11 things to you shouldn't do if you travel solo

Traveling alone is an experience to be done at least once in a lifetime. There are those who do not feel up to it, those who fear it...Then there are those individuals that strongly believe that real joy lies in sharing experiences and that is why they always travel with somebody. Then there are those who like me enjoy travelling with family and friends but strongly believe that sometimes a trip solo is NEEDED. we need to travel alone and find our own identity and spend time alone or in the company of new and causal traveling companions encountered along the way which could simply be the old lady you meet at the bakery and who is asking you how you ended up in the small village bakery.

So WHY TRAVEL ALONE?

Traveling alone gives you the opportunity to find and experience your own personal pace, no one can interfere with that. You can stop for a whole day admiring the view or just. You can enjoy the view for 5 minutes and continue your journey or sit there for a whole day if it pleases you, the choice is entirely yours! Journeys on foot or by bike which sometimes become difficult are sometimes one of the best trips for solo travelers as it gives you the choice to move at your own pace.

So since I seem to be trying to convince you to take your first trip alone if you haven’t already, I am going to list some tips for you that from experience I can tell you to best avoid them

Do not travel in touristy places just because you are afraid of spending too much time alone.

Do not leave at the last minute without organizing the trip carefully.

Organize your trip with care but apply your studies flexibly.

Being flexible allows you to stay longer than expected in a place where you are particularly well, or to abandon one that, on balance, is not for us.

Bring books (or an ebook) and a diary to write. They will keep you company.

Start thinking about your first trip alone well in advance, imagining it and becoming familiar with the idea slowly.

Look for friends or online experiences of those who have already made your own trip.

Travel light so you are more free, agile and comfortable.

Talk to everyone: with locals, with other travelers.

Do not be ashamed of going alone on the premises or in restaurants. The first time is of impact but then the road is all downhill and you will discover that it can be a pleasant experience and that sometimes it is difficult to stay alone for all the dinner :)

Most importantly keep safe and be aware of what is going on around you.

Click here for my article 11 tips to keep safe when travelling alone.

TRAVEL ALONE IN ITALY

One of my favourite destinations as a sole traveler is Italy. At this point I must confess that I do not have a language barrier because I am fluent in Italian but I think that even if this wasn’t the case, Italy is still a great destination to visit on your own.

The cities are good options for a trip on your own including, Turin, Palermo, Rome, Milan and Cagliari, offering many possibilities for individuals traveling alone. But I honestly believe that the best places would be less hectic places some of which or not top touristic places. Of course you have to visit the cities if you haven’t already been. Needless to say that Florence and Venice are definitely a must on your itinerary but do include other places that are less commonly visited and have so much to offer. I will list a few of these places for you highlighting Mantova, Places like Ferrara

Most people are under the imprssion that travelling alone is solely for backpakers that are on a tight budget on this I tend to disagree big time.

You can actually make travelling alone as budget and as luxury as you want it.

Here are 11 tips to travel luxury without spending a fortune.