Do you think family holidays are too valued? How about a solo trip? Although the idea of exploring the world without company may seem a challenge, the truth is that it is a unique opportunity for self -discovery.
Filipe Morato Gomes is one of the best known Portuguese travelers. After visiting dozens of countries, he concludes that “generically, the world is a safe place.” It is not advisable to walk with a gold clock in the Venezuelan night or walk around countries with armed conflicts, declared or not. But “probably, the greatest danger they will have to face on your trip around the world will be to cross the streets of a large Asian city.”
Politicians, writers, employees of international organizations and scientists – all are used to travel alone. But many anonymous tourists also do it (or want to do). Whatever the experience it has as a traveler, the advice we leave here are for everyone:
Choose the right destination for your first trip
If it’s the first time you travel alone, choose a destination that makes you comfortable. You can choose a local destination where you are familiar with language and culture, and can easily communicate with other people. It can also be a good idea to travel to places where you have resident friends. If you are a traveling woman, consider joining a group of women for a more peaceful and safe experience.
Do the proper research and invest in the preparation
Search for travel blogs, read guides, look for evaluations and define what you want to see and do in each location. The more prepared it is, the less worries you will have while traveling. In the portal of Portuguese communities, finds. If you fill the traveler’s registration, you will be informing the consular services of your trip, which may facilitate the action of the Portuguese authorities “in the event of any emergency situations with national citizens abroad”.
Plan your itinerary in advance
Having a general idea of what you intend to do throughout the trip can help calm anxiety. Do not feel pressured after all plans strictly, but it may be comforting to know what to expect throughout the day. Also, if you have a predefined plan, it will be easier not to lose any of the most meaningful sights to you.
Change your perspective
Traveling alone does not mean being alone at all times. In fact, it may be the ideal opportunity to open and meet new people, something that may not be possible if it was accompanied. Traveling alone gives you more room to establish relationships with others and explore without distractions.
Take security precautions
Remember to learn about basic security precautions, which implies how to keep documents and values to becoming aware of your geographical location and environment. It is important to always be contactable: with one, you will have a direct line of contact with the outside world and you can communicate with both family and authorities if you have any problems.
Tips for lonely travelers
The decision to make a solo trip may depend on very its own circumstances, such as the lack of company, professional needs or a limited budget. To make the trip more comfortable:
- Learn to like your own company: before you leave, cultivate the joy of being with yourself. This will help you be more prepared for situations where you will be on your own.
- Do not force yourself to socialize: Do not feel that you need to start interactions if you do not feel comfortable with it. Go to your own pace and gradually expose yourself to new experiences.
- Think about participating in group walks: Join group activities such as guided tours or social events, where you will have the opportunity to interact without the pressure of starting a conversation.
- Be open to interactions: let yourself be approached by people. Although not everyone seeks social interaction, opening to possibilities can lead to unexpected and pleasant experiences.
Traveling alone can be an amazing experience, but, like any adventure, brings your challenges. Choose the right destination, rigorously plan, including safety measures to take – outdated these steps, enjoy the trip, whether it is in the busiest city in the world or in an unknown corner waiting to be discovered.
