We all get to a point in our life where we feel like it’s time to discover ourselves. For most people, this often occurs in their early twenties, usually after they have graduated from college and are ready to step out into the adult world for the first time. It’s true that this period can be quite worrying and daunting, but there are various ways you can strengthen your character and better prepare yourself for it.
One great way to strengthen your character is to spend some time traveling by yourself. Don’t worry; solo travel isn’t quite as odd as you might think about it – there is actually a whole community of girls who love to travel alone over at the Travelettes website. Why not join them? Here are some tips for all you beginner solo travelers.
Stay With The Locals
Rather than staying in expensive hotels, it’s a good idea to take advantage of Airbnb and other home share websites to stay with locals. By doing this, you will be living with someone who knows that local area and can give you all the best things to see and do. They’ll also have lots of great restaurant and cafe recommendations. If your host is especially friendly, they might even take you out with them or take you sightseeing!
Pack Light
You will need to be able to manage all of your luggage on your own, as you will be traveling around on your own. So, it’s important that you don’t overpack. Keep your luggage light by only taking exactly what you need. So, if you are expecting to be camping for some of your trips, check here for a compact one-man tent rather than taking one that’s way too big. Even if you are away for a long time, just take a few changes of clothes with you. You can always use laundry services while you are away.
Connect On Social Media
If you check on Facebook, you will find that there are lots of groups of travelers looking to connect with other people at their destination. Meeting people in these groups gives you the chance to chat with them before you decide whether you want to meet up. It’s also a good idea to use Twitter to try and connect with fellow travelers as well. If you have any particular hobbies or interests, you might also want to search online for local clubs and organizations.
Embrace Technology
Now that we can have so much tech right in our hands, it’s a good idea to embrace this and use it to your benefit. It’s a good idea to take a smartphone or tablet device with you on your travels as it will come in very useful. For instance, you can use the maps app to help you get about, and you can also use travel apps like Uber to help you get around.
You will find that solo travel is really inspiring and can help you find yourself while you’re out on the road. So, where will you head to?