Advice For Women Traveling Alone
Traveling alone opens up your world to new experiences and exposure to people
from different regions of the world. If you've chosen to travel alone for the
first time, you should find this travel advice very useful.
First of all,
try not to make it obvious that your a tourist. Try to look as if actually live
in your travel destination. You don't want to be a target. Respect the customs
and traditions of the country you are visiting. Drink bottled water, as a safety
precaution. Call home from time-to-time to update loved ones on how you are
doing. Never travel alone in isolated areas. Walk with a sense of purpose in all
of your travels. Keep your eye out for any and everything. Always be aware of
your surroundings when traveling. If you carry a purse, make sure the zipper or
latch faces towards you. If someone wants to take your purse, by all means, let
them have it. You are more valuable than something that can be replaced. Don't
go out with men you don't know to a location that is desolate. If you want to go
out, meet in a public place and let someone know your plans.
More travel
advice for women traveling alone include planning activities for the daylight
hours, so that you will be back in your hotel before nightfall. Book a hotel
that has nightly entertainment so you don't feel deprived of a nightlife. Or
better yet, join a tour group for evening outings. Go to a tourism bureau in the
city you are visiting and join an organized tour for a day or two. It is a great
way to learn about the history of the city and meet fellow
travelers.
Contact the U.S. State Department to find out if the country
you plan to visit is safe for American travelers. Even if the country is given
the green light, proceed with caution. There are some places in the world that a
woman should not travel alone, such as those nations with a poor human rights
record or countries that hold women in little or no regard.
Read about
where you are going before you making your travel arrangements. Research your
travel destination thoroughly. Visit a travel agency for more indepth
information about your travel destination. Get advice on where you should stay
and what you should avoid while traveling. Get maps of the city, and its subway
or transportation systems, if possible. When selecting a hotel, ask the travel
agent to try to find locations that not only adhere to your travel budget, but
are in well-populated areas and close to restaurants, transportation and
attractions. If you have to pay more for such hotel accomodations, it may be
well worth it. Search the internet to research travel destinations of
interest.
Another piece of advice for women traveling alone is to
purchase a calculator that can convert the foreign currency exchange rate and
visit a bank in your town that deals in foreign currency. Also exchange some
American currency, $100 dollars for equal currency in the country where you will
be arriving first. It is a good idea to have some foreign currency to make it
through your first few hours for simple things like a snack, a newspaper, subway
or train fare from the airport or a cab. Don't count on there being a foreign
exchange office in the airport. Even if the airport does exchange foreign
curreny, come prepared with the correct currency already in hand. The same thing
holds true for your return journey, be sure you have some U.S. dollars to get a
cab home.
It is also wise to purchase travelers checks, preferably,
American Express because they are the most recognizable and accepted throughout
the world. Follow the instructions on how to sign and use the travelers checks,
store them safely and keep the information containing the the serial numbers on
the travelers checks in a separate area, in the event that the checks are lost
or stolen. You should also bring a major credit card when traveling that can be
used for emergencies or need it.
Traveling alone provides opportunities
that are hard to find when you are traveling with a companion or having to
consider another person's travel plans. When traveling alone, you can rely on
your own instincts and resources to the see the world and at your own pace. If
you choose to travel alone you may savor every minute of your journey and just
may learn to love the idea of traveling solo.
