When can you take time off work? How long can you be gone?

When will someone be available to take over your responsibility to care for family members, pets, plants, your house and yard?

Who can get away at the same time, has the necessary money, similar interests, and would be a good travel companion?

Traveling solo

Traveling alone may be a good option for you. Consider the following pros and cons:

PROS

Good things are better shared but traveling alone beats sacrificing your dreams and desires!

Above all, being alone somewhere is far more enjoyable than having someone with you who doesn’t want to be there.

When you take some “alone time” you give the people in your life opportunity to miss you.

Similarly, when you’re alone those you left at home don’t need to take your feelings, preferences, faults and limitations into consideration. Nor you theirs. No compromise is required.

CONS

There are many activities that require at least two participants, including simply holding a conversation. Unless you can find a kindred spirit who is also alone and whom you can trust, you are likely to be forced to stick with solitary pursuits.

Additionally, it can sometimes be somewhat unsettling to be alone in a foreign place. Consequently, a little pre-planning is required to overcome your fears.

Tips for traveling alone

First, take some time to look up safety information for where you are headed. What are the best neighborhoods and the ones you should avoid? Are there only certain kinds of taxis you should take?

Don’t trust people too quickly. Sometimes the connections you make while traveling turn into life-long friendships. But they don’t always. Some con artists have mastered the art of befriending travelers. They get them to leave their valuables unattended and rob them before taking off.

Watch your drinking. This is a tip that doesn’t get said often enough. When you drink alcohol, you dull your senses and slow your reaction time. This makes you vulnerable to others. If you choose to imbibe, only take drinks directly from the bartender, and don’t ever leave them unattended. You must also never feel the need to keep up with others. Don’t risk losing control.

Blend in as much as you can. For example, as normal as shorts and a t-shirt are in North America, you would never see that style in most of Europe. Shorts are rare and Europeans in general dress much more neatly than North Americans, especially in France and Italy. The more you stand out, the more you brand yourself as someone who is unfamiliar with the location. This makes you more vulnerable to criminals. As a result, you should research your destination in advance, observe how people dress, and try to pass as a local, or at least a long-time expat.

It is extremely important that you appear to be confident. When you’re walking down the street, hold your head up and your shoulders back. Look straight ahead and walk with purpose. Pretend that you have somewhere important to be. If you fall prey to street harassment, ignore it and keep moving. Likewise, if you become lost and need to find your way, slip into a shop or café to consult your map privately.

Safety First

When personal safety is in doubt, pay for door-to-door transportation.

Rather than stay in a quiet residential area where you feel isolated, move to accommodations in a location that is teeming with activity.

Also, don’t focus solely on cost. Base your choices on positive reviews and a facility’s good safety reputation.

Check in regularly. Give at least one friend or family member a copy of your itinerary in advance. List your flight numbers, your accommodation, and a general schedule of where you’ll be on which dates. Include information about your travel insurance, credit cards, and bank account number. Plan how you’ll check in and how often. Consider daily emails, texts, social media updates, or regular Skype or Zoom chats. Whatever you choose to do, make sure you keep a consistent schedule.

Above all, follow safety measures recommended for all travelers.