If you do the twice-annual circuit consistently, I think you'll discover two things: first, there will be countries, cities, airlines, and hotels that you'll want to include again on subsequent trips...a kind of homecoming in various seaports: nice to be greeted by name, and taken in again. Second -- and this may be partly getting older, and/or partly a function of having done the circuit so often: you'll find the discomfort that some people feel at dining alone disappears, and you'll be comfortable going anywhere you want, and doing exactly what you want. Seniority has it's credibility, and it makes travel much easier -- plus, you'll always know what you're doing, with no rookie mistakes.