photo from Flickr by: Matteo.Mazzoni

Traveling in Europe is always fascinating – there are so many places to go that are steeped in history, as well as innovative new destinations that are fast paced and fast growing in popularity. Encountering different languages need not instill fear – English is spoken in lots of European countries and the words for welcome and hello are usually pretty easy to work out in every country. There are a few things it is useful to know and to plan for before the adventure begins.

Before You Go

The first thing to be sure of is – does your temperament fit with being a solo traveler? The prospect of a long journey and an unknown destination can be exhilarating if an individual has a good, positive mental attitude and is prepared for the range of experiences that may be encountered. This applies to men as well as women – there are more single travelers than ever before who enjoy European trips and, whilst personal safety is always something to plan for, it is not the insurmountable obstacle that some well-meaning friends or relatives may use to dissuade keen solo adventurers. Just use common sense and leave the valuable and expensive jewels at home.

Being prepared means learning more about where to go and what can be seen. Some travelers take a course in a foreign language or use recorded material to improve pronunciation or learn the basics. In the same way, a good time to look at a map of Europe is before the departure date. Get a feel for distances between cities, the availability of local transport – where can you access passes for trams, trains and buses, and where you should look for the cheapest car hire so you can travel across country. It can be a good idea to plot a route, but not necessarily be tied to a strict timetable, to make allowances for meeting new people, altering plans or simply having a change of heart along the way.

First Steps

Assuming there is a preferred route, and packing takes sensible account of what clothes to bring depending on the terrain, make sure to check entry requirements – passports and visas – and to have access to extra currency easily, just in case of any problems. For clothing, remember to check local customs as, for example, shorts are not acceptable in every location and women’s heads may have to be covered, particularly when visiting some religious buildings.

For the first night, do make an effort to book accommodation in advance that is of a reasonable standard – getting to Europe may involve a bit of jetlag and arriving after a long journey in a strange place with no pre-booked accommodation can be a tiring problem to solve. Do this even when on a budget holiday, as savings can always be made along the way – there are hotels, bed and breakfast establishments, hostels and couch surfing opportunities all across the continent.

Enjoy!

Above all, enjoy the freedom that comes from going it alone. Take the opportunity to meet new friends, see inspiring and magical places, and come home an enlightened and seasoned solo traveler.