Solo travel has been on the rise for the past few years now. While growing up, I too always had a hankering for exoloring the world on my own. Twenty years down the line, when I finally did get an opportunity, I couldn’t contain my happiness and excitement. The follow-up days were spent packing and surfing the internet looking for options for stay, places to eat and destinations to see.

Soon, as the travel date started approaching closer, I was extremely thrilled to be finally able to travel alone for the first time. Yet, somehow, I also found myself in a state of worry. From the how-to’s to the what-if’s relating to the trip, my mind was all over the place. However, even though the idea in itself seemed challenging and scary, the eagerness to explore my favorite destination kept me going. First, I sat down and started working on a mind map. Away from home, I knew I would have limited resources and so, a solid travel strategy would be needed to sail through the trip smoothly.

From my personal experience, here are 7 tips for solo travel that will help you if you are planning to go on a solo trip and feel your anxiety kicking all over about it.

Share your trackable location

First things first, your family and friends must know about your whereabouts. A trackable location is a good option in case you’re unavailable and cannot use your cellphone. With this, you can send them important information, like where you’re staying, the contact number of the person in charge of the stay, the travel agency’s name and number, etc. Doing this saves you and your family a lot of time and unnecessary worry. If they can’t get a hold of you, they can still know that you are safe and sound.

Always have an emergency plan handy

Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. It is essential to always be on your toes and be prepared if in case a worst-case scenario occurs. Search for nearby hospitals, doctors, and police stations for emergency visits or calls. Consult your doctor before leaving for any medical issues or allergies and accordingly carry your prescribed medicines so you don’t have to face any hassle there. It is always good to be ready with preventive measures, this way you can travel freely without fretting about anything.

Carry out a safety review before you leave

Travelling to a new place can be a daunting thought. Being the first visit, it is obvious that you will not know what is good or what is bad. Search online or get in touch with locals to learn more about the location and what is doable there. You can inquire about safe places to stay, modes of transport that can be used, and the time till when it will be safe to wander off alone. Your safety comes first so always keep that in check and do not engage with anything that seems or sounds shady to you. Even with hotels, try to book a room that is preferably nearby to other tourist families or solo travelers to be on the safer side.

Invest in travel insurance

Stop unplanned incidents from ruining your travel plans and investment. Travel insurance that covers interruptions and canceled plans can help you get paid back for your covered losses like those brought on by inclement weather, disaster, certain medical conditions, or any other issues. The travel insurance plan can protect you against unforeseen personal or other losses as well as dissipation of luggage misplacement, theft, and others.

Check the weather forecast

Knowing the weather forecast can help you plan ahead for your day out. According to the weather conditions, you can stay prepared and carry suitable valuables. In an instance of rain, get an umbrella and a jacket so that the weather does not put a hold on your plans. Carry extra pair of gloves, socks, and caps too, if required depending upon the place you are going to. Since your trip schedule is limited and you can not waste time staying in, it is best to plan before to avoid any weather-related trouble.

By taking a look at the weather condition you can also take a call on whether you want to go out at all or not. Some places might get closed due to certain weather and if such a situation arises you can either stay in and chill or switch any other day’s following plan with this one.

Carry cash

Always keep some cash handy or in your purse. There will be locations where your internet will not work, or where the shops or local vendors will not accept online payments. In that case, you must go prepared and carry a suitable amount in cash. Do not waste it unnecessarily so that when it is needed, you can wisely spend it on necessities.

These are just some of the efficient travel tips you can inculcate in your to-do list. Make sure you eat well and keep yourself hydrated. Feel good about the trip and get an early start to explore in length. We get your wanderlust high so worry not, a well-organized travel plan will make your trip a perfect and memorable one.

The holidays are right around the corner, and you may be making plans for travel this season. With unexpected flight delays, COVID-19 infections lurking around, and other disruptions to your itinerary, traveling during one of the busiest times of the year can be stressful.

Understand that it’s completely normal to feel anxious and overwhelmed during your trip, especially with so much outside of your control, said Nina Vasan, chief medical officer of the mental health platform Real.

Whether you are traveling home for the holidays or taking a vacation to a new destination, here are some expert-approved tips to make holiday travel less stressful this year.

Plan ahead

If you’re worried about sudden changes to your travel itinerary, it may be helpful to make a plan ahead of time.

Vasan recommends thinking of potential situations like flight cancellations, weather changes and lost baggage. You can then incorporate steps such as knowing alternate flight options or taking only carry-ons, if you have the option to do so.

“Having a ‘crisis plan’ in place can decrease your feelings of anxiety because you already know what to do if something disrupts your itinerary,” she said.

Balance your itinerary

Trying to fit everything into your trip, from visiting multiple family members to touring new places, can be a lot.

“Don’t feel obligated to make a fully booked travel itinerary or feel like you have to be productive at all times. Focus on spending quality time with others and make sure to spend some time for yourself to take care of your mental health,” said Katie Duke, a nurse practitioner and member of FIGS’ health care advisory board.

If you’re traveling for an organized event like a holiday, give yourself some space before or afterward to take a relaxing break. Duke recommends doing something that gives you joy, like taking a walk outdoors or grabbing your favorite drink at a local cafe.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness, the ability to be present in the moment, has been associated with reduced anxiety. There are many ways to practice mindfulness, like focusing on your breathing, journaling how you’re feeling, or engaging in a guided meditation.

“The physical action of taking a few deep breaths can be really useful in releasing stress and promoting a state of calm,” Vasan said.

Entertain yourself

During your journey, you may find yourself spending more time waiting than planned due to delays. While this may be stressful, think of it as an opportunity to do something fun and entertaining to boost your mood, Vasan said.

Be creative and engage in an activity you enjoy, like finding a new book to read, starting a new TV series, drawing or even listening to a podcast episode.

Stay hydrated

It’s easy to forget to drink water throughout the day, especially during the colder months. Make sure you’re drinking enough water this holiday season, said Supriya Lal, a registered dietitian based in New York City.

“Staying hydrated will not only help our bodily functions, but also help improve our mood and energy levels,” Lal said.

Rest

Whether you are on the road or taking a train, the journey to and from your destination may make it difficult to get enough shut-eye. Prioritize sleep while traveling by aiming to get at least the recommended seven hours of rest each night.

“Getting enough rest is essential to be able to regulate your stress and channel healthy coping mechanisms,” Vasan said.

Give yourself some positive self-talk

The unanticipated changes you may experience during your travel journey can feel overwhelming, but remember that it’s out of your control. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

“Tell yourself that your emotions right now are completely valid. Engaging in positive self-talk can uplift your mood and decrease stress,” Duke said.

The winter is finally upon us and though there are a lot of people who revel in this time of year, there are a lot who despise the cold nights and short days. These people usually enjoy heading away somewhere in the wintertime to enjoy some sun in another country. If this is you and you are wondering how best you can prepare for this trip, then be sure to continue reading as the below article is going to go into more detail about the different ways that you can properly prepare for some traveling this winter.

Be Ready for Delays

When it comes to flying in the winter months, the sad fact of the matter is that the chance of a delay increases exponentially. The poor weather and strong winds mean that a lot of the time a plane will need to wait before taking off or it may be that the flight has to be rescheduled all together. This isn’t the end of the world, delays are a possibility regardless of the time of the year that you are travelling, what’s important is that you are ready for them. There are a number of ways you can do this. The first is to keep chargers in your hand luggage. You don’t want to use up all of your battery and then be unable to get directions when you land because of that – you could even consider a portable charger for this purpose.

You should also make sure you have plenty of activities to do in these periods of delay. One of the most popular options at the moment is to play on different online casino games. The top paying online casino websites are easy to access, and airports usually have excellent WIFI you will be able to use to go on these.

Take Out Travel Insurance

Again, because of the delays that can often occur as discussed above, you want to ensure that you are covering your back by taking out sufficient travel insurance. There are a number of excellent providers available to make sure that you are fully covered. When you take out such insurance, it means that if there are any issues, you can rest easy knowing that all of the expenses which could be incurred as a result are going to be catered for.

Drive Safe

If you are going to be driving to the airport, then you need to make sure that you are keeping safe when doing so. The roads can be a lot more slippery at this time of year and as such, you need to stay alert whenever you are driving anywhere. This applies to if you rent a car in your holiday destination as well. Even though you might be going to get some winter sun, there is always the risk of potential storms that could lead to the driving conditions becoming more dangerous. As such, make sure that you are staying alert, no matter where you are driving to and from on your winter holiday.

Vietnam has become a fast-rising and popular tourist destination. The vivid and vast landscape of Vietnam may leave you sliding along a sand dune in the morning while strolling along the beach in the evening. Vietnam is a country with a rich, war-torn history and awe-inspiring natural beauty. Travelling here can be an absolute delight. Here are some travel tips to Vietnam that are important to keep in mind while travelling here. Some of the travel tips to Vietnam been enumerated in this article.

1. English is Not Very Commonly Spoken Here

In cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, you will find plenty of English speaking people. However, in the villages and smaller towns, you are hard pressed to come across people who know more than a few English words. So it is a great idea to learn some common Vietnamese phrases and the Vietnamese words for a hotel, food, bathroom, petrol, etc.

2. Electricity, Money and Wi-Fi

The official currency for Vietnam is Vietnam Dollar (VND). VND is used most commonly, but some places accept USD as well. Vietnam does not have ATMs in remote areas and it is a great idea to carry loose cash stacked away safely. Exchange money from jeweller shops for better exchange rates. The plug points are all rated for 220V AC current. It is advisable to carry a universal travel adapter. Wi-Fi connectivity is quite good in Vietnam and you will find Wi-Fi in most public places and restaurants.

3. Be Prepared for the Weather

Due to its proximity to the equator, Vietnam experiences a tropical climate. During the rainy season, torrential rainfall occurs and this may a damper for a lot of tourists. Carry plenty of summer clothes – loose, airy cotton clothes and large bottles of sunscreen. Carrying a light jacket and an umbrella is also advisable. Due to the tropical climate, mosquitos are found in abundance. Do not forget your mosquito repellant.

4. The Roads are Fairly Safe

Vietnam has a lot of motorcycles on the road. Traffic rules in Vietnam are not very stringent, and many tourists may find it unorganised and difficult to crossroads. Walk with a steady and confident pace and do not stop anywhere. When you get over your initial shock, you will realize that Vietnamese drivers are considerate. Do not walk displaying your cell phone or other valuables as petty theft is rampant.

5. You Don’t Have to Tip at Restaurants

In your country, tipping the waiter at a restaurant may be the norm, however, in Vietnam, it is not expected. Very rarely do the waiters receive tips and those they receive from the occasional tourist. Feel free to tuck the extra change into your pocket instead of leaving it for the waiter.

6. Make Sure you Adhere to Temple Etiquettes

This is a very important travel tip to Vietnam. Temple Etiquette is of foremost importance in Vietnam. The land has a rich collection of temples that you can visit. Make sure that your shoulders and knees are covered inside the temple. Make sure you do not walk over the prayer mats, even if they are empty and do not walk between someone praying and the Buddha statue. Photography is generally allowed as long as you keep your flash turned off.

7. Napkins are Not Free

You may be used to the waiter getting you unlimited napkins and not having to pay a cent for it, but in Vietnam, that is not the case. Iced tea or Jasmine Tea is free as soon as you order off the menu, but each napkin costs VND 2000 or VND 3000. The waiters even linger at your table and count the number of napkins you have used.

8. The Locals Like to Overcharge

The locals like making an extra buck by overcharging tourists to almost twice (or thrice) the actual price. Shop Owners and Marketing employees are overwhelming here and will try to overcharge you for anything including a branded cloth item. Bargain hard and save myself loads of money.

9. Take your Visa Seriously

Tourists often get turned away for not having the right Visa documents. Be polite to the immigration officers and double, triple check if you have all the necessary documents for your pre-approved visa or visa on arrival. You do not want a visa issue putting a damper on your vacation. Also, check if you need a visa at all. Some countries don’t.

10. Booking Hotels and Hostels Online May Not Save Money

Vietnamese love business and bargaining. When you book a hotel or stay online, you price is fixed, but often in person, you can negotiate for a lower price. In Vietnam, the price of a room is always cheaper on site than online. Also, some of the most picturesque hotels may not show up online. For the best value hotels, check out the back alleys.

11. Don’t Put Your Valuables on the Table

Vietnam is a fairly safe country as long as you do not flaunt your valuables. There are innumerable cases of people losing their phones or wallets on seconds because it was in the table. Escape via motorbike is very common on these kinds of petty theft cases. Loop the strap of your day bag or purse under the leg of your chair. Keep your phone in your front pocket and don’t limp-wristedly take photos in super-busy areas. Place your bag or purse between you and the driver, if riding on a motorbike. Be wary of any strange, sexy women approaching you at night. Don’t let it all hang out.

12. Pay Close Attention to the Money You Receive

If you are paying in VND and receive change in the same currency, remember to cross-check whether you received the right amount. Since you are unlikely to be familiar with the currency, handing over more than you intended or forgetting to check if you were given the right amount may cost you a day’s budget.

13. Be Careful with Street Food

Vietnam has mouthwatering street food and you may be tempted to try out all of them. However, remember that health comes first. Ensure that the surrounding surroundings are hygienic and if the food is hot, that it is boiling. This simple trick may save you from a lot of stomach diseases.

14. Book Your Train Tickets at the Station

Vietnam has excellent train services which give you a unique glimpse into the landscape. Always buy your ticket at the train station instead of the hotel. Your hotel will end up charging you a ‘basic’ service fee of VND 200,000. Instead, buy your tickets at the station when you arrive. Make sure you buy your tickets in advance as they sell out fast.

Get off the ‘tourist’ trail. Vietnam is not just about the big destinations. It is about the unexplored parts of the country that is just sitting there and waiting for you. Vietnam is about the friendly locals and excited school kids who wave at you as you zoom past in your motorbike. Keep these travel tips in mind and enjoy a spectacular,hassle-free holiday!