Confessions of a Dromomaniac: Traveling solo

I have a ‘pact’ with my husband. I get two weeks holidays off from him each year.

Yes, you read that right. If I choose to, I have two weeks holidays from my marriage.

It’s not what you think, this is in no way the sort of ‘hall pass’ that movies talk about where I would do things that stay in Vegas. What it means to me, is a chance to travel solo.

I have always been a fan of solo travel. I love being in control, knowing that I am free to change my mind and the itinerary at the last minute, and spend the entire time doing what I want to do.

I love having my husband’s company on our trips, after all, we met traveling. However, it isn’t always perfect and from time to time, I need a bit of me time.

Solo travel allows me to do what I want. I can spend all day shopping; sip cocktails by the pool; take a yoga retreat and have three hour pamper treatments.

I often make new friends and chat all day about our trips without having to entertain a husband, and above all, if I didn’t want to do something on a day, I simply change it, without having to negotiate with someone.

There are times, when I am by myself that I think the best. My mind is clearer, I reflect more and I write better. Not to mention, I get the entire bed all to myself.

What I love the most, is that when I do choose to take this holiday away from the husband, we miss each other. It’s a reminder how much each of us mean to each other and give us both time to appreciate our time together.

Having said that, I still do want my time away.

I often feel that there are things that can only be experienced when you are by yourself, such as the kindness of strangers and the fantastic backstreet cafes I discover when I wander aimlessly; the freedom of not having to ‘meet up’ at a certain time at a certain place and from time to time as well as a bit of harmless flirting on my trips are all that I love about solo travel.

I also do find that when women travel solo, they are more cared for by airline and hotel staff.

When I was by myself in Bali, within three hours of checking in to the resort, most front desk staff knew my name, and the waitress at the restaurant also got to know me and my drink preferences by the end of the day.

Just exactly what I get up to on my trips?

I can’t tell you. What happens on a trip stays on the trip, remember?

Do you ever take a solo ‘holiday’ from your relationship? What do you love about traveling alone? Are you tempted to take your first trip on your own? Tell us in the comments below!