If you’ve played around with the idea of embarking on your first solo adventure but aren’t quite sure where to start, the first thing you’re going to want to know is that this is perfectly normal. The whole idea of travelling alone appears daunting to most of us because from a young age we’ve generally always moved around with family and friends. Nevertheless, a quick swipe on social media will reveal hundreds of men and women living their best life and exploring the globe unaccompanied, one country at a time - #selflove anyone?
If this happens to be your first time, the idea of setting up an entire travel itinerary while figuring it all out could feel overwhelming, which is why you’re going to want to tackle it one step at a time. If you’re interested in this sort of thing but aren’t quite sure from where to start, here are our 10 tips for your first solo adventure.
Set your intentions
Research the basics
Cover your ass-ets
Pick a ‘you’ destination
Have a plan B
May the apps be with you
Let go of any expectations
Do your thing
Pack mindfully
Trust the process
1 – SET YOUR INTENTIONS
Because there are so many moving parts involved in a trip of the sort, its only natural to get moments of anxiety along the way. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to set your goals or intentions beforehand in order to have a base point to keep in mind when the universe doesn’t play things out the way you expected it to. There are going to be countless times where you will sit down in some random location and seriously question your decisions, but remembering where you came from and why you’re there allows you to ease the tension and enjoy the moment most of the time.
2 – RESEARCH THE BASICS
If you’ve never been to this particular country before, you’re definitely going to want to research and plan out the first couple of days at least. You’ll start to notice that this isn’t as important when you opt for long-term travel or digital nomading, however it’s always handy to have an idea of where you’re landing. It’s also always generally a better idea to travel during the day when visiting a new spot in order to give yourself a better chance at figuring out your whereabouts as well as accessing transport and stocking up on basic supplies if required.
3 – COVER YOUR ASS-ETS
Irrespective of where you choose to travel to, you’re always going to want to make sure you’re prepared for any eventuality. If you’ve picked an exotic location then you’re also going to want to keep up to date with the necessary vaccines required as well as purchasing any other items which might be hard to encounter once you get there. Insurance is also something you’re going to want to care of before you leave because you honestly never know what you might come across and you can’t really put a price tag on peace of mind.
4 - PICK A ‘YOU’ DESTINATION
The whole point of travelling solo and living your best life is being able to do exactly whatever you like, whenever you feel like. If this is your first singlehanded adventure you might not want to pick a destination that’s too extreme in terms of weather conditions or potential culture shock factor for example. For the first time ever, you’re also able to pick a destination entirely based on personal preferences, like picking a beach over a city or vice versa.
5 – HAVE A PLAN B
Sometimes, things don’t always go as planned which is why you’re always going to want to have some sort of back up in mind. Whether it’s a natural disaster, a political crisis, or simply a lost luggage, you’re always going to want to travel with the peace of mind in knowing that you’re able to handle most of what could eventually happen along the way and more – keep calm, you’ve got this.
6 – MAY THE APPS BE WITH YOU
Technology has totally changed the way we travel and making use of some of the best apps out there will not only make life substantially easier, but also bring around a number of extra discounts and benefits. From pinning your favourite routes and locations, all the way to reading reviews and booking tours and accommodation online, everything you need to get around a new country is readily available on your phone. You might also want to consider downloading a translator if you aren’t familiar with the language, as well as a currency converter if required. It’s also useful to include some sort of tracking tile in your luggage which you’re able to access using your phone if your bags ever go astray.
7 – LET GO OF ANY EXPECTATIONS
Things don’t always take the same course we thought they would and having a fixed set of expectations when going anywhere will (mostly) always lead to disappointment. Instead of fixating on minor details or being steadfast about certain aspects or outcomes of your journey, it’s always so much easier when you decide to go with the flow. A positive mindset is crucial for a pleasant experience so instead of sticking to your original plan at all costs, be open to any other possibilities or opportunities that may arise somewhere along the way.
8 – DO YOUR THING
One of the best parts about being able to travel alone is that you’re going to be able to give yourself all the ‘me time’ in the world. You’re also going to be spending a substantial amount of time alone which might not be normal in your everyday life. The good news here is that you’re able to do whatever you fancy without ever needing to consult with anyone else, as well as being able to fully indulge in personal interests which others might not find as appealing. Venturing off into the unknown is another way of creating your own happiness, you’re definitely going to want to keep yourself entertained.
Having said so, there are also a number of opportunities that will allow you to socialise when required. If you’re wary about being alone for too long, you might want to consider starting off in a hostel or guesthouse that offers shared accommodation, which will allow you to meet other travellers on a similar journey. There are also a number of Facebook and WhatsApp groups you’re able to join beforehand to get a better idea of what entertainment options the country you picked offers, as well as the chance to tag along on one of the several activities organised by expats all over the world.
9 – PACK MINDFULLY
Another aspect of travelling solo is the fact that you’re mostly going to have to rely on yourself. For this reason, it’s never a good idea to carry around too many things when visiting a new country. Try to pack as mindfully as possible, keeping the current weather as well as any potential activities you’d like to follow up on in mind. Apart from the fact that you’re mostly always able to buy anything you might have forgotten back home, you’re always going to want to make sure there’s a little room left in your bags to bring home any souvenirs or gifts you pick up along the way.
10 – TRUST THE PROCESS
Let’s face it, anything new always appears to be a little bit scary at first and remembering that you’ve got this is possibly going to be one of the most challenging experiences of the whole trip. Sometimes the unexpected might happen, but keeping calm and being open to new experiences will allow you to immerse yourself in a full experience without too much pressure – after all, this is literally all about you.
If you’d like a little help to put all of this together, we’d love to offer our guidance and assistance to make sure you have the best time ever. Feel free to get in touch with one of our travel consultants to tailor your next solo travel adventure down to the very last detail. Drop us a line on info@hans-travel.com or give us a call on +1356 2206 1699 and let the adventure begin.
The information in this blog post is solely for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice; readers are advised to consult their doctor regarding their medical health or before considering any new medication or supplements.