Of all my travel experiences, nothing matches approaching America's highest peak, Denali, in a tiny seaplane during a dramatic snowstorm. Alaska, the last American frontier, was a place I'd longed for years to visit but hadn't because I thought I needed a companion. How wrong I was. On my own in Alaska I encountered everyone from African stockbrokers to German moose hunters, and found the state friendly and not at all difficult to navigate.
It was an important discovery. If I had waited for the perfect traveling companion to head with me to Alaska, or to hike through Germany's Black Forest, or to tour South India, where with throngs of devotees I scaled 600 steps to see a colossal, thousand-year-old statue of a naked saint in Sravanabelagola, I might not have seen much at all.
Perhaps because I feel more relaxed when anonymous, traveling by myself brings out the best in me. It sharpens my perspective -- I see a place and its people solely through my own eyes. And my language skills improve because, not having an English speaker with me, I'm forced to learn at least a few key words or phrases.
Most of my solo voyages have gone without a hitch, but over the years I've developed some strategies for handling health and safety matters or the occasional weirdo. Recently, I asked other Fodor's editors and some globetrotting gal pals to share their best advice for intrepid ladies hoofing it around on their own. We came up with the following tips, some of which will be helpful to anyone away from home.
By Diane Mehta
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For me, it's always about figuring out what kind of vacation I want. If I really want to get away and just relax, I'll stay somewhere rustic in the U.S., where I can take long walks. I also avoid places like Morocco because it's not the best idea for women to go out at night alone.
ReplyDeleteExperiences that the wife & I encounter on traveling, we would highly recommend, being a solo female traveler looking for security, stay at Bed & Breakfasts. You'll feel more at home, comfortable, & not have to worry so much about who's coming & going like you would at a hotel, & you get to know who your hosts are. Just do a little research & most of them are very appealing.
ReplyDeleteI recently got back from a week alone in Edinburgh and found it a great city for a woman traveling alone. The people were so friendly and helpful in Scotland and I also felt very safe.
ReplyDeleteOne trick I found for eating out solo was to eat a little earlier in the evening and I took along a crossword puzzle book so I had something to keep myself occupied while waiting for my food.
Traveling alone is a great self-indulgent experience. You get to see and do just what you want. I have a couple great friends that I normally travel with, but when they can't go, I don't pass up opportunities to see the world, just because it would mean going solo.
I travel a lot on business to the US and Europe and always try to tag on a couple of extra days vacation in the more interesting places.
ReplyDeleteI always check out the area I am staying before I go to make sure it is safe for walking in the evening (most tour books will warn you where to avoid). I stay in central areas where I can walk to restaurants. I prefer to stay at small boutique hotels, when possible(or B&Bs, as G. Kremer suggests) as they are friendlier and more willing to go out of their way to help. Once I find a good hotel, I like to return to the same hotel each time - they get to know you and that's always nice. If I have to, I spend the extra money to stay in a good area.
I am sensible about where I walk after dark - I visit the "wilder" areas during the day and the "upmarket" areas at night.
I always have a great book with me when I go to dinner on my own; sometimes I read, sometimes I'll chat to other patrons.
I've had some scary experiences - some guy followed me for two hours one evening in Paris - my french friends said he was just flirting, but I don't know! I try not to get overly paranoid as that will make me miss out on enjoying the company of the locals and my experience has been hugely positive.
In the middle and parts of the far east, I make sure that I am appropriately dressed, respecting the local customs - no shorts, backless dresses, tank tops etc.
I expect the same level of service, when I am on my own, as I would get if I had an "escort". I will object to being given the smallest room in the hotel which overlooks the bins or the table located between the kitchen and the toilet. (When booking the hotel, I will avoid declaring that I am a women and just use my surname (or use a travel agent); if I stay at a big hotel, I will have the concierge book the restaurant).
I tip well (too much!), particularly if I intend to return to an hotel or restaurant - they remember you; you get a better service, a better room, a better table.
I love travelling on my own and have never been lonely. It's great doing exactly what you want, when you want. Some cities are easier than others - Paris & Stockholm I find particularly easy for a women on her own.