About Plan a Solo Vacation Day

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If you've never had the opportunity to travel solo, this is a great day to plan your adventure. There are several benefits to traveling solo. Go where you want. Do what you want; best of all, you don't have anyone to answer to, and you can explore anything your heart desires.

It's also a great way to meet the locals. When you're ala carte, you're more approachable.

NOTE FROM LAURA
I've traveled all over the world, to nearly 60 countries, and I can readily say my favorite places as a single woman traveling include Beirut, Lebanon; New Delhi, India; Manila and Cebu in the Philippines; Vienna, Austria; Belize; Muscat, Oman; Nairobi, Kenya; and Sibiu, Romania (beyond charming and affordable!).

WHEN IT COULD BE BETTER
I was not too fond of Sri Lanka and Cuba, simply because neither was well-developed or easy to get around as a solo single woman. Cuba was complicated because I had bed bugs at both of my hotels—the second was a last-minute booking due to my mistake of booking part of my stay on the other end of the island, which I couldn't get to. That wasn't clear until I arrived in Havana. Otherwise, I wish I had more time there.

Sri Lanka was a rolling disaster and a good lesson in what not to do and why questions need to be asked rather than assumed. I went during Eid al Fitr. Since I lived in a dry country in the Middle East where pork is illegal, being non-Muslim, my goal was to escape Ramadan restrictions and enjoy wine poolside and bacon with breakfast. I assumed that Sri Lanka, a Buddhist-majority country with only a seven percent Muslim population, would be the perfect escape.

I needed to do my research better.

The bars (including hotels) in Columbo don't serve liquor during Eid as a sign of respect, and my five-star hotel eliminated pork for the same reason. No wine and no port, that was bad enough, but what destroyed the trip was the 6 AM hour-long first prayers broadcast by loudspeaker on the beach directly outside my oceanview hotel room each day of Ramadan and then Eid. It wasn't the call to prayer (which I find comforting and that lasts less than three minutes). Oh no. They broadcast the entire one-hour service every morning by loudspeaker from 6-7 AM. Trust me. I would have been just as peeved if it were morning mass!

My five-day trip to Sri Lanka was the worst trip I've ever taken. It didn't need to be. I should have asked questions before going, and I should have gone at a different time of year. Lesson learned.

TIPS FOR SOLO TRAVELERS
First, if it is an "all-inclusive resort," check to ensure you won't be the only single person at a popular honeymoon destination. I made that mistake in Mexico, but I still loved the trip! It was a little lonely and a tad awkward at dinner time.

I often use Airbnb rather than a hotel in European, Oceania, and North American cities. It is far less expensive, and the washer and dryer come in handy on trips over five days. Typically, I travel slightly off-peak season and always book four-or five-star hotels. The trick is to use the AMX Platinum card to reserve and choose a room one price level below the suites. In every case except one, I've been upgraded to a suite. Use a similar tactic with airfare. Most carriers open up the business and first-class seats that aren't sold 24 hours before the flight. You can bid on these for a few hundred dollars and usually win. Winning the bid gets you free lounge use and more weight on luggage, not to mention better food, priority boarding, and a comfortable seat.

Another reason for booking expensive hotels is access to the concierge to arrange day trips, travel, and events with reputable suppliers. Once I get the lay of the land and obtain a quality driver or guide via the hotel concierge, I'll usually stay in an Airbnb or a friend's house on return trips.
Also—and this is important—always leave a couple of dollars daily with a thank you note for the cleaners who make up your room. They will take good care of you!

The other network I use extensively for travel is the ex-pat community. Ex-pats travel a lot, and most know of homes, drivers, and guides in various countries. A great driver or guide can make all the difference to a single traveler.

Traveling alone is a fantastic experience. It is quite freeing, and frankly, of all the places I've been alone, only that mentioned above was a nightmare. Enjoy!
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Plan a Solo Vacation Day is created by Solo Travel Portal.