Gooood afternoon travelers (or people interested in travel— don’t worry, I love you guys too). I think it’s about time we address the elephant in the room. The taboo travel topic, so to speak.

I’ve got all things solo travel broken down so you won’t have to be Breaking Bad (sorry Walter).

Let’s dive in:

• 🗻Location showdown

• 🔐Solo safety

• 💸The budget of going it alone

• 🖼️ Solo travel meme

🗻Location, location, location

Like John M. Ford said, “I’m not lost, just locationally challenged.”

And if a man who wrote two pocket Star Trek books is locationally challenged, you shouldn’t beat yourself up for being the same way.

Choosing the best destination can be a bloody battle

Okay…that’s a little intense, but there’s some truth to it. When the world quite literally becomes your oyster, decision-making is more difficult than ever. Throw going by yourself into the mix and boom, you’re suddenly questioning if you should go at all.

Let’s cut through the chaos and look at 3 locations that I believe to be the best for solo travel.

New Zealand

the Shaky Isles are calling

For those seeking adventure and epic landscapes. New Zealand offers a wide range of adrenaline-pumping activities that don’t require more than one person, while at the same time ranking as one of the safest countries in the world. If adrenaline isn’t your jam, I get it. It’s not mine either, I prefer to not feel like I might die on vacation.

Let’s evaluate why else this destination ranks number one on my list.

The reason is Frodo Baggins. Or, maybe just the Hobbit lifestyle in general. Lord of the Rings was filmed entirely in New Zealand. The filmmakers used various locations throughout the country, including Matamata (for Hobbiton), and the Southern Alps (for scenes in Rohan and Gondor).

If you’re thinking, how will I get my gifts from the Fellowship through airport security? I’m also wondering that, so let me know if you figure it out.

Another selling point has got to be Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu. No, that’s not a typo. It’s the town with the longest name in the whole world. Imagine that as an Instagram caption.

Thailand

From the bustling city of Bangkok to the beautiful beaches of Phuket, Thailand offers a diverse range of experiences for every type of traveler. Not to mention, Thai cuisine is one of the most popular in the whole world, Pad Thai and mango sticky rice, anyone? It's a backpacker's paradise, a waterfall lovers dream and island utopia.

I know Thailand doesn’t right off the bat scream this is the perfect place for me to go alone. Let me elaborate.

The country has a well-developed tourism infrastructure, making it easy for solo travelers to navigate. Thailand offers a diverse range of experiences, from bustling cities to tranquil beaches, making it an ideal destination to explore different aspects of the country at your own pace.

This country has much to offer beyond the stereotypical image of a place solely for partying and indulgence.

So, here’s the bottom line, it’s called the Land of the Smiles for a reason!

Personally, the street food markets alone are enough to convince me to book a one way ticket. We’ll see where this train of thought leads me…

Romania

Did you expect this one? I’m full of surprises.

Romania is, quite possibly, one of the most underrated travel destinations.

If you like mountains, castles, history, train travel, and the Addams family (alright, that’s a bit of a reach, but the hit Netflix show Wednesday was filmed in various locations throughout the country), then this is the place for you.

Do you want me to tell you exactly where to start your Romanian journey? Okay, calm down, I will.

The city of Brasov. When I visited I stayed right in the city center, seconds away from the Black Church (which was next to a Starbucks, that company is truly on every corner).

A short bus ride away is Bran Castle, which you may know as Dracula’s Castle, muahahaha.

Though I did not do this trip solo, I encountered many solo travelers while there. Being alone in Transylvania isn’t as “horror movie” as it sounds.

Romania is home to a wide range of landscapes, from the majestic Carpathian Mountains, Danube Delta, Black Sea, as well as charming villages, medieval castles, and vibrant cities. Solo travelers can explore these diverse regions with ease thanks to the well developed public transport and train system.

Listen, I’m not saying these trains are comparable to the Japanese bullet trains, but if you don’t mind a peaceful chug through the countryside, you’ll be just fine.

As an Ohioan, I wanted to do anything but think about my home state during my time in Romania. Yet, I ended up being asked to take a picture for a guy traveling alone who was from Cincinnati. We’re on every corner too, like Starbucks, I guess.

🔐Solo, without Han

As comforting as it might be to have Han Solo with you to be your acting body guard, you won’t need him.

Solo travel presents many challenges, I can’t deny that. Venturing out on your own brings about some deep philosophical questions. Who will watch my bag while I go to the restroom in the airport? Who will wake me up when I inevitably fall asleep and almost miss the airplane meal? Who will play Marco Polo with me in the pool? Who is going to watch my back?

Consider these anxieties eased, courtesy of yours truly.

Drumroll please for my top 3 safety tips:

• Stay aware of your surroundings. Seriously, like, look up from your phone, watch your back every now and then, try to not look clueless. As fun as that film is, there will be no Paul Rudd around to call you out on it.

• Regularly check in on your important documents. Is your passport still in your backpack or did it fall out three streets back in front of the unavoidable Starbucks?

• Stay connected. Keep in touch with family and friends back home and let them know your itinerary and plans.

You’re probably thinking yeah duh, but common sense can easily fly out the window when you’re stressed or in a new environment. Try to keep your wits about you.

💸What’s in a price?

An obvious selling point to voyaging alone is cost (or so you would think). One person meals, not to mention, eating what you want when you want, no compromising necessary.

Sorry, got off topic there. Can you blame me? Food rules the travel world.

I digress.

One train ticket, one bus ticket, one coffee and so on.

But don’t let the “1 person” aspect fool you. Some hotels and cruises charge a "single supplement" fee for solo travelers, which can increase the cost of your trip.

I know I know, incredibly annoying. Often, you’ll be expected to pay for the “luxury” of having your own room.

If you’re not a “hotels only” kind of person then you can maybe dodge this situation with Airbnb. While there is no single supplement fee in the app itself, some owners have found sneaky ways to make you pay more anyway. Check the listings carefully, single rooms that share amenities may be listed for more than a an entire property you’d have to yourself.

I learned that lesson when searching for accommodation in Budapest, Hungary. Whenever they can find a way to make you pay more, they will. Read the listing descriptions veryyyy closely.

If you’re feeling a bit nervous about traveling solo you may want to consider extra safety precautions, such as travel insurance, emergency phone services, or guided tours.

Sure, maybe you’ll have to open your wallet in unexpected ways for a solo expedition, but in my humble opinion, it’s all part of the experience.

🖼️Solo travel meme

You thought you were escaping this newsletter without one more Lord of the Rings reference? Think again.

That’s all she wrote for this week folks.

I hope, if nothing else, I’ve put the image of sitting next to Han Solo on a commercial flight into your head.

Thanks for tuning in, talk again soon