How Traveling Can Shape Your Personality

Most people love traveling because it creates smiles and beautiful memories. And this activity affects everyone differently. However, traveling can shape personality in several ways. Here’s how this activity can mold your character.

Travel Can Empower You

When you travel, you encounter many challenges along the way. Overcoming these hurdles teaches you to conquer and combat your fears. Thus, you develop a better and stronger personality when traveling than when staying at home. And this boosts your self-esteem and confidence to take on more life challenges.

Traveling Teaches You Money Management Skills

Travel can draw a learning curve that teaches you to manage your budget. Most people start saving money for a trip long before their travel time. But traveling comes with many expenses that can eat up all your savings. When you travel, you learn to manage your limited resources. Also, you know to spend more money on experiences instead of material things. Ideally, travel makes you value experiences instead of materialistic offerings.

Travel Makes You a Better Decision-Maker and Planner

Traveling requires careful planning to spend time and money wisely. Without proper planning, you could spend all your time in a single location at your travel destination. In some cases, you will face situations requiring you to make immediate decisions. And you won’t have somebody to consult before doing it. However, this will boost your planning and decision-making skills.

Travel Makes You More Patient

When traveling, you may face situations that will derail your plans while others push you to exceed your comfort zone. For instance, you may have to wait in a queue for a security or baggage check. You might also wait for a chef to prepare your meal at a restaurant. Such situations may derail your plans, but they will teach you to be patient.

Traveling can also make you an enjoyable, more approachable, and humane person. If looking for ways to improve your personality, consider traveling more often.

Tips for Meeting New People When Traveling Alone

Some people find solo travel challenging. That’s because they have to decide on transportation and select accommodation. They also have to work with different currencies and navigate their way around new places. Such activities can be very exhausting for some individuals. Figuring out how to meet new people while traveling alone can make a trip more enjoyable. That’s because it provides some company. Here’s how to meet unique individuals when traveling solo.

Stay in Hostels 

Hostels enable travelers to mingle and know each other. And you can find many hostels around the world when traveling alone. Although you can stay in any hostel, a small independent hostel is the best. But some large hostels provide social nights. Thus, you can meet and interact with such people during social nights. That way, you can start conversations with such people and form friendships that might last a lifetime.

Go to the Bars 

Not everybody dares to go to a bar alone. Some can go to a restaurant but not a bar. However, bars provide good places to meet new people when traveling alone. That’s because you can walk in and order your drinks while having a conversation with the barman. If nervous, go to the bar early to avoid walking into a fully packed place.

Go on Walking Tours 

In addition to being free, walking tours enable solo travelers to meet and mingle with new people. Even when unable to approach other travelers, you will have somebody ready to start talking to you. And in the end, you will become friends that can sit somewhere and have some quality moments for hours.

Use Public Transport 

When traveling on a train or bus, you can quickly start a conversation with the person seated next to you. And your discussion can lead to a friendship that will last for years.

Traveling alone doesn’t mean spending all your time alone during the trip. It can be an excellent opportunity to interact with strangers and form friendships that will last for years. Follow these tips to meet new people and befriend them when traveling solo.

Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers

Smiling woman taking self-portrait with digital camera below Big Ben clocktower

Most solo female travelers are concerned about their safety. Although this is a valid concern, it should not hinder you from traveling alone. Here are safety tips that every solo female traveler should consider when going on a trip to protect herself. 

Exercising Hotel Safety 

When checking in at a hotel, consider a room next to the elevator. That way, you won’t have to walk a long distance to your room. This is very important, especially if the hallway is poorly lit. When it comes to filling out the guest registration form, use the first initial rather than your name. Don’t include Mrs. or Miss in the forms. What’s more, ensure that the clerk doesn’t say out loud your room number. That way, the people in the vicinity won’t know much about you. 

Blend in With the Right Clothing 

Dress conservatively to blend in. Dressing like the other women at your travel destination will enable you to avoid unwanted attention. This doesn’t mean you have to put on traditional dresses. However, you should dress modestly. If you want to wear a skit, make sure that it reaches to your knees or even longer. Bare shoulders, arms, and legs may be risqué in some places. Therefore, take your time to research carefully before traveling to know the best ways to blend in. 

Know When to Make Friendships 

Having company can make you feel safer. It can also make your travel experience more enjoyable. However, you should not go befriending every stranger you come across. Instead, make friends when relaxing in a hostel or a hotel balcony. These are some of the best places to meet like-minded travelers. You can find women-only waiting rooms or sections in train stations. These are also good places to meet new people and befriend them. 

When traveling alone, your safety is largely your responsibility. Follow these safety tips to ensure your safety when traveling alone. 

How to Travel Safely with a Food-Allergic Child

Traffic delays, airport wait times, and hungry kids can make traveling a challenge. But, the condition is worse when traveling with a food allergic child. In fact, there are times when allergy attacks can be life-threatening.

Nevertheless, it’s still possible to travel safely with a food-allergic child. The most important thing is to plan carefully and work hard to make the family trip fun and safe for everyone. Generally, many children are allergic to foods due to their ingredients. Such ingredients include eggs, soy, milk, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish and fish. Thus, most children suffer allergy flare ups when they consume convenience foods, airline, and restaurant meals as well as fast foods.

Tips for Safe Travel with a Food-Allergic Child

To make your trip with a food-allergic child, follow these tips:

  • Plan your meals before leaving- Pack meals or snacks that do not have ingredients that your child is allergic to.
  • Carry a cooler- When going on a road trip carry a portable refrigerator or cooler to keep perishable foods cold. Alternatively, book accommodation with refrigerators and microwave or a complete kitchenette.
  • Be careful when buying foods- It’s advisable that you buy individually packaged foods which take less space in the refrigerator. When planning to stay at your destination longer, you can order food online and have it shipped to your travel destination.
  • Pack medications- Carry your child’s medication such as epinephrine auto-injectors as well as extra medication for emergency.

Don’t forget to continue your child’s allergy prevention strategies when traveling. And whether you fly or drive, always have the medications of your child in the original containers with prescription labels. Also carry the chef card to alert any restaurant about the food allergies of your child.

Follow these tips to travel safely with a food-allergic child with ease.