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There’s something undeniably freeing about traveling alone. The world unfolds like an uncharted map, guided only by your curiosity and desires.
If you count business trips as solo travel, I traveled solo frequently when I sold specialty papers internationally.
I climbed the Great Wall of China while working at our Beijing office.
I snorkeled in Cebu, Philippines, while visiting a customer’s processing plant in Manila.
A specialty paper customer from Jakarta treated me to a multi-day guided tour of various artisan shops on the island of Bali, Indonesia.
I toured the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in conjunction with a meeting at a paper mill in nearby Germany. On that same trip, I fell asleep on a tour boat meandering through the Amsterdam canals. The sleepiness might have been brought on by my earlier visit to one of Amsterdam’s famous “coffee houses” to prepare myself for the boat ride. What great coffee!
My upcoming three-week golf journey to Portugal’s Algarve Golf Region will be another chapter in this solo traveler’s journal. But as much as solo travel liberates the mind and feeds the soul, it carries an emotional counterweight: the longing for home and loved ones that inevitably tugs at the heartstrings.
The Unparalleled Freedom of Solo Travel
Solo travel is the ultimate exercise in autonomy. It allows you to decide everything, from your wake-up time to your dinner plans, with zero negotiations required.
My solo golf trip to Spain’s Costa del Sol in 2019 was my first recreational solo adventure to another land. Aside from the scheduled tee times, I had complete freedom throughout the trip. Whether it involved squeezing in an extra nine holes or taking my time with a post-round snack, I did exactly what I felt like—no questions, no obligations.
The upcoming Portugal trip promises the same freedom. With a cozy two-bedroom apartment Airbnb rental in Lagos as my base, the Algarve’s famed golf courses will be mine to explore at my own pace. One day, I might play the Ocean or Royal golf course at Vale do Lobo. On another day, I might enjoy a great post-round meal after playing one of the three courses at Quinta do Lago.
No debates, no compromises—just me and my clubs against the world.
The Unexpected Companionship of Solo Travel
While solo travel often conjures images of complete solitude, the reality—especially for a golfer—is far more social. One of the great joys of traveling solo is the opportunity to meet fellow golfers from around the world. Whether it’s joining a couple for a round or pairing up with another solo traveler, the game has a way of bringing people together.
During my Costa del Sol trip, I found myself swapping golf stories with a retired couple from the UK on one course and exchanging tips with a single golfer from Germany on another. These encounters weren’t just about the game; they were about shared moments, laughter, and learning from different perspectives.
I expect my upcoming trip to Portugal will be no different. Golfers are a friendly bunch, and the shared camaraderie of navigating bunkers and celebrating birdies creates instant connections. It’s one of the reasons I love this sport—it’s as much about the people you meet as the shots you play.
The Benefits of Solo Travel Beyond the Itinerary
Traveling alone forces you into self-reliance. There is no one to remind you where your passport is or figure out how to get to that great local restaurant someone mentioned that day. It sharpens your problem-solving skills and builds a quiet confidence that spills over into other situations in life.
Solo travel allows for a deeper connection to the places you visit. Without a travel companion as a buffer, you're more inclined to interact with locals and dive into their culture.
During my Costa del Sol trip, this proved true when a conversation with a golf pro at La Cala Resort led me to discover a hidden gem of a tapas bar.
Traveling solo also opens doors to the unexpected. Sometimes, the best experiences aren’t the ones you planned. This openness is what excites me most about the Algarve. Between tee times, I envision myself wandering through Lagos’ cobbled streets, having conversations with fellow golf enthusiasts or locals who can share insights into the region’s best-kept secrets.
But What About the Loneliness?
It wouldn’t be honest to praise solo travel without admitting there are moments of loneliness. There’s a quiet ache in being surrounded by breathtaking beauty yet having no one to share it with in the moment. The sunset over the Mediterranean during my Spain trip was spectacular, but it felt incomplete without someone to say, “Wow, look at that!”
The ache is amplified when it comes to missing loved ones. On the surface, solo travel looks like an escape from responsibility, but it’s also a temporary absence from the people who make your life rich. It’s the inside jokes you miss, the comforting presence of a partner, or even just the familiarity of home-cooked meals.
Reflecting on my upcoming Portugal trip, I know I’ll feel this tug. While I embrace the freedom of solo adventures, I’ll still wish for moments to share—like enjoying a post-round dinner with my wife or texting my kids to brag about finally conquering a tricky par on a devilish hole.
Strategies to Balance Freedom and Connection
Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks to keep homesickness at bay during solo travel. Staying connected is key—video calls and messages are invaluable for sharing the day’s highlights with loved ones back home. On my Portugal trip, I’ll likely spend my evenings sorting through the photos I took that day and crafting blog posts about my experiences on and off the golf course.
Another strategy is to bring a piece of home with me. It could be something as small as a favorite book or a playlist curated by a loved one. These small touches ground you and make the unfamiliar feel more familiar.
Lastly, I remind myself that absence does make the heart grow fonder. Solo travel, for all its occasional loneliness, gives me a fresh appreciation for the comforts of home. After three weeks of navigating Portugal’s golf courses and dining solo at local restaurants, I know I’ll return with a deeper gratitude for my family and the routines I sometimes take for granted.
The Rewards Outweigh the Challenges
The occasional feeling of homesickness is far outweighed by the benefits of solo travel. The independence it offers is exhilarating, and the personal growth it fosters is unmatched. You return, not just with souvenirs and photos, but with a renewed sense of self.
In Portugal, I’ll wake up each morning with the thrill of knowing the day is entirely mine to shape. Maybe I’ll conquer the sweeping fairways of Penina Hotel & Golf Resort, or maybe I’ll opt for a lazy morning at a local café, savoring pastel de nata with a cup of coffee. Each decision will be mine alone, and there’s a quiet joy in that.
But I’ll also make space for connection. I’ll send photos of the Atlantic views to loved ones back home and perhaps bring back stories they’ll laugh at for years to come.
That’s the beauty of solo travel: it’s not just about being alone; it’s about how you carry the people you love with you, even when they’re thousands of miles away.
Final Thoughts
Solo travel is a balancing act. It’s about embracing the freedom to roam while acknowledging the ties that pull you home. My upcoming Portugal trip will no doubt bring moments of both triumph and longing. I’ll stand on the greens of the Algarve’s stunning courses, relishing the solitude and the serenity of the game. But I’ll also feel the pull of home, imagining how much more vibrant the experience would be if shared with the people who matter most.
And that’s the paradox of solo travel—it’s both a celebration of independence and a quiet reminder of the connections that define us.
Happy Travels Everyone!
Stay Well, Stay Safe, and Have Fun
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