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Solo Female Travel at 50: Advice From an Inspiring Woman Traveler
At 52, Marie discovers the joys of solo female travel after years dedicated to her family. Recently divorced and freed from parental constraints since her children gained independence, she shares her journey as an apprentice globe-trotter.
From a tentative first weekend just a few kilometers from home to her Quebec getaway plans, including a cycling revelation on French roads, Marie shares her evolution and dreams. She's even considering a round-the-world trip for her 60th birthday, proving that adventure has no age limit.
An inspiring testimony for all women who are still hesitating to take the leap!
⚠️ And if you're a woman looking for free accommodation for your solo travel, think NomadSister! This platform brings together thousands of supportive female hosts worldwide, ready to welcome you and help you discover their region.
Marie, what inspired you to travel alone for the first time at 50?
A desire for freedom born from life changes
Honestly, it happened gradually. After my divorce three years ago, I went through a period where I felt like I had lost my identity. For twenty-five years, I was "someone's wife" or "someone's mother," but never really Marie, you know? The kids left home one after another, and suddenly, I found myself face-to-face with myself in an apartment that was too quiet.
One morning, drinking my coffee, I realized I didn't even know what made me happy anymore. I had organized hundreds of family vacations, but I had never chosen a destination just for me. This realization shook me. I told myself: "Marie, you're 50, not 80, it's time to make up for lost time."
My new single life was the perfect opportunity for this quest for freedom. After all those years prioritizing others' needs, I finally had space for my own dreams.
Regaining confidence and daring to prioritize myself
The hardest part about getting started was other people's reactions. My friends would say: "You're not going to travel alone, are you?" as if it were madness. My ex-mother-in-law even said: "At your age, isn't that a bit sad?" These comments hurt me at first, then I wanted to prove them wrong.
I started by treating myself to small pleasures: going to the movies alone, dining at restaurants with a book. These moments taught me to appreciate my own company. Gradually, I understood that traveling alone was a gift I was giving myself, not a punishment.
This period of mental preparation was essential before launching into adventure.
How did you organize your first solo trips? Did you have any apprehensions?
My first solo weekend less than 100 km away
I wanted to ease into it. For my first trip, I chose Honfleur, an hour and a half from home. Not too far in case things went wrong, but distant enough to feel like I was traveling.
While looking for accommodation, I came across the NomadSister platform, which allowed me to stay for free with Patricia, a bubbly sixty-something who runs a small bookstore in the city center.
The train journey already did me a world of good. Watching the landscape roll by while thinking that no one was waiting for me anywhere, it was exhilarating. Once there, I wandered through the cobblestone streets, taking time to photograph every detail that pleased me. In the evening, I dined facing the harbor with a glass of cider, and I wrote in a notebook everything I was feeling.
That weekend was a revelation. I understood that I loved this total freedom: changing my mind at the last minute, stopping in front of a shop window that intrigued me, staying on a bench for an hour just because I felt like it. At my own pace, according to my preferences, without having to manage other people's needs.
The cycling trip: an unexpected revelation
Two months later, a colleague told me about the Vélodyssée. I hadn't cycled in years, but the idea appealed to me. I started with a small three-day section between La Rochelle and Royan. I was terrified of not being able to manage it physically.
The first day, I ached all over, but I was so proud of having covered my first 40 kilometers! That evening, at my NomadSister host's place, I fell asleep with a smile. The next two days, I found my rhythm. Cycling along the ocean, feeling the wind in my hair, stopping to taste oysters... I felt like I was 20 again.
What struck me most was the simplicity. Everything fit in my backpack: a few clothes, my toiletry bag, my essential medications. This lightness freed me from a weight I didn't even realize I was carrying.
My dream: traveling alone to Quebec
Now, I'm thinking bigger. Quebec has always been a dream of mine, but before, it was complicated to impose this destination on the whole family. Now, I can finally make this project a reality! I've started saving and I'm preparing a three-week trip for next fall.
I'm already imagining my walks in Old Quebec, my excursions to see the autumn colors, maybe even a few days in a lodge in the Laurentians. I contacted an agency specializing in solo travel for women, to get advice and reassure myself for this first big leap across the Atlantic.
And then, I admit I have a crazy idea germinating: why not take advantage of my retirement in ten years to travel around the world? My kids think I'm completely nuts, but for me, it gives me extraordinary motivation for the years to come.
What's the most difficult thing about traveling alone at 50?
Managing the fear of loneliness and the unknown
At first, I was mainly apprehensive about moments of solitude: eating alone at restaurants, evenings in my hotel room. I thought I would feel isolated or that people would look at me strangely.
In reality, the complete opposite happened. Meals became my favorite moments to observe local life, listen to conversations around me, or simply really savor my dishes. For evenings, I developed my little rituals: I take a bath, write in my travel journal, plan the next day or call my children.
I also learned to embrace the unexpected. When my train was three hours late during my trip to Honfleur, instead of panicking, I discovered a small station bookstore and spent a delightful moment browsing. These setbacks are now part of the adventure's charm.
Taking care of my health and organizing my safety
Well, I won't lie, at 50, you don't travel with the same carefree attitude as at 20. I always have a well-stocked first aid kit, my usual medications, and my doctor's number. For my longer trips, I'll take out repatriation insurance.
Safety-wise, I have my little habits: I always share my itinerary with my children, I avoid going out alone in the evening in neighborhoods I don't know, and I've learned to trust my instincts. If a place or situation makes me uncomfortable, I don't insist.
For Quebec, I even planned to register on the French consulate website. It might seem excessive, but it reassures me and allows my loved ones to worry less.
Do you easily meet people during your travels?
It's funny, I thought it would be more complicated at my age, but it's exactly the opposite. People are often kind to a woman traveling alone. While cycling, I met a German retired couple who invited me to share their picnic. We spent two hours chatting, mixing French, German, and approximate English - it was magical.
In bed and breakfasts, the owners often take time to chat, to give advice. In Honfleur, Patricia, my NomadSister host, took me to her favorite fishmonger and explained how to choose scallops. These spontaneous exchange moments have become my most precious memories.
For Quebec, I'm considering trying the experience of an organized trip for part of the stay. Not the "tourist bus" type, but rather these small groups of women who travel together while keeping their freedom. The agency I contacted offers this format, and I admit that the idea of sharing a few days with other female adventurers my age appeals to me.
To summarize, what advice would you give to a woman who wants to get started?
After these first experiences, here are my tips for women who want to get started:
Start small and close: like me with Honfleur, choosing a first destination not too far away allows you to test your reactions without stress. A weekend getaway or a week is enough to start.
Use the right resources: sites like NomadSister, specialized agencies, or solo travel apps are real assets. They offer secure solutions adapted to our age group.
Plan without organizing everything: I like having a basic itinerary while keeping flexibility. Book transportation and the first accommodation, then see on-site for the rest.
Adapt your budget: traveling alone can sometimes cost more (single room, no sharing of expenses), but you can also save money by choosing your activities and meals according to your desires.
Trust your instincts: after years of life experience, we generally know how to recognize dubious situations. That strength, we've acquired it with age!
In the end, I realize that solo female travel has opened doors I would never have pushed before. You dare to approach locals more easily, you let yourself be carried away by opportunities more. And then, when you come back with your head full of stories, you want to leave again even more.
Thank you Marie for this refreshing testimony! If you want to discover other solo travel experiences, also check out these guides:
Whether you are an avid traveller or a first-time adventurer, all NomadSister editors are passionate about travel. They share their advice and experiences with the desire to give you wings!
