Travelling is fun. Just the thought of visiting some place new can get anyone from any age group excited. While travelling with friends or family can be a highly entertaining, doing it on your own can be a very rewarding experience. Seeing, experiencing and figuring out things for and by yourself will leave you with unforgettable memories and sometimes, lessons for life.
As exciting as it may sound, it may not feasible at all times. One of the main reasons could be money. Planning to save for a solo trip? Here is a little guidance to help you do it more effectively:
- Budget – First step is to budget. Figure out where you want to go, research online and ask travel agents to gather enough information about the various costs involved in visiting this chosen place. This should not only include your travel and lodging costs, but the costs incurred for looking around, food, etc too.
- Plan – You cannot plan today and leave tomorrow unless you are financially stable and a very impromptu person. You need to plan when to go, how to go, where to stay, etc. You will know how much time is available or required to save enough money for the trip.
- Spend Wisely – It is time to start tightening the strings on your purse. Start spending wisely. Do not spend on unnecessary things. Splurging once in a while is not a crime but your trip is going to be the big splurge, so don’t lose sight of it while you live your regular life. Set aside a part of your monthly income for the trip and live in the remaining amount. This way you will be on track.
- Invest – Invest your money in various venues for a short term with good returns. Rather than letting your money sit idle in the bank, why not let it earn you some more money? You can speed up your savings by getting good returns and interests. However, if this is not familiar territory, just stay away from it!
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You do not have to eat alone. From cooking classes to day tours to themed dinners, there are so many ways to have company over dinner if that’s what you want.
Keep your accommodation to yourself. Your accommodation is your safe haven. Don’t tell people where you’re staying. If they ask, it’s easy to be vague.
Pack light. You’re going to save money and be more mobile if you pack light. It requires a bit more planning to have a wardrobe that stretches from hiking boots to high heels but it can be done. Choose a base color (black, brown, beige, navy), a contrast color (white, beige…) and a color or two to accessorize and pull it all together.
Visualize the necessities but no more. Traveling solo does require attention to details. Visualizing how the practical aspects of your trip fit together, from departure to transfers to accommodation, help you travel with less stress. But stop imagining what the trip will be like at that point. Be open to opportunities as they arise. It’s impossible to travel without any expectations of a destination, however, the less you are driven by specific expectations the freer you will be to travel in the moment.
Plan your first night well. At minimum, have a place to rest your head on the first night of every destination on your trip and plan to arrive by mid afternoon. It’s important to have the time to find your hotel or hostel in daylight and time to change your accommodation if you determine that this is not the place for you.
Choose your destination with Intent. You can travel better simply by understanding why you want to go where you want to go. Dig down. The initial inspiration may come from a book you read or a movie you watched, but surely there’s more to the story. Understand your intent, what’s drawing you to the destination, and you’ll have a more enriching travel experience.
“This month I booked my first solo trip to Paris. … I just wanted to share this with you because you inspired me to let go of 2018 and forge ahead into 2019 with the knowledge that it does not require “someone else” to make my own way. I will be in Paris on my 57th birthday and I am very excited! Thank you so much. I have more to check out on your site and on Facebook but your message is an important one. Not just for the resources but for the spirit in which you support and encourage!!!
I am constantly browsing online for posts that can benefit me. Thank you!