Tips for Meeting People (and Having Fun) When Traveling
I travel alone a lot, and am what is known as a “solo traveler.” Which is to say, I am married, but because I have a lot of business trips, I am often “a solo” – i.e. different from “a single woman” — on the road.
The good news is, this mostly affluent demographic is courted by hotels, tours and event planners, but the important question remains: how do you meet people in a safe, comforting manner while away from home, particularly when in a foreign locale? Following are some tips to help you do that:
Ahead of Your Trip: Connect with groups you belong to: business colleagues, membership organizations, church group, charities, etc. for info on any programs they have overseas, or recommendations from other members who may be seasoned travelers. If your local college/university has a “study abroad” program, call them for contacts. Also check the British Council events, which are held all over the world. You can be guaranteed attendees will at least speak English!
Ahead of Your Trip. Pt. 2: Read English-language newspapers of the area you plan to visit. Look for events in English and events sponsored by the American School or other American organizations. Locals will likely be there to practice English, so it is a good way to connect with them.
In Transit/on the Plane: Talk to others, you might meet someone in transit who is also a “solo” traveler, and if possible, chat with the flight attendants, who often have good insights.
Once at your destination: Try to find English-language bookstores, especially bookstores or cafés with WiFi. These are natural places for meeting people. Overseas, the restaurant chain Au Bon Pain has WiFi, as do Starbucks, Pain Quotidien and many other brands.
Attend Events at Local Universities: You can find them on their school calendar and use Google translation to figure out the contents. You might be able to find lectures on art, music, politics, etc., and have an automatic ice-breaker topic for conversation with your neighbor.
Look for Tours Conducted in English: Interactive activities and/or local walking clubs are more likely to be friendly to foreigners. (A good source for the latter, if you are vacationing in the U.K., is Time Out Book of Country Walks.)
Use Yelp: This service is used more by English speakers, so try their recommended restaurants, where you might meet other compatriots who had the same idea. Also, find restaurants with communal tables, which can be great fun and eliminate any skittishness you have about dining alone.
Accommodations: Try AirBnB.com, where you may stay in a private house, and become acquainted with your hosts, or certain boutique hotels might offer get-togethers (cocktails & appetizers) for their guests.
Guidebooks: Use series like Time Out, Lonely Planet and Let’s Go, which have lots of listings for cafés and free evening entertainment — both of which are easygoing venues that lend themselves to casual conversation.
Cruise Travel: If traveling solo, ask upfront to be invited to singles’ events, even if you are just traveling “solo,” rather than being unmarried. Be honest to the staff if you are nervous about meeting people, and ask for their help.
Travel Tips from The Women’s Travel Group
3TAGS: The Women’s Travel Group