Tips for Solo Travel

Travelling solo can be hard, especially in terms of planning your trip. It's even worse for a first-timer in my opinion. But it's something that I have done and actually prefer to do in my life from now on.

First things first... The Dreaded Planning

I'm not sure about all of you, but I actually enjoy the planning part to an extent. I don't know, there's just something about looking at where you're going to be staying and getting all excited about finally taking a break from everything. I will say though, the part I hate most is trying to put my own itinerary together, because that's the part that requires the most research.

Tips:

· Do the work… research your destination

Know what your interests are e.g. do you like visiting museums and monuments, or more interested in contemporary arts? Perhaps you want to experience the city like a local or you’re wanting to go to the famous places instead? Pick your location based on that! Then plan your itinerary based on that!

· Stay in a centrally located accommodation if you can

It makes planning your itinerary so much easier and transport is so much more accessible.

· Check the average prices

Knowing prices for transport, food, event tickets, etc. really helps you plan your budget.

· Check weather forecasts

You might just need that extra jacket if you’re heading to the UK! Even in the summer. Trust me, it’s happened to me on a trip to Scotland before :(

Now let's talk money, baby

• Don't spend too much money on dining: During my first day in Chester, I had breakfast, lunch and dinner all under £21.All thanks to my breakfast and dinner being from Tesco: 2 bananas, 2 apples, 1 tomato and garlic roll, 1 cheese roll, 1 skinny iced coffee and a 1L bottle of water all for £5.02.

• Cut down on the souvenirs: Now this one obsession only starts to fade when you’ve travelled a lot. I think you begin to value the experience rather than the materials. Plus great photos with marvellous views and unique funny poses always make for a good souvenir!

• Don't go ballistic with the tours:I only went on one tour throughout my UK trip and none in Egypt! I did a 40-minute River Thames cruise (which I'd gotten a discount on from my accommodation ;) and I thoroughly enjoyed it-my tour guide was Abbi, and she was ridiculously funny and knowledgable. The views were also fantastic! As for Egypt, I am staying with an Egyptian host family and I've learned so much more about the Ins-&-Outs of Egypt and perhaps things I would have never known from a tour guide that's gonna tell me info I can pretty much find online.

• If you can, travel out of high seasons: o It’s no surprise that travelling out of season can really save you on flights/trains and accommodation prices. On some websites or apps, there’s even an option where you can choose date flexibility (i.e. choose different dates) so you can get cheaper prices. If you have the luxury of being flexible in your dates, I highly recommend you give it a try!

• Subscribe to hotel booking sites and miles cards: Often these hotel booking sites will give you a special so-called ‘secret deal’ if you have an account and they may occasionally send you alerts and discounts on some places. As for travel miles cards, that is a great way to ensure that you’re getting some of the money you spent back- these accounts or cards can actually save you a couple quid when travelling!Customize the look of your media by making it widescreen or small and easily align media inside your posts.

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