Over the years, I have gone on life-changing solo adventures and group trips where I laughed until I cried, forging lifelong bonds with friends. I have also ended up on trips with people that I was clearly not compatible with, and I chalk that up to a tough lesson learned. If you find yourself living abroad, the lure to travel is irresistible. The decision then becomes: When you aren’t traveling with your family, do you tackle new places alone or with friends?

Solo Travel

As someone who found solo travel later in life while living in Korea, I can attest to both the beauty and the hardships around it. Traveling solo, you can create your own schedule, eat where and when you want, see only the things you want to see, and not worry about anyone else. It’s a freeing experience. On the flip side, it can be more expensive to not have someone to share costs with. Not having a companion to casually chat with over a meal can get lonely. Solo travel can be potentially dangerous, especially for a female traveling alone.

In March of 2023, I found myself on a solo trip to Mongolia, staying in the Altai Mountains with nomads for several days without electricity, indoor plumbing, or any modern convenience, including good cell service. After an encounter with a peeping yak one evening while I was doing my business outside in the blistering cold, I realized this particular trip was one that probably would have been even better if shared with a travel companion- if only to have someone laugh at the startled reaction of my encounter in nature. My host families were extremely kind and welcoming, though none spoke English, so we relied on my guide as the go-between for everything. It was a trip where I learned so much about myself, yet simultaneously felt the pang of loneliness creep in for the first time during my solo expeditions.

Despite the loneliness that I briefly experienced in Mongolia, most of my solo trips, my schedule is packed so full of things that my only downtime is when I go to bed at night after a full day of taking in as many sights as possible. I find the challenge of navigating a new city fun, and I love to explore on my terms and schedule, the camera always in hand. Taking extra precautions to be aware of my surroundings and not sharing my solo status with people I encounter helps ensure my safety during my travels. As military spouses, our lives often move quickly, and change is the only constant. Solo travel empowers you to take control of a tiny aspect of your life and rewards you with the freedom to explore outside the parameters of your daily life.

Group Travel

There are so many benefits to group travel, such as shared itinerary planning, shared expenses, and built-in travel companions. It’s intrinsically safer and has the potential to create bonds that will last a lifetime. However, spending that much time together in close proximity can also test friendships.

Before jumping into a group trip, consider your travel style and see if it aligns with the group. Remember you will be sharing bathrooms, beds, and close quarters for several days. Do you love to take your time and see a few sights a day, or do you love to walk ten miles daily, seeing as much as possible? Do you love meals at the best restaurants, or are you okay with eating Pringles on the go? Letting go of any preconceived notions about how a trip should go beforehand will open you up to enjoy whatever may come along your journeys.

*Recent girls trip to Morocco. Photo taken in the Sahara Desert on a very windy day.*

After seven days of driving around Morocco in our trusty Duster, sharing life stories, laughs and deep conversations, we were put to the test. It was our last full day in Morocco, and a group of three friends and I found ourselves on a one-way road in Marrakech during motorbike rush hour. Before we knew it, our car was surrounded, and people were everywhere, blocking us from getting down the road to the next street, which was our final destination. With our brave friend at the helm, she navigated us through a nerve-wracking experience for us all. We learned valuable lessons that day, Google Maps will do you dirty in historic areas and always have your friend with the largest cajones at the wheel.

If you are nervous about traveling alone, crave connection, or have budget limitations, traveling with a buddy or a group is a great way to travel. If you love freedom, flexibility, and time spent alone to reflect, then solo travel might be the way to go. I love a good balance of both and look forward to sharing laughs with friends and having quiet time alone to decompress. No matter which calls you, enjoy getting out and seeing more of this beautiful world!

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