T R AV E L T I P S
Alone Not Lonely: 9 Expert
Tips On Solo Traveling
F
irst-time solo travelers dread the worst that would
happen to them if they go to unknown places. As
other types of traveling, solo traveling becomes enjoyable when you prepare.
Safety First. Trust your instincts. Always be on the
defense. If you can blend in with a group of travelers or
family, then do it. Buy bear spray or tasers for attacks.
Be assertive when you do purchases.
Always bring your valuables with you. Do not
remove them out of your handbag. Always carry identification as you need this sometimes during purchases
and bookings.
Share your travel itinerary to someone you
trust. This is so that you can easily be tracked whenever something unexpected has happened.
Wear appropriate clothing. Carry light and practical clothes, which you can easily wash, hang and reuse.
Also, research on the culture of the country you are visiting. Know the clothing restrictions and follow them.
Use travel apps to your advantage. There are
a lot of free apps that you can use to make your traveling easier. Go to Google Play or the Apple Store to see
which of these are useful to you.
Say no to "Single Supplement". Operators of
tours, cruises and hotels always charge single travelers
more. They always tell you that the room is always good
for two, not one. Get a booking operator that would find
another solo traveler for you to share a room with. If you
don't like your partner, you can always back out.
Stay in the common areas of hostels. You can
still meet friends along the way. Just know where to
meet them. If you are staying at a hostel, hang out in the
common areas. Chances are you will meet fellow solo
travelers; you can plan activities together.
Read resources of solo traveling. Be informed.
Read, read, and read. You can know more about solo
traveling from Independent Traveler, Singles Travel Escapes, Singles Travel, and Solo Traveler Blog.
Document everything. The only solid thing that you
can get out of your first solo travel is documentation.
Write about your trips on your journal and take a lot of
pictures. You can relive the experience of your first solo
travel anytime.
41 | BOOM