World Solo Travel Interview with Martin Panek

Meet Martin, an economist and CFO from the Czech Republic with a passion for solo travel in his interesting interview: “Discovering the World Through Solo Travel: An Interview with Martin Panek”.

Despite learning English on his own, Martin eloquently shares his journey from planning family trips in his youth to exploring the world solo after the fall of communism.

His first solo destination, Iran, sparked a lifelong love for independent travel and cultural immersion.

Martin discusses the freedom of solo travel, handling unexpected challenges and his extensive planning process.

He also provides valuable advice for aspiring solo travelers and shares his future travel aspirations, aiming to explore more fascinating destinations around the globe!

Tell us a little about yourself, who are you, what do you do, and where were you born?

So, I am Martin from Czech republic, where I was born and living all time, I studied Economics on University of Economics in Bratislava in Slovakia.

So, I am an economist and I work like CFO.

And sorry for my English!

I lernt it alone, so my grammer is not good, but I know, that who will want, will understand!

What prompted you to start traveling alone?

I started to travel with my parents.

When I was little older, I started to prepare itineraries.

After my 18 years all changed in my country, it started democracy and it was possible to travel.

I started to study my university – there was time, but not money.

If you are travelling solo, you dont spend to much money.

In this time I little traveled with travel companies, but it was not for me.

I always want to know more, want more adventures, want to speak with local people, want to know how they live.

And of course, I wanted interesant destinations, where dont go travel companies.

And if I am preparing my trip, I learn more about all (with travel company you must do nothing).

What was your first solo destination and why did you choose it?

My first solo destination was Iran.

In that time I started to work on internet and on internet I readed story from some travellers.

And I said, that must be an interesting country to visit, with great history and honest people.

I spent there a very nice time.

What were the main advantages you found in traveling alone?

I am doing only what I want and I am responsible only for me.

I can stop anywhere, change plans without agreement.

But, because I am working, I have always strict time for it – so I must be back by plan.

Have you ever had negative or dangerous experiences during your travels? How did you handle them?

Only one on my first solo trip; on start it was not solo trip.

I agreed with one boy on internet, that we will travel together to Iran by bus from Czech republic to Istanbul and from Istanbul to Teheran by bus, and back by the same way.

In that time it was dificult to get visas and we get only 5 day transit visas.

We planned to go to Pakistan and in Pakistan to get another 5 days visa for transit trought Iran.

On start of our trip it was all good, we met and we went in Istanbul together.

Last day in Istanbul my friend said me, that he will travell to Teheran by plane and we will meet us in Teheran.

But at the end we didn’t meet there…

Later he said me, that he was arrested on airport and was deported trought US visas in passport.

I waited him few hours on place of meeting, but he didn’t come  (in that time ther was not mobile phones – 1999).

In evening I decided to go to another city, which we planned to visit, with hope that he will be there – we planned there to see total solar eclipse.

On bus station they said that tickets for busses was saled and it was not possible to go.

More people got the same information.

Finally I agreed with other people, that we will take together shared taxi. (it was very cheap – 400 kms was for around 2 dollars). 

We arrived to final destination in Esfahan after midnight and there was not much possibilities for cheap accomodation (I had for all trip only around 300 USD).

Finally taxi driver stopped in dark street, somewhere out of centre.

I slept there alone in room with 6 beds with knife in hand (dont slept to much).

It was, because in midnight visited me same Bangladesh boy and he asked money (he said for cleaning).

I locked door; after he knocked, he bringed some water (I didn’t drink it – in morning was possible to see, that there was something white inside).

At the end he visited me from balkon and said, that he has a massage woman for me.

At that time I shouted, that will call the police and from that time there was quite (she was an indian prostitute).

Next day I waited for friend, spend nice time in Esfahan, watched total solar eclipse.

I decided to try to extend my Iranian visas (was not able to think about that, because of what happend in Pakistan).

I received 5 day extention.

After this day I spent only very good time, with honest people there and saw very nice historical sights.

I slept on bus station, under palms…..

From that time till now I spent only good time on my trips.

How do you plan your trips? Do you prefer to have everything organized in advance or do you leave room for improvisation?

I started to plan trips with books Lonely planet – there was not internet.

Now I am planning much more with internet and other books.

Use booking, maps asw.

Before I planned more in advance. Now dont have much time, basic I am planning in advance, but details, day by day.

If I have time, I can do more improvisation.

Hope, than in future I will go without time plan and will be possible dont plan to much.

What was the most surprising place you visited and why?

Because I studied before my trip a little about the country, dont have much surprises, but for example I was surprised from people in Iran (but in many other countries too), how they are honest (not depend on their government).

Was surprised with Cambodian sights (Angkor wat mainly), livestiles, Rajastan castles, Indian lives…. 

How do you handle loneliness when traveling alone?

I love to be alone, on trip you meet many people, with them you can speak.

Dont travel allways alone.

Now trevelling with my wife too and with our childeren together.

And on few trips I was with my friend.

On trip you will meet someone, you can spend time with.

Have you ever made lasting friendships during your travels? Can you tell us a particular story?

Yes, but not from trips.

Because I am collecting coins, I met few other collectors and we are friends.

Sometimes we send to us e-mails.

And I have few friends from India, because few years I had bussines there – I imported granite from there (lest I have some money for travelling 🙂 )

What are the essential items you always take with you on your travels?

In start of my trips I took many things, now I am taking only basics.

Same T-shirts, short thrausers ….. nothing more.

All is possible to buy. And of course – camera.

Now I am taking a phone only.

On your trip if you need something you can buy it – if you have money.

How do you deal with cultural differences and language barriers in foreign countries?

I love cultural differences.

My friend in India once said – we have other culture – he is true and I love it.

Trought it I am travelling. Love other cultures.

Language barriere is not – if both sites want. If you have English basics, you dont have problems.

First time in Latin America I knew only few numbers, but at the end I was a little understod.

In all over the world there are helpful people. 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start traveling alone but is afraid or hesitant?

Dont hesisate and try it.

First read something on internet and try it.

You must have adventur in the blood.

If you have it, you wont have problems. You will love it.

Do you have any future plans or destinations you would like to visit in the near future?

Yes, of course.

I travelled in 79 countries.

Next destination will be maybe Great Britain – last Europian or Peru. Peru must be.

And there are many countries in my plans. Bolivia, Equador, Ethiopia, Botswana, Vietnam, Myanmar and many many others.

In each country is something interesting.

Thank you, Martin, for sharing your incredible experiences and insights on this World Solo Travel Interview!

Martin’s solo travel journey is truly inspiring.

From his beginnings in the Czech Republic to exploring 79 countries, he has embraced travel’s joys and challenges with resilience and enthusiasm.

His experiences highlight the profound impact of navigating cultural differences, handling unexpected situations, and making genuine connections.

Martin’s advice to aspiring solo travelers is to embrace adventure, learn as you go, and step out of your comfort zone.

Martin’ story is a testament to the enriching power of solo travel and the endless possibilities it offers.

Safe travels on your next adventure!

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