I've screwed up while traveling alone, so you don't have to.
I've had things stolen, I've learned that spending the night in the airport is never worth it for a cheaper flight, and most importantly, I've realized that traveling alone can be just as incredible as traveling with others.
As I currently write this from a Berlin hostel's computer, I've reflected on my own traveling experiences, and have come up with my top tips for solo traveling, and traveling in general that I really wish someone had told me before I left for Europe five months ago.
1. Do Not Have Blonde Hair
If you have blonde hair, dye it another color. I'm kidding, well, kind of. As Americans, we associate blonde hair with European ethnicities, but it's really just the Scadanavian countries that you can find a lot of blonde hair.
Which means, for most other countries, it was like I was walking around with a neon sign on top of my head saying "Look at me, I'm not from here."
(The onlyItalian I fit in with in Rome)
If you've got blonde hair, just be aware that you're going to draw a lot of unwanted, and sometimes dangerous, attention to yourself--aka make sure you're extra aware of your surroundings, especially if traveling alone.
2. Have A Decoy Wallet
No, I did not come up with this handy trick myself; it's way too practical, but I am a big fan of it. You should never be carrying all your money/IDs/credit cards in one place anyway, but this is for the chance that you get approached for your purse.
Keep a separate wallet, with a fiver in it, or some other small amount of money. Hopefully you never have to use it, but if you are approached, throw the wallet on the ground and run like hell.
The person is going to go for the money, not you, and hopefully (if you're not me) you can run fast enough that you can totally avoid the nasty situation of losing all your things/being mugged.
3. Come Up With a Fake Name/Boyfriend Name
My fake name that I like to give out when being harassed/annoyed is Blair, really original, I know. Unfortunately, the more important name to keep handy is a boyfriend's name. If you don't have a real one, make up one you'll remember; mine is "Kenny," named after my BFF Kendall.
(My "boyfriend" Kenny and me in Berlin)
For some reason saying "I'm meeting my boyfriend _____" is taken way more seriously than "I'm not interested, please leave me alone," but hey, that's another issue entirely.
4. Don't Go Out Alone
Another one of those situations where it sucks to be a girl, but it is seriously not worth it to go out partying alone. Even if you happen to find yourself in a city with legendary nightlife like I have more than once (still dreaming about you, Lisbon), it's just so not worth the risk.
I've been followed and harassed more times than I can count, especially when I've been by myself. I've had two very close encounters, and this is all while just trying to get back to my bed in the early evening.
However, if you've got a travel buddy, absolutely go for it. I was lucky to have a perfect travel buddy for some of my adventures, and there's really nothing more valuable than that for traveling.
5. Always Learn How to Say Please and Thank You
It sounds like second nature, but learning how to say please and thank you in the native tongue of wherever you are can go a long way. Especially in Europe, where most people speak English anyway, they aren't expecting you to be able to speak to them in full sentences. But that simple please and thank you, shows them that you're trying, and that you're not another rude tourist.
6. Do Your Homework
My rule of thumb would be to look up at least five different travel guides to whatever city/area you are going to. Have at least three restaurants picked out, and a couple big things you want to see.
The worst feeling is leaving a city and realizing you didn't see something you would've really wanted to, had you known it existed. You know, like realizing on your last night in Berlin that they have a Military History Museum... just for a hypothetical example.
Same goes for trying to figure out where you want to travel to; read up on articles online and then narrow down your list from there. You might find places you've never even heard of before, like I did with the Portugese Algarve Coast, and you might realize how badly you want to go to well-known places.
(Algarve Coast, Portugal)
(Crossed Stonehenge off mybucket list)
7. Try Absolutely Everything
If you're lucky enough to have the time to travel, whether it's with others or alone, take full advantage of it. You never know what you might like unless you try it, whether it's food, museums, fashions, dancing, or skydiving, just try it.
And don't be afraid to let your ideas change with each new experience; that's the absolute best part.
