Five Ways to Celebrate Your Independence in Style

Live Like a Local

Major cities are among the top places to visit when traveling alone, because it's easy to immerse yourself in the culture and blend seamlessly into day-to-day life. One of the best ways to start planning a city getaway is to find an apartment rental that fits your needs. There are several things to consider, including location (safe neighborhood), proximity to stores and restaurants, type of kitchen, and price. Apartments are typically less expensive than a hotel room per night, and also allow you to experience city life first-hand. Plus, you can also save by shopping locally and cooking meals at your flat.

Most city convention and visitors bureaus offer suggestions on how to familiarize yourself with your surroundings, and some even offer discounts on major attractions. You can also buy a CityPass, which offers up to 50 percent off popular sites.

(Photo: iStockphoto/Georgina Palmer)

Hit the Open Road

A road trip is as much about the journey as the destination, and traveling by car allows you ultimate freedom, especially when driving alone. You get to decide where you go with every twist and turn of the open road.

When planning a solitary road trip, make sure your vehicle is in top-notch running condition, check gas prices to budget accordingly, pack extra supplies and a first-aid kit in case of emergency, and become familiar with the roads you'll be traveling.

The next step is lodging. For those who want to be spontaneous, you can typically find chain motels along the road offering specials for same-day arrivals. If you'd rather have a set schedule, many places offer promotions such as BedandBreakfast.com's Tanks for Traveling specials, which can include a free night's stay, gas, dinners, massages, and more.

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Get Back to Nature

If big cities, heavy traffic, and huge crowds make you cringe, then it's time you took a trip to the Great Outdoors. There may be no better place to find peace and quiet than in the open wilderness. An outdoor vacation, however, requires a bit more planning and safety precautions, especially when going solo. First decide whether you want to spend your nights in a hotel or camping. Sleeping under the stars may be less expensive (most campsites cost about $15 per night), but a hotel offers comfort and security. This decision may help narrow down where you want to go, such as a National Park versus a mountainous area. If you choose the former, be sure to budget in the price of entrance fees.

There are several safety precautions that also must be considered when taking a trip into the wild. Research your destination beforehand, including weather, hiking paths, possible campsites, wildlife, and terrain. Carry a map with you at all times. Plus, show several people the location where you will be. Pack accordingly for where you will be staying, how long you will be gone, and the type of weather you may encounter.

(Photo: iStockphoto/Renee Lee)

Learn Something New

If you travel to further your knowledge of a culture and destination, then a vacation built around learning something new might be the perfect fit for you. With so many different things to experience in this world, it's well worth it to spend a few days or even several hours getting first-hand training of a specific cooking or craft technique.

Several providers offer packages built around all types of classes, including culinary, cultural, historical, and adventure. For instance, the International Kitchen offers one-day classes and tours, as well as entire vacations based on cooking in several different countries. Classes vary in price depending on length and training, but can be quite expensive (one-day classes in Tuscany start at $165) since most offer one-on-one lessons with a professional chef.

To learn about topics other than food, Smithsonian Journeys offers classes, tours, and vacations on a variety of subjects, including politics, history, sports, and wildlife.

Vacation packages are available for educational trips, and most include lodging, meals, training, and tours. However, you will more than likely have to purchase your airfare and transportation separately. If you're visiting a major city, you may be able to save money by checking with local schools for recreational or adult education classes.

(Photo: iStockphoto/Robyn Roper)

Take a Walking Tour

One of the more affordable modes of transportation is using your own two feet, and walking is one of the best ways to learn about a destination. Plus, many cities offer a wide range of tours—both independent and guided—on a slew of different subjects, including history, ghost tales, food and drink, shopping, and sightseeing. And you don't need to know a soul to have a good time.

Start planning by visiting the city's convention and visitor bureau's website, which typically offers free maps, guides, itineraries, and suggestions for walking tours. The visitor's center is also a great place to stop by in person to get tips on where to go to find the type of tour that interests you. Many historical societies provide free guided tours to acquaint visitors with the city's past, so check their offerings as well.

The number of walking tours in a destination like New York City is overwhelming, and you would run your feet raw if you tried to go on even a quarter of them. However, this fierce competition means lower prices and a greater range of subjects to choose from. For instance, you can take a 90-minute Union Square: Crossroads of New York free walking tour and a three-and-a-half-hour Manhattan Melting Pot Eating Tour for $40, all in the same day.

(Photo: iStockphoto/Vitaly Sokolovskiy)