Aarp smart guide to solo travel | members only

22. BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT SMARTPHONE USE Speaking of technology, be careful where you use devices like smartphones. Sometimes it’s safer to jot down key phrases, addresses and directions in a

paper notebook than to rely solely on mapping and translation apps. Conscientious travelers also leave itineraries with friends and in cloud-storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive

and Microsoft OneDrive, alongside scans of key documents (passport, health insurance card, prescription details, etc.) and a list of good clinics and hospitals in case you need emergency

care. 23. CONSIDER ACCESSIBILITY Solo travel with an impairment or disability can add complications — and possibly some luggage weight for assistive devices like wheelchairs. If traveling

in the U.S., make sure to reserve lodging and services that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if needed. This also includes any needs for grab bars, bed shakers, roll-in

showers, visual fire alarms, and steps or stools for extra-tall beds. And it never hurts to confirm availability before you arrive, ideally in writing, in case you need to relocate and

make a travel insurance claim. The booking tool AccessibleGO offers advice and deals. Wheel the World is another standout, providing comprehensive guides and a catalog of tours with

guaranteed accessibility. Agencies such as Sage Traveling also specialize in booking trips like this, while Autism Travel and the Autistic Travel Goddess offer inspiration and options for

neurodivergent people. 24. LOCK IN YOUR TRANSPORTATION Arrange transport from the station or airport ahead of time so you’re not scrambling to figure out which taxis are legit while bleary

from the journey. Your hotel or resort may even offer complimentary transfers — it never hurts to ask. “Think with the safety mindset,” JourneyWoman’s Ray says. “Not just ‘Where are you

going?’ but ‘How are you getting there?’ and ‘Where are you going to stay?’ ”  25. STAY SAFE Ray says she always carries a door stopper, which adds a cheap and compact layer of in-room

security. She also packs a headlamp, even in urban settings, since power outages and natural disasters can happen anywhere. Additionally, whistles, hidden pouches and pickpocket-safe luggage

can offer reassurance when you don’t have a pal to watch your back. But keep your “walking around” money and credit cards in two places on your person, so you’ll still have resources if a

thief strikes. (Stash the rest in your room’s safe, along with your valuables and a copy of your itinerary, including reservation numbers.) While dining or imbibing, situational awareness

can help you retain your possessions and faculties. Take valuables with you when you go to the restroom, and ask waitstaff to keep an eye on your table. For protection against knockout

drugs that can be slipped into beverages, look for products such as bracelets, coasters and test strips that can discreetly detect these dangerous substances. Always seek medical attention

if you think you’ve been drugged, as it could lead to theft or sexual assault. Finally, the app bSafe offers a “social safety network,” letting friends see your location and receive alerts

if you don’t check in at an agreed-upon time. Other app options include Noonlight, which sends an alert to local U.S. authorities at the press of a button, and GeoSure, which helps users

evaluate risks. The latter includes information specific to women, as well as people from the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. 26. GUARD AGAINST ONLINE IDENTITY THEFT While connected to

public Wi-Fi on a trip, be sure to use a virtual private network (VPN). This encrypts your web traffic and makes it less risky to conduct digital banking or pay with credit cards online.

A VPN can also provide access to streaming sites and social media apps that are censored in some locations. Popular options include Mullvad, IVPN and TunnelBear, but you may already have one

installed via antivirus software such as Bitdefender. Scott Lieberman, founder of TouchdownMoney.com, recommends ExpressVPN for its affordability and set-up ease. Rates start at $8.32 per

month and cover up to eight devices. “I can run my phone, tablet and computer all at the same time,” he says. 27. CONNECT WITH YOURSELF “Traveling solo, you’re not lonely,” Ray says.

“You’re alone by choice. It’s really powerful.” You decide when to connect with people and design your own experience. That said, all sorts of emotions may surface, especially on a trip

that pushes you out of your comfort zone. It’s natural to long for familiar comforts and faraway support networks, but try to stay in the moment. Put down your devices. Leave your room.

Even if you don’t paint the town red, your mood may improve by simply reading a book in a convivial café or people-watching on a leisurely stroll. For the uninitiated, dining without

companions often feels fraught. But food and travel writer Naomi Tomky loves the opportunities it provides to see locals going about their everyday lives. “Even in places where dining alone

isn’t really part of the culture — or maybe especially there — servers are always willing to talk,” she says. “So you get more of a chance to interact with the world around you than when

you’re dining with the people you’re traveling with.” Still feeling awkward? Try journaling, reading, activity planning, texting family and friends, or sitting at the bar. And consider

asking for the bill while you’re still eating, so you can make a quick getaway. Alternatively, pack a picnic, then soak up the ambience at a park, piazza or beach. Or join a food tour and

sample regional specialties, accompanied by a local guide and other travelers. 28. CONNECT WITH OTHER TRAVELERS Social media can supply a wealth of advice and opportunities to meet other

visitors in an area. Savvy researchers look beyond biggies like Facebook and Instagram, though. Experiment with platforms like Meetup, Tripr, SoloTraveller and Unsettled, a network for

global professionals. Hungry to get off-screen and let serendipity strike in the real world? Try volunteering, taking a class or going on a walking tour. Even offering to take a photo can

ignite a conversation with fellow tourists, which could lead to insights and maybe even a little company, if that’s welcome. 29. ENJOY THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ROMANCE Singles tours can be a

good way to strike up a spark — or avoid feeling like an extra wheel among couples and families. But a OnePoll study for Exodus Travels found that almost a quarter of Americans met their

spouses while traveling, and a third have enjoyed romantic flings while traveling. Exodus Travels has a wide range of solo-only trips, as do brands like Encounter Travel and Cox &

Kings, not to mention the similarly named, but distinct, Solo Female Travelers and The Solo Female Traveler Network. And Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered staterooms and lounge areas

specifically for singles. 30. COMMUNE WITH LOCALS Reluctant to strike up conversations at a café counter or farmers market? You can still meet people through programs like Eatwith and

BonAppetour, which pair travelers and home chefs. Meanwhile, the nonprofit International Greeter Association hosts free walks for individuals and groups of up to six people in over 150

destinations, including Algeria, Ghana, Japan and the United Kingdom. “I absolutely love free walking tours,” says Lieberman, who has traveled to 25 countries, mostly using miles and points.

“They’re a fantastic way to explore with a trusted guide, learn history and culture, and meet new people.” Often he suggests the group grab a bite after a tour concludes. Dynamite

Travel’s​ Haynes’ top tip for travelers of color: “See if there are any BIPOC expat groups, as they can serve as great contacts and guides.” 31. TAKE BREATHERS Solo travel can be

challenging at times. Be gentle with yourself and leave space to recharge your batteries as needed. “When you’re solo and you’re always planning a step ahead, you get tired after a while,”​

author Javins says. “I always build in downtime, whether it’s on a week’s trip or a year’​s trip.” This allows her to relax and wander a bit, opening the door to unexpected adventures.

“I’ve stumbled onto many priceless moments this way — fortune tellers in the park, shrines of ceramic zebras, comics stores featuring quirky performances, craftspeople hard at work in a

public plaza, new café​s not even online yet,” she says. 32. REST AND RECHARGE Not every journey needs to be a whirlwind. Solo travel opens doors to the restorative self-care many people

crave, and as a recent Gallup poll reports, almost half of Americans frequently experience stress now. Small wonder that 84 percent of travelers plan to spend more money to unwind away from

home, according to American Express. Wellness offerings are trending, from spas, to digital detoxes, to animal-assisted therapeutic retreats and even “sleep tourism,” ​which supplies

amenities and concierges to encourage sweet dreams. (Discover more AARP tips for sleeping better while traveling.) Moon Guides author Scallon has shifted more toward this introspective

approach after a youth full of “jumping onstage during hostel game nights or closing down the bar with strangers I’d never see again.” Now she prefers low-pressure group activities like

walking tours and the theater. “I tend to book solo trips without expecting a ton of interaction, though I am always thrilled if it happens naturally,” she says.