Travelling solo

 

The lovely Dale  at   https://dalesidebottom.notjusttravel.com/  sent me an email with a guide to Essential solo travel.

This made me think about my solo adventures, not just those documented here but most of my adult life.

I realise that travelling solo is something that I have done more than gone on holiday with another person.

So why do I prefer this to having a companion? Well I often tell people that its because I am a bit selfish, when in reality I think its because I very much like my own company.

Being a solo traveller means that you can choose the place you want to go, accommodation and things to do. It also means you only have one person to think about, you ( the most important person).

As a lone female traveller. I delve into laws and customs of places I go to, this is more common sense than anything else. I also always carry a small pocket torch, its easier to switch on than the ones on phones. If I am out in the evening I usually stay close to my base and where there are people about. 

Insurance, well that goes without saying, too many people travel without insurance, why????

When taking the car abroad ( I used to go regularly to France with my car) I'd have the car given a once over before I went, made sure I had my country sticker and light adapters and lightbulb kit, warning triangle and hi vis, my god there nearly wasn't room for my suitcase and all the wine I carried home!!!!

I always do a lot of research about where I am travelling to and make a rough itinerary of what I want to do and see. This often goes out of the window ( Spain 2023), but its your holiday and you can please yourself. The joy of travelling solo.

I travelled solo in the days before mobile phones so would phone my Mum to say Id arrived and usually once during the time away ( it was very expensive to phone home), however same applies now, although I let my Aunt know as Mum is no longer with us.

I keep my money and documents in  the safe, if there is one in my room at the hotel, if not, I have a safe place to put them. Same applies if I am in an apartment. I carry only as much cash with me when out and about as I think I'll need, and very rarely carry cards. 

I rarely wear jewellery if I am out and about in towns and cities, just to be on the safe side.

I enjoy myself, after all I have picked the holiday. Your holiday is what you make it. I stayed in a hotel last year, with awful staff and where I was humiliated every evening when I went into dinner. It didn't spoil my  holiday. I cut interaction with reception and bar staff to a minimum and went out to eat  for the last few days of the holiday, enjoying more local cuisine.

I'm not a loner, I just enjoy my own company, I love travelling solo.