"I've never found a companion quite as companionable as solitude" Henry David Thoreau - travelling alone has advantages and draw backs, ive done both. I prefer going solo. Why? You get to go at your own pace. Go where you want and when. But you dont get to share any"experiences" with anyone you know. The only thing you can do is show photos to your friends. I supose you have to be very comfortable with yourself to travel alone or do anything alone for that matter and not feel a little depressed.
Hell no, it's not depressing. I only travel alone. I wouldn't go with my friends if they begged me. Sure maybe for some weekend adventure but not more than that. People are so full of it. A few years ago I wanted to backpack for a few months. I was just like you, afraid of going alone. My friend was suppose to come with me. The time comes for us to book a ticket and he says he needs to wait 6 months to go. Fine, I waited. The time comes again and he wanted to wait a little longer. Finally I said f**k you and went alone. Best decision I have ever made. So far I've been 5 months in South America, 8 months in Asia, 1 month in the Caribbean. I went alone but I've only been alone when I chose. Meeting people on the road is so easy. It's not like meeting people when you're at home.
It won't be depressing if you don't mind having time to yourself. Personally, I wouldn't enjoy myself too much alone on a vacation, and if someone I wanted to go with was dragging, I would probably just do the planning for it and let the only last piece be for him or her to agree. However, if you usually enjoy time to yourself for more than just a few hours or couple days, go for it! It can be relaxing and refreshing to have that "you" time. Hope that helps! Good luck :)
I living in New Zealand and went to live and work in the UK for a couple of years by myself. I travelled mostly by myself. People kept saying, how brave I was etc and I kept thinking,.....um no...It's not a problem.
I liked having the freedom to go where and when I wanted (within reason)...I did limit myself a bit to going out at night, depending on where I was.
I did miss people at times, but if you go to hostels you meet people very easily and I went around Venice with a girl I met in a hostel (mostly I stayed in hotels which were more private for me, served breakfasts).
I also met people on day tours to other places ie. I went to Pompeii from Rome and met some lovely people as I did going to Versialles from Paris or Cesky Krumlov from Prague. I tried to put one day/half day tour in every main city I went to (as I would travel every month or so for 1-2 weeks)>
CNN was my friend in the evenings as it was in English but do not let it put you off, I loved it. When I did travel with people I felt more restricted and didn't go to as many places. I had one friend who was not feeling well and so we ended up staying close to our hotel and another friend who scoffed at my idea to go in the gondola at one place...where as that was the thing I wanted to do more than anything!
I've done it more than once and thoroughly enjoyed myself every time.
Your own company is best, no need for anyone.
