It's perfectly ok to go out without a plan.

<<<As a solo female traveler I found it ideal not to carry a purse of any sort...everything was tucked into my bra. >>>

I would think that would be extremely uncomfortable, seems a little gross (sorry but I don't want to take a sweaty credit card/cash from someone) and seems like a good way to get into trouble in some areas. Reaching into your bra to pay a monk for entrance into a monastery just seems... awkward?


Now, I have seen sports bras that have a hidden pocket in the side for a credit card or similar. That might be a good place for a backup card I guess.

Some good travel tips include:
1) Check all the good places of the country or area you are going to visit.
2) If you are going to stay in a hotel, try to have pre-time booking
3) Manage all things with in your budget.
4) Try to take only necessary things, avoid extra luggage.

Don't make the same mistake you did the last time!

1. download an offline GPS map like CityMaps2Go on your smartphone.
2. resist the urge to squeeze in extra countries/cities
3. do a little research before going and learn some basic phrases

Don't overplan your journey, once you find a stunning view on the half way, jump out of the station and spend some time there. I had such great experience when I was travelling in Australia and Switzerland.

I always have 2 ATM cards - never needed the second one but.... just ask your bank

The Capital One card does not charge a % when making purchases internationally- get one

Try to pack everything in your overhead piece only do not check a bag..saves time and sometimes, aggravation ( I did 3 weeks in Africa in an overhead piece...if I can do that anything is do-able! take advantage of laundry service )

safe travels

I will recommend that must take Medical box with you and keep some extra money.

Will any tips you use by attributed to the member that posted them?

Don't worry about blending in - worry more about sticking out, if you know what I mean by that. You're more than likely going to be identifiable as a tourist, and that's okay, because you are. If you're lost, walk around like you know exactly where you're going and how you're getting there. You'll draw less attention to yourself. Be on the defense and not on the offense. You're not meant to behave like a local, just a savvy traveler (even if you're terrified, which happened to me in Barbados - where it was BLATANTLY evident I was probably a tourist).

You don't have to be first off the plane to beat the crowds to the Immigration lines. You just have to be quick. :) Carryon only really helps if you can do it. And no, you won't stink and you won't look awful. I am the world's pickiest clothes horse and I went to the UK for ten days with one bag. Yes, I'm proud of that! :)

If you're going for an extended period, call your health insurance company and find out what you're covered for, if anything. Buy supplemental travel insurance and don't feel silly for doing it. I shocked myself with 220 volts of electricity in Lugano, Switzerland when I was 16 and bought myself a night on a telemetry ward (heart monitors). This has turned out to be one of my favorite travel memories - they sent a young student nurse to my room because she spoke English, and the little old lady who was in the room with me ordered my breakfast the next day and fussed over me like a granddaughter, even though I spoke no Italian and she spoke no English! Fortunately I was a military dependent and the bill was covered. Since then, I've never left the country (or the state, for that matter - it can vary by state as well) without coverage.

I'll second the hotel business card/address. I lived in Saudi Arabia for three years. I'd only been there a few weeks before I struck out on my own with a taxi driver. When I was picked up from the market, I realized I didn't know how to get home - and it took two, almost three hours to make a twenty minute trip. This was before cell phones. After that, my husband (who'd been scared to death) had our compound address written on a laminated card in Arabic as a just-in-case measure, and I learned how to navigate when I'm not the driver. It is a very different skill set!!

@sparkchaser - yes! Tips will absolutely be attributed to the members that posted them and those members will receive a Fodor's Guidebook of their choice as well as our fun "Go Away with Fodor's" buttons.

If you are traveling abroad do some research on local customs. Some things we do in the US may be considered offensive in the country you are visiting.
Also learn to say "please" and "thank you" in the local language. It is very much appreciated by the people there.
I always take an extension cord for electronics since hotel rooms don't always have enough or strategically placed outlets.

Moisture wicking socks are a godsend!

For the last couple of trips we have printed up all our travel documents and we carry them in a A4 clear plastic button-down envelope (Marbig Doculope). We keep it tucked in an outside pocket of our cabin luggage. We stuff our passports in there during the immigration and security procedure and can always see where they are, likewise with boarding passes. Just a glance at the folder gives us our boarding information and we don't have to keep getting documents out. Later during the trip the top document can be our itinerary, which I create from a Microsoft Office template, or whichever document is relevant for that part of the trip (printed-up train tickets, rental car information). It stops the pile of documents from getting dog-eared or lost, and is very efficient. Of course it's always a good idea to have backups in case the folder gets lost...

Lavandula

I've learned to research how to ask "Where is the bathroom?" in the language of whatever country I'm planning to visit, though "Toilet?" works in many places. I've posted lots of tips on <www.Bucketlisting101.com>, my travel blog.

Learn basic language eticates before visiting any city i.e hi,hello,bye or else carry translation book with you while traveling

There are many tips which which we need to keep in mind like:

a. Bring a travel first aid kit
b. Pack a reusable travel bottle
c. Bags with wheels are amazing
d. Don't forger your camera charger
e. Don't pack clothes that requires ironing
f. Never pack something that you haven't worn before.
g. Never carry your wallet in your back pocket
h. Make photocopies of your passport
i. Wear sunscreen
j. Never bring more than two bags with you

"Never carry your wallet in your back pocket"

Your front pocket isn't that much safer. The proper advise is to wear a money belt and only carry one day's money in your wallet.

Wondering how you can possibly manage with just a 22 inch roller and no checked bag? Here's how I do it... I use those compression/vacuum bags. But get the right ones... not the ones you attach to a vacuum cleaner (you won't have one handy at your hotel!) nor a regular ziploc bag. The real one you get from a travel store and they have a valve to release the air when you compress the bag.

The first time I used them I put trousers in one, shirts in another and underwear and socks in a third. Mistake. That meant every time I needed a change of clothes I had to open all 3. I now pack complete outfits including underwear and socks in each bag. Once you have one packed, zip it shut. Good bags have double zips and a little tool to lock them shut. You then roll the bag... the air starts to bulge and just when you are certain it will blow up in your face the valve releases and the air whooshes out.

Take a couple of spare bags to compress your worn clothing as well.

These things work well for me and I wouldn't travel without them. If only I could get my wife to use them and give up her 26 inch checked bag. How I hate killing time by the baggage carousel waiting for it to appear!

Bring small neon hi-lighter-- mark your hotel's location on each city throw-away map you get; route to restaurant you're trying to find; mark your train timetable; hi-light your priorities in museum visitor guides, etc., etc. So much easier than a pen/pencil. Yes, your smartphone GPS does this, but lots of people do not have them.