Life is about compromise and we all do it on a daily basis. Solo travel is one of the few arenas where this is left in the dust. You choose everything from the destination, wake up time, restaurants, and the daily list of activities. Group travel can quickly morph into an exercise in herding cats. The larger the group, the slower they move. Time is a precious resource on vacation and waiting for others in not the reason I travel.
One of my favorite features of travel is to place myself in an environment where things are on the outer edges of my comfort zones. From previous life experiences, I find that the best way to break the routines is to place myself is situations where things are outside of my comfort zones. Walking the Camino was an extreme version of this practice. I put myself in a foreign country, sleeping with strangers in bunk beds, walking, eating a different diet, not connected via cellphone, carrying all my possession on my back, and not really knowing where I would go each day. Autopilot disengages and I had a chance to fly the plane again. For me, personal growth happens in these unfamiliar territories.
When traveling with another person or a group, meeting strangers is not likely to be high on the agenda. You may briefly cross paths with strangers, but not likely to spend time getting to know these people. Solo travel allows a person to open the gate and let people into your life.
One of the many great things about the Camino de Santiago is meeting strangers from every corner of the globe. They come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors. Each person has their own emotional backpack and unique outlook on the world. Their previous experience translates into life stories that are shared while conversing along the trail. Beautiful tales that reshape and enhance perspectives.