In the first episode of “Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross,” the actress spends time in the lobby of her hotel in Morocco, contemplating whether she wants to have a drink.
“One of the many benefits of traveling alone is the ability to alter your plans at the last moment,” she states in a voiceover. “I don’t feel like going out anymore, and no one is upset.” She turns around and requests room service instead.
A three-part series that debuted on Friday via The Roku Channel showcases Ross as she travels to Marrakech; the Riviera Maya in Mexico; and Marbella, Spain, emphasizing the pleasures of discovering new places by yourself. Ross, who also serves as a producer and is the creator of PATTERN Beauty, shared her views with USA TODAY regarding her passion for traveling alone, proper behavior on planes, and the reason she typically carries at least four checked suitcases.
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The conversation was revised and shortened to enhance understanding.
You talked about in the show that you’ve been traveling alone since your 20s. What do you like about traveling by yourself?
I truly enjoy my own company. I appreciate being alone. You know, I lead a very busy and packed life. I’m often working seven days a week, even during my vacations, and constantly engaged in activities. Therefore, it’s a chance for me to let everything calm down and for life to gradually become part of who I am.
I truly appreciate the luxury of existing. I do many thingsdoingIn my life. And so there’s something about traveling alone – the type of solo travel I do, because some people go on solo trips for adventure, others to meet people, and some to escape their lives. The kind I do is really about being present. I develop a sort of inner strength, which I compare to a baseball player who practices with two bats and then steps up to bat with one. I feel like solo travel is a bit like using two bats, and I build a muscle around the ability to confidently stand on my own in the world. When I return, going to a party by myself isn’t a big deal.
I wondered how it felt to document the journey, compared to other solo trips you’ve taken before?
It was strange. The first episode was strange. I felt very uneasy. It was intriguing. It was very significant for me that we incorporated the packing into the show, my packing and my travel and the overall experience, because that’s the genuine reality of it. I didn’t want cameras in my home, so when we discovered how to use the cell phone and record that way, it turned out to be one of the most effective tools on the show, as I could do that during many private moments where a camera operator wasn’t present, and that contributed to making the experience more personal.
Another thing we ultimately did was I captured many of the quiet moments without any dialogue, which is what occurs during solo travel. During the editing phase, we realized that despite the reportage style, what we might call the documentary feel, it needed a voiceover—essentially an internal monologue. Instead of being scripted, it was me expressing my thoughts aloud, and I found this approach made me more at ease with what I was sharing. This helped convey the central theme of the show: “Can you be yourself when you’re alone in the world?”
We get to observe your highly organized packing routine on the show. What is one essential item you always take with you when traveling?
Well, I always carry a first-aid kit, which includes things like a tourniquet, Band-Aids, and Neosporin, as well as essentials such as Theraflu and anti-nausea medication, just in case. … The other item is a pillow. It’s essential. I have a smaller pillow that fits into an onboard roller bag because I’ve mentioned this before and I think I talked about it in the show—I’m definitely a checked-bag person.
One of my approaches to packing is called BIA, meaning “bring it all.” I typically check at least four bags. I also discuss how I get ready for both beauty and unexpected situations. In my carry-on, I have a carefully and thoughtfully assembled bag that ensures I can still look stylish and manage well for a while if my luggage doesn’t arrive, giving me time to reach a store. These aspects are very significant to me.
But, yeah, I tend to think everything through. I find myself asking, is it going to rain? Isn’t it going to rain? We all know that the weather changes daily now, so I have everything covered.
Do you have a cherished travel moment from your filming experiences?
I really liked the olive oil tasting in Spain. I felt both amused and foolish for not knowing that most of the olive oil in the worldcomes from Spain; I believed it was Italy, and I said, ‘Oh, how come I didn’t know that?’ Who would have thought there are so many different tones of yellow and green in olive oil, and who would have thought that olive oil could be just as complex and expressive as wine? And I found that really impressive.
Morocco and the nut carts were among my top favorites. Who would have thought, once more, that a cart filled with nuts could resemble an exquisite art display? Additionally, the “Red City,” Marrakech, with its stunning, somewhat dusty pink hue was one of my most cherished experiences during the trip.
Do you have a particular method of travel that you prefer? We noticed you were flying in the show, but are there other options, such as traveling by train or cruise, that you also enjoy?
Until now, I’ve never been into cruises, but I can’t rule it out.
I enjoy flying. I’m a comfortable traveler. When I was growing up, I often took the train because I attended school in Switzerland… and I really appreciate the level of politeness on the train that I find enjoyable. However, because of my luggage, the train isn’t my favorite option, and flying is the most convenient.
Any travel annoyances when it comes to pets, things that irritate you during your trips?
Oh, I have plenty. People who cough without covering their mouth – I just don’t get it. I’m sorry, I really don’t. I mean, put your face into your shirt. It’s not that complicated. People who go into the bathroom on the airplane inbare feet– I’m confused about this situation. I want to assist those individuals in understanding what is truly taking place in the restroom.
… It’s somewhat like airplane manners, being in close, personal spaces with others and the varying customs people follow. I often find myself confused about why people don’t show more consideration for those around them, particularly after COVID, and how we discovered just how simple it is to safeguard ourselves.
Do you have any particular things you enjoy spending extra on while traveling?
I believe the most significant aspect is time. I allow myself to sleep. For instance, if I wish to stay up and watch my iPad, binge-watching until 2 a.m., that’s fine. If I want to sleep in, I do. If I feel like taking an afternoon nap, I do. If I desire a glass of wine with lunch, I have it and then take a nap afterward. Therefore, I think time is truly a luxury for me during solo trips, enabling me to move at my own pace and follow my own heart.
The spending was significant financially – I’m not really a shopper when traveling alone. I did in Morocco, because how could you not? It was just something that had to be experienced. But it’s not something I typically do. I’m not someone who goes into a gift shop or feels the need to find something specific somewhere. I prefer museums and restaurants and similar experiences more when traveling. However, I do enjoy luxurious first-class travel. And I appreciate a hotel room where, if I’m feeling too anxious and can’t manage to explore on my own, I can be comfortable within my hotel room.
Do you have any advice for someone’s initial independent journey who isn’t accustomed to traveling alone?
I definitely do. If you feel the desire to travel alone but are feeling anxious and have never done it before, my first recommendation is to go to a restaurant on a Wednesday evening at 6 o’clock when it just opens and see how you handle it. If you manage well in that situation, try a Friday or Saturday night at 8 p.m., when the place is full of couples and groups. If you can handle that and feel confident, then I suggest you go on a solo trip.
If you’re still feeling anxious about it, you can add a few extra days to a trip that’s already scheduled with others, or visit a place you’ve been to with other people by yourself, ensuring you’re familiar with the surroundings.
Another question I encourage people to reflect on is what type of solo journey they are seeking. Are you looking for an adventurous solo trip, one to connect with others, or simply a chance to unwind alone? This will help you determine the destination that suits you best. The final point I believe is crucial is that if you’re traveling alone, I recommend treating it similarly to dating by informing someone of your plans, sharing your schedule, so they can keep track of you and know your location. Additionally, if there are aspects of your identity that could make you more vulnerable in a different country—such as being a woman traveling alone, a Black woman, LGBTQ+, or differently abled—make sure to thoroughly research and choose a place where you will feel secure. While unexpected situations can occur, you can do your part to ensure your safety at your chosen destination.
Nathan Diller works as a consumer travel journalist for USA TODAY, located in Nashville. You may contact him via [email protected].
This piece was first published on USA TODAY:Tracee Ellis Ross consistently carries four suitcases. Her approach to packing is to “bring it all.”
