TO MOVE, TO

BREATHE, TO FLY, TO FLOAT,

TO GAIN ALL WHILE YOU GIVE,

TO ROAM THE ROADS OF LANDS REMOTE,

TO TRAVEL IS TO LIVE — Hans Christian Andersen

To travel abroad, experiencing unfa- miliar lands, cultures, and customs, is to see the world with new eyes. Even travel within one’s own country is, as the old saw goes, broadening. But before you take a single step on your journey, decisions need to be made, and the primary one is whether you take your trip with a professional travel group or go independently. Matthew Kepnes, world traveler and author of several books includ- ing How to Travel the World on $50 a Day, usually travels alone, but he

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also has taken guided tours to some places that aren’t as accessible to in- dependent travelers.

Going solo Like Kepnes, many travelers prefer to go it alone. For him, it’s about the personal growth inherent in strik- ing out on your own. “When you’re alone in a strange country, it’s sink or swim,” he says. “It forces you to learn life skills like how to navigate, how to interact with the locals, and how to react in different situations. I think

everyone should travel independent- ly at some point in their lives.” The downside, of course, is you become your own tour director. If things go wrong, there’ll be no tour guide there to rescue you and no one to watch your bags at the airport while you visit the restroom. If you lose your passport or other travel pa- pers, you’ll have to go to the embassy on your own to get them replaced. But for Kepnes and others, the

advantages outweigh the potential inconveniences. Rather than having a