HOW TO PLAN A SOLO TRIP
There's something so powerful and purposeful about traveling solo: the freedom one has to structure each day as you like, the new friends you meet along the way and the confidence that comes from doing it on your own, is priceless.
My first solo trip was years ago. Was I afraid, "Yes." Did I know what to expect, "No." Did those two things stop me, "No." Don't let it stop you either. There is an amazing world waiting for you to explore it, and I'm going to help you get started by sharing some tips below:
How To Save For Travel
I suggest starting a dedicated travel fund and begin saving money to travel. You can decide how much needs to be saved by determining how often you’d like to travel, where you want to travel and when you’d like to travel. Once you have your destination(s) in mind, determine how much the trip will cost and decide the amount that needs to be saved in order to reach your goal. This is the most sensible and reasonable plan.
Where To Travel
When you're deciding where to travel, you may also want to consider the purpose of your trip. Are you trying to relax and unwind, explore all the attractions or maybe a little of both. Once you've answered these questions, you can narrow down your destination. Do you want to travel within your country or travel abroad? After you've decided where you're going, do extensive research on weather conditions, things to do while in the city, where to stay, modes of transportation and how to dress. Dressing is very important when traveling internationally, because it's smart to fit in with the local culture. When you can't easily be recognized as a tourist, you're less likely to be targeted for scams.
Booking Your Tickets
Once you know where you're traveling, go online and book your tickets. You can utilize the airlines/hotel direct website, or other sites such as expedia.com, www.travelocity.com, www.booking.com. If you using the airline/hotel direct website, I suggest booking as far in advance of your travel date as possible for the best price. Also, try to book your travel from the airport to the hotel, before leaving home. You can always ask the concierge for suggestions, if the hotel does not provide transportation service to/from the airport. I highly suggest booking tickets for museums, trains, tours or anything that can be done in advance, because it will save you time standing in line or possibly having an activity be sold out upon arrival.
Where To Stay
There are many options for accommodations when traveling. For example, you can use a hotel, www.airbnb.com, a hostel or a resort. For safety reasons, I prefer a hotel or resort when traveling alone. I like the comfort of being around other people. I have utilized Airbnb when traveling with other people and had a great experience, and I'm not deterring anyone from using the service. I'd also recommend http://www.havenin.com when traveling abroad to Europe.
After Arrival/Exploring
After checking in at the hotel and getting settled, it's always nice to explore a bit. Just remember to check maps and transportation service before leaving the hotel. Also, http://www.googlemaps.com is a lifesaver, and it works offline in cases of no wifi. I highly suggest letting someone know where you are at all times. You can text or send friends/family your daily schedule, as well as leaving a copy with them before leaving for your trip. I always make a habit of leaving a note in my hotel room of where I'm going for the day and what time I'm expecting to be back. You can also let the front desk know your daily plans. Always, always keep the hotels address and phone number with you (I type it in the notes section of my phone). In case your phone dies, keep a written copy as well. Lastly, don't let your phone die. Charge your phone at night and you can also purchase a mobile charger to take with you while exploring.
Rest and Relax
Don't forget to rest and recharge. That's the entire reason for the vacation. It can be overwhelming traveling solo, because it's new and you don't know what to expect. So, take a moment to breathe and just soak in your surroundings. Give yourself a high five and a huge pat on the back, because you took a leap of faith and stepped outside of your comfort zone. You won't regret it. This is only the first of many trips.
Enjoy! Safe travels to you!
P.S. There are now some travel restrictions because of COVID-19,. Although the State Department has lifted the Level 4 "do not travel" advisory recommending against international travel for Americans, most of Asia and all of Europe is still off limits (because of the high number of COVID-19 cases in America). Yet, there are many countries welcoming Americans and you can still travel within the US.
