Everyone needs a break from their typical daily routine occasionally. Waking up every morning and doing the same thing you do every day from morning to evening can be frustrating. You can break this monotony and take a vacation to that place you’ve always wanted. The best part is that you don’t even need a traveling companion.
Most men shy away from traveling solo but don’t realize that traveling alone can be more fun than having your family or partner for company. Going solo means independence and freedom. You get to make your own schedule, choose your own destiny, and meet new people without anyone holding you back; you may even meet your better half.
Generally, solo travel is an opportunity to learn about yourself, expose yourself to new experiences and habits, and discover new cultures and traditions. If you plan on vacating alone for the first time, here are a few tips you should consider:
1. Personalized Travel Bag For Your Mancation
You’ll need to pack some necessities, like grooming essentials and a change of clothing, for the trip. Purchasing these essentials at your destination is also an option, but some things may not be available in the local shops, especially in a foreign country.
However, you’d also not want to overpack. Consider packing light, as overpacking may limit your mobility. It’ll make it more challenging to navigate through crowded streets and stations. Also, light packing will ensure your essentials are safe throughout your trip.
Consider getting a personalized weekend bag large enough to accommodate all your belongings yet small enough to carry around. You have many options, including duffle bags, backpacks, and messenger bags.
If you love a custom bag, then going personalized is for you. Von Baer offer a great personalization service where you can choose a custom message for your duffle bag.
2. Choose Your Destination Wisely
Your vacation destination will influence your travel experience. It’ll determine the sites you visit, the activities you engage in, and the people you meet. You’d therefore want to choose a place that suits your style, interests, and personality.
For instance, if you enjoy being alone for a considerable amount of time, consider hiking the peaks of Peru or spending quality time at geysers and hot springs in Iceland. If you think you’ll feel lonely during the hike with no one to talk to, consider a destination or city full of life and tourists like Thailand, New Zealand, Paris, and Tahiti.
If you’re a risk taker and enjoy the thrill of gambling and drinking, Las Vegas may be your perfect destination. You can also ride a scooter in Thailand, take gritty photos in Medellin, or trail through the jungle of Bail if you have a neck for danger.
You should note that your style, interests, and personality aren’t the only things that influence your destination choice. You may also want to consider your budget, the season, and security. You want to take a break from work or daily stressors, but overspending isn’t the answer.
Create a reasonable budget that accommodates the activities you plan to undertake. However, don’t underestimate your expenses. It’s one of the mistakes to avoid when traveling alone. Ensure you include some extra funds for emergencies. The last thing you want is to get stuck in a foreign country with no one to bail you out.
Also, you’d want to ensure that it’s the best time of the year to get the whole experience. For instance, you wouldn’t want to visit destinations like Goa during the monsoon season. Instead of relaxing on the gorgeous beach while basking in the sun, you’ll spend most of your time inside.
3. Do Not Be A Hero
You can have a well-thought-out itinerary list outlining the safest locations to visit, drink, and have meals, but you may still come across some unexpected situations. For instance, you may enjoy your alone time at a bar when someone picks a fight for staring at their partner or sibling for too long. You can also come across muggers when strolling unfamiliar streets.
Don’t be a hero when you find yourself in such situations; walk away if you can. Remember that some will always look for the slightest excuse to pick a fight. You may get badly hurt or even die if you engage in bar fights or try to fight off muggers in an abandoned alley while trying to save a few bucks or prove you’re a strong man.
4. Consider Mobile Technology
Nowadays, technology has simplified everything, and the travel agency industry is making the most of it. Most agencies have mobile apps and websites that allow you to maximize your travel time. You can easily book flights online and arrange reservations, saving the time you’d otherwise spend doing it physically.
You can also download some useful online tools and apps for traveling. Apps like Tripit allow you to access all your travel details from a central point. And you’ll no longer need to access your emails, itinerary, and sites separately. Instead, you can feed this information into Tripit and access it whenever required.
Also, since it may be your first time visiting that particular destination, finding your way back to your hotel or the site you want to visit may be challenging. Luckily, you can use apps like Google Maps and TripAdvisor when you need help navigating the city.
Conclusion
Going solo is an exciting, transformative, and rewarding experience. You get to rediscover yourself and create connections with people with similar interests. However, navigating new and unfamiliar locations can be daunting if you don’t prepare well. Therefore, you’d want to follow this guide to make the most of your solo mancation!