I used to think that traveling solo was the ultimate form of freedom, but after three trips alone, I've realized it can also be incredibly isolating. Sure, you get to set your own pace and make spontaneous decisions, but there's something about sharing a sunset or a weird local dish with someone that makes the memory stick. Does the travel industry's push for solo adventures actually serve us, or are we just romanticizing loneliness? I've met people who swear by solo trips and others who felt miserable the whole time—so is solo travel really the best way to see the world?