Are you travelling the world solo? 10 principles that every woman should follow!
Time for an adventure
We have plenty of experience travelling solo among our editorial staff and we are well aware that this can not only make you stronger, but mainly provide you with a flood of deluxe memories, which will stay with you for the rest of your life. You will be certain to meet a number of other solo travellers on your journey, who we are sure will agree – travelling solo is entertaining, adventurous and chiefly freeing, because the decision about your next step is up to you alone.
1) Choose a destination tailored to your needs
The basis of a high-quality and safe holiday is a suitably chosen destination. While it is better to travel to some places as a couple or in a group, there are also destinations, which you do not have to be afraid to travel to on your own. South-East Asia, Central America, Australia, New Zealand – you certainly won’t be the first solo traveller here.
2) Stay in contact, ideally with a local SIM card
Inform people close to you about your location, where you are planning to go and your travel itinerary regularly. On the contrary, you don’t need to tell people who you have met for the first time in your life what you have in your flat.
Tip: Buy a local SIM card when you arrive at your destination. This will save you money and you can stay in contact with the people you need to keep informed, regardless of WiFi access.
3) Create an itinerary and follow it
If you plan on travelling like this for the first time, we recommend you create an itinerary and stick to it as closely as possible. You will be sure to meet plenty of new people on your travels and you may change your plans, but you should have a rough outline, which will certainly come in useful.
Tip: If possible arrange bus, train and ferry tickets before setting out, at least for the first few days while you acclimatise and get your bearings.
4) Find out about your new home
You should find out all the important facts about the place that will become your new home for the next few days, weeks or months. Transportation, accommodation, currency, the laws and prohibitions of the specific destination, the sights, popular tourist and less well-known destinations. All this information can be found out before you leave home. As a solo traveller you can and should do this. This time everything will be down to you!
5) Don’t scrimp on accommodation!
Accommodation deserves a chapter all to itself. It is certainly not worth scrimping on accommodation, because if you find yourself in a place with bedbugs, thin walls or even a burglar’s paradise, you won’t have the best memories of your travels.
Tip: Choose your accommodation depending on reviews by other users and then it doesn’t matter whether your steps lead you to a modest bungalow or a deluxe five-star hotel.
6) Have your finances under control
You should ideally have your debit and credit cards with you. This is particularly important when you want to hire a car – some car hire services reserve the right to only accept credit cards. If you feel that a debit card is sufficient, take at least 2. If you find that a cash machine swallows one card, you will feel much calmer with another in your pocket.
Tip: Consider whether you will be travelling with cash, a card or a combination of both. Ideally, keep them separate so it is not as painful if you lose something.
7) Give your trust, BUT …
There is certainly no point in travelling with the assumption that you will be robbed. If you travel with this mind-set, you may find that your fears will come true. So stay alert during your trip, but do trust people. Don’t wear your rucksack on your back in a crowd, but don’t be paranoid that that older lady glancing at you in the bar wants to rob you. You have probably simply encountered another solo traveller.
Tip: The most important rule is to use a safe. Where there is no safe available, you will simply have to lock your valuables in your suitcase, but certainly do use one if available.
8) Don’t forget about insurance and keep your first aid kit well-stocked
A first aid kit and travel insurance are essential. Delayed flights, lost luggage, a scraped knee.....everything is easier to deal with when you have first aid supplies to hand.
9) Register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, make copies and save any information you can!
Register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic before you leave. In the event of any complications at your destination the ministry will be aware of your presence. Copy or scan your documents before you leave and save important contact information (including the embassy of the Czech Republic in the specific country).
Tip: Cloud storage is an excellent tool because it enables you to back-up data and share it among various users.
10) Be open to unknown experiences
And finally one rule that is inherently part of travelling solo. Be open to the unknown. Take inspiration from other travellers, their stories and tips. Learn about native culture and accept advice from the natives. Simply make good use every moment and don’t forget, we only live once – maybe. The Buddhists on your travels will probably tell you differently..
