Travel
More women are jetting off alone than ever before.
Its midnight in the Maldives.
Im in a private infinity pool overlooking the Arabian Sea, skinny-dipping and sipping champagne under a starry sky.
I traveled nearly 9,000 miles to get here but Im not tired Im euphoric.
Though its all outrageously romantic, Im here on my own.
In my case, my Maldives trip was a work opportunity.
I once imagined I might be married by now, maybe with a baby.
Im not alone in feeling this way.
Soulmates dont have to be romantic either:Bestie-moonsare a thing, too.
The day after their breakup, she bought a plane ticket to Florence.
I was like, Ive wasted enough of my time not doing things that make me happy.
She was forced to confront why solitude made her apprehensive.
I had no other choice but to start enjoying my own company, she says.
It changed my life.
Obviously vacations arent cheap.
But for some, the experience is priceless.
Start with a weekend trip to a nearby city to test how it feels.
Alternatively, if youre comfortable being alone, go straight for classic honeymoon destinations.
With gorgeous scenery and plenty to do, theyre classics for a reason.
People say, Im going to save the south of France for my honeymoon, Byron says.
Why not just book the damn trip anyway?
The ability to pick up and go safely is an enormous privilege.
Travel agencyBlack Travelers Internationalrecommends South Africa, Brazil, and Accra, Ghana, as welcoming places.
For LGBTQ+ people,Out Travelnames Costa Rica, Sweden, and Norway as the best vacation spots.
(Byrons visit to the Amalfi Coast was tainted by self-conscious sadness.
Surrounded by honeymooners, she thought, They think Ive been left at the altar.)
On days when she felt particularly down, she planned out her itinerary instead of winging it.
Despite occasional blues, she calls the experience the best thing Ive ever done.
It showed her how capable she is on her own.
Lauryn Chamberlain had a similar experience.
(Her second,Who We Are Now, came out this month.)
Without travel buddies, each day felt too long and quiet.
Embrace Surprises
Before Byron became a life coach, she was a property manager in Seattle.
As she made friends, her spirits lifted, kicking off years of globe-trotting.
Similarly, Chamberlains 2017 trip transformed her life in unexpected ways.
In Germany, their chemistry bloomed.
They tied the knot in 2021.
When not on foot, scout out bus and train passes, and book tours that include transportation.
(At some, nonguests can join.)
For sightseeing and activities, compare prices onGet Your Guide,Viator, andAirbnb Experiences.
As for the flight itself, your credit card can make a difference.
(Many others give one point per dollar or prioritize rewards for categories like groceries and gas.)
If solo travel still sounds iffy to you, take it from Byron, the life coach.
Go sit next to some couples on vacation and listen to them b*tch.
Its like, you know what?
This is much better on my own.
This article was originally published onAug.
