Keep yourself healthy and safe-
Solo travel strengthens your relationship with yourself. Time alone gives you space to reflect on your life, your goals, on what you’ve learned and how you’re feeling — allowing you to get to know yourself without distraction
Okay, this may seem intuitive. Of course, you want to keep your mind and body in tip-top form while traveling solo! But with all of the extra worry that weighs on your mind when jetting off on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, you may just find yourself forgetting the little things that could make the difference in a smooth transition and a somewhat upsetting mishap.
Follow these tips for a stress-free vacation!
- Before leaving for your trip make copies of your passport, visas, ATM card, credit cards, driver’s license, Padi SCUBA certification and any other important documents or ID cards. Leave one copy at home with a family member or friend, and take another to hide somewhere in your bag, away from the originals.
- Always book your first night’s accommodation in a new destination. (And know how to get there!)
- Try to arrive at your destination during the day to avoid traveling in unfamiliar areas at night.
- Carry a business card from your hostel or hotel, or write down the address of your Airbnb. (Sometimes I take a picture of a few of the landmarks surrounding my accommodation too.)
- Ease yourself into your new environment. You will probably be a bit jet-lagged, so let yourself accommodate slowly to your surroundings. Don’t push yourself into all-day outings immediately upon arrival.
- Carry a safety whistle or personal alarm. If you’re in a compromising situation or trapped by a person or animal, you can attract attention. This is an important tip for traveling (and living) anywhere. I carry a personal alarm in Chicago and this one (by Birdie) let’s off a crazy loud siren, plus a flashing strobe light.
- Wear pickpocket-proof clothing when you can to safeguard your passport and money. This is especially important during transit days between destinations when you’re carrying all of your belongings and may not be as aware of your surroundings. I use the Clever Travel Companion Tank Top and underwear, which have the cool hidden pockets. I can easily carry money, my passport and my credit cards in my tank top and boy shorts, and it makes me feel so much safer while transiting between destinations.
- Always, always, always get travel insurance. Repeat….get travel insurance. World Nomads is my go-to carrier.
- Be confident. Walk tall and act like you know where you’re going (even if you have no idea). Be alert about your surroundings. (i.e. – don’t have your nose stuck in a guidebook or your phone.)
- Don’t flaunt jewelry or pricy equipment, including phones, laptops and cameras. Leave your favorite or expensive jewelry at home, including your engagement ring and favorite silver earrings.
- If you’re a US citizen, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free program designed to help keep travelers safe. Simply enter your information into their system before you leave and, in the event of an emergency, the government is better able to assist you and get in touch with your family.
- Of course, you want to have fun, socialize and taste the local brews and wine, but watch what and how much your drink. You don’t want to rely on others to take care of you if you drink too much and you make yourself vulnerable if you’re drunk and unaware of your surroundings. Ladies, this is especially true if you’re traveling alone in a foreign country.
- Learn a few phrases in the local language. Knowing some useful phrases — where the nearest bathroom is, how to order food and how to ask for directions — is not only important to know how to ask for help, but you’ll be immersing yourself in the local culture too. Try Babble, a cool app that teaches you useful, everyday phrases.
- Most important: listen to your gut! Your intuition is stronger than you think and usually knows before you do when a situation is positive or negative.
More tips to get your mind in the right place
- Be open-minded and flexible. If you don’t know how to use a squat toilet in Thailand they’re not going to roll out the red carpet for you and bring you a flusher. You figure these things out as you go, and as you encounter new situations and cultural facets you’re able to engage, process and react to them without influence from others.
- Eliminate doubts. Have confidence in your social and problem-solving skills and you will conquer any challenge that comes your way.
- Revel in your complete freedom. Solo travel means you call the shots. Do what you want, where you want, when you want, without having to answer to anyone.
- Be aggressive in your pursuit of cultural knowledge. The world is a freaking amazing place. Don’t look at the culture you’re visiting as an outsider but inside dive in headfirst! Interact with locals, take cultural classes, sample local foods and attend community events. Get off the beaten path and explore neighborhoods, locales and cities that are far from the typical tourist trail.
- Talk to strangers. Be friendly and interact with locals in public places. Smile. Ask questions. Visit with other travelers in hostels and on tours. You’ll make new friends, learn about the culture and come away with awesome experiences.
- Be selfish. You hear me. BE SELFISH. Solo travel means there is nobody there to tell you what to do. Take the opportunity to be selfish without compromise.
- Replace fear with curiosity.
