Travel Tips
Solo travel may not conjure up images of romantic moonlit walks, or boisterous group dinners, but many singles prefer to take vacations alone. Luxury spa vacations have packages for solo spa travel lovers, of course, and traveling well-worn paths of Paris and Florence easily sates the art museum cravings of many single travelers. While there are cruise vacations for singles (most notably SinglesCruise.com), these are predominantly geared towards seeking out romance and potential relationships. What about single men and women seeking solo vacation packages, with the simple goal of experiencing a new, relatively distant spot in the world? These single travel and solo adventure vacations are gaining in popularity. Luxury vacations in exotic places require planning, as does any vacation - but some tips specific to luxury travel for singles should be helpful. Asia Transpacific Journeys offers some useful travel tips for the solo travel planner.
* Asia Transpacific Journeys recommends guests traveling solo join up with small groups. Marilyn Downing Staff, founder and president of Asia Transpacific Journeys, has said that "traveling on a group program can provide another layer of support and assistance for all travelers, but for those going solo it also means joining others with whom you have a lot in common right off the bat."
* Destinations that are more exotic and remote may be difficult for men and women traveling alone. Solo vacations in off-the-beaten-path spots can involve logistical, cultural and language barriers. Small group programs and travel packages provide exactly the support for singles referred to by Ms. Downing Staff.
* The camaraderie and support of a small group, says Ms. Downing Staff, often leads to long lasting relationships within the travel group, and even with locals at the vacation destinations.
* Multiple luxury travel destinations in large countries like India and China typically involve two or more cross-country flights. A tip is to join up with a group with a travel package - this is easier than booking flights and other transportation alone.
* According to Ms. Downing Staff, vacation groups often include some solo travelers. Travel for singles is, in fact, often part of group vacation packages. However, traveling single doesn't mean the traveler is actually single - some men and women travel without their spouses for any number of reasons. Solo adventure travel doesn't have to be an adventure in fending off interested other single travelers!
Asia Transpacific Journeys received the 2007 "World's Best Tour Operator" award by National Geographic magazine. Marilyn Downing Staff's company also got three "Top Travel Specialists" awards from Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Clearly, this is a company with solid, useful ideas and tips for single vacation travel package spots. Unless it's a luxury spa vacation or cruise travel, Ms. Downing Staff's ideas would benefit solo overseas travelers.