I love solo travel, and I’ve been on a few trips so far. But lately, I’ve been seeing TikToks and posts about solo female trips gone wrong — hotel room break-ins, getting followed, and harassments. It’s been enough to make me feel scared about solo travel, even though I’ve already done it. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s experienced this fear.

So, I asked my friend who had solo travelled before me, how she dealt with the fear. She said you don’t; the fear is actually helpful and it will keep you safe. When I felt something strange, I made sure to put myself in a better situation.

The thing is, a lot of what we’re seeing on TikTok might be for views. It’s true that these things can happen, but it’s also true that there are a lot of women travelling solo and living their lives just fine. That’s why, if I’m planning on travelling somewhere I make sure to do my research first — if it’s somewhere where the local women aren’t living their lives just fine, then I probably wouldn’t go.

It’s totally understandable to feel scared about solo travel, especially when we see so many stories about the bad experiences of others. But the thing is, it’s important to remember that the majority of solo travellers have positive experiences. So, if you do your research and take the appropriate safety precautions, you can still have amazing solo travel adventures!

and then I look for the options.

Traveling is one of the best experiences in life – it’s an opportunity to explore, learn and make memories. But, thanks to budget issues, I won’t be able to travel until at least October 2024. Still, I find myself planning trips on Google Maps when I’m bored. I pick a city where I’d like to go and plan the whole thing – how I’d get there, where I’d stay, what I’d do. I avoid Street View so I don’t “spoil” myself, but I check menus to prepare for when I find a spontaneous cheap flight.

When I’m planning a trip, I start with a question such as, “If I want to go from US to Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and then Shetland without renting a car, how would I do it?” From there, I look for the options. I also create custom travel lists on Google Maps, such as “Paris 23” and “Amsterdam 23,” with the year included to make sure I’m not browsing really old lists.

Traveling is an amazing experience, and planning trips on Google Maps can be a great way to pass the time. Whether you’re looking for a spontaneous getaway or just doing research for a future trip, Google Maps is a great resource. With its street view, you can get a feel for where you’re going, and you can even check menus to prepare for when you get there. So, while I may not be able to travel in the near future, I can still plan my trips and dream of the day I’ll be able to get away.

I recently decided to take the plunge and go on my first solo travel abroad. It was an amazing experience, and I’m already planning my next trip! I spent three days in Belgium, which I thought was the perfect amount of time. I visited Ghent and Brussels, and did all the things I wanted to do – from museum visits to castle tours to a fun pub crawl. I also spoke to my girlfriend twice a day, which really helped me through the times when I was feeling a bit lonely. I made some mistakes along the way, but I think that’s all part of the adventure. Most importantly, I’m really proud of myself for making the decision to go on this trip alone. I’ve always wanted to travel, but I never felt like I had anyone to go with. Doing this trip has given me a lot of confidence that I can travel on my own and have a great time. I’m now planning to travel more over the summer, and my goal is to visit all of Europe before I’m 25. I think this is a realistic goal, and I’m looking forward to all the new experiences that I’m going to have!

As a traveler who loves to explore the areas surrounding the popular tourist spots, it’s important to know which neighborhoods are safe and which should be avoided. Being a tourist often makes you a target for criminals, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and the areas that may not be as safe.

There are several tools and techniques you can use to identify the ‘bad’ neighborhoods in each city. Hotels are often willing to provide a map of the city, marked with areas that should be avoided. Additionally, Strava Global Heatmap is a useful resource for identifying areas that may be dangerous. It shows where people are exercising outside, such as jogging or biking. While it’s not perfect, it can provide some insight into areas that may be safe or unsafe.

It’s important to remember that oftentimes, ‘nice’ parts of cities are right next to ‘bad’ parts of town. This means that it’s important to use a variety of tools and techniques to identify unsafe areas. It’s also important to use your judgment; if a place looks off, it probably is.

Finally, it’s important to remember that the people who live or work in the areas that you are avoiding are fully worthy of respect. This is not about passing judgment on the worthiness or humanity of the people who live in those areas. It’s about being a smart traveler and avoiding places that may put you at risk.

As a fellow traveller, I understand all too well the struggle of living with, and sometimes even just being around, other people in a hostel dorm. I recently checked into a dorm with 5 other people and when I came in at 10 pm, they were already sleeping. I left my stuff, brushed my teeth, and went to bed. In the morning, I woke up at 8:30 and they were still sleeping. Again, I brushed my teeth in the dark and quietly got dressed, then left for the day. When I returned at 10:30 pm they were still sleeping, so I went to bed. The next morning when I woke up at 9, they were still “sleeping” and when I turned my light on by the bed to get my stuff for the day, one of them looked at me as if I was being rude. This got me wondering: am I being rude by making some noise while getting ready for the day, or should they expect absolute peace and quiet in a shared dorm at any hour?

Living in a shared dorm means that you can’t always expect it to be quiet, especially from 8am to 10pm. Personally, I think the people in my dorm are perfect; they’re not so loud that I can’t sleep but they’re not so quiet that I’m constantly worried about making too much noise. I’m sure that many of you have had similar experiences, so I’d love to hear your stories and thoughts.

Traveling full-time can be an amazing experience, but it’s not always perfect. Recently, I’ve been having a lot of problems with Airbnb. I’ve been on the road for six years, and in the last few months, I’ve noticed that Airbnb listings have been increasingly inaccurate. It would be great if Airbnb allowed customers to post photos in their reviews, but I’m sure that would hurt their business. Plus, even when I pay a cleaning fee of $140, I still have to take out the trash and strip the beds. After all the hassle, I just gave up on Airbnb.

Hotels are much easier. I know what I’m getting, I don’t have to worry about bad mattresses, and someone else cleans. The extra chores that came with Airbnbs just got too much. It feels like some people have started buying properties with the sole purpose of turning them into Airbnbs, with no experience in the hospitality business and no regulation from the government or the platform itself. It’s become a heartless system, where the goal is to make the listing look as attractive as possible on paper while spending the least amount of money and investing as little time and resources as possible.

It’s a shame that this is what Airbnb has become. The original idea was that if you had a spare room in your home, you could rent it out to travelers and make some extra money. This was a great way to meet people from all over the world and share your culture with them. Unfortunately, it’s not always the case anymore.

That being said, there are still plenty of great Airbnb hosts out there who are passionate about providing a wonderful experience to their guests. If you do your research and read the reviews thoroughly, you can usually find a great place to stay. Don’t give up on Airbnb just yet!

My first solo trip to Romania was an eye-opening experience that shattered all of my expectations. In the weeks leading up to the trip, I was excited but not nervous. However, two days before the departure, some anxiety crept in. What if things didn’t go according to plan? What if there wasn’t enough to do? What if the weather was bad? What if I felt lonely? I love spending time alone, but being in a new place without anyone I knew for an extended period was a new concept and a bit daunting. But the day before the trip, my worries faded and I was excited to embark on this journey.

And what an incredible journey it was. The beauty of Romania exceeded my expectations. Perhaps it was the newfound freedom of solo traveling, but I thought it was one of the most beautiful places I have been.

Throughout my trip, I learned the importance of being prepared and having an open mind. Before I arrived, I did some research about the country and its customs, so that I was aware of the cultural norms and could better navigate the area. I also made sure to have a list of places I wanted to visit and activities that I wanted to do, so that I had a plan of action.

In addition, I learned the importance of being flexible. There were times when my plans didn’t go as expected or when I stumbled upon something unexpected. Instead of getting frustrated, I took it all in stride and used it as an opportunity to explore and experience something new.

I also learned the importance of talking to locals. I found that local people were more than willing to share their stories and knowledge about the area. I was amazed at how much I could learn about a place and its culture by simply talking to the people who lived there.

Finally, I learned the importance of being present in the moment. It was easy to get caught up in the day-to-day activities of the trip, but I made sure to take a few moments here and there to appreciate the beauty around me. By being present in the moment, I was able to truly appreciate the culture and the people of Romania.

My first solo trip to Romania was an unforgettable experience. It opened my eyes to the world of solo travel and the beauty that exists in the world. It taught me the importance of being prepared, being flexible, talking to locals, and being present in the moment. I’m now more confident than ever to explore new cultures and countries on my own.

It’s finally time to turn my NYC dreams into reality! I’m a 26-year-old from Scandinavia and I’m planning a solo trip to the Big Apple this July. I’ve been to the city twice before and fell in love with it, so I’m very excited to finally go back. I’m estimating a budget of 3-4K€ for the trip and I’ve already done a bit of research on flights and accommodation. It looks like flights would cost around 800-1000€ and lodging would be about $200 per night. That leaves me with a daily budget of \~$100. I’m wondering if this is realistic and if I should stay for a full week, or if I should cut down to 5 or 6 days to have a bit more money to do things. I’m also nervous because this would be my first solo travel experience, so I’d prefer to stay in a safe and comfortable area.

If you’re planning a trip to New York City, there are a few things you should consider. Firstly, try to figure out what kind of experience you want to have – do you want to stay for a full week and explore the city, or just a few days to take it all in? The length of your trip will determine your budget, so plan accordingly. Secondly, do your research on flights and accommodation – you don’t want to overspend on travel or lodging costs. Thirdly, it’s important to stay in an area that you feel comfortable in – especially if you’re traveling alone.

New York City is a huge and vibrant place with so much to see and do. There are endless possibilities for sightseeing, shopping, dining, and entertainment. Whether you’re looking for the iconic sites like the Empire State Building, Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge, or you want to explore the city’s diverse culture and neighborhoods, there’s something for everyone. You can also find lots of great deals on food, entertainment, and attractions.

So if you’re dreaming of a solo trip to NYC, plan it out carefully and make sure to stay within your budget. Do your research, choose a safe and comfortable place to stay, and enjoy all that the city has to offer. With a bit of planning, you can have an unforgettable experience in the Big Apple.

Exploring Eastern Europe has been a dream of mine for some time. From the stories I can tell there is something special about visiting Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Estonia. However, with the majority of posts being shared by male and non-black travelers, it’s been difficult to get a clear and concise understanding of what a solo-traveling experience is like for someone like me.

Recently, I had the opportunity to experience Romania solo as a Black woman. I stayed at a hotel in Bucharest and while I was waiting my turn at the concierge, another guest cut in front of me. To my surprise, the person went to a different hotel employee after their conversation was finished. While this was irritating, I was relieved to find that my experience in Bucharest wasn’t all bad.

My first time to the city was exciting and filled with new experiences. I spent my days exploring the city and its attractions like the Palace of the Parliament and the Village Museum. The architecture was stunning and the culture was so rich. I was able to sample traditional Romanian foods like sarmale, mititei, and zacusca. The locals were friendly and welcoming, always eager to help me find my way around.

At night, I found myself drawn to the lively nightlife. I was able to explore the city’s vibrant nightlife from rooftop bars to night clubs. One of the best parts was attending concerts and live music events. The atmosphere was always festive and welcoming.

I also had the chance to explore smaller cities like Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu, and Brasov. These cities had their own unique charm and I was able to experience the beauty of the Carpathian Mountains and the stunning landscapes in Transylvania.

Overall, I found Romania to be an amazing place to explore solo as a Black woman. I felt safe and welcomed, and I was able to have an incredible and memorable experience. While there were some moments that were unpleasant, I urge other travelers of color to not let fear hinder them from exploring this amazing country. Romania is an incredible place to explore solo and I’m so glad I was able to experience it.

Planning a solo trip can be daunting, especially for first-timers. To be safe, many travelers opt to book tours and experiences through companies like Viator and Get Your Guide. While this can be an easier option than renting a car or navigating a large national park or remote location, there is often a two or three person minimum for group tours. This can be confusing for those who are new to solo travel.

So why is there a limit on group sizes? In short, it is for financial reasons. Tour operators need to hire people and gear and that costs money. If one person is on the tour, the operator will not make as much money and it may not be worth the guide’s time. I experienced this firsthand while on a tour in Argentina. I was the sole traveler, which was not ideal. I got along with the guide, but it would have been better with a group.

If you are a solo traveler who wants to book a tour with a particular company, you can still do so. Most operators are happy to arrange it if you are willing to pay for the minimum number of people. This way, the operator will still make a profit and you will get the experience that you desire.

Ultimately, solo travelers should know that there are options out there for them. Even though there may be a two or three person minimum for group tours, operators are often willing to accommodate solo travelers if they are willing to pay the minimum cost. Before you book your next tour, contact the operator and see what they can do for you.