JourneyWoman: Travelling Solo

Solo travel doesn’t have to be scary. Ask me; I’ve been doing it for 28 years. In the process, I’ve visited more than 65 countries and thrived on the fascinating experiences along the way.

But I wasn’t always brave. Back in the ’80s, when my husband and I parted ways, I was painfully aware that females generally travelled under the protective wing of either their fathers or their partners. I had neither. All I had was an insatiable curiosity of what lay beyond my country’s borders.

At the top of my advice list is staying safe. Here are two of my favourite and easy safety tips.

(1) To avoid looking like a tourist and to fit in, I leave my backpack at the hotel and carry my camera and maps in a plastic bag from a local grocery store.

(2) To avoid pickpockets, dress in neutral colours. We travel to observe, not to be observed.