Vienna. Bratislava is a 1 hour train ride away and Budapest 2.5 hours. You can prettily easily string together a trip involving all 3 cities as Bratislava is partially between Budapest and Vienna. (If you end up doing something like this we liked Budapest the most of these cities)

What I've been doing lately is booking a flight to a city with crazy cheap airfare and then using the site below to figure out where else I can easily\quickly get to by train.
http://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Vienna.htm
(example from vienna)

I've been using that site for a couple of years now and its spot on about pretty much everything. Price is a bit off on the cheapest possible fares sometimes but its always been in the ballpark for me.

Awesome, thanks for the pointers. That actually propels Vienna up the list; Budapest was one of the places I forgot to put in my op.

Yeah, going to new places and meeting new folks/getting out of my bubble is one of the goals for me. Don't think I've ever been to a place where I didn't know the language and didn't have anyone else with me to help.

I went to South Korea by myself. I worked there for 2 years and met some great people. Now that I think about it, it was kinda crazy. I took a 21 hour flight from Philly to Cali, and from Cali to Seoul. Got off the bus, met my recruiter for 5 minutes. She put me on a 4 hour bus ride. I was the only English speaking person on that bus. The bus had a flatscreen that was playing Korean drama. It all seemed so surreal. It was exciting. I finally got out of my comfort zone.

When I was working in SK I would take vacation trips to Thailand. Normally Pattaya and Bangkok. I went alone and they lasted 7 days. Knew absolutely no one. Met an American during my stay. He was a great guy. Had an amazing time.

All that I know in this life is you only go around once. When you're 80 and you're looking back on your life, you don't want to have regret because you were to timid to go alone. Fu*ck regret.

I'm guessing you ended up picking up the language along the way? I vaguely remember reading your threads awhile back but I forgot.

Solo travel is the best travel especially if you're going to a new place without a plan. You can explore at your own leisure and do things you want to do. Eat things you want to eat. Meet people and find yourself. But 5 days is kind of short for first time self discovery trip.

How long would you recommend? I'm keeping it relatively short just in case it doesn't work out for me for whatever reason. But I guess that's part of the adventure... or something

Spontaneous? No. I have a job.

Vacation by myself? Yeah, I'm a single introvert and I like camping.

I'm the same as you (single introvert)... I just have a job where I have plenty of vacation and can take it at a moment's notice without anyone bitching at me.

 

[Exterous]

Awesome, thanks for the pointers. That actually propels Vienna up the list; Budapest was one of the places I forgot to put in my op.

Yeah, going to new places and meeting new folks/getting out of my bubble is one of the goals for me. Don't think I've ever been to a place where I didn't know the language and didn't have anyone else with me to help.

You're welcome - hope it helps! Budapest is a gorgeous city with lots to do and cheap drinks, esp if you wander a bit outside the main tourist areas ($0.90 wines and pints). You should be able to get by with English for those 3 cities . It was common enough in Bratislava and Budapest that some of the ads on the sides of buildings were in English. I also noticed that people visiting there from other countries like Romania and Poland used English as a common ground language.

 

[Anubis]

i went to iceland last year with 3 people from reddit i didn't know, 2 weeks camping, came back with all my organs

 

[Kaido]

Thinking about taking a spur-of-the-moment trip to either Dublin or Athens, although Rome/Vienna/Dusseldorf are in consideration as well. Though if I can find cheap tickets to anywhere in the old Soviet bloc (e.g. Prague or Bratislava or Kiev) I'd take those over Western Europe.

I've never been to any of those places, and I haven't taken a vacation anywhere since 2012. I'd probably target 5 days, and I'd be going alone. I wasn't even considering a vacation but noticed tickets to Europe were cheap for next month and figured "why the hell not." Although I have no idea what I'd do wherever I go.

Anyone else ever do something like this?

I have a buddy who does. Italy, Ireland, etc. Just packs up & takes off for a couple weeks at a time whenever he finds a good deal on airfare (he has a flexible job). Stays in AirBNB's & hostels for the most part. Seems to really enjoy it. Although he's not big on social media so it's not like he's doing it to post to Instagram or whatever, he just kind of gets intrinsic enjoyment out of it.

 

[Mai72]

Chubby...

I picked up a little Korean. It's a very difficult language. Plus, many people speak English there so there was ZERO pressure to learn Korea.

 

[WelshBloke]

How come? The standard touristy stuff like The Coliseum and other ruins?

Partly. The standard touristy stuff in Rome is amazing. Seeing the coliseum standing in the middle of a modern city is incredible. The pantheon, the Vatican city, the forum, the crypts...

The foods not bad either! Hell, just sitting in a square watching the world go by whilst sipping a coffee is great.

 

[MrSquished]

Definitely a more 'happiness is best shared' kinda person. Whether it's an overnight backpacking trip in nature or going to Europe, I'd rather go with someone else whether friend or girlfriend. I mean I'll go hiking and stuff solo with the pup, or bike riding in the city alone, but for any major trip I'd rather have a partner in crime.

 

[louis redfoot]

Definitely a more 'happiness is best shared' kinda person. Whether it's an overnight backpacking trip in nature or going to Europe, I'd rather go with someone else whether friend or girlfriend. I mean I'll go hiking and stuff solo with the pup, or bike riding in the city alone, but for any major trip I'd rather have a partner in crime.

that's a good plan. unfortunately i don't have anyone like that to fit the bill. old friends/relatives they're all gone. new friends, nobody that's close enough to commit to such an outing.

 

[Kaido]

that's a good plan. unfortunately i don't have anyone like that to fit the bill. old friends/relatives they're all gone. new friends, nobody that's close enough to commit to such an outing.

Relevant reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/solotravel/

Also if you want to find a travel buddy:

https://www.reddit.com/r/travelpartners/

 

[zinfamous]

Thinking about taking a spur-of-the-moment trip to either Dublin or Athens, although Rome/Vienna/Dusseldorf are in consideration as well. Though if I can find cheap tickets to anywhere in the old Soviet bloc (e.g. Prague or Bratislava or Kiev) I'd take those over Western Europe.

I've never been to any of those places, and I haven't taken a vacation anywhere since 2012. I'd probably target 5 days, and I'd be going alone. I wasn't even considering a vacation but noticed tickets to Europe were cheap for next month and figured "why the hell not." Although I have no idea what I'd do wherever I go.

Anyone else ever do something like this?

Prague is awesome, and it's super cheap. Do that. I've also heard good things about Bratislava, but I've never been.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I don't mind traveling by myself. Technically every time I plan a vacation, I go out and book my own flight and then I tell my friends they can join me or not. Usually 1-2 do end up coming.