Traveling solo can be a thrilling experience that pushes the boundaries of your comfort zone. However, you want to make sure you prepare before venturing off! Here are some “know before you go” on solo travel.

Leave Your Contact Info with Someone at Home

When traveling, especially overseas where communication might be trickier, it’s important to let someone know your travel plans. Let them know where you’re going, where you’ll be staying, and the travel dates. This will keep your loved ones at home in the loop just in case they need to get ahold of you.

Keep Copies of Important Documents

Always keep copies of your important documents, such as your passport, social security card, and other necessary paperwork. These copies can come in handy in case you misplace one during your travels!

Network

Talk to your contacts about where you’ll be traveling to, they may have connections in those places and could connect you with other people in their network. This is great for solo traveling because it can help give you more insight from locals into where you’re going and, if you feel so inclined, you can meet up!

Bring a Book and a Journal

You may face some long travel days, and since you’ll be traveling solo, having a book to read can help entertain you. Journaling is another excellent way to keep yourself entertained; it’s also great to have so you can document your journey! Trust us on this! It’s fun and special to find your travel journals and read back and recall those travel moments later in life.

Learn How to be Alone

Traveling solo means spending time alone. Depending on your personality, this might be the most challenging part of traveling solo. Being with yourself alone in another country is a big deal but learning to slow down can create a lot of growth, and you can learn more about who you are.

You May Never Feel 100% Ready

This one speaks for itself. It’s hard to find the time and energy to commit to traveling internationally with our busy lives. But is there ever really a “perfect” time to go? You might also be thinking that you aren’t ready to travel solo yet, but again, is there really going to be a “perfect” time? If you’re considering traveling alone, take the leap!

Things Will Go Wrong… That’s Okay

No matter if you’re traveling alone or with others, something will go wrong. If you’re traveling solo and something goes wrong, it might be stressful in the moment, but it’s going to make great stores to tell and will help you learn to be more flexible. Roll with it!

Keep Emergency Contact Info on You

It’s crucial that you give someone at home your information on where you’ll be traveling, but it’s also essential to keep their information on you as well. Ideally, it’s great to keep this information in multiple places, such as your mobile device and your journal. This is important just in case your phone is out of battery or misplaced and you need to call home.

Understand The Cultures You’re Entering

When entering new countries, we highly recommend learning more about the local cultures before visiting. This can help prepare you for anything you might face, such as clothing restrictions or norms and understanding mannerisms.

Stay Someplace Where You’ll Meet Others

One of the coolest parts about traveling solo is the people you meet. Staying at a place like a hostel, situates you perfectly to meet like-minded individuals who might be traveling solo as well. And who knows, the people you meet on your solo adventure might turn into life-long friends!

Know Where You’re Going

It’s always a good idea to create some kind of plan before your travels. This will help give you an idea of any transportation you might need to take and how to visit each place on your list effectively.

Ask Locals for Recommendations

Talking to locals is a wonderful way to learn about the place you’re visiting. They can tell you the best places to visit that you might miss if you’re just going to the tourist attractions, and as an added bonus, they’re likely to be much less busy!

Try Not to Overpack

When traveling solo, you’re in charge of all your bags. Make sure you’re able to carry all your items before you leave and have room left for any souvenirs you might be bringing back with you.

Try to Act Confidently in Public

Acting confident is key, especially if you’re not sure where you are or where you’re going. When you show confidence, it’s less likely someone will try and take advantage of you. We’d like to believe that most people you meet wouldn’t do this, but you can never be too cautious.

Traveling solo is truly an adventure of a lifetime, and we believe it can add so much value to your life. It can be a scary one, but well worth it!

Arkansas, Elkins, December, 21, 2020] – Devising the picture-perfect vacation for most travelers can be time consuming and daunting.  Paul Graham of Wish List Travel recently obtained his Verified Travel Advisor certification from the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).

In our industry, competition is fierce. But when stamped with the ASTA VTA badge, the travel industry and potential clients are granted with the reassurance that their professionalism and industry knowledge is at the highest standard.

The American Society of Travel Advisors is the leading global advocate for travel advisors, the travel industry, and the traveling public. ASTA’s certification programs provide a higher level of verifiable professional knowledge to the advanced seller of travel. Completion of the Verified Travel Advisor Program proves to the traveler, and the industry, that the advisor has the highest level of proficiency and dedication to their business.  Only ASTA members subscribe to a 12-point Code of Ethics, the core of which is the concept of “Integrity in Travel.” Put simply, this is the pledge our members stake their reputations on.

The intense nine-course curriculum allots twelve months of completion consisting of training manuals, online videos and exams. Once completed, the travel advisor is awarded the distinguishing mark of being an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor.

Paul Graham of Wish List Travel has passed ASTA’s rigorous standards and is awarded the badge of being an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor. Stamped with the VTA badge, Paul Graham of Wish List Travel has achieved the highest level of integrity by our industry standards.

For all your travel needs contact Paul Graham:

Wish List Travel 479-200-6610 paul@wishlisttravel.biz www.nwatravelagent.com

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About ASTA:
Rebranded in 2018 as the American Society of Travel Advisors, ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel advisors, the travel industry and the traveling public. Its members represent 80 percent of all travel sold in the United States through the travel agency distribution channel. Together with hundreds of internationally-based members, ASTA’s history of industry advocacy traces back to its founding in 1931 when it launched with the mission to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. For more information about the Society, visit ASTA.org. Consumers can connect with an ASTA travel advisor at TravelSense.org.

About the ASTA Verified Travel Advisor Program:

There are all kinds of industry certifications in the travel industry. All of which are very valuable and attest to hard work and determination. The ASTA Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) certification program lets the travel industry and the consumer know that advisor is one of unparalleled knowledge, professionalism, and ethical boundaries beyond reproach. The continuing education component of the program is available after completion of the certification. For more information, check out or FAQ sheet.

We hope hat you had a great Thanksgiving!  In this post informational you will find basic information about the Black Friday Deal and a link to the sale.  We would love to help you with your travel needs.

Sandals

BLACK Friday – Click here to see all the details

• 1 Hour Couples Massage
• Free Catamaran
• Free Private Candlelight Dinner
• Free Room Upgrade

Secrets

BLACK Friday – Click here to see all the details

Don’t miss out! Get ready to save big! This year we’re giving you early access to amazing Black Friday deals. Rooms are limited. Deep discounts start at $145 per person, per night. Shop now!

Zoetry

Travel Freely – Click here to see all the details

JOURNEY BACK TO THE PLACES YOU LOVE WITH THE ULTIMATE PEACE OF MIND Retreat to one of our beautiful CleanComplete Verification™ certified resorts and receive:

• Free night*
• Free room upgrade upon arrival
• Free in-room welcome gift
• Free night on a future stay
• $200 in Resort Coupons

Breathless

Book early, save more. Click here to see all the details

Reserve your stay at Breathless Resorts & Spas by January 7, 2021 and receive the best available rates for travel from April 4, 2021 – August 14, 2021. Plus receive $200 in resort coupons when booking this offer. Use for private, romantic dinners, an indulgent spa day and more.

Dreams

BLACK Friday – Click here to see all the details

Don’t miss out! Get ready to save big! This year we’re giving you early access to amazing Black Friday deals. Rooms are limited. Deep discounts start at $82 per person, per night. Shop now!

Now

BLACK Friday – Click here to see all the details

Hurry… Sale ends this weekend! Get ready to save big! This year we’re giving you early access to amazing Black Friday deals. Rooms are limited, shop now. Deep discounts start at $91 per person, per night.

Alua

BLACK Friday – Click here to see all the details

BLACKFRIDAY WEEK. Book between 20/11/2020 and 30/11/2020 and get up to 50% discount for stays in 2020 and 2021 In order to obtain this additional discount (not combined with Customer Club discount)

Sunscape

BLACK Friday – Click here to see all the details

Get ready to save big! This year we’re giving you early access to amazing Black Friday deals. Rooms are limited, shop now. Deep discounts start at $55 per person, per night.

By: Tracey Nesbitt / Reposted from www.solotravelerworld.com

When you’re traveling to a new destination, or even a favorite that you’re visiting again, it can be tempting to see and do and eat and drink all of the wonderful things that are unique to this part of the world.

For most of us, though, there are finances to consider.

How, then do you ensure that you return home satisfied that you had the best possible experience without blowing your solo travel budget?

It’s all about balance.

Splurge On the Memorable Meals, Economize On the Others

If you love food like I love food, it’s important to make it a priority to have at least one spectacular meal that you will remember. On my recent trip to London, this meant dinner at one of Yotam Ottolenghi’s restaurants. I am a huge fan of his vegetable-forward style and unique flavor combinations. I took my time and savored every bite (which is a lot easier to do when you’re dining alone). That pleasure comes at a price, especially when you factor in the currency exchange rate, but I’m still talking about that meal two months later.

This doesn’t mean that the cheaper meals will be boring or disappointing – quite the contrary. Some of the most interesting eats in the world can be found in food trucks or other mobile or temporary venues, such as food festivals or cultural celebrations. It can also be fascinating to wander around grocery stores in other countries, and very economical to put together a picnic or a meal to enjoy at your accommodation. Shopping with the locals can provide insight into a culture, and you may find some great deals.

In October, I was traveling with Monograms Travel in London, where I splurged at Ottolenghi Spitalfields, and Amsterdam, where two of my meals were composed of treats I had picked up at a nearby grocer. Economizing on the latter allowed me to savor the former.

Seek Out Events that Are Not Marketed to Visitors

In London this fall, I attended a production of Wicked, the large-scale, Broadway musical at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. It was fabulous – and fabulously expensive. I don’t generally go to this type of play more than once a year, but when I do, I enjoy the heck out of it! I admire the sets, the costumes, the choreography, and even the people-watching during intermission. Because this is a well-known play with a massive marketing budget, you will see both locals and visitors in the audience.

By contrast, in Belfast last year, I attended a production of Diablo, a play about human trafficking in Northern Ireland, presented in a community center. As far as I could tell, I was the only non-resident in attendance. I learned so much about the city, the issues, and that specific community that night. It sticks with me still, and cost peanuts compared to Wicked. They were both wonderful experiences that I wouldn’t have missed for the world.

Balance Your Solo Travel Budget with Paid Attractions and Free Admissions

There are some attractions, events, tours, or restaurants that will be expensive no matter what you do. And if you are passionate about them, or have always dreamed of seeing or doing them, it will be worth the splurge. There are others that will be surprisingly inexpensive or even free. To keep your solo travel budget in check, it’s important to have a balance of both in your itinerary.

One of the ways that I like to do this is by reading local papers or weekly entertainment publications such as NOW Magazine in Toronto, TimeOut in many large cities, or consulting local events websites like MeetUp.com or Eventbrite. All of these have listings for free local events such as art openings, festivals, seasonal or cultural events, etc. I took a copy of TimeOut with me when I had my splurge meal in London and perused the listings to find free events for the following days. You can read about that trip in Exploring London Solo with Ease.

I love a really great food tour, and I took one in Amsterdam. You can read more about it in Solo in Amsterdam: A City that Left Me Wanting More. It was 4 hours long, covered a lot of ground, and included many tastings. These tours are not cheap, but for me, they feed one of my passions, so it’s a place I will put my money. To balance out my solo travel budget, while on that same trip, in London, I visited the National Gallery, which was free, and an exhibit at Canada House, which was also free.

Pay for Some Events in Advance, Others On the Spot

With a travel company like Monograms, you can pay for some of your activities far in advance and others as you discover them along the way. By planning ahead, by the time you reach your destination, some of your events have already been paid for, so there is no additional outlay during your trip, or big credit card bills awaiting you at home. This allows you to set a separate budget for what you will spend while you’re there. When your accommodation and some items like day tours (the big-ticket items) are already taken care of before leaving home, you can spend your cash on meals and activities to supplement and round out your trip, without the burden of returning with debt.

How do you balance your solo travel budget without feeling like you’re missing out? Please share your tips below.

This post was brought to you as a result of the Monograms trip, a project between Monograms and iambassador. As always, Solo Traveler maintains full editorial control of the content published on this site.

Local Travel Agent Paul Graham Becomes Cruise Expert by Earning Prestigious Top Rank in
Princess Cruises Academy

Elkins, Arkansas  – A Elkins travel agent Paul Graham has achieved prestigious Commodore status in Princess Cruises’ Academy training program, certifying him as an expert cruise professional. As a Commodore, Paul Graham] of Wish List Travel joins an exclusive group of travel agents who are now recognized by Princess at the Academy’s highest level for their unique qualifications and knowledge as a cruise planning professional. Paul Graham earned this distinction after completing the minimum 25 courses necessary to graduate from the program.

“We at Princess are very proud of Paul’s dedication, as he put in extra effort to offer clients exceptional knowledge regarding our cruise vacation product as well as our worldwide destinations,” said Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruises. “Travel agents who reach this top level in our Academy program have completed hours of course work to become a cruising expert, which will prove invaluable to providing clients with a great holiday.”

Princess Academy is the cruise industry’s most comprehensive online training program available to travel agents in Australia and New Zealand. Agents who complete the extensive coursework become experts on a wide range of topics, offering travelers full knowledge of important details about a Princess holiday such as the different passenger amenities on the line’s 18 ships, the company’s worldwide destinations and the many special programs available onboard.

I am thrilled to be a Princess Commodore and expand my expertise about cruising. The knowledge I’ve gained makes me a more valuable resource for my clients and enables me to recommend the very best holiday which matches all of their needs,” said Paul Graham.

To become a Commodore, travel agents must fulfill 25 required and elective courses, representing approximately 15 hours of total course work covering worldwide destinations, onboard programs, and customer service skills. As they complete courses, agents receive their “stripes” through four levels: First Officer, Staff Captain, Captain and finally Commodore. Agents can continue to take elective courses to expand their knowledge and keep their Commodore status current.

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Wish List Travel is a full-service Travel Agency offering fee free planning for all your travel needs, including Cruise, All-Inclusive and Guided Tours. We are based in Elkins, Arkansas. Turning your travel Wish List into memories!

For further information contact:

Paul Graham

Wish List Travel

479-200-6610

paul@wishlisttravel.biz