If you’re anything like us, you’re super excited to take your first solo trip. It’s a chance to explore and be spontaneous. But what if you don’t know where to start? Or what kind of things to bring? We know because we were completely lost when it came time for us to head out on our first solo trip.
While we still have a million things left to learn about traveling as a single person, one thing we did know was that solo travel can be difficult, especially the first time around. So in this article, we’ll help you get ready for your first solo trip so that it goes swimmingly from now on!
Traveling solo as a woman: what you need to know
There are a few things you can do before you leave that will help you make your trip a whole lot smoother. From packing light to knowing the good spots to find a partner, we’ve got you covered. First, let’s start with something important and basic.
Light. All travel is dependent on your ability to carry your belongings. And while some people can comfortably travel with a full backpack, many people cannot—which is why we suggest you travel light. This means that you’re packing what you really need, not bringing along any unnecessary items.
Where do you start with solo travel preparation?
This is where most people get overwhelmed. But really, you just need to pick one place to travel to and research that place. And perhaps another. The best places to travel to, in our opinion, are places that you’ve already been to because then you’ve already done some research into what you’re getting yourself into. This way, you know a bit more about the place and people.
You can also search for places that you can get a grant for if you want to stay longer or places that provide free education. When you’ve picked your main travel zone, pick another place to travel to and research that. And so on. You get the idea. You want to pick two to three places to research and get a feel for them before you go. You can also look at warm places to go to in the winter and cool places to visit in the summer if you want to avoid extremes.
The best online resources for long-term travel planning
With the Internet and apps being so important to today’s modern traveler, it’s only natural that we turn to this when trying to prepare for a long-term trip. The first thing we suggest you do is to start researching different long-term travel programs. In particular, we recommend the Fulbright program since it’s the longest-running and most established program of its kind.
This program offers academics around the world the opportunity to conduct research and teach for one year for free. It’s a great option for those who want to see the world but also have the opportunity to learn a lot about it in the process. Other great resources for long-term travel planning are ExpatExchange and Traveling Humans.
Don’t go to Europe just yet!
We know, we know. Europe is going to be your first stop. The only thing you’ve ever heard about is how amazing it is and how you have to go there as soon as you can. But before you jet off, we suggest you do a bit of research for your trip.
You don’t want to make a huge mistake when it comes to your trip or be taken advantage of. So research the places you want to visit in Europe. You want to make sure you’re visiting places that are safe for women travelers. And also make sure you research how to stay safe while traveling. There are so many scams in the world and it’s important to be on your toes when it comes to traveling.
Still unsure about your next trip?
If you’ve been exploring different places in Europe and thinking about what to do next, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. We’ve put together a few places we think you should consider visiting next after you’ve had an opportunity to visit the places in Europe you’d like to see. North America North America is one of the best parts of the world to visit.
It’s not only a great place to visit, but it’s also a great place to live as well. Many cities in North America are becoming more and more accepting of international travelers as well. South America South America is a place that will absolutely blow your mind. If you’ve ever thought about visiting this part of the world, we highly recommend it.
Africa Africa is a place that is not only underrepresented in the media but is also a place that many people aren’t aware of yet. With a growing interest in traveling to this part of the world, we expect that this is going to change soon. Asia Asia is one of the best parts of the world to visit. You’ll come across so many different cultures and be amazed at the things you see. And you might even meet some new friends while you’re there as well.
Bottom line
Hopefully, you now have a better idea of what to expect when you finally travel on your own. This will make the actual journey much smoother and you won’t have to worry about anything once you’re out there. The only thing you have to worry about, really, is yourself.
So make sure you’re prepared and have everything you need before you set off on your next adventure. Traveling on your own can be a lot of fun and exciting as long as you’re prepared.
