Going it solo isn’t as scary as it first seems

I embarked on my first solo foreign trip when I was 16. This was to southern Norway, and I was meeting someone at the other side, which took away some of the nerves! It was then many years until I decided to take a solo trip again, not because this early experience put me off at all, but because somewhere down the line I lost the confidence to do it again! To cut a long story short, I eventually found the big brave girl in me, and started going on solo trips again in 2016, about 10 years later. First Oslo, then Rome, then Iceland – 2016 was a busy year! I found that the more I travelled solo, the more my confidence grew, and I wanted to do it over and over again! My advice to anyone considering solo travel is to take the plunge, but to be sensible about it too. Plan/research well, go somewhere closer by for your first trip(s), and always keep your loved ones informed as to where you will be and how they can contact you.

Speaking a bit of the language earns you brownie points

When in a country that speaks a different language to your own, even if you only learn how to say “hello”, “goodbye”, “please”, and “thank you”, the very basics, you will earn some respect from the locals. For example, I learnt a tiny bit of Italian and even Slovenian, out of both interest and respect for the locals, before I visited these countries. I can also speak some Norwegian, which I have used occasionally when visiting Norway (this one is difficult to practise though, as every Norwegian seems to also speak almost perfect English!) French and German were taught in my school, so I can also use basic words and phrases in these languages. Think of learning a new language as a challenge and as a gateway into a new culture, rather than a chore, and you will be successful!

Pre-planning pays dividends

I pre-plan a large portion of my trips. Call me anal, but I believe that this is the best way to do things, as you can really then focus on enjoying your excursion when the time comes. This leaves you without any pressure to be meticulously researching or rushing around booking things when you are there and are trying to enjoy yourself! You may also be able to book certain activities or transport for a better price if you pre-book these before your trip, so it is always worth looking into. I must admit that I find the planning part of any excursion quite fun, to the point where I will happily be researching a new holiday destination for weeks, even months, before going, just to make sure that I haven’t missed anything!

Pack clothing for any weather

The weather can easily catch you out, even when you may think you are safe! One minute it is warm and sunny, the next it is blowing up a gale and p*****g it down! Such examples from my experience are having been to beach resorts in shoulder seasons, where it is warm and sunny in the day but chilly in the evenings, and when travelling to mountainous regions, where the weather can change at the drop of a hat. I learnt that it is always a good idea to at least pack a cardigan or jumper for colder nights, and a waterproof jacket in case the rain catches you out. Although not an item of clothing as such, if you are going somewhere sunny, remember your sunscreen too!

Take time out for yourself

It is easy to get caught up in a holiday routine of trying to do everything all at once, travelling from one attraction or destination to the next, rinse and repeat, all day long. This however, can cause a feeling of holiday burnout, which will end up putting a dampener on your trip. I find that breaking up my days works really well to prevent this happening; be this by taking a coffee break in a café, a visit to a spa, or by taking a mid-afternoon nap back at the hotel room, everyone needs time to recharge their batteries. Being in a new and different environment to what you are used to can also take some adapting to, and I reckon it is more stressful for us than we perhaps first realise. By taking care of your wellbeing when on holiday, you maximize your chances of fully enjoying the experience and creating better memories.