Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash
Can you DiscoverEU alone? Tips for the ones that dare
Posledná aktualizácia štvrtok, 01/10/2020
Have you been awarded the DiscoverEU ticket but have no one to go with? That might be a good thing!
Travelling alone can be magical. Instead of a wacky group on EuroTrip, too focused on themselves to see past the travel guide stereotypes, you can suddenly become the young adventurer that meets a mysterious stranger on a train in Europe...
Ok, we admit that Richard Linklater's famous film trilogy about a couple that remains connected after one night spent in Vienna is a very romantic (almost fairytale-ish) take on travelling alone. But still - travelling alone has its advantages, and should you find yourself in a situation where no friend is available to join you in discovering new places, simply do it on your own! Just make sure you read about the tips and risks beforehand:
1. Be prepared. You don't have to necessarily speak the language but know a bit about the place you're visiting! So that you can take the local transport, avoid tourist traps and don't spend too much time on getting lost.
2. Stay in hostels. Hostels are a great place for single-travellers. Don't lock yourself up in a hotel room - instead share a bunk bed with your future friends! Sometimes hostels offer free dinners/breakfasts to people that are courageous enough to show at the table. Couchsurfing or (sometimes) Airbnb are smart options too!
3. Stick around public places. Be where other people are! Cafes, squares, museums… Or take a guided tour with a group of travellers such as yourself! In most cities they even have free tours!
4. Bring a book. It's a perfect conversation-starter but even if nobody approaches you, a book is a great travel companion. Of course it has to be a good literature! That said…
5. Your phone is your best friend. If you use it too much, it can very much ruin your experience but it is also the ideal tool for getting by and keeping in touch. Definitely charge your phone every day!
6. Keep your friends and relatives posted. Now that your phone is charged, use it to frequently update as many people as you can about your whereabouts. Post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, call home or just create a Google Sheet with a "I'm ok" checklist for every day. In short: Don't let the ones that care about you worry too much! A list of emergency contacts is also a must!
7. Wear a smile. No, don't laugh like a maniac! But keep in mind - which is a bit more difficult when one is only accompanied by his thoughts - that the people will be much happier to see you if you look happy!
8. Write a blog. When travelling alone, you risk to experience things too quickly because there's no one who might "slow you down" by discussing your impressions or what you would like to do next. But taking your time is good! And if you start writing a travel blog, that's what's going to happen because before sharing your thoughts you need to think! A blog is also a great way of reminding you to take pictures - it wouldn't be complete without them!
9. Have an intro ready. Once people approach you, they will ask questions! Know what you want to say about yourself and keep in mind it's not very clever to share everything with everybody - strangers don't have to know where you're staying for example!
10. Be sociable but cautious. If you don't like somebody's company, don't be afraid to leave! If somebody's bothering you, speak up!
11. Have confidence in yourself! Yes, you can make it on your own! So many people did before you!
Another important thing to know is that although your friends are busy with staying at home, it is possible to look for a travel buddy elsewhere. You can then travel together, even if it's just for a part of your trip. Best place to look for a DiscoverEU travel companion is of course the official Facebook group.
But there are other Facebook groups you can use:
Travel Buddies - Travel Companions - Travel Partners
Or - if Facebook is not your thing - try these websites:
Keep in mind that although they might be really friendly, all the people you find there are still strangers. At least at first! And know that you can search for similar groups/websites even in the non-English part of the internet!