Solo trips are the most liberating experience. The sense of freedom you get is incomparable. The experience is empowering and worth it all. So pack your bags and leave your home for the most exciting and thrilling holiday of your life.
CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION CAREFULLY
Don’t push yourself too much at the first time. Select a place where travel disasters are minimal and you can feel safe. You can also start by choosing a place you have visited before with the family or friends.
STAY LOCAL AND MEET THE LOCALS
Eat local food, buy local crafts and stay in locally owned accommodation. Connect with the locals more and you will get to experience more. The locals help you to know about that place more, their culture, their food, and their surroundings.
TAKE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED
Before you go, make a list of the things you need. Do not take a lot of things along. The more things you will carry, the more careful you need to be and the heavier your luggage will be eventually. Keep a small bag with you and keep your cash and gadgets in it. Also, keep your cash and cards at different places. Do not keep them at the same place.
KNOW ABOUT THE PLACE WHERE YOU GO
Read as much as you can before going on a solo trip. You don’t want to go unprepared for anything. Read everything about that place before you go, the hotels you are planning to stay in, the reviews, local shops, all the places to visit.
CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATION
If you are traveling solo, you should take a private room in an upscale hotel. Do not take hostels or PGs. Choose a good hotel which is not far from the city or your destination. Check reviews of the hotel. It’s better to be safe.
DO NOT TAKE MANY ADVICES
Be careful whose advice you take before you go on that trip. Do not listen to many people. It will only create more confusion and chaos. Just listen to the experts and tune into the digital world. Read articles online from credible sources. There are a number of solo travellers and reading their experiences will help you to plan your trip well.
It is important to be like a mindful traveller. As much you are lost in the surroundings, the scenery, it is always important to keep your wits about. Trust your instincts. Be focused on where you are and what you are doing and where your things are. You might have researched a lot about the destination, you might have heard a lot about that destination but nothing is more important than being present, mentally and mindfully when you are travelling and trust yourself. Blend in with the crowd, the more you stand out, the more you draw attention to yourself. The more you blend in with the crowd, with the locals, with the culture, with their tradition, and drawing less attention to yourself, especially in the age of social media, the more it is beneficial.
-Lakshmi Sharath
Travel Blogger
Instagram account – lakshmisharath