Would you travel solo?
Well, yes, I would!
A few years ago, I bet on myself and booked my first trip as a solo traveller after a terrible travel experience. The experience left a deep wound that needed to heal, and if I did not attend to it, my entire travel experiences would be ruined for the foreseeable future. Being a travel enthusiast, I was not going to let that happen. The idea of solo traveling had not crossed my mind before this experience, but desperate times call for desperate measures, right?
Traveling solo can be one of the most liberating and rewarding experiences once you overcome the self-doubt and fear. It comes with the freedom to do what you want, make new connections, discover yourself and the world on your own terms. Granted, the level of freedom and spontaneity can be addictive but there is some level of planning required to ensure the solo travel experience is both enjoyable and safe.
In this blog, I share five of my travel tips to help you plan and make the most of your next solo travel adventure.
- Do research and plan ahead
As a solo traveller, the balance between being safe and spontaneous is paramount, doing research and planning is therefore key. This includes researching the destination, searching for accommodation in safe neighbourhoods and the mode of transportation. Determine factors such as:
- What are the do’s and don’ts at the destinations?
- What are the safety measures?
- Do you want to stay in the city centre or outskirts?
- What is the preferred mode of transport?
Spend time reading reviews on booking sites, watching videos on YouTube or listening to podcasts about the destination you wish to visit. While so doing, remember to critically analyse the information, reviews or experiences because not everything is true.
- Have a basic itinerary but stay flexible
Being a hardcore planner, I love to have some basic itinerary whenever I travel. This helps in having some kind of structure. However, after a few solo travel experiences like Thailand and New Orleans in the United States of America (USA), I learnt to embrace having some flexibility and not following the itinerary to the tee. When you get to the destination, allow yourself to go with the flow, ask the locals questions about things to do, places to try or events happening that your research may have missed.
- Stay connected and tell someone your whereabouts
The idea of going off the grid and immersing yourself in ‘eat, pray and love’ experience is adorable. However, we live in a world where anything can happen, and security is not guaranteed. Staying connected while traveling is important. Make sure to share your itinerary and whereabouts with your loved ones. Keep them updated, check in regularly and ensure someone knows where you are always.
- Travel and pack light
If my last trip to the USA is anything to go by, I learnt to travel and pack light because unpacking at the airport when your bag is overweight is NOT a good look. Plan your outfits ahead and choose versatile clothing that you can mix and match easily, but still maintain that fresh and stylish look. A tip I learnt from another traveller is to pack one or two pairs of shoes because shoes take up a lot of space. A second lesson I have learnt is the rule of thumb to lay out everything you think you need, then remove half! I am trying this for my next travel adventure.
- Trust your instincts
Personally, one of key lessons I have learnt since traveling solo is learning to trust my instincts. When something feels off or the energy and vibes are weird or the place, person or situation seems dodgy, I do not hesitate to leave and remove myself from it and move to safety. Whenever I am in doubt, I also ask for help. Learn to trust your instincts because your intuition is one of your most valuable tools when traveling alone.
In conclusion, I am glad that I learnt to embrace the solo travel mindset. Not only did traveling alone change my life and help me heal the wound and embrace the scar that is left, but it has gradually become a career. I am fortunate enough to get paid to travel and share my travel experiences with my community. So, if like me you want to start traveling alone, I encourage you to start. The experience is empowering and will help you discover yourself. Go ahead, book that trip, pack your bags and step out of your comfort zone.
For more travel content, follow my social media accounts @tkay_nthebe, subscribe to my YouTube channel and sign up for a free email newsletter that shares travel, lifestyle, and adventure content.
