Being taken on holiday by family or making plans to go abroad with friends is an extremely different experience from traveling on your own. Planning a trip by yourself is simultaneously thrilling and anxiety-inducing. To take some of the pressure off, here are some helpful tips to make arranging your first-ever solo holiday more manageable.
Prepare Your Funds
Part of the appeal of traveling with other people is that they will also help to cover the costs. When you travel by yourself, you are responsible for paying at every stage of the journey. While the idea of a spontaneous solo adventure is exciting, it is also impractical without enough money to back it up. Do your research and outline the approximate prices of your transport, accommodation, and every other expenditure before making a budget and starting to save.
Set Your Intention
What is it you are hoping to achieve by traveling on your own? Do you crave the feeling of independence? Can you persuade no one else to come with you? There are so many good reasons to travel, but knowing what yours are in particular can help you narrow down your choices and take full advantage of this opportunity. Just as with anything else in life, setting an intention for travel will make it easier to lay down your plans and achieve your goals.
Decide Where to Go
You don’t need to compromise on a destination when traveling on your own. You could follow your dreams and visit a place you’ve always wanted to see. If you go to Hawaii, for example, there are high-quality resorts in Oahu to choose from and you can visit https://www.hawaiitours.com/ to book the best tours the islands have to offer. These types of locations are ideal for relaxing solo travel as well as family fun or group activities. The major perk of planning by yourself is that the itinerary and destination are entirely up to you.
Pack Thoughtfully
There is a balance to be struck between traveling light and bringing enough to enjoy yourself. While some travel guides may suggest that you should pack as few items of clothing as possible, for example, you might find having outfit options on your trip part of the fun. The key is to be thoughtful about how you pack so you don’t feel burdened by luggage or lost without the essentials.
Protect Yourself
Being on your own in an unfamiliar place means that you will need to be more vigilant about maintaining your own personal safety. Pickpockets in cities all over the world are adept at spotting a tourist and an easy target. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way and make sensible decisions rather than taking risks. If something feels off, trust your gut.
Traveling all by yourself might sound like a dangerous and frightening experience, but once you have been bitten by the solo-travel bug, you might never go back. The independence and freedom that making these types of plans allows are unmatched. It is understandable to be unsure, especially if it is your first time traveling alone, but with careful planning and the right precautions, you can enjoy a memorable and special solo adventure.