Wandering Woman; How to prepare for solo travel when borders reopen

Solo traveling can be daunting when you think about it especially if you are used to travelling with family or friends, but believe us when we tell you that as a woman you can never have enough “me” time and travel is one of many ways to get to know yourself better. Travel is truly an awesome experience that imparts so many gifts onto you (such as self understanding, knowledge and courage) and in this article author Opemipo Omosa will be giving you helpful insights on how to prepare for your next solo adventure. Have a set budget That trip to Santorini or the Maldives is only possible when you have money. However, having money isn't just enough, you also need to have a budget. A budget helps you spend wisely and doesn't allow you to splurge on too many margaritas and ten you find yourself stranded at the bar with no taxi money for the ride home. Create an excel spreadsheet to track your daily spends and fill it out each night before you hit the comfort of your bed. Grab a free money tracker here2) Declutter Decide on your destination The most important part of solo traveling is choosing an amazing, safe destination. Where exactly do you want to go? Do your research on the various places you would love to travel to, make sure it's in your budget (don't forget to compare their local currency with your base currency - a loaf of bread in your visiting country may not be as cheap as your home country), and check out their tourist attractions to see if you will be interested in them. After this , pick a place you know would suit you WhatsApp Image 2021-01-29 at 1.59.15 PM.jpeg “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page” Book hotel reservations: Set aside enough time to look for affordable, central and comfy accomodation and book a reservation there. Don’t leave it to the last minute. If you’re wanting to travel and not interact too much, go to a private hotel or take up an entire AirBNB to yourself. If you're wanting to meet new people or families so that you can submerge yourself in the culture, try a women's only or coed hostel or why not book a room with a friendly family via couch surfer for a truly authentic experience. Pack light: Pack light and smart, remember you're going for a holiday and not migrating to another country. Do you need those 6 sweaters if you're going to Bali? Probably not. Keep in mind the weather of the country you're visiting, and what activities u will be doing while there. A combination of cute + practical always works. Relax It can be stressful being in an unfamiliar place by yourself, but do yourself a favor and relax. Take a few moments before every new adventure and stay grounded (morning affirmations are a great way to remain confident, poised and ready to tackle your day). You’ve made the first step toward a new journey. Take it in, one step at a time. Don’t forget to Have fun! Don’t stay cooped up in your hotel, online or on instareels. Get out there! You’re in a new destination with the purpose of seeing the world! Get out your walking shoes and wander the streets, explore historical and quirky alleyways, check out a market, go to a secluded beach with a book, hike to a park, hop on trams and trains - get a little bit lost. Make a new friend who can accompany you to a few parties and try out the local food with you Be smart, be safe Of course when travelling alone as a woman one must remember the need to stay switched on, alert and humble. Avoid going to isolated places with people you don't know unless you’ve taken some time to get to know them, you have a good instinctual feeling about them and you have your phone with local police on speed dial. If you're meeting someone for the first time, make sure it is in a public place with people around. Another tip is to always have written down numbers of local authorities, international emergency services and a few basic words in the local language like “Where can I get a bus?”, “Where is the nearest police station?”, “please assist me.” Always have a paper version of your map on hand in case our phone dies and you haven't got your power bank with you. For whatever reason you’re choosing to take a solo trip, I applaud you, and encourage you to make the most of it! Go out into the world and shine, learn and be fearless, one life, one world!