I've been on over 20 solo trips. Here are the 9 things I wish I knew before I took my first one.

Nicole JordanMay 16, 2023, 22:02 IST

Peru is one of the 20 countries I visited by myself.Nicole Jordan

I've traveled to more than 40 countries and have visited over 20 of them by myself.
Before my trips, I always research the destination along with its customs, languages, and laws.

After visiting over 40 countries and experiencing more than half of them alone, I've learned a thing or two about solo travel.

By preparing correctly and having the right mindset on the ground, I'm almost always guaranteed to have an adventure — whether I'm hiking Machu Picchu in Peru or attending a festival in Bhutan.

Here's what I wish I knew about traveling alone before my first solo trip.

Traveling alone for the first time can feel intimidating and overwhelming, but that shouldn't stop you.

Many of my trips are focused on hiking, like this one to the Picos de Europa in northern Spain.Nicole Jordan

To ensure smooth logistics on the ground, you have to do in-depth destination research ahead of departure.

I mapped out my trip to Bhutan in great detail before boarding my flight.Nicole Jordan

Even though you're starting the trip solo, you probably won't be alone the entire time.

I may start a trip alone, but I'm almost always exploring with new friends once I arrive.Nicole Jordan

Exploring by yourself can be lonely, and the friendships you make along the way may not always last.

I meet amazing people on my trips but, at the end of the day, I'm on my own.Nicole Jordan

The freedom to do whatever you want whenever you want is a luxury.

I took a trip to the Falkland Islands, a South Atlantic archipelago.Nicole Jordan

You need to learn to adapt and understand that there will be moments of discomfort on solo trips.

I keep my schedule open in case I learn about events or activities on the ground.Nicole Jordan

Being in a new place is thrilling, but you should fight the urge to fill your schedule.

I attended the Thimphu Tshechu Festival in Bhutan.Nicole Jordan

Trust your gut and always be aware of your surroundings.

To be extra safe, I sometimes carry my backpack on the front of my body.Nicole Jordan

Traveling solo can be addicting, and you may even come to prefer it to taking trips with others.

On my trip to Peru, I summited Machu Picchu.Nicole Jordan

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