Pack half of what you think you’ll need, make an effort to learn the language (before and during your journey), travel partly without plans, go with the flow, dare to go off the beaten path, have faith in yourself, remember to stop and smell the roses, trust locals and fellow travelers but listen to your gut instinct if something feels wrong, bring a notebook and a pen wherever you go (you’ll thank yourself for it afterwards), take photos of people and not merely places, move out of your comfort zone every day, treasure the little things as much as the incredible experiences (the ‘wow’ moments of your trip), keep a positive attitude no matter what happens, view mistakes as valuable lessons, and learn to appreciate all types of weather (because you’ll never know what the next day may bring).
Those were the tips I sent in to HostelBookers short survey of women travel last month. They asked readers to share their travel stories, plans, top places to visit and best tips for female solo travelers.
I especially liked one of Sara Bell’s travel tips:
Have no expectations of places you visit, be content in being surprised.
And Carolyn Gindein’s top ten tips were all terrific. Three of my favorites:
1. Become an actress – sign language & acting skills are a must for communicating in a foreign language you don’t speak. A little language (phrase book) so you can work out signage and ask for the basics helps but don’t be afraid to add your acting skills when in doubt.
4. Be flexible – don’t worry if plans change, flights are delayed or other seeming obstacles occur. You’ll get to your destination eventually and getting upset changes nothing but your stress level so carry a book and an Ipod and enjoy the downtime.
7. Be sensible not scared – in places reputed to be risky visit during the daylight hours rather than after dark and look as if you know what you’re doing/where you’re going, even if you’re sightseeing (you know this is working when people start asking you for directions).
I particularly agree with Carolyn’s advice about acting as if you know where you’re going – regardless of time and place. When I first arrived in Paris, around 11 pm a Saturday night, I had memorized the way to my hotel – only two blocks from Place de la République – before the train reached Gar de´l Est. As I walked past restaurants, bars and late-night shops, I pretended to be a local who’d returned home from a vacation abroad. Whenever I visited a new city by myself I did the same thing; acted as if I had lived there for years and knew my way around the neighborhood (often far from the case). One time in London, near the upper sections of Regent’s Park, a woman asked if I wanted help and I realized I needed more practise. When people started asking me for directions, I knew I did well.
To read all featured travel tips in HostelBookers’ survey, visit Reader’s Tips for Women Travel.
Excellent advice and tips!
By the way, are you the Erica who asked if the photos on my blog were taken by us or from a stocksite? Answer: 99% are personal photographs taken by me or my husband. Glad you enjoy.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Strength of Will =-.
Yes, I’m that Erica :) Your photos are lovely!
Awesome awesome article! I am going backpacking across Europe with my cousin (both of us females) and I am very very excited!! However, we understand that it’s going to be very dangerous. One thing that we found that is gonna be great for my family to keep in touch and no spend too much on minutes. With a Tracfone, you can make outgoing calls to foreign countries for the price of local calls. Check out http://www.auristechnology.com/tracfoneild/countries.asp for the over 100 available international destinations.
Thanks, Sandy… Hope you’ll have fun backpacking! I don’t think it’ll be especially dangerous though – as long as you’re not planning on doing anything dangerous :) How safe it is obviously depends on where you’re going as well.
Thanks for the link to Tracfone by the way. Never heard about it before. Sounds great!
Super post! I totally agree with acting like you live here and own the place even if you can’t speak the language or you look foreign. One thing I never do is walk around with a map (or guidebook) in my hand or read one while I’m sitting on a bus or train. If I need to figure something out I pop into a cafe or restaurant and check my directions with my map and the help of wait staff.
.-= Cate´s last blog ..Is Costa Rica’s Capital San Jose possible to like? =-.
Good point about maps and guidebooks – there’s no better tell-tale sign that you’re a tourist than walking around with a map! Much better to check directions in a less public place.
Just a quick tip: I found a great article with advice for female travelers on Journey Woman http://www.journeywoman.com/travel101/ExpertsSafetyTipsforFemaleTravellers2007.htm
Great post. I had two female friends who traveled alone in Europe this summer. Nothing happened to them luckily, but they could have definitely benefited from this advice.
Well, you can always direct them to this post. :) The tips will probably come in handy for any future trips they’ll make.
This is a great list of tips for women travellers. May I add my own 101 twitter travel tips for women.
http://tinyurl.com/lnbfd9
Of course!
The first thirty of those are featured at http://www.travelblissful.com/30-journeywoman-twitter-tips-day/
Brilliant post, I am planning on going to morocco solo and hope to have a fab and safe time. Will definately bear your advice in mind. Thanks
Have fun in Morocco, Sarah! Here’s an amazing blog from Marrakech http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/