solo travel Archives - Seek Your Trip

June 25, 2018 by Arlene

Where To Go For Your First Solo Travel

Solo travel is an exciting prospect, and yet it can be daunting at the same time. There are probably many times where you’ve taken some time out on your own at home so what makes this different when you travel abroad? There is a range of things to think about when it comes to traveling alone, and one of the most significant concerns is safety. At home you know the type of areas to avoid but when you’re in a country that you don’t know that well it can be difficult to know what areas are best to travel to. Research is the key in this instance, and if you’re looking to take the leap into solo travel, having the right information will help you decide on your journey.

If you’re looking for some handy tips on locations to visit, check out some of the best spots for solo travelers.

Thailand

This is one of the top locations for travelers across the world, which makes it a mecca for meeting other soloists. There is everything to suit all interests here so if you want to experience the party life, you’ll find tons of cheap bars and clubs plus the infamous Full Moon party spot. If you’re looking for a quieter retreat, there are tons of locations such as Ko Mak or Krabi that have a slower pace of life.

Hawaii

This beautiful island is a great place to soak up a chilled atmosphere and beautiful scenery. Its relaxed island vibes create a tranquil haven away from the buzz of everyday living, plus you’ll have plenty of opportunities to soak up the sun on its gorgeous beaches. If you’re looking to stay in a beautiful spot, there are plenty of beach vacation rentals in Maui to choose from for affordable travel.

Australia

This fantastic destination offers a host of locations for solo travelers. It is one of the best destinations to get you started on your solo journey, as English is the first language and the transport links are super easy to navigate. You can travel up, down and across the country and see a variety of landscapes and coastal spots, plus if you have the time check out famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and The Great Barrier Reef on your stay.

New York

This is somewhere everyone has to go to at least once due to its social vibe. You’ll never feel alone in this bustling city, as there is so much to do and see plus eating out is a hugely interactive experience. Seeing the sights should be a top priority and heading out of the main tourist spots towards areas such as Harlem, Downtown and Brooklyn will give you a real slice of the Big Apple.

There are so many places that cater to solo travelers so you once you’ve done some research, you don’t have to feel anxious or hesitant about embarking on this new adventure. Most of all have fun and learn from your experiences along the way.

December 12, 2013 by Arlene

5 Ways to Protect Yourself Abroad

Let’s face it, we all know there are dangers that come along with traveling, especially for adventurous people like ourselves. But, we also know that none of us are going to let those risks stop us. That being said, there are definitely some important steps to take to make sure you are protected as you travel. Preparedness is half the battle. Start off prepared and your chance of incident already decreases! Check out our 5 tips below for protecting yourself while you’re abroad.

Documentation

One of the most important things you can do when traveling to another country is have documentation of who you are, where you are going, and those to notify in case of an emergency. Not only should you be carrying all this info on you- you should also have several copies made for yourself, and someone responsible back home. Your itinerary, copies of your passport, driver’s license, and any notable medical issues are records should always be on hand. Keep copies on you, in your bag at the hotel, as well as in the safe care of a family member who isn’t traveling with you. This way, should you run into trouble, you have multiple ways of identifying yourself to authorities and medical professionals.

Planning

It’s always fun to be spontaneous, adventurous and live in the moment, but having a pre-made plan for your travels can be quite important. Even if you don’t want to give your family a play-by-play of your daily intentions, at least let them know which countries , cities or towns you plan to visit and when. Or if you’d like to be super secretive, give them a date you expect to return by or be in touch by so they know when to start worrying if you don’t turn up.

Travel Insurance

I can’t stress this enough to fellow travelers: buy travel insurance. There are so many situations and incidents that can happen, dire or minimal, that you might need some protection for: Cancelled flights, lost medication, unexpected injury, family emergencies, weather trouble, etc. The list goes on and on. Lucky for travelers now a days, travel insurance is just a click away. Companies like Bupa offer so many options. Single trip, multi trip, not to mention insurance for the type of trip you are going on. Pretty easy and makes a world of difference if you get in an unexpected pinch.

Strength in Numbers

When traveling it’s always important to have a buddy system or travel in a group. If you do feel the need to venture off on your own, or are traveling solo, make it a point to check in with someone when you return. A good tip for the solo travel is to make plans to meet up with familiar faces when possible, if you happen to be traveling thru an area where you know someone. Of course, stay out of dark alleys and avoid dangerous parts of the city alone at night. Even feel free to tell the front desk at your hotel that you plan to arrive back or check-out on a certain date/time. Give them an emergency contact number for if that doesn’t happen.

Safeguard

If traveling alone is unavoidable or you’re just one of those folks who prefers it, you can still continue to protect yourself. I like to carry an under the shirt wallet that straps to my body so your belongings aren’t so noticeable. Even if you do this, always only carry just enough money to get what you need for that day. Don’t wear fancy jewelry or clothes so as not to draw attention to yourself. Also, if you have a safebox in your hotel or hostel, make sure to make use and lock things up well. The less enticing items you are carrying around with you, the less likely you’ll be a target.

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Photo by scrubhiker on Flickr

December 10, 2012 by Arlene

Traveling Long Term? Here Are 3 Ways To Stave Off The Homesick Blues

Many people dream of visiting places that they have never been to before. They scrutinize travel brochures and magazines for the best places to visit when the time to embark draws near, they set about purchasing cameras and everything else they might need for their trip. When they finally set out, they are embarrassed when they suddenly feel homesick. There are a few ways in which this state of mind can be addressed.

1. Maintain a personal schedule

Sometimes, it is important to observe small practices that make you feel comfortable and relaxed. A practice as simple as going to bed early everyday can contribute to a feeling of relief and togetherness. So can doing a number of exercises on a daily basis even when taking a vacation. Binging on the local alcoholic beverages of the country you are visiting can actually lower your capacity to deal with stress.

2. Maintain communications with family and friends

Just hearing the voices of loved ones on a daily basis goes a long way in helping a person to feel like they are still connected to themselves. If you happen to be travelling in a city where nobody speaks English, it can actually be quite a lonely experience. Tourists who visit areas that have strict customs might also have an uncomfortable experience.

For instance, there are nations in which one hardly sees any women in the streets. A female tourist visiting such areas will experience a certain level of discomfort even if she has the most cheerful disposition. It is important for tourists who find themselves in such circumstances to be able to reach their family members or friends at any time, and confide in them about their feelings of homesickness. This will also allow the said tourists to be updated about any new event or occurrence that might have taken place in their absence. It will also help in reassuring one’s family members that their relative is ok and comfortable in his or her new environment.

3. Don’t insist on being happy all the time

Many tourists or people on vacations experience a certain amount of pressure from the pictures that depict people having lots of fun in travel magazines. The reality is that some of the world’s best travel destinations have some of the poorest populations in the world. No matter how well the citizens of a country seem to be coping with poverty and lack, it will still be a very depressing sight for people from nations with better amenities to observe.

In such circumstances, the long anticipated vacation actually turns out to be the exact opposite of what the tourist wanted. It makes matters worse if the tourist expects him or herself to maintain the happiness that is associated with taking trips to exotic locations. When you allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come up when you come across social injustices of any type, you make it easier on yourself to be able to ‘go with the flow’, or be open to new experiences.

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Photo by chrisschoenbohm on Flickr.