Going Solo"I love going to Paris alone," myneighbor Charlotte remarkedrecently. "I've gone with mydaughter and with severaldifferent friends, but my firstchoice is always to go alone. It'sso liberating. Here, people see meas a physician or their mother ortheir grandmother, but there -alone - I can be myself."

I know exactly what she means.I traveled solo for many yearsand still look forward to tripswhere I can be completely self-indulgent, come and go as Iplease, and be concerned onlywith my own enjoyment.

Traveling solo doesn't meanbeing alone. It means being ableto be spontaneous, to amble andreflect without distraction, and itmeans having a better chance ofmeeting local people. Singles areeasy to approach, while pairs oftravelers engaged in conversation

are not. Another benefit is thesense of self-confidence thatdevelops from learning to cope"on the road' with one's owncompany and resources.

Followingare some tips for makingyour solo journey a success:

· Two things I wouldn't bewithout: a journal for recordingexperiences and thoughts, and anovel that can be ignored for daysand retrieved on a quiet evening.

· Boutique hotels and B&Bsare more comfortable for solotravelers than, for instance, ahigh-rise Hyatt. Having said that,if you do stay in such a place,request a room on the club floorthat provides access to a cozylounge. Avoid resorts that caterto honeymooners.

· Likewise, avoid candlelitrestaurants and opt for casual

dining options with friendlywaiters .

. For safety's sake, join a groupfor outdoor adventures orexploring parts of town thatmight not be safe for travelers ontheir own. The concierge at yourhotel is a good source for day-tour recommendations .

. Women should check outwww.journeywoman.com. theWeb's number one resource fortraveling women. The site ischock full of travel tips and goodadvice - and some of it alsoapplies to men. Two of myfavorite sections are "TourGuides Worldwide" and "SheShops the World:' I~

"'='1 • Also go to www.hermail.netand consider connecting with awoman living in the places youplan to visit. She can answeryour questions and help youplan your trip.

· Plan to keep in touch with folksback home via your choice ofelectronic devices. I like to get alocal SIM card for my cell phoneso I can call home economically,and I either carry a laptop foremail or visit local cyber cafes.

· If you are toting a laptop,consider packing a few DVDs, ordownloading movies from Netflix.Audio books (free from the library)are great for road trips.

· Learn about your destinationahead of time and have a plan foreach day. Mix time on your ownwith days or half days when youjoin a city tour or guided walkingexcursion. Traveling solo doesn'tmean you spend your entirevacation by yourself.

• Be open to scratching theplan and seizing unexpectedopportunities. After all, FrancesMayes, author of Under the

Tuscan Sun, didn't plan to buya house in Tuscany.

· Accept that there will be timesyou will feel lonely and have aplan for dealing with it. Thismight include reading, going for awalk, journaling, or chatting withanother solo traveler in a cafe.

· If you're cruising, beware ofsingle supplements. According toLyndon Waller of WorldviewTravel in LaJolla and SolanaBeach and Gayle Gillies Travel inRancho Santa Fe, Crystal Cruiseshas the lowest single supplement.

· Crystal also offers a very gooddeal to "gentlemen hosts" -chosen for their dancing abilitiesand out-going personalities.

· The site www.cruisecritic.comsays Holland America Line is alsorenowned for catering to sologuests. The Single Partner'sProgram, its roommate-matchingservice, matches non-smokingguests of the same sex with

others who want to share - andguarantees you'll pay just thedouble occupancy price, even ifno partner can be found.

. The important thing toremember is that solo travel maysound scary if you haven't done itbefore, and it will make yourmother nervous. If you are amother, it will make your childrennervous. You,however, might justhave the time of your life.

Visit www.ranchandcoast.com foradditional resources. ELIZABETH HANSEN