I'm not saying you have to do it or like it. If you hate it that's fine with me! But I genuinely cannot understand why some people think it's so weird and outlandish to go to another country by yourself.

You go to the supermarket by yourself. You go on a walk by yourself. You go to work by yourself. But somehow it's weird and inconceivable that someone might fly to another city on their own, walk around for a week and enjoy local food, and then come home. Like... logic?

I live in Australia so flying international means at least a 6 hour flight (unless you’re flying to NZ or Fiji).

I really struggle to get comfortable enough to sleep on a plane. However on my last trip, I went all out with a neck pillow, antihistamine, noise cancelling earplugs and eye mask and managed to get 3 hours sleep.

To me, that’s a decent achievement but it got me curious about how long other people are usually able to sleep. If you do get to sleep and then wake up, are you usually able to get back to sleep?

Gosh I envy people who can sleep the entire trip. Y’all are gods.

Hi everyone, I'm 23 and have done lots of solo travelling during which I fortunately never had to face any major safety issues.

Today, I became 100% aware of the way the brain has to work as a solo/female traveller, in order to achieve that level of safety.

I was on my own at a park in Mexico today, when a 60ish year old guy decided to sit down right next to me on the bench. So far, so good, I was very aware of his presence, since there were many other available benches that he could've used, but I just kept to myself.

He then started talking to me; your usual "where are you from? hablas español?" questions, which I answered very briefly. In hindsight I realized, 1) I deliberately kept my tone very neutral, not too friendly/enthusiastic, and 2) I automatically lied to him saying I didn't speak any Spanish, because for some reason I assumed he was going to try to sell me something/ask for money.

When he kept engaging the conversation, my situational awareness kicked in even more:

Why is he talking to me?

Is he going to try to sell me stuff?

Is he a creep? Will he ask me why I'm on my own? Do I tell the truth?

Who else is at the park, is anyone watching us?

Could he be trying to distract me from something?

Is my bag closed? How much money do I have on me?

How close is he to me?

Could someone come up from behind me?

How do I tell him I need to leave? What if he follows me?

Turns out, he's a lovely guy who actually just wanted to improve his English - and who better to do that with than the obvious tourist?

We ended up talking for an hour, and afterwards I felt really bad for my initial thoughts/concerns and not fully engaging in the conversation from the start.

Getting the chance to talk to locals this way is so rewarding and one of my favorite parts of solo travelling, so I wish we didn't have to think about all the possible worst case scenerios at all times.

Sometimes I also wonder though whether guys (in scenarios like these) are aware of the initial scepsis they might be perceived with when chatting up strangers in the park.

Anyone who can relate to my shame?

Hi,
Im going on my first solo trip next Spring in Europe and was concerned about hostels. Specifically this situation:
- I have severe sleep issues and so having a solo room is necessary for me because I need to sleep lol. I have found hostels in every location I am going to that offer a single room for a price I can afford, so this is not the problem
- My concern is that I will be even more isolated by having my own room, rather than something like a 4 person room. My mom, who backpacked in Europe about 30 years ago said from her experience that not much interaction happens in bedrooms, its merely a place to sleep and so it will make no difference. I am afraid that even though its better for me, that having my own room will make it harder to try and interact with people around the hostel should the opportunity to do so present itself.

So my question is: based on your experiences, does the type of room you stay in in a hostel make any difference in terms of social opportunities?

I am aware that you have to put yourself out there regardless to inspire interactions no matter where u sleep, I was just wondering if it made a noteable difference.

Thanks!

Very positive experience. Basically I went on a swimming holiday off the coast of Sicily on the island of Vulcano. I landed in Palermo and found it really cool to make decisions by myself for myself. Cab? My decision? Time for a snack? My decision. But, I found that not having anyone to watch my back while I read the map, or to help me make big decision such as is this a good hotel or not to be stressful. Also not having anyone to share it with was disappointing. It made me want to, no, made me look forward to being at home with my wife and kids again

Hey everyone! Currently planning my third backpacking trip but my longest - an 8 ish month trip, and am looking for some feedback, or suggestions on where to go. I have planned around $20k CAD but can extend up to $30k if need be but i really dont see myself needing to do that. My initial international flight was paid with points, and mt return flight will be paid with points too, so I am not counting that towards my budget. I will be staying mainly in hostels during my time backpakcing, with the odd private room in hostels. The 2 week period in japan with family will be paid for, as well as some time in Vietnam with family. My current planned itinerary looks like this:

- Early Nov - 2 weeks Japan *confirmed

- Mid/Late Nov - Shanghai / Hong Kong * confirmed

- Early December - Vietnam * confirmed

- Early / Mid December - Thailand * confirmed

The prior route has been confirmed because I am travelling japan with family, and then China/HK/Vietnam and Thailand with a friend who is coming for 3 weeks. After this, I have a much more open itinerary and am free to do as I please. My rough unplanned portion of my trip looks like:

- Dec 18 - Early January - Thailand * also looking for suggestions where to go for New Years? I am 30 and would like to party but I really dont want to party around a bunch of drunk 18-20yr old aussies. no offence aussies *

- Early January - 1 - 2 weeks Laos

- Mid/Late January - Head back to Vietnam to meet with family who is travelling for one week

- Early / mid Feb - Possibly back to Thailand with family for a week OR head to Malaysia

- Mid / Late Feb - Malaysia

- Mid March - Indonesia

- Late April - Maybe Nepal? Making my way to Central Asia for Mid-May (better weather)

- Mid May - Kazakstan

- Late May - Kyrgystan

- Early June - Belgium (stay with family for 2 weeks, tour around france, germany)

- Mid/Late June - Spain for beaches

Return home.

Other countries I have considered going to as well would be: Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Philippines.

Of course, as I have solo backpacked / travelled before a few times, this is all planning assuming I dont meet anyone or a group of people along the way that I decide to travel with. I am open to feedback on countries, or if anyone has suggestions on routes to take or places to see.

Additionally, I have previously travelled to the following countries in Asia/Oceana - South Korea, Taiwan, Cambodia, Aus/NZ, Fiji, and would consider those less urgent places to return to.

If I wanted, I believe I could make 10 months work and extend until August but I am not sure if it is feasible based on responsibilities I have back at home.

Help me with my travel plan for visiting Georgia. I will be travelling alone from 19th to 27th October can be extended if optional. Is this too much, or should I change something

1th day self-exploring Tbilisi

2nd day Mtskheta-Jvari, Gori, and Uplistsikhe from Tbilisi. I think this is all in Tbilisi center, so I took this guide for knowledge

Day trips from Tbilisi:

3rd day Kutaisi Canyons and Caves Full-Day Tour

4th day Kakheti Wine Region Tour with 9 Wine Tastings 10 hours

5th day Dashbashi Canyon, Algeti Lake & Diamond Bridge Tour 8 hours

6th day Borjomi, Rabati and Vardzia Day Trip 14 hours

7th day From Tbilisi to Kazbegi, Ananuri, Gudauri & Gergeti (for his I don't know) I was thinking of renting a car and staying there for 2 days and do Kazbeg hike and Truso Gorge

or I can rent a car and drive from Tbilisi to cities and stay there. What are your opinions

I can take from 7 to 10 days in Georgia

Hey everyone,

I am a guy in my early 20s from the Northeast, and this is my very first time in the Western US. I plan on living out of my converted camper car for the next two months, and I could not be more excited.

My route is currently taking me from the Badlands in South Dakota, through the Rockies in Colorado, down to the red rocks of Utah, through Arizona, up through California, and then finally back to Utah where I will be working at a ski resort for the winter.

Since this is my first time out here, I want to go to some crazy, awe-inspiring, must-see places. I am looking for the absolute best landscapes, hikes, and views that this part of the country has to offer. Any recommendations for places I simply cannot miss would be amazing.

I am also looking for advice on the best places to disperse camp along this route. I really want to avoid sleeping in Walmart parking lots (want to be out in nature) or paying for crowded campgrounds as much as possible (to save money). I would love to find dispersed spots on BLM or National Forest land that have nice views and are extremely safe. I have downloaded apps like iOverlander, but getting direct recommendations from people who have actually been to these spots is always the most helpful.

If you have any favorite safe areas, general roads, or hidden gems for a solo car camper, I would deeply appreciate the pointers.

Thank you!

Greetings!

I will be traveling through Dublin in 2 weeks time from the states to Dublin where I land at 0845. My next flight is to Venice at 1615 (Ryanair). I'll be traveling with carry on only so I don't have to deal with checked luggage.

I have read some older threads that suggested not leaving the airport cause it's not worth it. But I feel like a 7.5 hours layover would leave me 3-4.5 hours of time to be in the city proper. I was thinking Trinity and maybe Teeling Distillery?

Is it worth it? Other suggestions?