The Solo Traveler



Solo Travel





The idea of traveling solo may not sound appealing to most people but having taken a number of solo trip, I would strongly recommend that you rethink the idea of solo travel. There are many advantages to traveling by yourself - you can sleep in as late as you want or catch the sun rise, if rising early is more your thing.  You are in control of your own itinerary and your own schedule.  Once you get over eating by yourself at a restaurant, traveling solo can be a wonderful experience.

Here are some trips to make your solo trip a success:

1.  Confidence!  Don't be intimidated by traveling solo.  Think of it as the best present you could give yourself.  The best way to feel confident about traveling solo is to prepare for your trip.  Research your location beforehand.  I would also suggest that you are familiar with where your hotel is in relation to the sites you want to explore.  If possible, map out travel routes beforehand - this way you are more likely to blend in with the locals.   In order not to stand out as a tourist in an unfamiliar locale, I would suggest that you map out your travel route before you leave your hotel. This will also help so that you don't walk around in circles trying to find your next activity.  Rome2Rio is a great resource for helping you map your trip.  

2. Leave Room for Spontaneity.  While it is important to plan ahead and have an itinerary mapped out, leave some room to be explore your new surroundings.  You may find yourself drawn  to a new coffee shop or restaurant.

3.  Check and Confirm Your Plans.  Confirm your reservations - not once but just twice. You are responsible for getting yourself to where you need be.  Make use of technology - use your alarm to remind you when it's time to move along to the next adventure.  Put your plans in your calendar.  But, I would also suggest that you go old school - write your plans down.  Include important phone numbers, hotel addresses, your flight times/numbers, and any other important info. You can also keep track of your days and write down when you have tours, activities, or meals scheduled.  This will be very important if for some reason your phone battery dies (it has happened to me!).

4.  Stay In Touch.  Stay in touch with friends and family and share your itinerary - especially if you'll be exploring more than one city.  Post on social media.  Text your mom and let her know that you've arrived safely.

5.  Reservations.  We strongly recommend that you make reservations in advance so you can ensure that you don't miss anything on your must see list.

6.  Pack Lightly.  Pack just what you need. Trust me, there is nothing worse than lugging a huge suitcase around...by yourself.  Not only is it embarrassing; it can get cumbersome - especially towards the end of your trip.  Most hotels have laundry facilities for your convenience so I would strongly suggest using this amenity for longer trips.

7.  Join Tours.  Almost every city offers a walking tour or a hop on/hop off bus tour.  These trips are usually inexpensive and are a great way to learn more about your destination.  And, the buses can be a great way to get around.

8.  Travel Documents.  Make sure you have a copy of your travel documents and your passport.  I would also share these documents with a trusted friend or relative. These copies will come in handy if you lose your documents.

9.  Take Pictures!!  Don't forget to take pictures and document your journey. But be careful if you ask someone to take your picture for you.  A known scam is for criminals to steal a camera/cell phone when taking a picture of a tourist.

10. ENJOY!!  The best advice is to enjoy yourself and savor every moment of your trip.

We are experienced solo travelers.   Interested in taking the plunge??  Visit our website "bluegatetravel.net" for resources for the solo traveler.  We have city guides and pertinent information for locations worldwide.  Or, email us your questions - we'd love to hear from you.  

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