{"id":37245,"date":"2022-05-12T08:36:32","date_gmt":"2022-05-12T08:36:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.omio.es\/window-seat\/sin-categorizar\/best-tips-and-destinations-for-traveling-solo"},"modified":"2022-05-12T09:14:32","modified_gmt":"2022-05-12T09:14:32","slug":"best-tips-and-destinations-for-traveling-solo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.omio.es\/window-seat\/es\/discovery\/best-tips-and-destinations-for-traveling-solo\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Tips and Destinations for Traveling Solo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An adventure in itself, traveling alone is something everyone should do at least once in a lifetime. Solo travel allows you to become stronger in body and mind while embracing independence and encouraging self confidence. Traveling alone can be rewarding and exciting but it can also be challenging if you don\u2019t know what to do. That\u2019s why it\u2019s crucial to prepare before embarking on a solo adventure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From travel tips to the best destinations and recommendations for women and people of color, discover how to travel solo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best tips for traveling solo<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When traveling solo, the choice is yours. So trust yourself and plan your vacation as you wish! Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First-timer?: Getting out of your comfort zone is a real challenge, so start with weekend city breaks in well-known destinations. Avoid overly daring trips that could leave bad memories because of a lack of experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Budget first: <\/strong>Besides ticket prices, the cost of living, transportation, and accommodation are important factors in assessing your overall budget. If you\u2019re looking for low-budget destinations, Southern and Eastern European countries are great options with low living costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flexibility is key: <\/strong>Overplanning is the enemy of solo trips. When you travel alone, the choice is yours, so don\u2019t set any rules. Walking tours are a simple yet effective way to get a good understanding of the environment, and then you can venture out with more confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pack light: Minimize your luggage to travel comfortably and save money on your ticket but also on transportation since you can simply take public transportation to your accommodation. And don\u2019t forget, you have no one but yourself to look after your things!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The right accommodation: Hostels or Couchsurfing are perfect for budget travelers, but bed & breakfasts offer more comfort. All three options offer a unique social atmosphere with common rooms where you meet other travelers. For more privacy, simply choose a hotel room or try a home exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best solo activities while traveling<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Acting like a local is a great way to boost your confidence in new environments. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Act like a local: Eat at local restaurants, visit local stores, and ask bartenders and waiters for places of interest. You\u2019ll see how rich and authentic the recommendations can get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try different perspectives: By foot, by public transportation, or by bike, vary your means of travel to explore differently. Solo travel affords great opportunities for cycling as you can do it at your own pace (we all know what it\u2019s like to wait for a friend who\u2019s too slow!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t be afraid to eat alone: For an easy transition, choose environments such as coffee shops and caf\u00e9s with terraces where you won\u2019t be the only one eating alone. Or grab some street food, and sit in a park for a relaxed picnic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kelly E. Carter<\/a>, a former travel journalist and author of \u201cThe Dog Lover\u2019s Guide to Travel<\/a>,\u201d and \u201cBellini for One<\/a>\u201d says, \u201cOn my first night in Hvar, [Croatia] I went to dinner by myself and there was a large group of Croatians seated near me. They invited me to join them. That\u2019s one thing I always love about being a solo traveler as sometimes you are presented with incredible invitations that would never come your way if you were with somebody because, number one, you\u2019re probably too busy with your friends to notice the other people and number two, people want to get to know you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time for yourself: Treating yourself is the heart and soul of solo traveling. So take time to sit in a caf\u00e9, read a book, listen to music, write a travel journal, etc. Simulating a sense of ease will make you feel comfortable and boost your confidence in new environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Workcation: Flexible working is one of the few positive things the pandemic has brought us. Combine home office with solo travel. Rent cozy accommodations on a long-term basis to work during the day, and travel the rest of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best tips for women traveling solo<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Blend in and create your own routine to ease the stresses of solo travel. Credit: Shutterstock <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Act like a local: Confidence is key so fake it until you make it. Set up a routine for the start and end of the day with specific places, follow GPS directions through your headphones (not on speaker!), and ask for help from hotels or restaurants rather than random people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay connected: Keep your family and friends in the loop about your location and plans so they know when they can expect an update. Geotagging apps are very handy if you don\u2019t want to spend time texting or calling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A safe night out: Check the city\u2019s agenda to find interesting current events. Theaters and museums in big cities also often have evening programs for late-night culture lovers. And if nothing piques your interest, simply go for dinner at a slightly later time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best travel tips for people of color<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kelly E. Carter is the author of \u201cBellini for One,\u201d a memoir of her time as a travel writer living in Italy. Credit: Kelly E. Carter <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Blend in: Observing cultural codes and learning a few lines in the native language will always help you on your solo travel journey. Don\u2019t be intimidated by stares, and try to initiate a conversation. With this positive attitude, you will be able to realize most people are just curious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[A Croatian man who took me on a tour] said a lot of people there had never met any black people and they can only go by what they hear,\u201d Carter, who is African-American, says. \u201cYou don\u2019t know it but you\u2019re teaching people about black people. And I\u2019m like, \u201cwow, the pressure on me as a black woman!\u2019 I had no idea of the impact that my presence had on a group of people who I will probably never say hello to. It makes you realize you never know who\u2019s watching you and what impression you\u2019re giving off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Favor open-minded destinations: Don\u2019t jeopardize your vacation, and travel with peace of mind by choosing destinations known for their welcoming atmosphere. Do some research about the cultural diversity of the place, whether the city is a student town or a young town, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnother challenge is making sure that I, as a woman of color, am not getting the worst of anything. Just because I\u2019m black and by myself, I am not going to accept the worst seat at a restaurant. I am not going to accept the worst location of a room at a hotel. I am not going to accept anything subpar,\u201d Carter says. \u201cOnce people understand that it\u2019s fine. So be prepared to stick up for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find an expat group: Discrimination topics are more approachable with people who understand you, and local communities will be your most reliable source of information for insights and recommendations, and maybe new friendships too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn some ways, I would say to research to see how people of color are accepted where you\u2019re going,\u201d says Carter. \u201cHad I known in advance that black people were not being treated well in Croatia then I might not have gone and would\u2019ve missed out on visiting this wonderful country. So ignorance can be bliss.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three top destinations for solo travel<\/p>\n\n\n\n