Travelling is a concept that appeals to many of us, regardless of where we come from. Travelling solo, on the other hand, is widely misconstrued as the perfect recipe for loneliness, and boredom.

Despite the constant chatter about the myths and dangers of being alone and away from home, the trend of solo travel, is slowly picking up in our part of the world – especially among the millennials. Stories of solo travellers across the world who meet with exhilaration and uninhibited freedom are motivation enough to get the thrill-seekers and risk-takers of today to pack their bags and get going on a life-altering adventure.

Embarking on a solo trip will get you plenty of advice, much of it unsolicited, most likely to make you rethink your globetrotting dreams. Rather than letting misconceptions deter your plans, read up and prepare for the unexpected before setting off on your big adventure!

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

• Visit a place close to home if you haven’t travelled alone before. Gradually breaking in to the solo travel lifestyle will make it a lot less terrifying for first-timers.
• Share your flight details, hotel reservations, and local contact details with a close friend of family member to ensure that they can track you down in case something were to go wrong.
• Scan copies of all your travel documents, IDs, ticket numbers, etc., and email them to yourself or back them up on Google Drive or DropBox for easy access anywhere.
• Don’t assume that your phone will work. Sign up for a pre-paid local sim card or an international package if you plan on traveling overseas.

IN-TRANSIT

• Avoid arriving at strange airports or stations late at night. Alternatively, opt for hotel pick up services if you do arrive at your destination at odd hours.
• Track your cab via Google Maps to know if you’re going off route. Also, it’s safer to use call taxi services rather than flagging them down in the street, especially if you’re alone.
• When taking the train, avoid sleeping in empty compartments. You’re safer sharing a compartment with a family.

STAY SAFE

• Dress like a local or a long-term expat to avoid unwanted attention. Tourists are often easy targets for pickpockets and swindlers.
• Always carry a travel-sized first aid kit with Band-Aids, pain killers, anti-histamines, mosquito repellents and anti-rash ointments.
• Keep a note of any hospital or 24-hour clinic nearest to your hotel or guesthouse for serious medical emergencies.
• If you’re listening to music, avoid wearing both headphones. This way, you’ll be more alert with what’s going around you.
• Local acquaintances will help you figure out ways to get around in the area and places to avoid if you’re alone.

ALONE DOES NOT MEAN LONELY

• Discover interesting places that are hidden away from tourists by getting to know local service people such as store clerks, hotel staff, taxi drivers and servers. They usually have the inside scoop on things to do that travel blogs and brochures won’t tell you about.
• Sign up for group walking tours, safaris, special-interest trips and group expeditions, which tend to have a high percentage of solo travellers. Befriending like-minded tourists and locals is a part of the experience.
• Gastronomically adventurous but afraid of eating alone? A book is the perfect café companion.  Additionally, websites and apps such as Yelp and Zomato will help you discover restaurants and cafeterias with communal tables for single travellers like you!

The decision to take a trip alone, locally or internationally, is a choice that every person should make at least once in their lifetime. Stepping out of our sheltered lives and voluntarily signing up for a tryst with independence can be as exciting as it can be daunting.  However, whether you’re a sophomore in college or whether you’re grey and well into your 70s, very few experiences can match up to the way travelling can – it changes you for the better.

Written by Lynn Verghese for JenJon Retail & Services Pvt. Ltd. Images used in this post are taken under the Creative Commons Licenses. 

It’s finally time for that vacation you’ve been looking forward to for months. Needless to say, the thought of getting away from monotony of your work life is exciting – and you’re staring at a week (maybe even a month if you’re that lucky) of a trip that can’t seem to subside your wanderlust.However, from the days leading up to the trip till the day you unpack after the holiday – traveling can also come with headache-inducing stress and several opportunities for things to go wrong. To avoid any potential vacation ‘horror stories’, here are a few travel hacks to help you prepare for your next adventure.

Do your homework

Even the most spontaneous of travelers can’t do without a little homework before embarking on an adventure. It’s highly advisable that you gather plenty of information on your destination – the culture, people, local customs and etiquette, native foods, road conditions, weather – the logistics of getting acquainted with a new place needs to be taken care of to avoid any glitches or “surprises” that could mar the memory of your trip. While bookstores and travel blogs are a great start, online travel sites and forums can give you ‘insider’ information from fellow globetrotters, locals, tour operators and those who are familiar with the area you intend to visit. Map out your itinerary and learn as much you can about everything you are planning to do during your visit. By doing this, you’ve already reduced your inconvenience, while gaining confidence to explore unfamiliar territories…and have fun while at it!

Have a checklist in place

You’re less likely to forget something if you make a list of everything you need to bring with you and what you plan to do on your trip. It’s also a good idea to prepare a checklist of documents you are carrying with you – hotel booking confirmations, flight ticket printouts, identification documents, online booking receipts, guidebooks and the likes. Taking some time out to prepare a comprehensive checklist will save you time and tension as you near your vacation dates. If you’re short on time to make a detailed list for yourself, use the internet to source printable checklists for every type of traveler/vacation.

Prepare a smart carry on

For long-haul flights, your carry-on bag is your best friend. Always pack a pair of spare clothes and undergarments in your carry-on for emergencies, and ensure that your mini case of toiletries comply with airline regulations. It’s also a good idea to keep your passports and travel documents in a separate pouch or folder in your carry-on to avoid digging through your bag at the check-in or immigration line. For those traveling with children, stash a few granola bars in each bag to curb cranky hunger pangs during transit.

Zip it up

Ziplock bags are a great way to optimize your luggage space while packing for a long trip. Small zip pouches are great for toiletries and medicines; the medium-sized bags work great to hold wires, chargers and USB cords. Large ziplock bags are also a great way to organize and pack undergarments to save space – and if the fellows over at customs ever decide to go rummaging through your luggage, you’ll be rest assured that your underwear won’t be on obvious display for everyone to see!

Tag your luggage

This one is a no-brainer, really. Use stickers, ribbons or a colorful luggage tag to make it easy to identify your bags at crowded airports or railway stations. Most often, you end up spotting a traveler with bags similar to yours, so it’s a good idea to ensure that luggage is easily distinguishable to you to avoid confusion. Before leaving for the airport, snap a picture of all your luggage (including your carry-ons) on your phone. If you misplace your bag or struggle to recall what it looks like, the photograph will come in handy. This particularly works for families with kids, where packing light isn’t much of an option.

App your way to easy travel

 No matter where you’re heading and what you plan on doing, there’s an app out there to help you. As soon as you’ve finished planning your trip, hit the app store on your smartphone and download programs that can optimize your itinerary better than a brochure. There’s no denying that technology makes traveling easier – and having a few handy apps can help you plan and document your trip, select convenient transportation options, help bridge the language gap, suggest popular food and entertainment options, help you meet fellow travelers and backpackers, keep a tab on your shopping expenses, and help you keep in touch with friends back home. Tech-savvy globetrotters travel with a wealth of information in their pockets, making their vacation a little easier, or at least more fun.

Back up essential information 

To avoid the paranoia of losing important documents during your vacation, it is a good idea to scan your passport, visa, ticket and hotel confirmations and email them to yourself. Better yet, email a copy of your travel itinerary to a trusted friend or family member foreseeing an emergency. If you decide to carry hard copies of these documents, ensure that you store them away from the originals. Carry a small notepad with the contact information of your hotel or guesthouse, in case your phone runs out of battery. Simply knowing that you won’t be completely stranded in an unfamiliar place is benefit enough.

A little preparedness goes a long way. That being said, happy vacationing!!

Written by Lynn Verghese for JenJon Retail & Services Pvt. Ltd. Images used in this post are taken under the Creative Commons Licenses.