Researching your destination is the most important factor in making sure you stay safe on your solo travels. Discovering more about where you're going, including the location of unsafe areas and some useful words and phrases in the local language, will be helpful.
Use a map of your destination to get a feel for the layout of the streets - if they're in a grid format, this will make it easy to navigate without relying on maps, which can make you an obvious target.
If the native tongue isn't English, try to learn some phrases in the local language. Trying the native language may also help you befriend your concierge or bartender, which could be helpful should a dangerous situation arise.
Always plan to arrive in your destination during daylight hours to make it easier for you to get your bearings. Have at least your first night's accommodation booked ahead of time and a plan for how to get there - if you have large baggage or items of value, pre-booking a private transfer is advisable.
Furthermore, ensuring someone you trust has an itinerary of your trip and regularly checking in with them means that if you don't arrive somewhere you should be or if you don't touch base when scheduled, the alarm can be raised.
Learning about local customs, such as hand gestures and dress codes, will ensure you don't offend or give the wrong impression to locals who might be watching you.
Don't carry a large backpack or day bag whilst out - this will immediately make you a target for pickpockets or common thieves - and try not to have all your high value items in one place. If you feel unsafe, booking private transfers with a security company could be the safest way to travel between locations.
The British Government highlights threats and travel alerts for all countries. This is a must-check before departure, especially if you're travelling somewhere with a dangerous reputation or history. Making sure your travel insurance will cover you for theft or criminal encounter is also important.
Lastly, don't forget that people you may meet on your travels are strangers - despite how friendly they seem, they could be targeting you with criminal intent. Trust your gut instincts, but never disclose where you are staying or give specific details of your itinerary. Leave a situation if you feel unwell or get a bad feeling about a person or place.
To stay safe while travelling alone, you must put your personal safety first and treat situations with the necessary caution. For added safety and security on your lone travels abroad, consider employing security protection. To find out more about our close protection and security services or to request a quote, contact Stratis Secure.
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