Open the door to independent travel!

Traveling solo is an exciting and empowering experience! Being single, over 50, or with a partner who doesn’t travel, by no means translates to being a stay-at-home, armchair traveler.

When I tell people I travel on my own to Europe or Hawaii, their first comment is, "You're so brave!" I tell them it's not about being brave, it's about wanting to travel. The key for a successful and fun journey is to plan ahead and do your research. Know where you want to go, make sure the hotel or tour group you select is safe and appropriate for you, and practice what I like to call "practical safety."

Some basic tips and do-ahead items:

✈ Make a list of your hotel must-haves

✈ Carefully select a hotel

✈ Have a plan

✈ Know your way around

✈ Touch base with home

✈ Know the culture

✈ Be realistic

✈ Think about the time of day

✈ Pack a door stop & flashlight

✈ Check advisories

✈ Look at webcams and street views on Google Maps

✈ Copy all important documents

✈ Make your own Google Maps (click here for tutorial in a PDF version)