Travelling on your gap year when you don't have a friend to do it with?

[Withless]

Dd is taking a gap year - this was a bit of a mistake in hindsight as all of her close friends have gone this year. She been working and has some money put by. She's desperate to travel, but can't find anyone to go with. I'm happy to put some money into it, if anyone can think of a safe way for her to travel on her own.

She really wants to interrail in Scandanavia of all places - doesn't really want to do turtle patting in costa rica, but tbh that's what I'm looking at as it looks safe if you are on your own! Any other suggestions welcome 🙏

gap360 does tours all over world and vast majority are aged 18-22 and travelling alone

i know loads who’ve used them for australia and thailand etc

I do actually have a teen DD. Why are you ‘not even sure’?

Backpacking now is far safer than 30 years ago. Why do you think the opposite? What has ‘changed’ you are worried about? Backpackers have phones with them, they can book all their accommodation and tickets easily in advance, they can arrange to meet fellow travellers more easily, they can pay for things without carrying cash or travellers cheques.

Backpacking is a brilliant experience that helps a DC become confident, self sufficient and get to know the world. All this ski season stuff is nothing in comparison.

I agree with everything you have said @HeavyMetalMaiden - mine did this as an 18 year old alone in South America. It is safer and much less hassle logistically than pre internet. All travel and accomodation done on apps - no turning up to a hostel in the middle of no where recommended in your dog eared Lonely Planet guide that shut down 3 years previously etc. Except that one of mine did snow board season in Japan - it wasnt MC at all.

She's not planning on doing a ski season. She probably would have if it wasn't for Brexit. She can ski and enjoys it.

I travelled alone throughout SouthEast Asia for 6 months. Never felt unsafe and funnily enough, I was never really "alone" as I met so many other solo travellers going where I was going, so you link up.

At least a ski season is working and earning money. Nothing wrong with that. It would be a brave 18 year old that went to Thailand on their own with no plan but it would probably be ok. DS went with his friend and they travelled together like this and it was good - and certainly better value. He still preferred the more structured experience in New Zealand.

My DD went to be an au pair in her year out - a good way to be in another country and yet with the security of being with a family. After 7 months she had enough of the family and then got a flat star and did agency child care work.

She met other young people through Facebook groups.

You can do au pair work in English speaking countries too if she isn't interested in learning a language. It would also be a great way of being in Scandinavia.

That was your experience, and this is your fear. Nothing to do with her.

I’ve loved travelling alone.,

I'm just terrified of her going on her own, and tbh I've travelled alone and unless you meet lots of like minded people straight away, then it's miserable.
There's nothing miserable about travelling on your own.
Being in your own gives you freedom and you dont have to compromise or alter your plans to suit someone else.
Being with current friends can be q hindrance rather than an aid.

@Withless it is understandable for you and your DC to be nervous but solo travelling can be great - you meet so many interesting people that you wouldn't when going with someone else. I wonder if she could try it for a short trip and see how she gets on?

Hostels can be v friendly places - my DD (just finished 1st year at Uni) stayed in some hostels in her year out and this summer that organised evening activities so you could go out and do things with others.

I often met people travelling and then teamed up with them for a bit.