Solo Travel

Travel alone or with a tour group?

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It is week two of my solo adventure in France. I have learned a lot about myself and group travel. As some of you know, I have lived alone for 20 years and have been retired for nine. I am pretty independent to say the least. So, having to decide whether to travel alone or with a group tour was the question. For my first overseas solo adventure, I planned to go with a group tour.

Tour group

Pros of group travel

  • Someone else is in charge of the arrangements. All you have to do is pay and show up.
  • You pay one up front cost usually.
  • Someone picks you up at the airport usually making transfers easy.
  • You have a ready group of people to hang out with.
  • A tour guide or director handles any issues that come up.
  • Transportation is,or can be, arranged for you.
  • Dining out experiences may have more variety as others may pick somewhere you would never select on your own.
  • Typically your guides are local so they know the area well.
  • Groups help you feel safe upon arrival. We have 20 people in our tour group, six couples, four widows, two single ladies, and two married ladies who are traveling without their husbands. We are 55+ with the oldest being 95!

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Solo travel adventure – France

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For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of renting a villa in the south of France, Provence, for a month and live like the locals. Eating fresh fruits, vegetables and fish, seasoned with the best spices. While I did not rent a villa, I am living in Provence, France for three weeks for my solo travel adventure abroad. After one week, I can tell you it is living up to my dream.

solo travel adventure France
Fountaine de la Rotonde, Aix-en-Provece (Photo by slc)

I booked a tour with Smithsonian Journeys back in January so I could be in France on my 65th birthday in August. That tour was cancelled due to lack of participation so here I am in September. I booked my own flights and flew solo from Colorado to France via Chicago and London. Our tour driver picked up six of us travelers outside of the baggage claim in the Marseille, France airport.

Roussillon
Roussillon, France (Photo by slc)

So far, the architecture, history lessons and the food are superb. The hilltop villages in the Luberon region have been my favorites so far, with Arles close behind. On Sunday, we will visit Avignon for more history lessons and many photos.

One of the primary reasons I chose Smithsonian Journeys is we stay in one place in Aix-de-Provence. I unpacked once and live in a city apartment for my entire stay. Options for further excursions exist: culinary, art and cultural, and French language tracks. I chose the art and cultural track.

This tour also allows for five or six days on your own. These days are a nice break from the group travel. While I meet up with the group for excursions and some meals, I have plenty of small group or alone time. It is our choice whether to join in on the group activities or go it alone.

As the famous author Peter Mayle wrote in Toujours Provence, “There are no regrets, few complaints, many pleasures.”