Your Adventure Awaits
I always felt an admiration for the idea of traveling solo: packing your bags and leaving behind the known for the never seen. But let’s not kid ourselves, being women creates this little voice in ourselves screaming: “Will it be safe?” most times, enough to suppress that urge of going onto some faraway adventures that a lot of us do dream of.
But here’s the thing: yes, there are risks. But those risks don’t have to keep us from traveling or exploring the world. Over the years, I’ve learned how to stay safe, make smart choices, and still have the kind of adventures I used to only dream about. And I want to share some of those with you, so you can experience it too.
Places That Stole My Heart
There are some places in the world that have a feel about them. You know that feeling of getting off of the plane and immediately feeling, “I’m going to be okay here.” Following are the destinations where I have felt absolutely safe and inspired.
Iceland
Probably the only place I have ever had a feeling of complete serenity throughout the whole stay is Iceland. The streets are quiet; the people are friendly, nature. Iceland is just out of this world. I spent hours and hours walking around Reykjavik but never felt uneasy for at least a second. Let alone seeing the Northern Lights worth that, right?
Japan
Japan is one of those countries where respect seems to be encoded in its culture. I felt welcome everywhere, from busy streets in Tokyo to quiet temples in Kyoto. It is a country where one can take an independent night walk without ever having the feeling of being unsafe.
Portugal
Portugal is so warm and welcoming. The streets of Lisbon were so alive with colors everywhere, while at the same time, Algarve coastlines were filled with tranquility. It’s quite something, being able to take a walk through those streets with a coffee in one hand and watching the world pass.
New Zealand
New Zealand is one of those places where each other moment you feel yourself just living in a postcard. It is breathtakingly beautiful out there, and people-just so nice and affable. I once used to walk through mountains of the country, and everything around was safe and just peaceful.
Italy
Italy is a home away from home. Be it crazily charismatic chaos in Rome or the artwork-lined subtle streets of Florence, every city differs, and they seem to hum along-yet so differently. Full in the belly and with a memory-rich heart, that is how you will leave.
What I Wish I’d Known Before Traveling Solo
Of course, solo travel is not without its highs and lows. I made my fair share of mistakes, like booking a hotel in a questionable neighborhood or losing my phone in a foreign city. I learned from it. What I wish I knew beforehand is the following:
Decoy Wallets Are a Game-Changer
I heard of decoy wallets, second, and thought in the reading stage, “Overkill.” Not quite so. So, I have a replica wallet with some expired cards with some cash inside in case someone wants to take my stuff. It really helped from loads of hassle.
Blend In
I don’t mean dressing up to be one of them, but dressing in alignment with the culture can mean a great deal. It doesn’t have to be with the idea of blending in; rather, it would be more about respect for a place.
Keep Some Things to Yourself
I just enjoy communicating with new people but teach myself to keep some information about me private. For example, I would not tell people not so well-known what exactly I was going to do with my travel plans. Well, that is the easiest way to be safe while not forgetting being friendly.
Know Your Escape Plan
I like to know where I am going, whether it is walking down the street, going to the airport, or even taking a cab. Knowing the safe and quickest routes puts my mind at ease.
Chargers, Chargers, Chargers
I have lost count of the amount of times my phone has died on me, hence why I always have with me a portable charger wherever and anytime I travel since such element has pretty much became basically essential for a holiday journey.
The Instances That Made Me in Love with Solo Travel
There’s something so peculiar about traveling alone, in the quiet moments-sitting in a park in Lisbon, sipping coffee, and watching the world go by. It is about those spur-of-the-moment things, getting lost in a new city and finding the best hidden café. Once in Japan, I had chanced upon a wedding. Initial embarrassment quickly gave away to sheer surprise when the bride and groom asked me to stay on. Soon I found myself having dinner with the bridal group, laughing and chuckling over my broken Japanese with an almost immediate affinity, given this was a very close family. Such unplanned encounters makes travelling alone sublime.
Those Who Wish to Travel but Are Apprehensive Doing It Alone
If you are apprehensive about traveling alone, you are not alone; I’ve been there. It’s completely normal to feel a little uneasy about stepping into the unknown. But believe me, once you make that first step, you will get a feeling of freedom that is nowhere else to be found. You will need to be careful and make wise decisions. But the rewards – new cultures, new friends, and a new side of yourself you never knew existed-make it so very much worth it.
Ready to Go?
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to take that trip, this is it. Start small, trust yourself, and just go. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a month-long adventure, there’s a whole world out there waiting for you. And who knows? Maybe you’ll stumble into your own unexpected wedding invitation along the way.
Now, go on—pack your bags and enjoy the adventure. The world’s yours for the taking.