What Happens When You Travel Alone and Actually Enjoy It Posted on September 23, 2017November 16, 2025 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... I recently took a solo trip to Malta. Although I love traveling with my husband, friends, and especially my mom, this trip was special. Traveling alone offers something liberating, terrifying, and extremely fulfilling. It reminds me that solo travel has unique advantages. For the first time ever, I could eat cake for breakfast without justifying it to anyone. Table of Contents Driving But I Was Solo I Was the Logistician I Enjoyed Getting Lost I Was Okay With What I Did I Had It All Planned Out… or So I Thought Picture Mode Was Set to Off Final Thoughts Driving Normally, my husband handles all the driving when we travel. He prefers to be in control and thinks my driving is questionable. Years ago, I looked the wrong way at an English roundabout and nearly caused an accident. Though we survived, he still hasn’t let it go. I’ve had some mishaps behind the wheel, including the time I accidentally blew up our car in Germany (you can read more about that here). Despite those experiences, I’m a capable driver. However, when he’s around, I instinctively reach for the passenger-side door handle. But I Was Solo This time, I had no choice but to drive myself. It was empowering to adapt to driving on the left side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right and shifting gears with my left hand. Navigating by cell phone added another layer of complexity. I managed it all and felt proud of my independence. If my husband had been with me, I’m certain he would have fought to take over the driver’s seat. I Was the Logistician Typically, I focus on the big picture—picking destinations, activities, and restaurants. My husband handles the logistics, and he’s excellent at it. It’s part of his training in the U.S. Army. On this trip, I had to manage everything myself. I rented the car, planned the routes, and balanced the budget. While I’d grade my efforts as a B-, I learned valuable lessons, including how to avoid getting overcharged by Hertz in the future. Each conqueror leaving behind little traces of its architecture, food, religion, language and art all across the islands. I was lucky enough to spend 5 days exploring all the above this summer and here are 10 of my favorite adventures in Malta. I Enjoyed Getting Lost My husband dislikes detours and gets visibly frustrated when plans go off track. As a trained logistician, he values precision and order. I’m the opposite. When I travel, I embrace flexibility and enjoy spontaneous changes. In Malta, I took plenty of detours. One afternoon, I even asked a waiter for suggestions and abandoned my original plans entirely. Solo travel taught me how to go with the flow. I Was Okay With What I Did Traveling alone meant I didn’t have to justify my choices. I saw exactly what I wanted to see and skipped what didn’t interest me. Some of my favorite moments, like reading by the sea, wouldn’t make anyone’s top ten list, but they made my trip memorable. I Had It All Planned Out… or So I Thought I’ve always loved ruins, churches, and historical sites. Normally, I can’t get enough of them. But during this trip, I realized I had limits. After seeing a few, I was done. Instead of ticking off every tourist spot, I spent more time experiencing local life. This shift in perspective is something I hope to carry into future travels with my husband. Picture Mode Was Set to Off Surprisingly, not taking photos was the highlight of my trip. As a blogger and amateur photographer, I often feel pressure to document every moment. Without a picture, it’s as if something didn’t happen. This time, I focused less on taking pictures and more on enjoying the experience. While I did snap a few selfies, most of my memories are stored in my mind’s eye. Solo travel reminded me that the journey is for myself, not for social media. Final Thoughts Traveling solo in Malta was a transformative experience. It challenged me, empowered me, and gave me a fresh perspective on travel. I learned to rely on myself, embrace spontaneity, and cherish the freedom to explore on my terms. Solo travel may not always be easy, but it’s always worth it. Like it. Pin it. I love sharing stories, lessons from abroad, and tips for curious travelers. If my work has inspired you or made you smile, please buy me a coffee. Your support helps me keep the blog running—at no cost to you. My articles are available as mobile apps for offline reading and GPS-assisted directions. Download my articles on GPSMyCity. This post contains sponsored and/or affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission. CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES
I totally agree. I’m a solo traveller – most of the time – too. However, if I have the opportunity to go with a friend or with my daughter, I enjoy that, too. It’s simply totally different. There are advantages and disadvantages in both ways of travelling. Therefore, I like to do mix it up a bit – whereby, quite honestly, if I had to choose, it still would be solo travel 😉 Reply
I agree with you. My husband and I have different interests. When we travel together, the trip need to focus on our common interests and that is ok. However, it feels great to do what you want to do do once in a while. Reply
These are such great points! I’ve always wanted to travel solo but I’m just so scared to do it. I hope someday, I’ll find the courage to do it! Belle | http://www.OneAwesomeMomma.com Reply
I’ve always wanted to travel solo. I’m kind of nervous about it, but it also sounds very intriguing given many of the reasons you mentioned! xx Reply
I love traveling alone. I get to see everything I want to see. It also gets me out of my comfort zone. Reply
i’m definitely planning some solo trips. i need them to clear my mind plus it’s fun to be able to do whatever you want without having to see if someone else agrees. Reply
Some places are suitable for traveling together, but some places are not. I have not traveled alone, but some day I will give it a try. Reply
You can pretty much travel anywhere alone, some places are better suited for couples because accommodations are more expensive for single travelers. Reply
I have not tried traveling solo. It is impossible with three young kids. I maybe have to wait for a few more years. Reply
Yeah, its difficult. I had parents and girlfriends who stepped up and allowed me to travel solo every now and then. My mom even moved in when I got a scholarship to Oxford to help my father. I feel blessed. Reply
Travelled on my own about ten years ago before I met my husband. It’s a great way to meet people and get to know yourself too 🙂 Reply
So true. I traveled alone a lot before I got married and now that my kids are grown its a lot easier. Reply
The reason that I would travel alone is that I just want to be alone so I can clear my mind. Sometimes a day fishing trip will do for me. Reply
That’s a great way to enjoy alone time. You don’t need anyone else to go fishing. It’s just you and the fish. Reply
After reading this I’d like to visit Malta soon (with my family). It seems like a lovely place. Thank you for a great read <3 Reply
Like you, I enjoy traveling with family and friends, but there’s something special about traveling by yourself. I did it a lot when I was younger, and I have so many fond memories. And you’re right, it builds a confidence that no one can mess with. Congratulations on your adventures! Reply
Thanks Tanya, exactly. I hope to do all the above more often. I love girlfriend trips… especially when you go with the right people. Reply
I have traveled solo but only to go to places where people I knew were going to be. I do love to travel solo, especially on road trips though. Those can be so fun. Reply
I agree. It’s something you have to overcome. The initial shock of being by yourself, but if you have a great imagination, you can really learn a lot about your passions, strengths and weaknesses. Reply
Sounds like you had a great experience traveling solo. I am not sure I would be up for the challenge! Reply
I agree with you with traveling solo it’s a good experience especially number 1. Though I would like to travel with my husband and my little one who is coming in a few months. Reply
I love travel anyway I can get it. This trip was a combination because the Malta part was solo, but I got to travel with my son in Venice and daughter in Sicily… the best of all worlds. Reply
I remember my first solo trip. I drove over 12 hours to get to Virginia Beach Virginia to be with my sister while she had her first child. It was so empowering. I felt a sense of Freedom that I had never felt before. Reply
I agree. It’s very empowering. And you’re right, you don’t have to travel across the ocean to experience it. Reply
I love hearing how empowered you felt and how much you learned about trusting yourself and just enjoying whatever you encountered. I should do a solo trip to get the same experiences and grow as an individual. Reply
I felt this exact same feeling this weekend when I was diving. I have been taking a lot of dive classes lately but last weekend I was just out leisure diving. I was able to navigate out to the dive site, execute the dive plan, and then return to the shore with underwater navigation. All of this sounds simple but it was exhilarating to have everything being executed under my power and responsibility. Reply
Oh my goodness, that’s awesome. And you’re right, its a high to know you did it all by yourself. Reply
I have traveled solo a few times and there are some things I appreciate about it but I never enjoy it as much as I do when I am traveling with someone that I can share the experience with. Kudos to you for seeing the brighter side Reply
I feel ya. Theres always a few moments when you wish you had company or could share with someone. But I get over it quickly. Reply
I get lost a lot lol. I prefer to go alone to places that I know I’m going to take a lot of photos at as well. The kids get impatient and it’s just not something they enjoy. Mabe one day I can make it there. Reply
That’s my husband too. He says its because I am so nit picky. I agree but, who wants bad pictures. Reply
I don’t mind travelling places by myself. I don’t have to babysit anyone and can do whatever I want. And I want to eat those cakes for breakfast too! Reply
Lol, my kids were fun to travel with as kids, they are a lot more fun as adults. And they like cake for breakfast too. Reply
It’s good that you enjoyed yourself. I never travel far alone, and thing over an hour I need an companion. Cake for breakfast sounds good. Reply
I’ve never travelled by myself because I’ve always been afraid. Thank you for breaking down those barriers! Sondra xx prettyfitfoodie.com Reply
Sondra, go for it. Start with a weekend trip and plan some activities. Its strange because my hubby is military so I’ve had to do a lot of things by myself. I go to the movies, eat alone, etc… But while I was gone, he didn’t eat out alone for the 5 weeks. He said it was weird. I carry a book with me and its fun. Reply
Oh, yeah, traveling alone is great. Unless there are meetings you are on no one’s time schedule but your own. If I want to leave by 8am to see the sites there is no one to rush out the door or if I decide when the alarm goes off that 11 might be a better time, I just close my eyes. Reply
Exactly. Alone I realized I had seen enough ruins, churches and temples. And did some other things. I never get to that point when I travel with my hubby, so I learned something. Reply
I travelled solo this year for just a few weeks and I must say, I really did enjoy the whole entertaining myself and figuring out stuff as I go. It really is a good experience for one to have. Reply