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How To Travel Alone

By: Kristin Wood

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Adventurous spirits will find great value in learning how to travel alone. Traveling without a companion can be a life experience you will never forget. Although lone travelers might occasionally struggle with loneliness, the lessons they will learn and the sense of accomplishment they will acquire could be well worth the risk. Experts at solo travel know how to protect themselves from safety threats and encounters with lone traveler melancholy.

  1. Never forget to carry a form of identification. If something happened to you in a foreign environment, no one will know who you are without proper identification. Carrying identification on you at all times is the first rule of safety for those who travel alone.
  2. Try to blend in with the locals. Tourists who choose to travel alone are often a target for con men. Don't display any obvious clues that you aren't from around the area. Familiarize yourself with the town's culture and streets before hitting any public places.
  3. Sit at the counter in the restaurants. People who travel alone often feel self-confident–until they sit down at a table for one. Eating at the bar or counter in a restaurant can take some of that edge off. This will also lend to a perfect opportunity to chat with the locals. Talk with the guy sitting to your right or with the waitress.
  4. Don't get carried away with the alcohol. There isn't anyone around to take care of you if you have too many drinks tonight. When you are alone it is important to know your limit and observe it conservatively. You might be on vacation, but safety comes first.
  5. Make an effort to meet new people. The most enjoyable way to travel and experience new cultures is to get to know the people who live it every day. If you are introverted, this is the perfect time to break out of your shell. You'll never see these people again anyway.
Posted on: May. 01, 2010