Are you hesitant about traveling solo because you are worried about safety? Or not sure where it is safe to travel as a solo female traveler?
Through research and personal experience, I have compiled a list of 10 Safe Countries:

1) Ireland
2) Iceland
3) Netherlands
4) Germany
5) Norway
6) Austria
7) Australia
8) Canada
9) Denmark
10) Switzerland

Honorable Mentions: Spain and Portugal

Do your research before you go and check the countries embassy page. A country's safety level can change overnight due to natural disasters (floods, fires, tsunami), political unrest or terrorist activity.

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Whether you are a solo traveler, a beginner or an experienced traveler, these 3 basic safety steps will put your mind as ease while you travel.

Before you get on that plane, set up the following:

1) Make a copy of your passport or other legal identification.
* Make a physical copy and give it to the contact person at home. Or if you are traveling with someone, give them a copy.
* Email yourself a copy of your passport. You can save in pdf format and password protect/encrypt the document.
* Take a picture to have accessible on your phone, especially in case you do not have internet or data available.

2) Share your itinerary with one or 2 people back home. Have check-in points and times. Provide where you will be on specific dates, if you know. For example, provide address and phone # to your set accommodations. If you are traveling without set plans, make sure you regularly check in with your contact.

3) Know Emergency Contact Information
*Know your country's embassy information where you are traveling to.
*Sign up for the S.T.E.P. program (if US citizen) with your country's Embassy.
*Have your Emergency Contacts identified within your phone- ICE
* Know the country dialing code for local calls
*Know the country code for emergencies. For example: US is 911, Spain is 112

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Are you using excuses that hold you back from solo traveling now?

The three common reasons I hear from women as to why they can't solo travel tend to be:

1) FEAR- Fear is a real thing but we need to get to the bottom as to why. What is driving that fear? We can overcome fear by understanding it and equipping ourselves with the tools and skills to conquer that fear. Start with baby steps to get out of that prison of fear.

2) BEING ALONE- Learn to love yourself and enjoy your own company. Practice being alone by going out to eat by yourself. Stop caring what others are thinking. They truly don't care, plus you will never see them again. If you solo travel it inevitable that you will be dining alone, so get use to it.

3) FINANCES- Lack of funds may be your excuse or reason for not being able to travel solo right now. But with planning and discipline, you can save money without going into debt for your next trip. It's 2023 and a good time to work on a budget if you haven't already. Evaluate your spending habits and stop buying more stuff that you really don't need.

Don't make excuses, let's conquer these reasons and get out there and have an adventure.

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What is your first memory of travel? These early memories can shape how we view travel and how we plan any future travel as well.

Action steps:
1) Try to recall your first travel memory. Was it positive or not so great? Either way, this experience can dictate how we feel about travel. What was the feeling surrounding this first travel trip?

2) Why do you have a desire or passion for travel? If you can figure out your WHY, it will help you in planning future travels that feel authentic to your true self and support your values surrounding the idea of travel.

Write these discoveries down on paper to help process.

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Have you ever dreamed of experiencing a magical Christmas market around the holidays?  I researched numerous places both internationally and locally (to the USA) and found 5 places that encapsulate both the Old World feel and winter recreation opportunities.

1) Vienna, Austria: Hosts one of the largest on the planet with numerous markets across the city. Nine skiing places in the vicinity.

2) Dresden Striezelmarkt- Dresden, Germany: Germany's oldest markets surrounded by the Baroque city.  Germany does host the most Christmas markets in one country, including; Frankfort, Heidelberg, Munich and others. Plus lots of skiing available among all the mountain ranges in the area.

3) Zagreb Christmas Market- Zagreb, Croatia
Focus is on advent throughout the activities within the market.

4) Carmel Christkindlmarkt- Carmel, Indiana (USA)
The town looks like Saxony, Germany and features the only Gluhwein pyramid with 3000 lights and 33 feet tall.

5) Georgetown Christmas Market- Georgetown, Colorado (USA)
A quaint town with horse-drawn carriage rides, caroling, festive shopping and eating roasted chestnuts. Only runs the 2 weekends before Christmas. Being in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, plenty of places to have a winter wonderland experience as well.

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Have you recently gone through a traumatic event? Maybe you lost a loved one, a spouse, a divorce or had a health scare. Travel can provide the pathway to healing in body, mind and spirit.

First, travel physically separates us from our situation providing a different perspective and time alone to process and grieve. Solo travel forces us to look within and reflect.

Secondly, travel forces us to in the present moment. When you in a new place, new culture, new city, one must be present even simply to navigate. But more importantly to absorb and take in the surroundings.

Thirdly, travel can evoke gratitude. Having gratitude signals the brain to produce serotonin and dopamine (our happy hormones). Therefore, a shift in our mood occurs.

Fourth, travel can provide physical healing. Travel can relieve stress which is a known cause of many diseases. You can also attend a wellness retreat for the full on physical healing experience.

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Do you include travel goals into your yearly planning? You should if your desire is to travel. Where is it you so deeply desire to go?
Follow these steps as I coach you on this episode to achieve these goals.

1) Spend some time reflecting and visualizing that place you want to go to in 2023.
Write it down in vivid details. Write in the present tense as though you are currently there experiencing the place first hand. Cut out pictures of the place and tack them to a wall where you can see the place daily as inspiration.
2) Identify the fear that is holding you back from getting there or traveling in general.
Write the fear(s) down in your journal.
3) What is the root of that fear? Does it date back to a traumatic childhood memory?
Journal what you think the root may be.
4) Prove that fear wrong. Must of us think of the worst case scenario. Let's think of the complete opposite of that fear and envision the best case scenario instead.
5) TAKE ACTION! Recognize the excuses and take action steps forward.

Join the conversation and share where you plan to travel in 2023.
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If you have a solo travel story adventure you would like to share with my audience, record a message to me on Speakpipe and leave your name, highlight of your story and how I can contact you.
https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/264020/2/t47oyj0jnk3vup65

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Losing or running out of money while traveling alone can be a concern. Follow these tips to secure and protect your money while traveling.

1) Money Belt or other concealed pockets, which is better? Money belts are widely known by most people and are not necessarily safe anymore. Don't advertise where your money is hidden. Try concealed pockets in underwear, bras, leggings or use your sock or shoe as alternatives.
2) Split up your money and credit cards. Don't keep them all in the same place. Use hotel safe or lock your bags at your accommodations with backup cash and credit card (if you have 2 cards). Never use your debit card.
3) Take a photo of your credit card information and have the credit card company phone number on hand in case.
4) Let your bank and/or credit card company know you are traveling and where.
5) Research exchange rates. Do not exchange at an airport as they have the worst exchange rates usually. Pre-order or obtain a small amount of the currency you will need beforehand from your bank.
6) Purse vs Backpack vs Slingbag/Fanny pack? NO PURSE. Purses are too easy to swipe. There are backpacks out there that have safety locks or hidden zippers to prevent thefts. Never leave your bags unattended. Always keep your bags on you. NEVER leave a purse, backpack, slingbag or other bag slung over a restaurant chair-too easy to take, especially if seated in an outdoor cafe. 

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Are you traveling during the holidays? In general the holidays can be stressful enough but even more so if you are traveling during this time. If you can be flexible with your travel dates, try to pick days/dates that are less busy. The busiest days to travel are: the day before Thanksgiving (in the US) and the Sunday after Thanksgiving and two days before Christmas and sometimes the day after depending on the day of the week it falls on.
No matter what day you are traveling during the holidays, these 5 tips can help reduce your stress.

1) Allow extra time. If you are driving, allow more time. If flying allow more time to check bags and go through security check points as there are more people on the road and at the airport.

2) Change your mindset to accept that there will be delays and/or cancellations. Prepare for this possibility mentally and also consider a plan B as backup.

3)Bring food, snacks and an empty water bottle. Stay hydrated and fueled. Plus you never know when or where you may be able to get food, especially if you are stuck somewhere.

4) Have pleasurable activities on hand such as; reading materials, music, movies downloaded, crosswords, knitting-whatever you enough during to pass the time. Sitting and waiting with nothing to do can create more anxiety.

5) Breath and stretch! Smile while you are at doing this too.


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Every country has a passport system to identify citizen of that country. Most of what I am sharing here relates to US citizens, but everyone should has a passport for international travel.

What is the difference between a Passport book, Passport card and the new Real ID requirements?

Passport book is best for international travel and for identification in the US.
The Passport card, which is the size of a credit card and fits inside your wallet can only be used for land travel across the Mexican and Canadian borders. The Passport card cannot be used for international travel nor can it be used to acquire travel visas.

With the deadline of May 3, 2023 for all US citizens to have either a Real ID or Passport to even travel domestically, you will want to begin the process of obtaining your passport now.

Security Checks: TSA Precheck vs Global Entry vs CLEAR

TSA Precheck allows you to go through security check points in the US at airports much quicker. You get to leave your shoes on and keep laptops in your bag through security. It costs $85 and is good for 5 years.
CLEAR is a privately run company that uses eye recognition technology and fingerprints to go through security quicker. However, it does not allow you to skip removing shoes, belts and laptops in the security check lanes. The cost is $189 per year.
Global Entry is a program that provides quicker entry when traveling internationally returning through a US port to bypass the long customs lines. The fee is $100 non-refundable 1x cost and includes a 5 year TSA Precheck authorization.

Let's get you ready for that next or first international trip by obtaining your Passport.
If you already have a passport, go check on that expiration date. If you are due to expire within the next 6 months to a year, you should begin that process to renew now. You are not allowed to travel internationally if your passport will expire within 6 months of your travel dates.

Get prepare so you can take that leap and have an ADVENTURE!

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