Solo travel on a budget?

[Deleted]

I'm thinking about going on a trip by myself. I am not sure where. I would love to go to Europe, but I think that's out of my budget for right now. 

I'm in the process of finalizing a divorce and it's been a busy and stressful 2013. I'm mostly looking for something I could do that would be fun, maybe slightly adventurous, and preferably where I could spend some time relaxing or being alone in nature. 

Doesn't need to be international, I live in Iowa so many places are drivable and I could always fly out of a major airport in a neighboring state. I've found most travel "deals" are based on dual occupancy, and I don't have any friends who are a) single and b) have money to travel so this is all me. 

If you could go anywhere by yourself and had a budget of $1000-1500 (or even better, less!), where would you go? I'd prefer to go for a week but would be fine with less time if it would mean a better experience. 

[elenetxu]

Have you ever been to Lake Tahoe? It's one of my favorite places in the US.
A trip to Europe could get tough with that budget.

[Brit]

This is kind of off the wall, but how about going to Wyoming to climb Devil's Tower? There are novice summit trips and you can drive there. It is an outdoor experience that will make you feel like you conquered something.

Trips:
www.devilstowerclimbing.com/climbing/guided.html

Rates:
www.devilstowerclimbing.com/climbing/rates.html

[Deleted]

Have you ever been to Michigan's Upper Peninsula? If you want nature and relaxing that is a good way to go. There is hiking, waterfalls, Lake Superior (and the Pictured Rocks). I don't know what part of Iowa you are in but when I lived up there I had a friend who lived in Ames and it was about a 12 hour drive for her. There is also a small airport if you don't want to drive that far but you would need to rent a car to get anywhere from there.

[Deleted]

You could camp very cheaply or get a hotel if you don't want that much nature.

[Deleted]

Jul 7, 2013 6:52:09 GMT -5 @kjewell said:

You could camp very cheaply or get a hotel if you don't want that much nature.

Maybe I watch too much Dateline, but camping alone isn't the best idea, right?

[Deleted]

Jul 7, 2013 9:09:18 GMT -5 v said:

Jul 7, 2013 6:52:09 GMT -5 @kjewell said:

You could camp very cheaply or get a hotel if you don't want that much nature.

Maybe I watch too much Dateline, but camping alone isn't the best idea, right?

You make a good point.  I didn't think of that.

[isabel]

How about Colorado? You could fly into Denver and rent a car to drive up to one of the mountain towns. There's plenty of novice hiking and Aspen and Steamboat Springs have hot springs. Both have great little towns with fun places to eat. It would make a good solo trip.

[jaime183]

If you're up for flying, I think a long weekend in Steamboat Springs would be the perfect mix. It's relaxing, there's a lot of hotels so you could have choices in price, hiking, a small town to eat/go to bars, walk around. I think the hotels have shuttles so you could probably even avoid renting a car if you'd want.
And you could spend a day at Strawberry Fields Hot Springs- one of my favorite places.

[alleinesein]

Have you considered doing a cruise?

[Deleted]

These are good suggestions! Thank you!

I would be ok with a tour, I think. I almost would prefer to travel with other solo travelers rather than with someone that I have to compromise with I may check that out.

I like the US suggestions too, and I think they may be more my budget. I also found a Groupon deal today to go to Punta Cana for $899, but I've been there twice before and I'm not sure I want to spend a week there on my own, I might get bored. I think something like hiking in Colorado or the similar suggestions might be a great fit for what I'm up for. I did actually live in Michigan's UP for 6 years so I think that's a great suggestion too (just maybe not for me!).

Thanks guys!

[Deleted]

Jul 7, 2013 19:48:44 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Jul 7, 2013 19:31:18 GMT -5 @buckybells said:

These are good suggestions! Thank you!

I would be ok with a tour, I think. I almost would prefer to travel with other solo travelers rather than with someone that I have to compromise with I may check that out.

I like the US suggestions too, and I think they may be more my budget. I also found a Groupon deal today to go to Punta Cana for $899, but I've been there twice before and I'm not sure I want to spend a week there on my own, I might get bored. I think something like hiking in Colorado or the similar suggestions might be a great fit for what I'm up for. I did actually live in Michigan's UP for 6 years so I think that's a great suggestion too (just maybe not for me!).

Thanks guys!

If you're willing to do Contiki (and again - I know not much about them except they're somewhat budget-focused and younger crowd), you could go to Asia or Europe for around $1.5K, depending on airfare.  They had ski trips to Austria for around $600-$800, and they had 10-12 day trips through Asia for around $1K.  Not sure if you've got any flexiblity on your budget but the prices seemed pretty good to me on an initial glance - I'd do more research if you get serious to see what other incidentals (meals, visas, etc.) aren't covered. 

Thanks - I will check them out! I remember looking at their tours several years ago in grad school and I think they were reasonable (but still out of my price range at that point). I honestly am not completely solid on my budget... I could easily spend more if I wanted to take money from savings, but I'm not sure I want to. Good stuff to think about and I think a tour with a younger crowd could be a great way to have fun while seeing a new place. 

[moreace01]

I'm in somewhat the same boat as you - getting divorced and just want to take some time away. I've considered an AI near Playa del Carmen, a women's only surfing trip, and a train trip through Italy. I'm also thinking about hiking Zion, Bryce or antelope canyon, but haven't gotten far with that one.

I did book the costa rica surfing trip, which might be a little pricey (i think it was $2500 before airfare), but there are others (san diego) that are much more reasonable. But its not till next year...so I'm still considering the train trip through Italy for October (that was with Foreign Independant Tours).

I guess - at least for me - I thought of things I wanted to do when I was married and didn't or couldn't. Seems like a good opportunity to do those things now. Good luck!

[GilliC]

Another tour option: I did my first solo trip with GAdventures, because they don't charge a single supplement if you're willing to share a room with another same-sex single traveler. I got the impression that they're not as boozy as contiki, and there were quite a few other 20- and 30-something solo travelers. I had a really good time, and I would definitely consider traveling with them again. (It's also the same company bully is using for her Everest Base Camp trip.)

I believe Intrepid Travel is quite similar, but I have never traveled with them.

[bullsgirl]

I am not sure when you plan to go, but I have been able to go to Costa Rica and book Hawaii for less than your budget by signing up for a credit card with a good mileage program. I pay it off monthly so I don't carry debt, but my flights to both were free. That would also put Europe in your budget probably. When I got divorced I went on a 10 day trip visiting friends in major cities - Philly, Chicago, and DC on my own. I would pick a place with a lot to do and see to keep from getting lonely or bumming yourself out. Laying on the beach by yourself would probably get old quick. Just my 2 cents!

[Deleted]

Could you look into something like Outward Bound? I think they have adult programs. Other companies may too.

[gt7301b]

I'd do Europe, just wait till airfare goes on sale and book a trip. I've seen tickets to Ireland and Iceland in the $600- $700 range lately from NYC and DC, not sure what it would cost from your area. You could book decent hotels for $75 - $100 a night using Priceline or Hotwire or looking at B and B's. Food can be as cheap as you want. I usually eat a pretty simple breakfast and lunch and have a nice(ish) dinner when traveling.

It might cost more like $1,750 - $2,000 depending on what hotels you go with, but Europe doesn't have to be expensive.

[laurelle]

Just returned from 5 weeks in Hawaii and it was the best vacation yet.