In the first episode of “A Solo Trip with Tracee Ellis Ross,” the actress remains in the lobby of her Moroccan hotel, trying to decide whether she wants to get a drink or not.
“One of the many benefits of a solo trip is that you can change your plans at the end,” she says in the narration. “No one is upset anymore, she doesn’t feel like going out,” she turns around and orders room service instead.
The three-episode show, which premiered on the Roku channel on Friday, follows Ross and continues on a vacation to Marrakech. The Mexican Riviera Maya; and the Spanish Marvela emphasizes the joy of exploring the world on its own. Producer and founder of Pattern Beauty, Ross spoke to USA Today about his love of solo travel, airplane etiquette and why he has at least four check bags.
This interview was compiled and condensed for clarity.
You mention on the show that you’ve been on solo trips since your 20s. What do you enjoy especially about solo trips?
I really like my company. I like being alone. You know, I live a very full and stuffed life. I often work seven days a week, work on holidays and do things. And it’s an opportunity to calm the dust and allow life to integrate into my being.
I really enjoy the luxury of being. I do a lot I’m doing it In my life. And there’s something about solo trips. It’s like a solo trip I do. Some go on solo trips for adventure, others go see people. The kind I really do is to exist and I can get muscle strength. It is likened to a baseball player who swings with two bats and then gets up to the plate and swings in one. A solo trip is like swinging with two bats, gaining muscle strength around the ability to hold yourself confidently in the world. I’m back and you’re going to the party yourself isn’t a big deal.
In contrast to other types of solo trips you may have done in the past, were you interested in it being something like documenting your trip?
It was strange. The first episode was strange. I was very uncomfortable. It was interesting. It was very important to me to include packaging, my packaging, my trips and what that experience was for me as part of the show. And since I didn’t want a camera at home, when I did my phone and found a way to record it like that, it became one of the best tools on the show.
Another thing we did was documenting many quiet moments that I had no talk about. That’s what happens on your solo trip. And when we were in the editing process, did you discover what you call it, as much as such a report? The feeling of that documentary was that it needed something like narration, a voiceover of some sort of inner dialogue. So, in contrast to what it was written, it really spoke my thoughts and I thought it would help me feel more comfortable with what I’m sharing.
You can see your very meticulous packaging process at the show. What is one of the trips you always bring?
Well, I always bring a medical kit. It may have tourniquets such as band-aids and neosporins, and may have basics such as Theraflu and Anti-Nausea (drugs). …The other is a pillow. That is a must. There is a small pillow that goes into your onboard roller bag. Because I know I expressed this, so I think I’m talking about it on the show that I’m a girl in a check bag.
One of my packaging philosophy is BIA. I often check at least 4 bags. And I will also talk about beauty and how to prepare for a disaster. Also, while carrying it on board, we will strategically assemble the bag with great care. Even if your package doesn’t arrive, it looks chic and will keep you feeling well for a long time before you get to the store. And those things really matter to me.
But yeah, I think it all through. Will it rain me? Isn’t it raining? We all know that the weather changes every day right now, so I have it all.
Do you have any favorite travel memories from the shoot?
I really enjoyed Spanish olive oil (tasting). I found it very ticklish and also ridiculous that I didn’t know that the majority of the world’s olive oil came from Spain. I thought it was Italy, and I said, “Oh, why didn’t I know that?” Who knew olive oil has a lot of yellow and green shades, and that olive oil is as complicated and expressive as wine? And I thought it was really great.
Moroccan and nut cart were my favorites (some). Again, did you know that a nut cart can be like a beautiful art exhibition? Also, “Red City,” Marrakech and its beautiful, dusty rosy colours were one of my favorites on the trip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6pfhahvac4
Is there a way you like to travel? We’ve seen you fly at the show, but are there any other ways you enjoy, like trains and cruise trips?
Until this moment, I wasn’t a cruiser person, but I’m not saying that it’s out of the question.
I love to fly. I’m a simple flyer. Growing up, I was on the train because I went to school in Switzerland…and I really found that there is real politeness in the trains I really enjoy. But for my luggage, the train is not my preference (how), the plane is the easiest.
Have you ever been peeked while traveling or plagued you while traveling?
Oh, I have a lot. People who cough and don’t cover their mouths are just – I just don’t understand. Sorry, I won’t. That means you put your face in your shirt. It’s not that difficult. People who go into plane toilets barefoot – I’m at a loss here. I want to help those people understand what’s actually going on in the bathroom.
…It’s kind of airplane etiquette, in a tight, personal space with the various etiquette people and people have. I’m sometimes at a loss as to how people have no more courtesy to their fellow people, especially why they’re right next to them after Covid, and how easy it is for us to really protect yourself.
Is there anything you would like to spend while traveling?
I think the biggest one will be in time. I put myself to sleep. If I want to wake up and look at my iPad and watch my iPad until 2am, then that’s it. If you want to sleep late, sleep late. If you want to take an afternoon nap, take an afternoon nap. If you want to drink wine at lunchtime, drink wine at lunchtime and take a nap. So I think time is truly extravagant with solo vacations and chasing my own pace and my own mind.
Financially splurge – I’m not a solo travel shopper. I did it in Morocco, because why couldn’t I do it? For example, it was just something that had to go through. But that’s not what I do. I’m not a gift shop person or someone who has to go find this. I love museums and restaurants. But I love the luxury first class. And I love hotel rooms. If I’m too worried and can’t experience myself, I’ll be energized in my hotel room and hotel.
For those who are not travelling on their own and are not used to it, are there any tips for making your first solo trip?
I will definitely do it. If you have an impulse on a solo trip, but you’re nervous and you’ve never done it before, the first thing I suggest is to go for dinner on a Wednesday night when the restaurant is open. If that’s working, try a jam packed with couples and groups of people on a Friday or Saturday night at 8pm. If you achieve it and feel good about it, I suggest you go on a solo trip.
If you’re still nervous, you can either tack yourself for a few days on a trip with others that you’ve already planned, or go to a place you’ve gone to with others yourself.
Another thing I ask people to ask themselves is what kind of solo trip are you looking for? Do you want to go on adventure solo trips, meet people and relax yourself? It helps you define where you want to go. And the last thing I find incredibly important is to suggest that if you are traveling yourself, people let someone know where you are going, give them a itinerary and treat it so they can check you out and know where you are. Also, if you’re probably part of your identity that makes you vulnerable in a foreign place, perhaps if you’re your own woman, LGBTQ different, then make the most of your due diligence, finding a place where you’ll be safe there, if you’re probably your own woman, LGBTQ, whatever you might be perceived as a vulnerability in the world. There are obviously unexpected things, but make sure you are safe where you go so that you can reach your full potential.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel journalist for Nashville-based USA Today. You can contact him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
