1) Do your research

Check out the weather, how safe the destination is for solo travellers, how good the local transport is, what the currency and cost of living is (and how far you need cards that work there and/or cash), what major events are taking place when you are there, and the opening times of key places you want to visit before you even think about booking. Find out about power, supply phones etc (see tech prep below) and what side of the road they drive on.

Have a shopping list of things you like to do and set a limit for how many you must tick for the destination to even make it to your list. For a short trip and if it might be busy I sometimes book an orientation type tour before I go, so I know that is in the diary for the day after I arrive. If you download the apps for Viator and Getyourguide for example you will get a good idea of possible destinations from your location. Airbnb also offers local recommendations some of which can be quirky and fun.  Read the reviews for all trips first!

Join social media groups for the area, subscribe to Tourist Board info and maybe buy some pocket guides to get some ideas for your itinerary. I often start with these:

Lonely Planet | Travel Guides & Travel Information - Lonely Planet

Travel | DK UK

2) Visit the hairdresser/barber!

You do not want to be worrying about your mop in a new country and trying out a new hairdresser or barber with perhaps unpredictable results - it is a small thing but if you have your hair cut often and you are going to be away for a while, it just makes sense to tick this off your list before you go. 

3) Go off-season

This is what suits me because it's quieter, cheaper* and you’ll meet more locals.  But each to their own!  However worth checking predicted temperature (and perhaps humidity) and how that suits you and whether the key attractions you were looking forward to will be open when you plan to visit.  Some tourism focussed places do pretty much shut down in the quieter months but others are year round destinations. *Negotiating a good rate for solo occupancy is much more likely when its not peak season and expenses such as car hire can be significantly better value.  

4) Arrive in daylight

Don't get off to a shaky start by not being able to see where you are on arrival because its pitch black.  Simples huh?!

5) Book accommodation for first 2-3 days

Pre-book accommodation (that you can see has good ratings on a reliable website) for your first two or three nights to get your bearings,  If you stay in a hotel designed for couples and families that is most likely who will be there. That might be fine if you want some peace and quiet, but if you enjoy meeting other people, consider looking for somewhere set up for solo travellers such as co-working and living hubs or hostels or places that provide single rooms (which are a bit like hen's teeth). See if your accommodation will pick you up, arrange a taxi or advise you on the best public transport options to get there from the airport/station etc. (Be aware that sometimes airport shuttle buses require pre-booking.) Or just let the airport taxi mafia do their job and try not to mind about the expense too much!

Personally my favourites have been found through Airbnb | Holiday rentals, cabins, beach houses & more.

6) Pack light

I notice that on some of the budget airlines the fares are about the same whether you take a 10kg cabin bag or check in a 23kg suitcase.  So I do sometimes book a hold bag now so that I don't have to lug it around the airport.  HOWEVER I still strongly recommend you travel light with something you know you are happy to carry as you travel around...

Start by measuring your luggage to ensure it complies with any airline requirements. Whilst travelling wear your heaviest stuff including your most comfortable footwear.  Click on next page for my suggestions on what to pack and related tips. Weigh your bag before you set off!  And creatives - try to avoid the temptation to take loads of art supplies...

7) Learn some lingo

Please, thank you, good morning/afternoon, how much is a …? Where's the gallery?  You’ll be surprised how happy it makes people that you have tried to speak just a few words even if they reply in your native tongue. Most travel books have a bit of vocab in them but you could do a bit more work before you arrive (and keep practising whilst you are there!).  I've been learning Spanish for quite some time:

Duolingo - The world's best way to learn a language

8) Have back up documents/access to funds

Make photocopies of your passport, driving licence, insurance policy etc and pack them somewhere different from the real things along with a spare credit card.  Leave a whole set of the photocopies at home with someone you trust. Also save all the details and photographs somewhere safe on your phone (there are apps that do this but just make sure you can access the info if your phone is lost/broken/stolen.)

9) Have a budget

You many want to track that as you go and you should research how much cash you might need for your trip and make you sure you get it before you go (airport exchange rates are not usually the most competitive).  Some venues won't take cash, some won't take cards. Make sure any cards you take don't charge you each time you use them abroad.  Best to have a second card just in case too. Another option is a pre-loaded travel money card. (WhenI did a day trip to Bosnia and my card was declined due to UK sanctions then applying there.  I also did not realise that they don't use Euros - but was lucky enough that they have lots of tourists and routinely accept them.  For info their actual currency is the Bosnian Convertible Marka.)

10) "Tech Prep"

Fully charge your phone, fitbit, laptop, IPAD or whatever else you are taking and make sure you have the right leads, chargers and adapter plugs etc ready to pack. (Take a charger and adapter in hand luggage and out and about with you always - you don't ever want to be stuck abroad with no charge on your phone.) Download any tv programmes you might want to watch when away or on the plane. It passes the time when you are travelling and can come in handy in other situations. I once got caught in a overnight power-cut caused by a tremendous thunder storm.  At least I could turn up the volume on my latest favourite serial and distract myself from the thought that the whole building might collapse!

 

PHOTO INFO

If like me you enjoy capturing some of the details of your trip then you will love some of the free folk museums in Cyprus.  I fell in love with this collection of cobblers' lasts at the Museum of Folk Art of Yeroskipou | Cyprus Island