There’s something truly pleasurable about traveling alone. However, it is not something that everybody is happy with at first. When you are out in the wild, having endless adventures, you just have yourself to depend on, and while that can be liberating and exciting, for the uninitiated, it can also be more than a little terrifying.

Being away from friends, family, and your hometown is both exciting and terrifying at times. Here are some ideas to help you relax and enjoy your solitary travels a little bit more.

Think carefully about where you are going

It does not matter whether you are going to one or several destinations; you must devote time to research. You should ensure that the location you are visiting is suitable for solo travelers, particularly if you are a solo female. The last thing you want to do is arrive at a place that is not known for its friendliness or being welcome to visitors. Why put yourself more at risk of danger or having a less than a great time if you can avoid it?

Spend some time online researching and you’ll quickly come across a wealth of information from locals. A good place to start is Tripadvisor. However, you can also look for local bloggers in the area. They will know where it’s safe to go and where you should stay away, and can usually be counted on to give an authentic answer rather than persuasive paid tourist guides.

Be risk aware

Whether you are traveling in your home country or overseas, being aware of the risks is important. Many accidents happen when people are not fully focused on what they are doing and are distracted. It is important to remember that while you might be on the ball, other people, especially if they are vacationing, may not be, and so will put you at risk. Of course, if an accident happens from someone else’s negligent behavior, a well-established team of injury lawyers would be able to help you get any financial compensation that you would be entitled to – but it is better to not be in that situation, to begin with!

Let your loved ones know

This not only protects you but puts the minds of your family and friends, who may be concerned about you going off on your travels alone, at rest. Ensure that they know your itinerary – where you are expected to be at each day and time of arrivals or departures, as well as things like the details of where you will be staying and your flights. It is also a good idea to check in with them daily, even just for a brief moment, so they are aware that you are safe and well.

Trust your gut instincts

If we are about to enter a situation that might not be the best for us, our innate gut instincts will normally alert us. This may include meeting up with other travelers, staying at the hotel you originally selected, attending events in the area or even going sightseeing in specific locations. If something doesn’t feel right, take steps to get out of the situation and to safety. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Do you travel alone often? How do you keep safe whie on your travels? I haven’t had much of an opportunity to travel alone because I usually travel long distances with family. If you were traveling alone, where is your bucketlist destination to? Tell me in the comments below.

Until our next rendezvous…

XOXO

Trudy