Are you an adventurous, independent traveler looking to explore the world on your own terms? If so, solo travel is likely the perfect way for you to experience all this large and marvelous planet has to offer!
Solo traveling is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for adventure seekers. It might seem a daunting undertaking at first. After all, stepping out of your comfort zone and walking into the unknown is not easy.
There's so much going through your head when you decide to take a solo trip, such as what happens if you're stuck or stranded. How will you navigate your way around an unknown land? Can you rely on a stranger's kindness? All these troubling thoughts will undoubtedly discourage you. However, all things said, if you take a plunge and go for it, soon enough, you'll realize it was the best decision of your life.
So whether it's packing cleverly or learning local language – read on for our tried-and-true advice about how best to tackle solo travel. Bon, voyage!
Traveling to a different location, away from your hometown, comes with uncertainty, whether solo or in a group. To feel more confident, share your itinerary with a trusted friend or a family member. Let them know your plans and where you're going to stay so that someone can step up in an emergency. Keep them in the loop of your day-to-day plans and solo excursions. Before heading out, you should also share your traveling excursions with the hotel staff. Along with guiding and protecting you, they can suggest some of the best local places that are mostly not up on the internet.
The rule of thumb for solo traveling is not to take anything you can't afford to lose. Try to tone down the bling and keep your luggage bland. If you have to travel with a valuable item, ensure you're not packing it alongside other stuff. Keep that item concealed in a money belt or a secure bag where you can see it. Another way to protect your valuable stuff is to cover it with insurance. While travel insurance will cover any lost or stolen item, it won't provide remuneration for something useful, such as a family heirloom, and this is where insurance comes in.
Learn the Local Language
We recommend learning the local lingo if you plan to hit an off-the-beaten-path for your first solo trip. Now, we understand it won't be possible for you to learn a whole new language just to visit a particular region. However, learning some basic stuff, such as how to introduce yourself, how to order a beer/food, and numbers from 1-10, would prove to be fruitful. Traveling solo is to experience the culture on your own, and language is a massive part of it. Most people don't understand English, so it's best to learn just a few things so you can keep the conversation going.
Use Common Sense
As obvious as this sounds, using common sense is one of the most important things when traveling solo. Since you won't have family or friends around to help you, you'd be relying on yourself for the most of the trip. Stay alert and observe your surroundings. Try to blend in as much as possible. You're there to learn new ways of viewing the world, so keep an open mind. It's best not to talk about controversial topics such as politics, religion, and sex. Do not try to shove your way down the local's throats by re-educating them. Try to stay in crowded and well-lit places. You can't expect locals to help you if you're making a scene or causing trouble. Just enjoy your trip and pick up a few things to learn while you're at it.
Most people would fall in love with solo traveling if they handled things wisely. In today's technological world, learning about a place from the comfort of your home is not hard. Dedicate your time to planning and researching the place you're going to. Ask yourself what you're trying to achieve from this trip and what your goals are. In an instant, you'd know where you're headed to. Once you've decided on the place, you need to know where you'll stay when you land. There are tons of websites and travel agencies that would love to help you. Learn about the local food and what activities you can do during your trip. Understanding a particular culture and its people would elevate your solo-traveling experience ten folds.
Learn to Take your own pictures
Do you know what they say? Nothing happened if you didn't document it. Since you'd be alone on your trip, for the most part, it's best if you learn to take your own photos. Watch a few tutorials online, and you'll learn how to do it like a pro. These pictures will stay with you forever, so don't compromise on them.
There's no denying that solo traveling is hard. But once you take that leap of faith, all you need is a willingness to explore and our tips to help you rock this once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you're looking for more tips on solo or group traveling, JetBlack travels are at your disposal. We also have an Instagram page where we post about our ongoing ventures. Happy Travels!
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