I thought traveling alone would be awkward or boring — but my first solo trip proved me wrong with its surprising perks

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Amanda posing on a street in Boston.
I was skeptical I'd enjoy solo travel, but I quickly found there were some perks to traveling alone.

Amanda Shammas

I love traveling solo. It's easier to meet new people and go on spontaneous adventures without my partner.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author in front of a mural wall.
Though the author is not single, she prefers traveling solo.

Courtesy of Jennifer Sizeland

I plan bucket-list trips for a living. Here are 4 mistakes I see travelers make when booking their own vacations.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
tino roco on beach with water in background
I plan trips around the world and try to balance downtime with activities.

Tino Roco

I've traveled solo across Southeast Asia for 15 years. These are 3 cities I always recommend — and one I'd skip.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Andre Neveling on a boat in Luang Prabang, Laos.
Andre Neveling has been traveling around Southeast Asia for 15 years and Luang Prabang (pictured) is one of his favorite cities.

Provided by Andre Neveling

I went to a destination wedding with no plus-one. It was one of the best trips I've ever taken.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A wide shot of a beach wedding ceremony space.
I went to a friend's wedding in a different country without a plus one, and I still had fun.

simonovstas/Shutterstock

10 of the most beautiful places in the US, according to someone who's been to all 50 states

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Emily, wearing a backpack covered with patches, looks out at a lake with blue waters and mountains covered in trees.
North Cascades National Park in Washington is one of the most beautiful places I've traveled to.

Emily Hart

I just went to Las Vegas for the first time since I stopped drinking. It was a surprisingly sober-friendly destination.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A selfie of the author in the Wynn Hotel.
The author recently visited Las Vegas solo for the first time since she stopped drinking alcohol..

Courtesy of Terri Peters

I've visited all 63 major US national parks. Here are 10 of my all-time favorites.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Emily, wearing a green top, a flannel around her waist, black leggings, high socks, and hiking boots, sits on a mountain looking out at the trees.
In my opinion, New River Gorge is one of the best US national parks to visit.

Emily Hart

My college kids went back to school, so I went on a cruise alone. It was awkward at first, but I loved my alone time.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
a woman facing a cruise ship
The author loved going on a cruise without her family.

Oscar Wong/Getty Images

I took a one-night solo trip to a different country. It taught me how to transform discomfort into confidence.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author posing in London.
I took a one-night solo trip to a different country, and it transformed my confidence and independence.

Taila Lee

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