5 Essential Tips When Travelling Alone

Travelling alone doesn't have to be a lonely or embarrassing experience. In fact, whether you're touring the pyramids of Egypt or relaxing on a luxury Celebrity Europe cruise, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more about yourself, meet new friends, and truly experience your surroundings.

The following are five tips to help you optimize these experiences:

1. Get Out And Be Social

Travelling alone doesn't mean that your entire holiday has to be spent in solitude and introspection. This trip should actually be quite the opposite. Get out and mingle with the locals as much as you possibly can. If you're on a cruise, take part in the on-deck activities and socialize with those around you. Connecting with others is as easy as walking over and saying a quick "Hello". Seasoned travellers can point you towards the best local attractions, while area residents are able to give the best directions and neighborhood-specific advice. People who travel alone tend to make more meaningful connections on holiday than those who travel in large groups.

2. Keep Your Travel Itinerary Full

Make your excursion a memorable one by trying things that you've never tried before. You can schedule a number of exciting activities and events ahead of departing. This way, you won't be aimlessly wandering around in search of something to do. From snorkeling and skydiving, to sightseeing via hot air balloon, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself from feeling lonesome and melancholic while on the road.

3. Have A Solid Safety Plan

One of the biggest challenges of travelling alone is making sure that you stay safe. There's definitely safety in numbers, but you shouldn't let this keep you bound at home. You simply need to build a solid safety plan. Start by booking accommodations and other travel services through reputable, well-reviewed providers. Also, check out the crime statistics for the area that you'll be travelling to in order to know more about the risks that you're most likely to face. Make sure that you have comprehensive travel insurance, and an easy way to access any emergency medical or dental care you might need. Be sure to jot down the emergency numbers for the region as well. This way, you can get rapid assistance should you ever require it.

4. Think About Sharing Meals With A Local Host

There are several web-based platforms that holidaymakers can use to book meals with local hosts. These are individuals and families who will share an authentic meal with you, and at a relatively nominal cost. These types of dining experiences give you far more insight into the culture and community than dining on your own.

5. Be An Early Bird

Consider starting your days with the sunrise rather than falling into bed during the wee hours of the night. Getting an early start will enable you to check out the most popular sites and attractions, long before the crowds come rolling in. Solo travellers also find that early days are far more preferable to hitting the night scene or pub crawling by themselves. In some regions, this strategy can also be a lot safer as well.

Whether you have yet to meet your significant other or just simply need some quiet, solitary time by yourself, taking a solo holiday can be a lot of fun. These five tips will help you stay safe and entertained as you explore the world and learn more about others and yourself. They'll also help you take advantage of every opportunity to meet new people and try new things.

This is a contribution from one of our contributing writers.