Female travelers: "I don't travel alone, I travel with myself."

More and more women decide to travel without anyone . Why? How do they plan their journey? What are the most suitable countries for women who want to travel without anyone?

According to tourismoperator Evaneos, the number of women travelling alone has increased by about 20% in recent years. Related to this, trend analyses by tourism sector organizations (such as ObservaTUR) and historical data from the INE Resident Survey indicate that the profile of women travelling alone has changed: the largest increase has been among women aged 35 to 55, coinciding with the period of greatest economic stability and autonomy.

In the interview with the Pamplonese writer Patricia J. Orduna , Orduna recalled that her first journey with no one was born out of the need to change her life from the top down: "I was working as a fellow at a pharmaceutical company in Pamplona. The conditions were very bad and I was very sad." She decided to travel without anyone, she prioritized her well-being and managed to reconnect with herself.

The Pamplonese writer, who has collected his lessons in the book Lives of Cat, shares his travel reality in the blog Dejarlo Todo e irse, is currently working on his next work.

In the case of the Portugalujo traveller Naiara Zamora, the starting point was curiosity. "I remember seeing women traveling in Southeast Asia and wondering how they were living that experience," she explains.

The psychological impact is immediate. In the words of Virginia Enebral, a Biscayan journalist, after traveling alone, she has "more confidence "in herself;" because you know you can face certain things. "The other two travelers, Patricia J. Orduna and Naiara Zamora, also talk about that trust and the loss of fears. "When I was home, everything seemed much more difficult to me," explains Orduna. "Traveling alone has helped me to understand that I am able to resolve situations and build relationships, even where I don't know anyone, "Zamora stresses.

The management of the voyage depends on the nature of the voyage. However, all three agree that not carrying all things closed makes it more flexible, so that the destination and duration can be adjusted at every moment.

"I don't plan anything, I usually only take the ticket and the first two nights of accommodation, and then I decide whether to change countries or not," Orduna said.

The choice of destination for the first solo adventure is one of the most important decisions, and Naiara Zamora believes that the key to success lies in the transport infrastructure: at least during the first trip, she recommends avoiding places where there is no solid and developed infrastructure.

In that sense, Virginia Enebral proposes a pleasant and close transition: "If you've never traveled alone, I'd tell you to go to Europe first, because there are so many places and you'll feel safer. "

However, for those who want to go beyond the sea, the Asian continent is the great favourite, and Patricia J. Orduna strongly supports Southeast Asia: "I know it's very fashionable now, but it was my first destination, and I think it's very safe for the premiere."

In particular, Naiara Zamora has made her travel experience an instrument of empowerment and political positioning . Traveling without anyone serves to "question the limits they have imposed on us and to occupy public space."

In Enebral's words, it's also a great boost of self-esteem : "I think you get a lot of self-confidence, especially when you overcome those risks that are in our minds."

On the other hand, the solitary path becomes a perfect setting for reconciling with silence and company. Orduna has ensured that when traveling alone, "you know yourself a little more and you learnto be alone, because you often don't know. "Naiara Zamora is clear about being alone:" Now I like to say I travel with myself. "