Cautious people are worth two... That's what they say. It is true that I am a very organized and sometimes squared person. Although, sometimes, I also get carried away by the passions that a dish on a table, a view, etc. provokes in me... And although I usually plan many things, I also leave others to chance. However, when traveling I like to have some basic things very well prepared and thought out so that, precisely, unforeseen events do not create a problem for me. I'll tell you some tips for traveling alone, are you coming?
Minimal paper documents
It seems silly but new technologies don't always work and blindly rely on a mobile phone... It's not my style. That's why, whenever I can, I try to take the plane ticket on paper (which doesn't echo much, although you can always print both sides) or timetables of means of transport written on a piece of paper that can even be a ticket to take advantage of. Paper maps are also useful, although sometimes they give too many clues about how touristy we are. If you are capable of memorizing routes, do so, although there are cities that are best to get lost in, such as Venice, Bruges...
The mobile is very useful but it can suffer thousands of vicissitudes: running out of battery, losing or not having access to an internet network, or even being stolen. Normally, I always have another mobile device or tablet in the hotel in case I get robbed, I have a second phone card that I only use for travel and to keep the documents. The second card is very good and if you arrive in a country where you don't have roaming or the rate goes out of control, it's perfect to take a card from there and leave yours at the accommodation. So in case you lose it you always have yours on hand for emergencies.
Indeed, documents are another element to take into account. When you travel through Europe, if you are Spanish, you do not need a passport, however, I always advise you to carry your ID and passport and never keep them together. Normally I leave the passport in the hotel or accommodation and I carry the DNI with me. As with the mobile, if an unforeseen loss occurred, you would have a problem returning, for example by plane. The solution is usually to go to the embassy of your country in the country where you are, but if you are 800km away it is a big problem of time and money. For this reason, an identification document at the hotel is better than unnecessary travel. I have only suffered one robbery in my life and it was in Via Torino in Milan, luckily I had a passport at home, since at that time I lived in Italy, because it would have been a pain to have to go to Rome, I think that in the consulates they cannot make DNIs generally. It is also very useful to have the documents digitized, they are not valid but at least they can help you somewhat.
Medical insurance is a recommendation to travel alone or accompanied. But if you are alone, above all, it can help you, in serious cases, to be able to have the company of a relative since it is usually covered when you have a hospital admission. Also, insurance sometimes covers losses or theft depending on the modality. But this is one of the tips for traveling alone that sounds like platitude or common sense.
Of course, the issue of money and cards is essential when you are traveling alone. Normally I usually carry some money in hand, there can always be unforeseen events such as not being able to pay by card. It seems strange to us that in some places they do not allow it, but merchants and restaurateurs, in some areas, use many excuses: the terminal does not work, you cannot pay less than x money, etc. In addition to carrying some money, you also need to have at least a couple of cards. I usually leave one of them with the documentation at the hotel, either in the safe or safely in the suitcase with its padlock. You always have to have an exit route in terms of cards and money.
Minimal paper documents
It seems silly but new technologies don't always work and blindly rely on a mobile phone... It's not my style. That's why, whenever I can, I try to take the plane ticket on paper (which doesn't echo much, although you can always print both sides) or timetables of means of transport written on a piece of paper that can even be a ticket to take advantage of. Paper maps are also useful, although sometimes they give too many clues about how touristy we are. If you are capable of memorizing routes, do so, although there are cities that are best to get lost in, such as Venice, Bruges...
The mobile is very useful but it can suffer thousands of vicissitudes: running out of battery, losing or not having access to an internet network, or even being stolen. Normally, I always have another mobile device or tablet in the hotel in case I get robbed, I have a second phone card that I only use for travel and to keep the documents. The second card is very good and if you arrive in a country where you don't have roaming or the rate goes out of control, it's perfect to take a card from there and leave yours at the accommodation. So in case you lose it you always have yours on hand for emergencies.
Indeed, documents are another element to take into account. When you travel through Europe, if you are Spanish, you do not need a passport, however, I always advise you to carry your ID and passport and never keep them together. Normally I leave the passport in the hotel or accommodation and I carry the DNI with me. As with the mobile, if an unforeseen loss occurred, you would have a problem returning, for example by plane. The solution is usually to go to the embassy of your country in the country where you are, but if you are 800km away it is a big problem of time and money. For this reason, an identification document at the hotel is better than unnecessary travel. I have only suffered one robbery in my life and it was in Via Torino in Milan, luckily I had a passport at home, since at that time I lived in Italy, because it would have been a pain to have to go to Rome, I think that in the consulates they cannot make DNIs generally. It is also very useful to have the documents digitized, they are not valid but at least they can help you somewhat.
Medical insurance is a recommendation to travel alone or accompanied. But if you are alone, above all, it can help you, in serious cases, to be able to have the company of a relative since it is usually covered when you have a hospital admission. Also, insurance sometimes covers losses or theft depending on the modality. But this is one of the tips for traveling alone that sounds like platitude or common sense.
Of course, the issue of money and cards is essential when you are traveling alone. Normally I usually carry some money in hand, there can always be unforeseen events such as not being able to pay by card. It seems strange to us that in some places they do not allow it, but merchants and restaurateurs, in some areas, use many excuses: the terminal does not work, you cannot pay less than x money, etc. In addition to carrying some money, you also need to have at least a couple of cards. I usually leave one of them with the documentation at the hotel, either in the safe or safely in the suitcase with its padlock. You always have to have an exit route in terms of cards and money.
