Cheapflights.co.uk encourages travellers to go soul-o
Almost year on from the release of the iconic film Eat Pray Love, soul searching travel continues to gain momentum, particularly for summer.
Cheapflights.co.uk, the UK’s leading website for flight price comparison, keeps travellers in the know about going soul-o in the run up to peak travel season.
“Summer is a great season for adventure, making it ideal for solo travel. With schools out, those with families will be otherwise occupied and going it alone becomes an even more popular option,” says Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for Cheapflights.co.uk.
“Whether the lone journey involves volunteering abroad, compiling a travel journal, or simply sitting on a beach, there’s a formula for making it a success. Choosing the right destination and knowing how to keep safe are key, amongst other things,” adds Hallak.
The most important thing to consider when travelling alone is staying safe. While today’s world of smartphones and instant communications provide some comfort, there are still some more ‘traditional’ remedies to consider for guaranteed safety.
Tell your loved ones: Always inform family and friends where you’re heading, how you can be reached and provide them with a full itinerary of flights and transportation. If you’re being collected from the airport, ask the tour operator or hotel sending the transportation for the name of the person or service picking you up along with their phone numbers as well as those of the destination. Also, select flights that arrive during daylight hours, and try to connect with people on the other side using social media networks.
Leave your valuables behind: Apart from your passport, wallet and any other travel documentation you might need for your specific destination, it’s best to leave valuables at home. Keep the trip light and casual, leaving more room to pick up souvenirs from the destination itself. The same rule applies for large sums of cash. The necessary amount should be taken for use upon landing in the destination and additional amounts withdrawn when there.
Destination selection: Those travelling solo for the first time may want to choose a destination closer to home. For UK travellers, European destinations such as Spain and Italy are a great starting point to kick off the trend. Flights to these destinations are frequent and short, the locals are friendly, people will most likely speak at least a bit of English, and getting around is easy. The currency is also familiar, reducing the chances of being scammed.
Table for one: Whether it’s in a foreign land or your home country, dining out alone is almost always a daunting prospect. If travelling as part of an organised trip, mealtimes might already be pre-determined, but if not, the first step is to smile! A smile is inviting and encourages others to approach. To lighten the experience, select a restaurant with a casual atmosphere, ideally one with a bar or counter where you can sit and eat. Bar staff are normally friendly and will start up a conversation. Alternatively, pick a table that offers good people watching or take a laptop, book, iPad, or other form of ‘companion’ along.
With the safety and the ‘how to’ sorted, it’s time to pick a destination. Cheapflights has highlighted the world’s best locales for travelling alone in its latest, and varied, Top 10 Destinations for Solo Travel. Some of the top picks include New Zealand, Paris, Bhutan, Rome, and Amsterdam. For the full list along with details of what to do and how to get around, visit: cheapflights.co.uk