Traveling the world can be exciting, adventurous, entertaining and, sometimes, scary. The last is no reason to stay home, however.
If it’s not your style to join a travel group and have everything organized, that’s OK. With a little planning, you can safely traverse the sidewalks and trails of the world. But “I suggest taking a truly solo trip for the exhilarating experience of feeling independent, free to wander, and open to seeing for yourself what’s around the next corner,” travel journalist Patricia Doherty wrote for Travel and Leisure.
Here are some of her tips to make your trip safer and easier:
1. Do your homework
Once you decide where you want to go, start researching flights and hotels to find the best arrival times, locations and prices.
Although some travelers prefer to play it by ear, Doherty recommends reserving a hotel room for at least the first night.
“We all arrive a bit tired, and it’s pleasant and safe to have a destination to start with,” she wrote.