How to Plan Your Next Solo Travel: Research

Up for traveling on your own? Doing a little soul searching? Itching to scratch the travel bug? Embarking on a solo adventure can be an exhilarating and liberating experience. It allows you to discover new places, challenge yourself, and gain priceless personal growth. However, careful planning is essential to ensure a successful and safe journey. This blog post will share some solo travel tips, focusing on research, budgeting, and safety measures.

Research

I did little research up front when I prepared for my big three-month European trip. Here’s what I planned out before I took off on United 3585:

• I was going to fly into Paris.
• I was going to return home from Dublin.
• I wanted to visit as many countries as I could.

When I landed in Paris and before I visited each new place, I researched. There’s a lot to research, but it comes down to the location itself, transportation, where to stay, and activities.

Location

Location is your first objective. Where the hell are you going? Plans for two weeks in Paris will be different than a week in Charleston. Ideally, you should have an inkling of where you’d like to visit. Perhaps you are hoping to test your French skills (it’s gonna be rough – have fun!). Or maybe you’re interested in the Winter Markets of Germany. If you aren’t sure where to go, ask your friends. Don’t have friends? Chat GPT can act as one. Look at this! I told GPT that I like history, non-touristy activities, and meeting new people. I got this as a result:

1. Krakow, Poland: Known for its rich history and vibrant culture, Krakow offers a plethora of historical sites such as Wawel Castle, the historic Old Town, and the former Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. You can also explore lesser-known areas like the Nowa Huta district, a socialist-era neighborhood, and participate in cultural events and local meetups.
2. Guanajuato, Mexico: This charming colonial city is steeped in history and boasts colorful streets, historic buildings, and intriguing underground tunnels. Explore museums, such as the Alhóndiga de Granaditas or Museo de las Momias, attend local cultural events, and immerse yourself in the vibrant arts scene.
3. Kerala, India: Known as “God’s Own Country,” Kerala is renowned for its lush landscapes, serene backwaters, and rich cultural heritage. Explore historic sites such as Fort Kochi, visit traditional villages, and participate in cultural activities like Kathakali dance performances or Ayurvedic wellness retreats.
4. Salvador, Brazil: As one of Brazil’s oldest cities, Salvador is a treasure trove of history and culture. Explore the Pelourinho district, a UNESCO World Heritage site, visit historic churches and museums, and immerse yourself in Afro-Brazilian culture through music, dance, and cuisine.
5. Fez, Morocco: Step back in time in the medieval city of Fez, known for its labyrinthine streets, bustling souks, and well-preserved historic architecture. Explore the ancient medina, visit historic madrasas and mosques, and connect with locals over a cup of mint tea in a traditional riad.

These destinations offer a perfect blend of history, authentic experiences, and opportunities to meet new people while avoiding the crowds typically associated with tourist hotspots. Remember to immerse yourself in the local culture, be open to new experiences, and seek out opportunities to connect with locals to make the most of your journey.

I’ll use those ideas for my next trip…or my next next trip (I want to do Quebec first!). Also, I have friends.

Location means finding what might match with you. It means figuring out if anyone speaks English there. Research the culture. How will you need to interact with others? If you are taking a long voyage with multiple locations, it’s okay to research your first one and research your following stops along the way. It would be overwhelming if I had to research the fourteen places I visited all beforehand.

Transportation

There are two parts to this: getting to your destination and finding your way around while there. Driving, flying, sailing, train-ing…walking? In Europe, I jumped between stops on the train. It was easy enough with the Eurail pass and just two bags. I took the bus between Switzerland and Germany. I flew from London to Cork. And I drove myself around Ireland. And when I arrived at destinations, I walked.

When finding plane tickets, I recommend searching through Google Flights or Expedia but booking directly with the airline. That ensures that if there are delays and such, you’ll be more likely to get help from the airlines.

If you plan on renting a car, I recommend doing that far in advance. Don’t do what I did and get one upon arriving in Cork. That’s what happens when you don’t plan.

Lodging

As with flying, booking direct will give you the most cost-effective option (usually) and the opportunity to cancel or change generally. I recommend staying in Airbnb or hostels. It depends on how you want to spend your time. I loved Airbnbs for the privacy, space, and ability to cook more. Hostels were great if I wanted to be sociable and much more cost-effective. Generally, I spent between $20-$40 per night at hostels. But a couple charged up to $70/night. Still not awful.

Hostels are the best way to make friends, but you’ll be sleeping with other people. If you’re a light sleeper, it might not be a good idea. I never felt unsafe at any hostel. I was annoyed at a bunch of French guys partying at 3am right outside my door in Milan, but that’s it. I met a lot of cool people at hostels.

Activities

Plan out some activities. I enjoy spontaneity. I’m happy to put on my shoes and walk out the door taking random turns to an unknown destination. I knew the destination when I found it. My brother, on the other hand, requires near exact planning. And that’s cool! He didn’t like jumping off the train in Florence and wandering as much as I did.

I would recommend combining both methods. Alternate your trip with planned and unplanned days. For planned days, find a couple activities. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Pick two, maybe three things that will fill your day. I would not recommend more than two museums in a day, especially in a foreign country. I tried three in Paris and my head was pounding from all the info. Wicked overload!

Check out parks, museums, restaurants, attractions, and cultural landmarks. Check out “free walking tours” too! They are free, but a tip for the guide is expected and appreciated. I had an excellent guide in Amsterdam and will do more of those in the future.