Traveler tip
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Never unpack
Use that time to explore at the beginning and end of the trip.— Marilyn Litka-Klein, 6-time traveler, East Lansing, MI
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How to make new friends
It just seems to happen naturally when you are traveling alone— you are more open, and more likely to chat with strangers. You ask a person at a neighboring table what’ s good on the menu … someone starts to chat with you as you’ re waiting in line at a store … you stop to pet a pooch in the park, and the owner strikes up a conversation. If it doesn’ t happen so naturally, there are useful apps that can connect your with local people as well as fellow travelers such as Meetup or SoloTraveller.
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More than friends?
Plenty of solo women find romance on the road, and just like at home, it can be wonderful— or not. If you can’ t wait for your two ships to pass in the night, the major dating apps( like Match, OKCupid, and OurTime) have international members of all ages. Be prepared to deal with cultural differences regarding gender norms; and as anywhere, only meet in public, let someone know you’ re going out on a date( even if it’ s your Trip Experience Leader or the concierge), be very careful about drinking, and trust your gut.
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Learn a bit of the local language
It goes without saying that making friends( and just getting around) will be much easier. Even if you mangle every word, it’ s a great ice-breaker and most people will genuinely appreciate your effort. There are plenty of apps to help you out, such as DuoLingo, FluentU, Babbel, Mondly, and others.
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When one is the luckiest number
One of the perks of not having a plus one with you is that you can often score a coveted restaurant table, move quicker to the head of a line, or get great deals on last-minute tickets.( It’ s much easier to find a single seat than a pair of them to that play, concert, or exhibit you’ ve been dying to see.) Just ask!
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