Comments on: Safety tips for solo women travellers http://www.travel-rants.com/2008/06/09/travelling-safely-as-a-solo-woman/ - Discussions on travel consumer issues Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:20:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Rohan http://www.travel-rants.com/2008/06/09/travelling-safely-as-a-solo-woman/#comment-103244 Rohan Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:20:00 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=1135#comment-103244 I feel afraid walking the streets of Newcastle, nevermind travelling alone by myself. I'm not sure I could travel alone. I feel afraid walking the streets of Newcastle, nevermind travelling alone by myself. I’m not sure I could travel alone.

Report this comment

]]> By: Scribetrotter http://www.travel-rants.com/2008/06/09/travelling-safely-as-a-solo-woman/#comment-102539 Scribetrotter Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:29:24 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=1135#comment-102539 A couple of more thoughts to throw into the mix... choosing a 'safer' destination helps if you're a woman traveling solo - certain parts of North Africa or Central Asia might not be as welcoming as Western Europe or Southeast Asia... And within countries, your destination counts too - the part of town you're staying in, the type of accommodation etc... The other point, and to me it's an important one, has to do with culture. When I've felt most threatened, it's usually been because of a cultural faux pas - wearing the wrong type of clothing, going out at the wrong time, going to a place meant more for men than women. All of these situations, in my early travel days, could have been avoided had I been more culturally attuned. I have to admit I love solo travel - I did it for three years some time back and my problem was always finding time to be on my own because it's so easy to meet people if you make even the slightest effort. A couple of more thoughts to throw into the mix… choosing a ‘safer’ destination helps if you’re a woman traveling solo – certain parts of North Africa or Central Asia might not be as welcoming as Western Europe or Southeast Asia… And within countries, your destination counts too – the part of town you’re staying in, the type of accommodation etc…

The other point, and to me it’s an important one, has to do with culture. When I’ve felt most threatened, it’s usually been because of a cultural faux pas – wearing the wrong type of clothing, going out at the wrong time, going to a place meant more for men than women. All of these situations, in my early travel days, could have been avoided had I been more culturally attuned.

I have to admit I love solo travel – I did it for three years some time back and my problem was always finding time to be on my own because it’s so easy to meet people if you make even the slightest effort.

Report this comment

]]> By: Kirsty http://www.travel-rants.com/2008/06/09/travelling-safely-as-a-solo-woman/#comment-102496 Kirsty Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:10:46 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=1135#comment-102496 I think it's hugely important to give people the benefit of the doubt. Obvioudly, trust your intuition, but take some risks, too. Being wary all the time and living in fear of being attacked is no way to travel. Obviously don't wander around hammered at night by yourself but don't be afraid to put some trust in people and let go once in awhile. I think it’s hugely important to give people the benefit of the doubt. Obvioudly, trust your intuition, but take some risks, too. Being wary all the time and living in fear of being attacked is no way to travel. Obviously don’t wander around hammered at night by yourself but don’t be afraid to put some trust in people and let go once in awhile.

Report this comment

]]> By: Amanda Kendle http://www.travel-rants.com/2008/06/09/travelling-safely-as-a-solo-woman/#comment-102480 Amanda Kendle Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:14:53 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=1135#comment-102480 Agreed Vanessa, but it does depend on the destination ... in one town I visited in Tunisia I just got far too much attention in the evening (any foreign girl - I'm nothing special!) to enjoy sitting in a restaurant. Better to have a nice meal for lunch and then a restful evening at home! Of course, in plenty of places you can get out for the night without any problems at all. Agreed Vanessa, but it does depend on the destination … in one town I visited in Tunisia I just got far too much attention in the evening (any foreign girl – I’m nothing special!) to enjoy sitting in a restaurant. Better to have a nice meal for lunch and then a restful evening at home! Of course, in plenty of places you can get out for the night without any problems at all.

Report this comment

]]> By: Vanessa Lenssen http://www.travel-rants.com/2008/06/09/travelling-safely-as-a-solo-woman/#comment-102454 Vanessa Lenssen Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:18:48 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=1135#comment-102454 Not sure this would inspire me to travel alone... taking a meal back to my hotel room? Vulnerable to people selling souvenirs? Be proud you are a single traveller, be safe of course but that's all just common sense. The most important thing is to live a little, get out there and see the world, you can have some amazing experiences and meet some fantastic people if you just have a little confidence to get out there and travel solo. And... don't hide away in your room, sit in a cafe or restaurant and try the delicious food, savour the moment and people watch, don't hide away and you'll have a much better time than if you worry about who is going to try and sell you a trinket or know that you are on your own. Have fun, get out there and meet new people, life is for living not worrying. Not sure this would inspire me to travel alone… taking a meal back to my hotel room? Vulnerable to people selling souvenirs? Be proud you are a single traveller, be safe of course but that’s all just common sense. The most important thing is to live a little, get out there and see the world, you can have some amazing experiences and meet some fantastic people if you just have a little confidence to get out there and travel solo. And… don’t hide away in your room, sit in a cafe or restaurant and try the delicious food, savour the moment and people watch, don’t hide away and you’ll have a much better time than if you worry about who is going to try and sell you a trinket or know that you are on your own. Have fun, get out there and meet new people, life is for living not worrying.

Report this comment

]]>