A few notes
There's so many apps out there for solo travelers it can be tempting to just download them 'in case'. I think the better approach is to have a toolkit of apps you're familiar with that serve a distinct purpose for your travel. Here's a good list if you need somewhere to start.
You don't have to choose between being spontaneous and being prepared. I think each of us has a balance point between the two, and some skew further one way or the other. I admit I'm more of a planner, but I always leave time to wander and see where the day takes me.
Guides to solo travel make me cringe a bit. This one didn't. The advice is practical and actionable at the same time. If you're headed out for your first time, give it a read.
Solo travel tip
Being Alone Isn’t the Same as Being Lonely
It's helpful when you feel loneliness creeping in to acknowledge it and treat it like the passing feeling it is. It's not a sign that things are falling apart or that you're not succeeding. Take a moment to sit with it and decide if it's best served by a bit of rest, a chance to breathe and notice where you are, or perhaps take it as a reminder of the freedom.
A few useful solo travel resources I came across
- Rental Car Pickup Checklist for Your First Solo Trip [Lori Loves Adventure]
- Best Surf Camps In The World For Solo Travellers [The Good Observer]
- 50 Hotel Hacks & Tips for Solo Travelers Staying in Hotels [GRRRLTRAVELER]
- Why Solo Travel Is the Ultimate Journey of Self-Discovery [Bea Adventurous]
- Is Solo Travel Safe? Why Your Brain Thinks It’s More Dangerous Than It Is [Flight Mode]
- These 5 New Long-Distance Trails Are Perfect for Solo Travelers [Travel + Leisure]
If you're looking for a solo travel destination, the internet always has plenty of opinions
- 10 Best Solo Female Travel Destinations [amber all over]
- The 23 best destinations for solo travel [Lonely Planet]
- My 8 Best Places to Travel Solo for the First Time [Travel Off Script]
- These Are the 10 Riskiest Countries for Solo Travelers [Travel + Leisure]
- Best Backpacking Destinations in Europe for Solo Budget Travelers [Hostelworld]
- How to Choose the Best Destinations for First-Time Solo Travelers [Solo Traveler]