Quick Q & A on Solo Travel Around the World

I have been solo traveling around the world for 9 years. There are many common questions people ask about my experiences as a solo female traveler. I decided to take the time to answer some below in the hopes that you get inspired to take your own trip.

What has been your favorite place?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the U.S.A. is amazing and underrated. The diversity of landscapes, food, and people is unmatched, at least from what I’ve seen.

Since my page is about going abroad, I’ll add that Argentina has the best landscapes, Indonesia has the kindest people, and Peru has the best food. I have spent 3+ months in each place, so I am biased. Often, the longer you spend in a place, the more you fall in love with it.

What place do you recommend for new travelers?

Solo travel recommendations are tricky because they depend on you. Many people think they want to experience new cultures, then they find themselves squatting over a hole and contemplating their existence (me).

That said, Europe is the easiest continent to transition to because it still holds all the modern luxuries you are used to, has English speakers, and is very easy to navigate.

If you want to push yourself a little, South America is by far my favorite continent. Major cities have the same quality of life as America but with much warmer people. The countrysides are full of historical sites, stunning landscapes, and fresh, local foods. Just remember to take probiotics for your tummy before going! The U.S. diet lacks diverse bacteria. Trust me, you will find them in Latin America.

What have you learned about people while traveling?

Generally speaking, people are busy. They have kids, work, bills to pay, and pets to walk. They are not lurking and waiting to come get you. In fact, strangers are usually quite lovely. The deeper you get into remote, rural places, the kinder they are. Find someone who has great National pride and they will show you the BEST of their country.

What was the scariest moment you’ve experienced?

The scariest moment I’ve ever had was when a drunk man tried to get into my bedroom in the middle of the night. He never made it inside, but I felt very helpless and alone. Fortunately, it taught me to be keenly aware of my surroundings.

I’ve had other awkward moments abroad and definitely done some questionable things but I have rarely ever felt in danger. I usually bush moments off like these and thank my angels for protecting me. I do not take for granted that I remain all in one piece. But I also know that the KEY to this is staying in tune with my intuition.

Have you had moments of risk to your safety? How have you recovered or prevented danger?

Of course. I have been followed multiple times. Mostly because I like wandering around alone at night in unfamiliar foreign places (sorry mom). I grew up in New York. Dark, unfamiliar areas do not often scare me. I keep my head down and keep it pushin.

As a solo female traveler, I do not carry objects for safety (pepper spray, whistle, etc.). I have never shared my location with anyone. I do not lie. If someone asks if I’m traveling alone, I tell the truth. I like being sincere. Confidence is more important when engaging with strangers than false narratives.

That said, everyone should do what they need to in order to feel safe. I use instinct and intuition to prevent danger. I meditate daily to recover and remain at peace in my own body.

What is the difference between Instinct vs. Intuition:

Gut instinct is your physical reaction to a situation. It’s your body warning you of danger. It doesn’t need to be aggressive, just enough that you notice it. You may feel it in your gut as well as goosebumps, chills, and/or chest pains.

Your intuition is connected to your third eye. It’s what you see or sense beforehand. For example: someone invites me somewhere but I don’t go because it doesn’t feel right. I haven’t physically experienced that space/location, I just sense that something is off. I may think “ew” I don’t want to be in that room. That icky feeling is the warning.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to fine tune both of these if you want to solo travel anywhere.

You must also learn to manage your anxiety. Being overly stimulated can distract you enough that you lose sight of reality. It’s important to know what is REALLY happening and what is happening only in your anxious mind.

Is solo travel exhausting?

Having perpetually exciting experiences causes fatigue. Sometimes, I just want to lay like a starfish on worn out sheets that I got ten years ago and refuse to replace.

Comfort. I start to crave comfort like people often crave adventure. When this happens, I am exhausted to the bone and no amount of rest days can lead to recovery. I just need to go back home.

If you have any more questions let me know and I’ll answer them as soon as I can.