(1) I take an English book to dinner. Usually somebody will spot the cover, stop by and talk with me about the book. If I'm near the end, I always ask the person next to me (especially in France and Italy where the books in English are not that readily available and are expensive) if they would like the book. This relieves me of continuing to carry it and I end up talking with somebody for awhile about the books they enjoy or have read.

(2) I take my CDs and listen to my favorite music.

(3) I always ask "Do you know where. . . I can find a good play, a good cafe, etc. in the neighborhood or near it? Again, it opens up the discussion.

(4) Always carry phone cards. Call home. Hear a friend or my mom's voice.
This always makes me feel -- they think I'm a very "intrepid traveller" and are excited about my adventures! I can't disappoint them.
Elizabeth, Seattle, USA

(1) If I need to rest I can pick a small church for a short meditation, or return to my room for a rest with my MP3.

(2) If I am bored, I ask myself what I'd really truly deeply like and then I go do it. Do I need a facial? A massage? A good movie? A mall? A swim or workout? It doesn't matter what time it is, I try to take time to honor that need and fill it.

(3) If my business colleagues feel too much like starch I remind myself that that is why I am independent- to be free to be me at all hours of the day and night. Then, I figure out what I need to do to perk up the situation and I do it. A long stemmed red rose placed on a conference table with feminine delicacy and in silence followed by eye contact. Yep.

(4) Finally, if I am really lonesome, and that does happens, I will go where the people are and the energy is free. It could be a park, or a mall, or an intimate caffe. I go looking for people like me in places people like me hang out. What an energy booster that is! It's feels like home and the sense of isolation disappears immediately. It is much easier then to strike up a conversation with someone because there is more shared interests and nothing feels forced. I've always found that 'forced' increases my sense of alone-ness dramatically. That short or long, exchange is a win-win situation for both of us. It usually melts away that sense of loneliness and I'm renewed and refreshed, ready to move forward.
Roshanna, Lido di Venezia, Italy

I still remember my first trip, a solo 2 1/2 months 2-wheeled adventure throughout Europe early spring into summer. Here are some of my tips for fighting loneliness.

(1) Try to book accommodation with Hostels. You have a higher chance of fellow solo travellers equally eager to listen and share stories of daily travelling escapades. Beats talking to your big toe! When book into a business hotel, I sometimes check with the front desk or concierge on what events or places they might frequent if on their own.

(2) A great ice breaker is loose tea leaves in a pouch. Nothing beats a shared pot of hot tea and shared stories. Earl Grey always was my great travelling companion and a favourite shared tea in any countries.

(3) Smile. Other people will approach you and share as well.

(4) Pick-up travel information ahead of time or while at your destination. If on a business trip, I would speak to others (i.e. attendees at trade show who might have booth next door ) and ask if they've heard about whatever I'm thinking of attending. If they've never heard of it, I might extend an invitation to them. Next thing you know, you have a party coming along with you. Bye bye loneliness!
Shirley, Toronto, Canada