While it’s wonderful to share a special trip and new experiences with friends, a partner, or family, there’s a compelling case for travel alone from time to time. Solo travel can work for anyone, whether you’re single, in a relationship, extroverted, or introverted, and here are 9 good reasons why you should try it.
和朋友、伴侣或家人一起享受意外旅行或经历崭新体验,必然是件美好的事情;但偶尔独自旅行也别有一番趣味。任何人——不论单身还是在恋爱、外向还是内向,都可以独自旅行。那为什么要尝试独自旅行呢?请看下面9个理由。
1. Simple logistics
轻装上阵
It can be challenging to coordinate a trip and time away from work with another busy person in your life, and it’s even more difficult when you try to make plans with a group. Usually, these challenges can be overcome by simply planning far in advance, but if you find yourself with some down time and you can’t find a travel partner on short notice, it may be the perfect time to pack your bags and go anyway.
如果是准备跟身边另一个大忙人去旅行,那还得费工夫请假、协调各类琐事;要是组团的话,行程计划则更难安排。当然,如果提早做好准备,这些也不算什么难事。可是,如果你是突然得了空闲,一时又找不到旅伴,那何不趁机背上行囊独自出行呢?
2. Work on your bucket list
实现愿望清单
Is there something you’ve been dying to try that no one is willing to try with you? Maybe you’d like to go skydiving over the Grand Canyon, see ancient Mayan ruins, or simply eat real Maine lobster. When your partner and friends don’t share every one of your interests, that’s OK, but it’s not OK to sacrifice your dreams, especially when all you have to do is get there.
你有没有特别渴望尝试的事情,但其他人又都不愿陪你一起?或许你一直想去大峡谷跳伞、去看看玛雅遗址,或者单纯想吃一次地道的缅因龙虾?伴侣或朋友不可能跟你完全情投意合——这不要紧;要紧的是,你不能因此牺牲自己的梦想——尤其是当你的梦想如此接近、只要你迈开脚步就能够到的时候。
3. You’re great company
享受独处时光
If you rarely spend significant time alone, you may be surprised at how enjoyable it can be. When was the last time you truly listened to only your thoughts and entertained only your dreams? Depending on the destination, a solo trip can be a powerful, introspective, life-changing experience. Imagine sitting on a peaceful beach at sunset or taking an invigorating morning hike without having to make conversation with anyone.
如果你以前很少一个人呆着,那么,独自旅行会让你爱上独处的时光。上次真实倾听内心想法、了解自我梦想是什么时候来着?独自旅行的目的地不同,你的感悟也会不尽相同:或震撼、或深思、或人生转折性启发。想象自己不受任何人干扰,独自坐在静谧的沙滩看日落,或在清新的早晨骑单车吧!
4. Meet new people
结识新朋友
If you’re a born extrovert, traveling alone can be a wonderful way to meet locals and make new friends. Often, people who are alone appear more approachable to others. Before you know it, you could be chatting with some interesting folks at a sidewalk cafe or even joining a group of like-minded people for yoga on the beach. The key is to keep an open mind while keeping safety in mind, especially in a foreign land.
如果你天生性格外向,那么独自旅行也是你融入当地结识新朋友的好机会哦!通常,落单的人看上去也更容易接近。一开始,你可以选择在路边咖啡馆跟有意思的人攀谈,或加入到沙滩上志趣相投的瑜伽人群中。关键是你不仅要注意安全(尤其是在异乡),更要有开放的心态。
5. Do everything you want and nothing you don’t want
随心所欲
Have you ever been hesitant to do that half-day at the spa you were longing for because you felt bad leaving your travel partner with nothing to do? When you travel alone, you are not obliged to entertain anyone but yourself. If you want to "waste" the day sitting at an outdoor bar drinking mojitos instead of sightseeing, you won’t have to answer to anyone.
有时你是不是特想花半天时间享受SPA,但顾虑到旅伴或许会感到无聊而打退堂鼓?如果你是独自旅行,那就完全不用迁就任何人。如果你想“虚掷”一天时光,不看风景,只坐在户外酒吧品尝mojito鸡尾酒,那也随你自己呗。
6. It’s empowering
使人焕然一新
If traveling makes you a better, smarter person, then traveling alone makes you super-better and super-smarter. For any of you who may feel uncomfortable even sitting alone at a diner to have breakfast, taking a trip by yourself might seem daunting. Once you take the plunge and get over your fears, you’ll feel a sense of empowerment. A successful solo vacation can inspire you to tackle even more things in life you’ve been afraid to try.
如果说旅行能让人变得美好而智慧的话,那么,独自旅行则会助你更上一层楼。如果你平时连吃饭都非得有人陪,那独自旅行对你而言或许很骇人。可一旦你鼓起勇气克服内心恐惧迈开第一步,你会感到前所未有的能量与活力。一次完美的单独旅行能激发你尝试曾经一直害怕的事情。
7. Great service
服务周到
For some reason, service at hotels and restaurants seems better when you’re traveling single. People tend to admire those who travel solo, and it’s possible that when you make it known, you could be in for a sweet room upgrade or a cocktail "on the house".
不知为什么,旅馆和饭店给独自出行的人的服务貌似要更好。人们一般都比较欣赏那些独自旅行的人。有时候,如果人们发现你是在独自旅行,或许还能提供更好的房间或一杯免费鸡尾酒。
8. Absence makes the heart grow fonder
距离产生美
I don’t suggest you spend every vacation opportunity away from your partner, but doing so once in a while can be refreshing for a couple. When you set the precedent in your relationship that it’s OK to pursue individual interests, trust is enhanced. Coming home to your partner after a solo trip can remind each of you why you dig each other in the first place. As a bonus, if you find a favorite place when you’re alone, you can always bring your sweetie along another time.
我并不建议你每次度假都跟伴侣分开,但偶尔这么做反而能增进俩人的感情。当你先表率认可俩人可以追求各自喜好时,彼此间的信任也就油然而生了。独自旅行后回到伴侣身边,你可能会更珍惜彼此初见时的心境。而且,要是你独自旅行时发现什么有趣的地方,下次还可以带伴侣一起来。
9. No drama
没有戏剧性场景
Sometimes, when you’re single, you wait until you’re dating someone before you take a vacation away, and these trips can either make or break a fledgling relationship. If things don’t go well, the entire trip can be a miserable, drama-filled time you’d love to forget. When you get good at traveling alone, you can stop waiting for "someone" to take on vacation. Instead, you can continue to go alone until someone really worthy comes along to help you make some brilliant new memories.
有时单身的你一直等啊等,希望等到生命中的另一半出现再一起去旅行。可是,这样的旅行要么促成一对欢喜璧人,要么是闹得不欢而散。如果进展不顺利,整场旅行甚至会充满狗血般剧情,你恨不得一切都不曾发生。可要是你不再幻想身边有谁陪伴,能独自旅行,享受一个人的时光,或许,“那个人”会不经意间出现,和你一起创造美好回忆。