Mature Life Features

. . . of fun and frolicking

as we climb toward another weekend.

Coming up quickly is Name That Tune with Dale at

4 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday).

Get a seat early in the 2nd floor theater

for a session you can’t avoid enjoying.

= = = = =

Traveling Alone

Has its Own Allure

Travel can lose much of its attraction after losing your life-long partner that shared the sites and sights you encountered around the globe over the years.

There’s no longer someone to share views and viewpoints with, or to recall and recount the memories with when you return home. And many suddenly-singles don’t relish the thought of returning to a favorite voyage or villa without the person they enjoyed it with over the years.

As a result, many folks in this position simply tuck travel into the bag of things they no longer do.

This is at a time when, for the first time in their lives, they probably can travel to wherever they choose to and stay as long as they wish.

Most can recall chatting with a solo traveler or two over the years. One long-time friend has flown to several countries and cities without any reservations and rents a room or apartment for several weeks to soak in the culture and cuisine of the land.

Another acquaintance spends most of the year on freighters that take them anywhere at any time on comfortable cruises. All they have to do is make a few phone calls to find a ship and schedule that sounds interesting.

Both of these individuals are examples of how independent they can be in the type and time of travel they choose.

For the less independent or adventurous, there are tours designed to accommodate single people on the road.

If you don’t feel like going it alone, you can book tours for ski trips, museum visits, cooking schools, national parks and almost anything you can envision.

Some of the bumps on the traveling-alone road include finding time to go off on your own during the tour you’ve booked with a group, how to avoid paying the single supplement charged by hotels and cruise ships, as well as getting along with room-mates on the trip.

Some cruise lines have begun offering single-only rooms and salons where solo travelers can gather.

Solo travel takes a bit more planning and preparation, especially if it’s your first time. You might get a lot of helpful hints from other singles on the road.