Solo travel is a rewarding, life-changing experience that is on a lot of people’s bucket list, but it has its challenges. As a female, you may have reservations about traveling solo; this can be especially true if you are a Muslim woman. However, with some common sense and a bit of forward planning, you can explore the world without compromising your safety or your religious identity. Here are a few top tips to help solo female travelers make the most of their journey.
Make Advanced Preparations
As a solo traveler, you need to rely on yourself to get from A to B. Not to mention all of those in-between bits too. Prepare in advance to ensure you make the most out of your trip. If you are driving to the airport and you plan to leave your car there, visit Parkon.com to reserve a parking lot. Reserving a parking lot in advance can save you time and give you peace of mind that your car is in a safe place while you travel.
Book Your In-Flight Meal
When booking your flight, make sure you select the most appropriate in-flight meal and remember to confirm it before the day of your trip. If your airline doesn’t offer a halal option, your next best choice is vegan, followed by the non-dairy vegetarian option. Dressings and desserts may include dairy ingredients, don’t get caught out by these minute details.
Choose Your Destination Carefully
Personal safety and access to religious amenities take top priority when it comes to solo female travel, and certain destinations will cater to your needs more than others. OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) destinations that make the cut include Qatar, Turkey, Maldives, and Indonesia. According to the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index, the top 5 non-OIC countries in 2019 were Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and Thailand.
Plan it Out
Whichever country you decide to choose, try to plan out your itinerary in advance. This doesn’t have to be a detailed account of your vacation; it can simply be a rough plan of the places you would like to visit each day. A basic itinerary can help you pinpoint potential travel obstacles and help you manage your expectations. Drawing up a simple plan can also help you identify places for prayer and discover suitable halal eateries. All travelers should take care while traveling, especially during the night. By creating an itinerary, you will make your journey safer while maximizing your time.
Stay Connected
Once you have drawn up an itinerary, make sure you share it with your loved ones. Whenever possible, you should aim to update your family and friends of where you are and give them a heads up on any changes to your plans. Not only will this give the people close to you peace of mind, but if something should happen, they will know about it almost straight away. They will have the power to help you despite being miles away.
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