|
More and more women are traveling alone, whether abroad or across the state. Traveling solo can be a great adventure – I’ve been enriched in my own travels rambling in Rome and training to Toulouse. To keep your own journey safe as well as satisfying, keep in mind the following tips for your next expedition.
 | | woman traveling alone |
Know where you’re going. Study maps and travel guides of your chosen destination before leaving home. Get familiar with your travel route as well as the local customs of the place you will be visiting.
Let others know where you’re going. Leave copies of your itinerary, as well as copies of your passport and other important documents, with close family and friends. Bring their contact information with you so that you can give them periodic updates as to your whereabouts.
It’s also a good idea to register your foreign travel plans with the U.S. Department of State. You can do this at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/. This way, in case of an emergency during your travels, you can receive aid from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. You can also get travel warnings and updates concerning your travel destination before your departure.
Protect your valuables. Invest in a purse with a secure zipper. You may also want to carry your passport, credit cards, and other important documents in a money belt underneath your clothing. Keep your belt in contact or within plain sight at all times, even when sleeping and showering in your hotel room.
Travel in daylight. Avoid traveling at night, and arrange for your flights to arrive in the daytime.
Use hotel safety. When checking in at a hotel, avoid giving out your first name if possible, and skip checking in the Mr./Mrs./Miss box on your registration form. Have the hotel clerk write down your room information instead of declaring it out loud. You don’t want to attract unwanted company to your room.
Make sure your doors and windows lock well. You may also want to get a room close to an elevator so as to avoid walking down dimly-lit hallways.
Always carry a cell phone. Carry emergency numbers on your phone, and make sure it is turned on. If you are attracting unwanted attention, you can pretend to phone a friend and set up a rendezvous nearby.
Don’t draw attention to yourself. Study the local customs for appropriate manner of dress. Dress inconspicuously, and avoid wearing expensive-looking jewelry. Avoid eye contact with men you don’t know, and stay close to crowds and around other women.
Always be on the alert. Walk with confidence; avoid looking confused or lost. Even if you don’t know where you’re going, act like you do.
Trust your instincts – if a situation doesn’t feel right, get out immediately. Be prepared to scream, kick, and run. If you feel like you are being followed, don’t go back to your lodgings. Stay within crowds and hang out in stores until you have lost whomever you suspect before going home.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If someone is bothering you, let a store clerk or a person in authority know
Enjoy your journey. Soak in new experiences and make new friends. Take advantage of your independence and visit the sites and places you love.
|
