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Backpacking Europe Introduction |
When planning a backpacking trip we must ask if we want to go with others, and if so who, or
go solo. This will have a huge impact on the trip. There are certainly advantages and
disadvantages to either style, and these should be weighed carefully before choosing. But
ultimately, this question may answer itself.
If you choose to go with other people it will certainly be nice to have a familiar face at your
side. It will be good to have someone you trust and can talk to when you are thousands of
miles away from any other familiarity (except the stuff in your backpack). There is certainly
something to be said about enjoying things with someone you know and care about.
But you must keep in mind that you will be living and traveling with this person in very close
quarters for a long period of time. I would be amazed to find just two people who could do this
without getting on each others nerves from time to time. The little things they do, the habits
that are trademark to that other person can grow on your nerves to a level that is maddening. I
remember a trip I took with a very good friend and over all had an absolutely great time. But
this friend was a whistler. He could whistle well, I’ll give him that, but I distinctly remember
sitting across from him on a train and loathing that whistling to a level I’m embarrassed to
admit!
Going solo has many great advantages. The foremost being that you are absolutely free to do
as you like. You don’t have to compromise and go see things you don’t care about seeing,
you don’t have to wait on someone slower, etc. If you are in France, and you’ve been in
France for several days now, and just don’t want to be in France anymore, screw it, you can be
in Spain or where ever in a few hours. There’s no negotiating, no compromising, just freedom.
Some fear that they will get lonely traveling for weeks on end solo, I was one. My first trip was
a solo trip and to me it couldn’t be further from the truth. I spent very little of that trip on my
own. There will be hundreds of other people traveling solo as well and most all are eager to
meet new friends and tell stories. I ended feeling like I couldn’t get time to myself that trip far
more often that feeling lonely.
Of course there are downsides of traveling alone. The people you meet probably aren’t going
to be as close as your friends back home or the significant other who you could have brought.
And at some points you will be doing things alone. It is sometimes nice to have someone with
you who can help you out if you end up getting lost or can’t communicate well with a local.
Two heads are better than one on this type of stuff.
go solo. This will have a huge impact on the trip. There are certainly advantages and
disadvantages to either style, and these should be weighed carefully before choosing. But
ultimately, this question may answer itself.
If you choose to go with other people it will certainly be nice to have a familiar face at your
side. It will be good to have someone you trust and can talk to when you are thousands of
miles away from any other familiarity (except the stuff in your backpack). There is certainly
something to be said about enjoying things with someone you know and care about.
But you must keep in mind that you will be living and traveling with this person in very close
quarters for a long period of time. I would be amazed to find just two people who could do this
without getting on each others nerves from time to time. The little things they do, the habits
that are trademark to that other person can grow on your nerves to a level that is maddening. I
remember a trip I took with a very good friend and over all had an absolutely great time. But
this friend was a whistler. He could whistle well, I’ll give him that, but I distinctly remember
sitting across from him on a train and loathing that whistling to a level I’m embarrassed to
admit!
Going solo has many great advantages. The foremost being that you are absolutely free to do
as you like. You don’t have to compromise and go see things you don’t care about seeing,
you don’t have to wait on someone slower, etc. If you are in France, and you’ve been in
France for several days now, and just don’t want to be in France anymore, screw it, you can be
in Spain or where ever in a few hours. There’s no negotiating, no compromising, just freedom.
Some fear that they will get lonely traveling for weeks on end solo, I was one. My first trip was
a solo trip and to me it couldn’t be further from the truth. I spent very little of that trip on my
own. There will be hundreds of other people traveling solo as well and most all are eager to
meet new friends and tell stories. I ended feeling like I couldn’t get time to myself that trip far
more often that feeling lonely.
Of course there are downsides of traveling alone. The people you meet probably aren’t going
to be as close as your friends back home or the significant other who you could have brought.
And at some points you will be doing things alone. It is sometimes nice to have someone with
you who can help you out if you end up getting lost or can’t communicate well with a local.
Two heads are better than one on this type of stuff.
| Solo or Group |
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