How to Be a Fearless Female Traveler

Many women find long distance travel intimidating; the idea of being in a foreign place can cause feelings of fear or insecurity. Here are some tips on traveling safe so you can feel better about seeing the world on your own!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• An international cell phone (if traveling outside of country)
• Some emergency information
• Confidence and common sense

How to Travel Fear Free!

1. Assess the safety of you destination. Going to London as a single female from the United States is one thing, going to Oman on your own could be quite another. Go to the State Department website for any travel alerts, and check your destination's Bureau of Tourism website to get a sense of what the social morays surrounding the female persuasion.
2. Make sure someone at home knows where you are staying and how to get a hold of you. Even if you decide to stick it to the man, quit your job and dash to Bali for a month, be sure to send your emergency contact an email with your passport number, your hotel's address and telephone number. And call home once you've arrived.
3. Get an international cell phone. Mobal Rental offers reasonably priced mobile phones that reach 150 countries. The security of having a phone is worth at least $49.00.
4. Register your trip with the Department of the State. This is especially important if you are headed to a country will political unrest. It's also a good idea to look at American Embassy website for your destination, and have contact information plugged into your international mobile phone.
5. Study a map of the area you will be spending most of your time. This will prevent you from wandering around a strange city with an open map and dazed expression--- a sure target for a ne're-do-well. Know where you are walking before you walk there, and make sure it is safe!

Tips & Warnings

• Use your head. Don't wander around a sketchy area in the dark after four cocktails. A recipe for disaster in any language.
• Make a female friend at your hotel and buddy up for nightlife fun!
• Make sure trusted people know where you are--at home and abroad. Having a point person at your hotel is a great idea!
• Don't trust strangers no matter how cute they may be. Trust your gut instead.
• Meet dates in public places.
• Don't over drink or leave your drinks unattended.