It’s tempting to escape the holiday chaos and craziness and take a solo trip…

But I highly recommend you DON’T and in this weeks blog I’ll explain why…

And what you can do instead :-)

Unless you are planning on traveling to visit family and friends DO NOT plan a solo trip over the holiday season.

And below I go through the very compelling reasons to consider cozying up at home instead of navigating the holiday hustle.

I’ve had my fair share of traveling solo during the holiday season…

But that was back in the day when I would head down to New Zealand from Canada just before the holidays.

I would plan my trip so that I could wake up on Christmas morning and spend the day with my family and friends in New Zealand.

Then late afternoon I would head to the airport to make my way home to hubby and our golden retriever.

Thanks to the dateline and timezones I would literally arrive home in Calgary around 3pm on Christmas Day in time for Christmas dinner with hubby and Canadian friends.

Flying on Christmas day used to be great, not many people would be on the flights, the flight attendants would be in great spirits knowing well in advance they would be working the holiday.

But those days are gone 🥲

Increasingly more people have cottoned on to my little secret and so while quieter than the days leading up to Christmas, Christmas day has become a lot busier and not as much fun.

So first up lets look at…

Travel Costs During High Season

The Christmas and New Year holiday season is one of the most expensive times to travel whether heading off to a tropical beach or hanging out in the mountains.

Traveling during the holidays often comes with a hefty price tag.

Everything from airlines to hotels, and even local attractions raise their prices to take advantage of the seasonal demand. 

By opting to stay home, you save money that can be put towards more affordable travel times, ensuring your budget takes you further on your next solo adventure.

Next Up Is The Potential For Delays

Not to be a “Debbie Downer” but the risk of delays when traveling over the holidays goes exponentially up.

Whether trying to escape the cold or travel to a winter wonderland delays become much more likely.

From snowed-in runways and having to de-ice plans to delayed trains, your travel itinerary could easily double in time or even worse come to a frustrating standstill.

Added to that most flights are full to over sold so if there are delays and your flight is cancelled there might be added delays waiting for an available flight and that can lead in the most dire situations to days…

Which in turn adds to the cost of what was planned as an amazing getaway.

Overcrowded and Overwhelmed

Speaking of oversold flights…

Traveling during the Christmas and New Year period means dealing with packed airports and congested highways and crowds of fellow travelers at popular destinations.

The sheer volume of people traveling to reunite with loved ones or vacationing can turn what should be a pleasant journey into a test of patience and endurance.

And if you’ve been reading my blogs for a while you know my travel mantra is…

Minimize or eliminate the potential for travel stress whenever possible.

Remember the whole point of any travel and especially solo travel is to have the most amazing experience possible!

Loneliness And Being The Odd Person Out

One of the number one concerns I hear from women planning to travel solo is the fear of standing out as that “lone woman” and feeling lonely as a result.

Holiday destinations are typically brimming with families and couples, celebrating joyously. 

As a solo woman traveler, this going to do your head in and play mindgames that you just do not need.

Traveling solo can and is a wonderful experience and liberating but…

Traveling in the peak holiday season when everything is designed for bringing people together is going to increase feelings of loneliness.

It can starkly highlight your solo status, making activities and dining alone feel more pronounced.

Holidays Mean Places Are Closed

Even in some of the busiest places in the world including New York City Christmas can be a lot quieter on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and a lot of places shut down for the holiday.

This can include anything and everything from restaurants to supermarkets to tourist attractions.

This takes away from precious travel time and also means being on your own. 

And... you end up left hanging out on your own with that loneliness factor kicking in

So what do you do?

Stay Home and Nest and Enjoy

My best advice unless you’re visiting family and friends for the holidays is to stay put.

Hunker down and totally go into nesting mode at home.

There’s something undeniably cozy about the holiday season at home. 

Act Like A Tourist In Your Home Town

There are typically plenty of festive events, Christmas Markets, concerts, theatre.

Check them out and treat yourself in the process...

That massage or mani/pedi is waiting for you.

Staycations can be some of the best relaxing and re-energing time.

I use the time to connect with friends and family flung far and wide around the world. It’s like stepping into their living rooms sipping on an egg nog while catching up.

Travel Just Before Or Just After The Holidays

If you are itching to travel over the December - January period then consider taking a trip just before or just after.

My husband and I do this regularly. In fact we just came back from an early December trip to Maui.

Check it out here…

https://www.raewyncrist.com/blog/b/women-travel-over-50-Maui-Perfect-First-Solo-Trip

Similarly plan to start your trip around mid January.

During these periods school is still in or just back and immediately the places you venture to will be a lot quieter.

With most travelers home by early January, you’ll find more deals, fewer crowds, and a better solo travel experience. 

Get Excited And Start Planning…

This has become my new norm and I highly recommend it for you.

In between writing this weeks blog I am applying for travel visas and scheduling activities for two upcoming trips.

So Instead of trying to navigate the holiday chaos, use this time to plan your next adventure.

Planning your trip when others are settling back into their routines gives you something exciting to look forward to and makes the journey more enjoyable and stress-free.

Wrapping Up...

The holiday season can be a great time to indulge in the comfort of your own space, deck the halls, and revel in the quiet moments of reflection and relaxation. 

It's the perfect time for self-renewal and setting intentions for the new year.

Cheers to the New Year and that wonderful trip you so deserve!

Interested in more, check out my YouTube Channel

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Female Travelers Over 50 By Raewyn Crist: @FemaleTravelers50Plus

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So cheers to wheels up to winging your way to your long dreamed of destination.