Travelling alone is a wonderful experience, especially for first-time solo flyers. It is a chance to indulge yourself completely, and to surrender to the freedom of being able to do whatever you want. This gives you a chance to be free of everything and to have a memorable vacation.
Of course, when travelling alone, you are vulnerable to certain risks and potential problems. Being careful will ensure that your trip is both amazing and safe. Remember, nothing attracts attention more than a tourist who actually looks like a tourist. Such people are easy targets and can be conned or mugged without much effort. Keeping the following tips in mind will help you make your solo trip safe and trouble-free.
Find Out the Curfew Where You Are Staying
Nothing is worse than having to sleep in your car because the holiday accommodation you selected has closed for the day. Find out if they have a specific curfew, after which they close their services. If there is such a curfew, make sure you have everything finished by that time and that you are back in your room a good half an hour beforehand.
Carry Good Identification
Keep all your identification papers within easy reach. Invest in a money belt where you can keep everything safe. Always have a backup copy in case the documents are stolen. Carry both scanned and printed copies. This way you will have all your information at hand in a crisis situation.
Be Your Own Counsel
Nothing can beat common sense. If something feels unsafe or risky, it is best to stay away from it. You do not need to try everything when you are travelling; sometimes it is okay to walk away. It might seem boring, but, at the end of the day, this attitude will keep you safe and that is what counts.
Exude Confidence
If you act like a tourist, you will attract attention. When you walk, be confident about where you are going and walk purposefully. This way, you will blend in with the locals and will be relatively safer. If you look visibly unsure about the directions to a certain place, you might become an easy target for thieves and pickpockets.
It Is Okay Lie a Little
It is never wise to let others know that you are travelling alone. If you are looking for a place you want to visit and need to ask someone the directions, state it in a way that they feel you are not alone. Create a “friend” you are visiting or meeting up with. If you let on that you are alone, it will make you an easy prey. Therefore, be very careful about what you say.
Travelling alone might not be for everyone, but it is definitely worth a try. Keeping these easy pointers in mind will make your solo trip a memorable one for you. Safety is the most important things when it comes to travel. If you know what to do and what to avoid, the trip will be as smooth as you want it to be.
Margaret Ramsey has travelled the world alone since 2009. She knows exactly where to stay and has often stopped at apartments in remote places. For more information, visit this link: http://www.edinburghpearlapartments.co.uk/.
