Single Woman Travels! (SWT) is a place to inspire and motivate women (and men) around the world to travel. She did What?! is a monthly series of Q&A – asking women around the world to share their past travel experience. From this, I hope a few more women who are on the brink of expanding their world will be inspired and motivated to turn their dreams into reality.
Bio… Bellarock
SWT: Where was the destination of your first solo trip?
B: Solo enough I guess without family – California on a student exchange for a month… Also left Australia to live in the UK at the age of 22 – did that one alone!
SWT: How old were you?
B: I was 16
SWT: Were you single or attached at the time?
B: NOPE!
SWT: What inspired the idea?
B: Small town girl… looking for big things.
SWT: What was your trip style? (backpack, tour group, comfort, meetup with family/friends)
B: I was in a group with about 20 other kids from all around Australia – the same age.
SWT: What type of accommodations? (family owned, B&B, tents, if a hotel, how many stars)
B: I stayed with a host family.
SWT: How long was your trip?
B: A month
SWT: Who looked after the logistics?
B: EF Foundation.
SWT: If you planned and/or booked the itinerary, did you enjoy the process?
B: I do all that stuff now… Yeah, but that’s kind of my job. 🙂
SWT: If you worked with a travel agent, how was the experience?
B: Annoying… you’re not a priority… they have many many other clients
SWT: Would you / have you booked subsequent trips yourself?
B: Yeppers
SWT: What would you do different – in hindsight?
B: Not a lot… Research and asking friends, family, strangers advice.
SWT: Did you feel comfortable traveling solo?
B: I always seem to – but the road sometimes feels more lonely than unsafe.
SWT: How much research did you do in advance?
B: Lots.
SWT: What was the biggest surprise on the trip?
B: Too many to count… but running into people you know in the most random places.. it’s happened so many times for me on public transport.
SWT: What did you learn about yourself during the trip that you weren’t totally aware of beforehand?
B: How resilient I am, adventurous, brave and independent I can be.
SWT: Was there any close calls or run-ins?
B: Depends on what close calls or run ins you’re talking about…
SWT: Where is your next dream destination?
B: Iceland or a road trip around the USA
Next time, we’ll hear from Kristine who chose to travel on her own…
If you’d like to share your story, contact me! 🙂
Single Woman Travels! 