Cooperative Living April 2023 - 23

FIELD TRIP
Solo Travel Tips
a group experience. A small group
adventure with Overseas Adventure
Story courtesy of Family Features
Seven recommendations for venturing out alone
W
hether you're a lone wolf at
heart or looking to broaden
your sense of independence,
traveling solo can be a richly
empowering and satisfying experience.
Setting out on your own has many
practical advantages. You're not
worrying about accommodating
another's schedule, interest or needs,
and you're free to decide what you want
to do and when. Solo travel also elicits
some mental and emotional benefits,
as you experience a unique sense of
freedom, liberation and self-sufficiency.
If you're considering a solo journey,
consider these tips from the book " 101+
Tips for Solo Women Travelers, " which
is offered by Overseas Adventure Travel
in free digital and print editions.
in re
and
1
Make Sure Your
Passport is Updated
Many countries now require your
passport to be valid for six months after
your return to the United States. Ifyou
don't have a passport, or need to renew
one, apply for one as soon as possible.
Ideally you should have your application
in six months before you depart.
2
Look for Trips with
No Single Supplement
Often, quoted rates are " per person,
based on double occupancy. " This is
because travel hosts know they can make
more from a couple traveling than an
individual. You can avoid paying a single
supplement premium by beingwilling
to match with a roommate or traveling
with a tour company or cruise line with
free or low-cost single supplement fees.
3
Use the ATM
As an affordable and convenient way
to get cash, you can avoid wasting time
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April 2023 ●
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21
O Once you reac
nt
itions.
in line at a bank or currency exchange
bureau by visiting an ATM. While you'll
likely incur a fee for using an ATM that's
not part of your bank, it is often less
than the commission you'd pay at an
exchange bureau. Plus, you can avoid
additional fees by calculating how much
you'll need for the trip and making one
withdrawal as opposed to multiple
smaller withdrawals.
ma ler
4
Download Entertainment
Before You Leave
When traveling, Wi-Fi can be
expensive, slow or just not available.
Before you leave, download music,
e-books, podcasts, favorite TV shows
or movies to enjoy while you're en
route or during down me.
out or ur
wn time.
5
Once you reach your destination,
Join Group Tours
dest
ion,
you may enjoy joining small groups for
excursions or to explore local cuisine.
Or you can make your entire journey
Travel has many benefits, and built-in
dining companions is just one ofthem.
dining companions is just one ofthem.the
6
inin
ust
Take Precautions in
Your Hotel Room
When you check in, ask the
receptionist to write your room number
down instead of announcing it so
everyone can hear. Make sure your
room's locks work on both the door into
the hallway and the balcony. Never let
any repair person or staff member into
your room without confirming with the
front desk first. Bring a rubber doorstop,
which makes a hotel room door nearly
impossible to open. Finally, have an exit
plan. Know where the nearest exit is
you
loca
located and the route from your room.
and th
Fo
out
7
Make New Friends
For some, making friends seems to
ma
e
seems to
happen naturally while traveling alone
by chatting with strangers at a
neighboring restaurant table or striking
up a conversation while waiting in line
at a store. If those situations don't occur
naturally, there are useful apps that can
connect you with local people as well
as fellow travelers. 
from
oom.
http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living April 2023

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