I’ve traveled solo, with girlfriends and family for my entire life. I learned that there is no reason to stay home if you don’t have a travel companion. Join an organized group or travel alone. Here I am with Aborigines in the Australian outback. Australia is safe and easy for solo travelers.
We are on the go! Women travel and solo travel are normal. In fact, women make up more than 50% of travelers on organized trips. You won’t be alone. That’s been my experience.
Solo travel is also a fast-growing travel trend for men and women. What’s so great about it? For starters, you no longer have to stay home because you don’t have a travel companion. But remember, just because you start alone doesn’t mean you’ll stay alone. If you are considering going alone on your next vacation, here are a few tips for solo travel that make it easier:
Start Smart
Even if you want to be unstructured, book at least the first night’s accommodation in advance. It may cost more than you want to spend the rest of the trip for lodging, but this makes it easier getting your bearings and ensures you don’t start the trip fatigued trying to get it all together right when you step off the plane in a foreign country.
Check the safety of your accommodations before booking them. If there are any comments from other travelers saying that they felt unsafe at this location or had their belongings stolen from them while staying there then reconsider whether or not this is really the best place for you to stay.
Avoid Power Plays and Unwanted Attention
Advances can be thwarted by silence, no eye contact and quickly moving away from the source of irritation. Always trust your instincts. If you are really being pestered, go into a store or hotel and explain that you are a tourist and there is a person annoying you, that you are afraid and don’t know how to handle it. Can they help by calling the police or telling the obnoxious person to go away?
Dress Conservatively
Take clues from the way local women are dressed and dress more conservatively if they do.
Do Talk To Strangers
Some of the most meaningful travel experiences come from spontaneous invitations to join a person, family or group for a dinner or activity. Communicate with women, children and elders. Even if you don’t speak their language, a smile goes a long way.
Wine & Dine Yourself
Eating alone comfortably is a skill you will quickly develop. Choose a lively cafe or bistro with lots of people. Consider sitting at the counter and watch your food be prepared. Take along reading and writing material. Enjoy watching people and the fine art of eavesdropping. Again, use that smile to reach out and make contact with the diners around you. Your conversations with them may be the highlight of your evening.
Common Sense Safety Tips
- -Trust your instincts. If you’re in a situation that just doesn’t feel right, get out of there.
- -When you meet other travelers or locals, avoid telling them where you’re staying or display your hotel key. Don’t accept car rides or hitchhike.
- Don’t walk alone at night. If you need to be somewhere after dark, try to go with a friend or group and stick together.
- Be aware of your surroundings when walking through unlit areas such as parking lots or streets with little traffic during the day or night.
- Don’t accept rides from strangers (even if they seem nice). If someone offers you a ride and you don’t feel comfortable getting into their car alone, politely decline their offer and find another way home–a taxi may be more expensive than expected but it’s worth it! Also keep in mind that taxis can have cameras installed inside them so if something happens while riding in one then at least there will be evidence against whoever attacked/harassed/robbed
– Remember: it’s better to be alone than to wish you were alone.