This piece is for anyone contemplating travelling alone for the first time. It can be a daunting prospect, venturing into the world, alone and unguided. It’s a big deal and a certain amount of trepidation and uncertainty at what to expect is only natural. To help, I wanted to put together some tips and inspiration that I hope will reassure any aspiring solo travellers out there.

Why do people decide to travel? What is it that drives our wanderlust and attracts us to the idea of stepping out into the wider World, to have an adventure? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons people travel, and why you should definitely do it too.

In this traveller profile series I take a look back through history at some of the World’s greatest travellers. What travel lessons can be learned from the adventures and exploits of these remarkable, intrepid individuals? By looking backwards in this way, I hope to inspire anyone looking forward to their own future travels. In this post I look at the amazing Amelia Earhart.

In this traveller profile series I take a look back through history at some of the World’s greatest travellers. What travel lessons can be learned from the adventures and exploits of these remarkable, intrepid individuals? In the first of the series I look at the epic adventures of Xuanzang, a 7th Century Buddhist monk.

We should do this, should do that; should be this, should be that, should say this, should say that. Whatever it might be, shoulds represent implicit expectations that we all create for ourselves. Throw someone else’s expectations of us into the mix and you have a sure fire recipe for internal conflict. There can be a lot of pressure not to travel. How do we get past it? 

The fear of travelling alone can stop us going. It is an entirely natural reaction to a daunting prospect. However, how do we stop it interfering with our plans for future travel? How can we overcome the fear that's there in order to travel anyway? In this piece I explore these questions and offer my suggestions.

Let’s face it: the world is a scary place sometimes. It is natural to be fearful of the dangers out there and this fear may deter you from travel. Obviously, there are dangers out there and they're worth considering for any aspiring travellers. What can we do to navigate the potential danger out there and prevent our fear of them putting us off our trip? 

Travelling is without doubt an endeavour that trumps most others. It's one of wonder, sublimity and life changing experience. However, the decision to travel is often one that isn’t made lightly...[It’s] possible to dwell too much on the decision- on any decision for that matter. We think and think and over-think, ponder, question and reflect some more. Over time and without action, aspirations of travel that once burned so brightly get sidelined. We hold ourselves back and become the biggest obstacle to our travels.

The vast majority of people follow a typical life trajectory...The linear transition from school, to uni, to job, to career and eventually to retirement has become a social norm that is so entrenched in our culture that it can be difficult to avoid and that swallows time...Travel as an escape might seem appealing, but impossible in practice.

I'm fascinated by people and the reasons we do the things we do. Have you ever stopped to consider what it is that makes you want to travel? I hadn't! So, in the interest of sharing and possibly learning something about myself, I thought I'd sit down to write about it.

On lists of potential travel plan challenges, I'm guessing money, or the lack of it, sits towards the top. Unfortunately, money can often feel like a deciding factor when it comes to travel. What with all the costs involved, the price might seem out of reach and put aspiring travellers off going. Here's how to stop that happening.

Travelling is a fantastic means of giving you a story to tell. And, now that I have a few of my own, I thought I'd write a piece every now and again to tell the tale of a particular travel highlight...In this first story I recount one mind blowing night in New Zealand that happened while walking the Abel Tasman.  

If a recipe for self-development existed, travel would be the magic ingredient. Whether you feel the need to develop in some way or not, there can be few better ways go about it than to explore the world for a period of time.

I love a good quote. I've always found there to be great, almost disproportionate, power in them. Somehow, a simple string of words can say as much as an entire speech, and leave an indelible mark on our memory. When it comes to travel, quotes can motivate and impassion us; remind us of travel's significance and instil a desire in us to get out there and adventure.

Of all the incredible features and fruits of travel...it will often be the people you meet that define the experience and leave an indelible mark on you and the memories you carry forwards in life.

Ever struggle for conversation in social situations? Feel like you never have anything interesting to add in discussions around the dinner table? Enter travel- the perfect antidote to this quandary.

Time is a precious commodity. With all there is to do in life, there isn’t that much of it to spare. After we’ve done everything we need to (sleep, work, clean, cook, eat etc), there’s often very little remaining to do what we might really want to...Want an antidote? Travel. 

I was 20 years old when I first went travelling. At the time I had never left the country without family or friends, but I’d always loved the idea of solo travelling. In the summer break between second and third year of my Psychology degree at Southampton Uni, I finally got the chance to do it.