An experience about travelling solo at 60
Sometimes you need to take a break from your home life – whether it’s just for the weekend, or for longer. This article is about my week-long solo trip that I took at the age of 60. It was an interesting experience that helped me appreciate the comfort of being around other people again.
I must begin by confessing that I’m not a seasoned traveller. I’ve never been away from home for more than a month, and I’ve never travelled to another country abroad. As a middle-aged woman, this experience has been eye-opening–and the most humbling to say the least.
At first, I was a little hesitant to travel alone. I was afraid that I would be lonely and bored. This fear quickly subsided as I met interesting people along the way, many of which were travelling solo as well. It’s easy to make friends as long as you put yourself out there and keep your guard up. I also realised that travelling alone doesn’t mean you are lonely or depressed; in fact, the opposite is true. You get to know yourself more and can learn who you are without having to be stuck with other people’s opinions. Even at 60, it was an enlightening and life-changing journey.
As I said I had never been on a trip alone before, so I was excited about the challenge ahead. There were so many things to plan, from what clothes to bring, where I would stay, how much money I had, etc. From the beginning, I knew it would be difficult but manageable. After taking care of the Knitty gritty I was all set to travel solo to Europe. My first destination was the city of love: Paris.
On the first day, I went to the Louvre Museum. I stood in front of the Mona Lisa for over an hour trying to figure out if she smiles. Yes, I did that. Thereafter I got to enjoy the cobblestone streets, famous monuments, and great food. I’m not the type of person who goes out alone to explore new places, but doing so in Paris made me feel more confident in myself. I felt free and liberated.
When I saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time, it was an overwhelming experience. I knew that my tour would end with a meal at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, but before entering I had to take one last picture.
My next destination was Brussels. It’s home to many well-known attractions like the Atomium that was built by Gustave Eiffel, Manneken Pis the famous fountain, the European Parliament, and other important buildings. Since Brussels was my second stop I could feel the ease and happiness within. I felt grateful that I could see the world through my own eyes without having to worry about schedules or what others thought I should do. I realised it also opened me up to new experiences, lots of which were really great.
So to the ladies of my age, older to me or younger here’s a piece of advice for you all, “you’re not getting any younger and it’s time you realize that you need to spend more time on the road and less time in front of a computer screen.” Don’t wait to turn 60 to explore the world. Do it now.
If you’re 60 or older then what are you are waiting for? You’re now old enough, and financially stable enough, to do it. And if you love the idea of seeing sights and doing things on your own time frame like me then think no more and plan a trip.
It doesn’t have to be scary. You can go solo, you can travel alone – a friend, a family member, a spouse, a colleague. Lots of people travel solo and I’m here to tell you that the experience is worth the risk.
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