UPTOURIST

Traveling alone doesn’t have to be lonely. It’s all about how open-minded you are to new experiences.

Here’s some tips to help you guys who’re on the fence about heading down the road less traveled:

 

1) Stay in hostels or guesthouses with a common area.

This is by far the easiest way to put yourself into the mix. There is always a time to have your own room with some privacy, but hostels with dormitories and/or common areas will immediately introduce you to fellow travelers. The easiest way to strike up a quick conversation is, “Hello, my name is _____. Where are you from? Where have you traveled and where are you going next? What are your plans for the day?” Everybody’s background is often very interesting and you might find yourself a new travel buddy for the day.

2) Couchsurfing and/or Couchsurfing Meetups.

As mentioned in our previous videos, http://www.Couchsurfing.org is a great way to not only meet locals and authentically learn about your destination, but they also hold Couchsurfing meetups in many cities around the world. These are a great way to walk into a group of like-minded people that accept you right away and without question.

3) Take a tour or a class.

Even if you’re not the “touristy” type, taking a tour or a class will put you into a small group of people that want to learn about the same thing. I don’t recall a class or tour that I’ve ever taken in which I didn’t strike up a conversation with a stranger–whether I was with friends or not!

Any tips of your own to share?

Please help me and your other travelers by leaving a quick post in the comments.

Travel safe!

 

Main Image: “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Emre Ergin