Whether it鈥檚 due to concerns about loneliness or safety, many women put off their travel dreams because they don鈥檛 want to do it by themselves. But travelling with the wrong person can make you feel lonelier than travelling alone.
When you鈥檙e solo, you鈥檙e more likely to meet people because you鈥檙e seen as approachable.
Solo travel is intensely personal. You can discover more about yourself at the same time you鈥檙e discovering more about your destination.
You can travel at your own pace, do the things that interest you, eat where and when you like, and splurge where you want to splurge.
Combating loneliness is easy. When sightseeing during the day, if you meet travellers whose company you鈥檇 enjoy, invite them to rendezvous for dinner.
When you do eat out alone, bring something to busy yourself with.
If you stay in hostels, you鈥檒l have a built-in family (plenty of hostels are comfortable and welcoming to people of all ages).
Or choose small pensions and B&Bs, where the owners and fellow guests sharing breakfast have time to talk.
Take a group walking tour of a city (check your guidebook or ask at the tourist office).
Consider taking a food tour. Not only will you eat well, but you鈥檒l also get to hang out with the local guide and other foodie tourists.
Try meeting up with other solo travellers through social media. Like-minded individuals can find one another via Meetup, whose worldwide members welcome visitors to events such as photography walks or happy hours.
As for staying safe, the key is to use the same good judgment you would at home. Use caution and figure out what feels right to you as you travel.
Theft and harassment are two big concerns that hit women more than men. In America, theft and harassment are especially scary because of their connection with assault.
In Europe, where I do most of my travelling, you鈥檒l rarely, if ever, hear of violence. As for experiencing harassment there, you鈥檙e far more likely to think: 鈥淭his guy is really annoying鈥� than: 鈥淭his guy is going to hurt me.鈥�
Don鈥檛 miss out on meeting new people out of fear 鈥� just be choosy and consider whether you鈥檙e in a safe setting. In certain areas, you might get more attention than you鈥檙e used to. (In Italy, for example, it鈥檚 usually in the form of the 鈥渓ong look.鈥�)
Be aware that in the Mediterranean world, when you smile and look a man in the eyes, it鈥檚 often considered an invitation. Wear dark sunglasses and you can stare all you want.
To minimize attention, take your cues from what local women wear. Don鈥檛 be overly polite if you鈥檙e bothered by someone; ditch them as soon as they annoy you.
Use unambiguous facial expressions, clear body language and a loud, firm voice to fend off unwanted attention. If a man comes too close, say 鈥渘o鈥� (or the local word for 鈥渘o鈥�) firmly and loudly. (鈥淏asta!鈥� meaning 鈥淓nough!鈥� works well in Italy.)
If you feel like you鈥檙e being followed or hassled, don鈥檛 worry about overreacting or seeming foolish. Yell if the situation warrants it. Or head to the nearest hotel and chat up the person behind the desk until your admirer moves on.
Ask the hotelier to call a cab to take you to your hotel or next sightseeing stop.
Walk purposefully with your head up 鈥� look as if you know where you鈥檙e going even when you don鈥檛.
If you get lost in a seedy neighbourhood, be savvy about whom you ask for help 鈥� seek out another woman or a family, or go into a store or restaurant to ask for directions or to study your map.
Locals are often looking out for you. However, a healthy dose of skepticism and an eagle eye in crowded and isolated places will help you stay safe.
Wear a real or fake wedding ring. There鈥檚 no need to tell men you鈥檙e travelling alone, or disclose whether you鈥檙e married or single. Lie unhesitatingly. And if you are arranging to meet a guy, choose a public place.
It鈥檚 not a bad idea to talk over your plans with your hotelier before you head out, especially at night. If a situation or locale doesn鈥檛 feel right, leave. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Realizing that you have what it takes to be your own guide is empowering. Travelling solo is rich and fulfilling 鈥� all it takes is some common sense, good decision-making and having confidence in yourself. You鈥檒l come away with life-changing experiences 鈥� and great stories to tell your friends.
Rick Steves (ricksteves.com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. Email him at [email protected] and follow his blog on Facebook.
