I've done all three: going solo, going with one friend, and going with groups, big and small. The key is to be brutally honest with yourself about yourself before the trip. Are you comfortable being self-reliant? Can you handle being alone with your thoughts for significant periods of time? Can you work through disapppointments and frustrations by yourself? If not, do not tour solo.

On the other hand, are you fairly tolerant of other people's foibles? Can you be flexible about meshing your wants and needs with someone else's? Can you be direct about something important that is bothering you without being confrontational, judgmental or accusatory? Can you let the "little stuff" go without having resentment build up? If not, do not tour with someone else, and don't even think about touring with a group.

Think about other things you like to do. Do you primarliy like to do them alone? With one or two other people? With a group? Sometimes one, sometimes another? However it works out is okay? That should go along way toward tellin you what you need to know.

One advantage of touring solo - I found that when I did, I was a little more open to interacting with the locals. That led to my meeting and talking with types of people I would otherwise never encounter in my life. I regard that is a very good thing. That is not to say that touring with other people is worse. I offer it simply as a possible factor to consider if you are still on the fence after digesting my incomparably brilliant pearls of wisdom.