I've traveled alone and I've traveled with friends, and there are upsides to both.

When traveling with friends, there's always going to be that person who prevents you from making terrible decisions, like that time in Ibiza when you wanted to go to Pacha alone with a (very cute) British guy you just met.

But then there are those times when traveling alone is utter perfection: getting lost in the local culture and being completely at peace with your surroundings, taking in the street traffic without someone pestering you about the sweltering heat and pushy street merchants.

At that moment, you become a “wander woman” — forever chasing the high on solo traveling.

Though it may seem scary, traveling alone is something every woman should try at least once.  In fact, It's quickly becoming a trend among women 18-34 age group.

Travelling alone or in a group of women makes travel so much more stress free. You all pretty much want to do the same things. There are no guys to mess it up for you with all the incessant bitching about you spending too much time on shopping and window shopping and all those cute little cafes. This just stops them with fucking your brains on a vacation where you really do want to do all those things!

So here are 5 reasons women should travel alone atleast once!

1. YOU'LL SAY YES TO THINGS YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU WOULD

Chances are the people you meet on your travels, especially backpackers, are used to taking spontaneous risks like bungee jumping off bridges and eating unmentionable insects. If you're going to hang with them, you'll have to learn to take some risks.

At the end of you trip, you'll have racked up tons of interesting stories to make your friends jealous.

2. YOU CAN REALLY GET TO KNOW THAT HOTTIE, WITHOUT THE INTERFERENCE OF YOUR FRIENDS

Meeting someone you're interested in abroad can feel incredibly exciting. They are like-minded, adventurous and totally unique to anyone you grew up with back home. Without the annoying nudging of your boyfriend complaining about wanting to go back to the hostel, you can spend hours talking, taking romantic strolls in the moonlight — get really cheesy with it.

Just make sure you always stay in crowds, don't get too wasted and make well thought out decisions. They are strangers, after all.

3. YOU'LL SPLURGE ON TOTALLY RANDOM AND USELESS THINGS

When traveling abroad, money conversions can be tricky and you just might be swindled into spending way too much money on useless trinkets the street merchant swear are authentic and vintage.

Don't fight the process, you deserve that silky Turkish scarf and sparkly bangles.

When you get back home, you can brag about your one-of-a-kind accessories.

4. YOU RELY ON YOURSELF TO FIGURE THINGS OUT

All I can say is God bless Google Maps. There will come a time in your travels when you'll be confused and downright annoyed trying to figure out which street leads to what museum your mom's friend said you "just have" to see.

When you're on your own, it's up to you to ask for directions and figure it out. You'll have an intense feeling of self-confidence when you know you're capable of finding things on your own.

5. YOU WILL EAT (AND DRINK) WHATEVER YOU WANT WITHOUT JUDGMENT

One of the best parts about traveling solo is the ability to sit outside a quaint Parisian cafe, stuff your face with eclairs and macaroons and just people watch. You can hang out all day if you wanted to, without the prying eyes of your yogi friend who will subsequently lecture you on the benefits of a gluten-free diet.

So girls take that step. Jump into the unknown. It'll be the best trip you have ever taken in your life.

Traveling alone will build immense life skills, such as social prowess, a keen sense of direction and the ability to adapt to change and uncomfortable environments, to name a few. By the time you come home, you won't need anyone's input to reach your goals.