With the worldwide pandemic that has happened, everybody deserves a break from all the various lockdowns. There are so many things to explore worldwide- and you feel like you want to uncover more exciting things the world has to offer, especially after being stuck at home for long periods. Well, it is now the time to prepare for your first-ever solo trip! It would be the perfect solution for you to break out of your slump and have the world at your feet.
Everyone should escape from the world and experience traveling solo as the adventures and activities will serve you a lifetime of memories. It’s better to take this chance now! Preparing for your first trip alone can be nerve-wracking as you encounter endless questions like “what am I going to do?” or “what to bring?”. Fear not; we are here to give you 6 tips that can help you start by preparing and also enjoying your first solo traveling journey!
1. Know Your Location and Have a Plan
Now that you have chosen your destination, it is time to know how long you are staying and know your location, as this is the start of your trip planning process. Next, research the area you are traveling in as you want to have a bit of knowledge and not go in blind because that can sometimes backfire, which we definitely don’t want. You can search online for places and famous spots that can be visited during your trip to have a clear vision of your activities and surroundings. Plus, it keeps you on your toes and excited that you will visit the area.
An itinerary for your solo trip is recommended as it can keep you organized and prevent messy things from happening. However, just put down a brief timeline of your day as you are exploring and don’t want to be constricted by a strict schedule. It brings out the fun when traveling and being surprised along the way.
2. Prepare Your Documents
Understandably, you are all perked up and excited about your solo trip. Still, the next tip is self-explanatory but crucial as even the most organized person can sometimes forget it. Before you even start packing, it is important to double-check all the essential papers and documents for traveling as it will save you from all the troubles.
If you want to make it more secure and easier to grab, compile everything in a small file or folder so you can just grab it and go on the day of your trip. Put everything away in your travel bag so there is no misplacement with the file, and you are now ready for the next steps!
3. Pack Smartly and Accordingly
The worst thing you can do to prepare for your first solo trip is to overpack, as it is a nightmare to deal with. An important tip is to know what the climate is like at your destination so you can clearly know what to bring and whether you need to pack light or heavier pieces of clothing. You can plan ahead your outfits and style the same clothing item in different ways. Bring a suitcase that is big enough for the number of days you will be traveling and space for new clothes or souvenirs along the way.
Save all your stress and always pack light because you will come across stores during your visits with pretty, cute clothing and will purchase it. Over time, it will take up space in your suitcase, which the thought of dealing with is stressful enough. Just bring the necessities you would probably need, and then you are good to go!
4. Take Care of Your Skin
As much as you are excited to head out and explore, taking care of your skin is important! You will be out and about exposing yourself to the conditions outside, and precautions must be taken to ensure your face will thank you. In addition, it can get dry on the planes or when you are out and about, so always use a moisturizer to soothe the skin while keeping it hydrated.
Next is to constantly use sunscreen whether it rains or shines because the UV rays can still get you no matter what the weather is like. Mostly, you don’t want to get sunburnt, so applying SPF is something to be mindful of. Great skincare brands such as Cetaphil sunscreen use great ingredients that help protect the skin from UV ray damage. Always reapply throughout the day to stay clear of the sun to ensure you and your skin have a great holiday.
5. Phones are Your Best Friend
In this day of age, everyone needs a phone to survive. Traveling to a new place means experiencing new things, including not knowing the directory of your locations or understanding the languages. A phone is a small but mighty gadget that you need as nowadays there are so many applications catered towards traveling to make solo travelers like you have a smooth and enjoyable trip. You can set up a few apps on your phone before leaving to make things easier once you arrive.
Moreover, your phone will help guide you in heading in different directions and assist you in asking for help from a local, if needed. There are so many great phones on the market, such as Android phones, as they are versatile and have some cool features. Plus, you will definitely need your phone as it can act as a camera to take pictures and record all the precious memories you have made during your travels.
6. Be Confident and Enjoy your Trip!
Last but not least is to explore your destination and enjoy every step. Go around and do new activities you have never tried before as it is your first-time experience, as you want to absorb all the positive things possible. When arriving in a new location or country, always explore their range of different foods. So, go ahead and visit all the famous food spots to accentuate your taste palette!
Making friends is also a bonus with solo traveling, as this is your journey at the end of the day and having friends at a different destination is a memory worth keeping. Always be confident and also roam around the place. Who knows, you will gain some local friends that can help you show all the other places outside the tourist’s spectrum.
Traveling solo can be intimidating at first, but once you set your heart to it, you will find it one of the most enjoyable things in life. Once you get used to traveling alone, you will want to make your next solo trip as soon as possible!
