Solo Travel

In the April 2009 issue, ITN readers, including some tour operators, weighed in on the subject of “tour companies and single supplements.” A variety of opinions and explanations were expressed.

James Sibley of Houston, Texas, wrote (Dec. ’08, pg. 15), “I would like to see ITN readers regularly write in about which travel companies either 1) waive the single supplement if you are willing to share, whether the travel company is able to match you or not, or 2) discount the single supplement if you are willing to share, whether the company is able to match you or not.”

Taking advantage of some frequent-flyer miles on United Airlines, I decided to travel to Spain on my own, May 10-27, 2008. It had been 10 years since my late husband and I had been in Spain, and I wanted to revisit the south.

Although I have Spanish friends near Madrid, I decided to join the hospitality organization SERVAS (US SERVAS, Inc., 1125 16th St., Ste. 201, Arcata, CA 95521-5585; 707/825-1714, www.usservas.org) in order to meet new people and have some personal contacts during my travels.

Judy Puckett requested comments from readers as to how they’ve located suitable travel partners (Oct. ’08, pg. 18). I am very glad that she asked for this information. I have a related request.

by Deanna Palic

South Korea, the Land of the Morning Calm, is anything but calm. It’s a totally dynamic, 24/7 country. Alone on a week-long business trip to Daegu in June ’06, I extended my stay, adding a week in Seoul to experience South Korea. I avoided the common tourist spots.

I took an independent trip to Egypt, Oct. 26-Nov. 3, 2007, especially to see el-Amarna, where Nefertiti and Akhenaten had their City of the Sun.

Susan Benton, Hermosa Beach, CA

QUESTION: I am a bit of a loner and have no family nearby. While I am not able to travel a lot, I do enjoy my trips, which are usually solo. The December ’04 tsunami disaster made me think, however. If something happened to me, I wonder how long it would take for my family to find out?

I would like to plan a trip to Peru, which seems safe, but can you suggest something I can do to ensure I would be missed soon, without having to start checking in with my family (as I am much too old for that) or without seeming like I am being paranoid? — Tom K., Syracuse, NY