This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
Solo travel is growing in popularity. Here are some tips to get the most out of it!
It has its fans… and its resisters. Still, solo travel is gaining more and more followers if we are to believe the statistics published in both North America and Europe. The Tourism Watch Network speaks of a phenomenon “in constant progression” since 2014. And the trend concerns women even more. The proof: some agencies are beginning to review the imposition of a supplement to be paid for the occupants of a solo room.
Alone, but not lonely
Finding the right travel partner is not so easy. It is often said that this one is as difficult to find as a life partner! Tourist interests, pace of progress, interaction with the locals: if you are not in perfect harmony, the experience risks, in the long run, turning sour. By traveling alone, one is the master of time and space; you have zero compromises to make and total freedom to adapt your itinerary according to your desires and encounters. Alone, we are also more inclined to go to the other to break our loneliness, and much easier to approach than a couple or a group of friends. The result is often beyond expectations: by counting only on yourself, you continually step out of your comfort zone and multiply your learnings — language, cultural codes, practical challenges, etc. “By traveling alone, you develop skills that you don’t necessarily have to develop in your lifetime,” says Ariane Arpin-Delorme, tailor-made travel consultant and founder of the Esprit d’Aventure agency. By chaining small daily victories, you gain a lot of confidence. This travel enthusiast also directed the collective work They conquered the world solo, 10 inspiring stories from female travelers (editions of the Man). His advices ? Take it one step at a time: “Rather than going to India for a first solo experience, I recommend countries like Finland or Indonesia to start gently,” she says. Especially if you feel vulnerable and weakened by life. »
Some bulk advice
• Ask yourself the question: why go alone? To put the odds on your side, it is better to determine what you want to get out of your solo trip. “If you just give in to social pressure or fashion, it’s not worth it,” explains Ariane Arpin-Delorme. And the experience may even turn out to be at best, dull, at worst, a failure.
• Book your first nights of accommodation. Any exploratory journey has its share of difficulties and challenges to overcome. Along the way, we develop techniques and tricks to circumvent them. So, let’s go quietly by ensuring his first nights at the hotel or in Airbnb. “Especially after a long flight, you want to know where you’re going to land! summarizes Ariane Arpin-Delorme.
• Research etiquette and protocol. It’s true whether you’re traveling alone or not; it is even more so when you are alone to ensure your safety abroad. Respect for certain customs, in particular the way of dressing, is non-negotiable. The prerequisite: find out about the dress codes and others to adopt (veil on the head, covered legs, etc.) for smooth contact with the inhabitants of the country visited. While you’re there: learn to say “hello” and “thank you” in the language of your host country, it helps to establish contacts with the locals!
• Provide emergency numbers in your phone. Can you dial the number of the police authorities of the country where you plan to spend a few weeks? Maybe not. Integrating it into the list of his telephone contacts can be reassuring.
• Warn of his arrival. Are you backpacking solo in the country you are visiting? Notifying the hotel or hostel where you plan to spend the night is a good idea. If you do not point the tip of your nose, it will alert your hosts and it will activate the searches.
• Share info and tips. Go to the Singles Travel International social network, created at the instigation of tourist agencies for singles who want to exchange practical information on destinations and the activities they want to practice.
• Make your head spin. In travel, as in life, you have to use your judgment and your instincts in identifying potentially risky situations. Turn around as soon as the atmosphere arouses some discomfort. In short, pay attention to the signs. But don’t give in to fear. If this one can be a good adviser, it can also slow down your momentum and that would be a shame.
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the To have to, relating to marketing. The drafting of To have to did not take part.