- Frequent solo explorer Liz Parry, at the age of 50, shares her top favorite travel locations.
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Solo travel is currently trending — as almost half of all travelers seçen صند People from Britain planning to venture out independently over the coming year.
If stepping out on your own for your next vacation suits you best, we have just what you need, since MailOnline has got you covered. caught up with seasoned solo traveler Liz Parry, 50, to obtain her best advice for beginners.
Liz, who manages a public relations firm Liz Parry PR She has visited 70 countries and mentions that she sees herself as someone who started traveling alone relatively late in life.
She states: "I truly traveled alone for the first time at age 30 during a half-year journey through South America."
I began my journey with a one-month homestay in Cusco, Peru, where I truly immersed myself in the local culture. Afterward, I embarked on the Inca Trail; however, when I intended to join a guided tour afterward, I soon discovered that I wasn’t fond of following their structured approach.
I wasn't fond of being instructed about our destination and the duration of our stay, so I took matters into my own hands. Following that journey, the enthusiasm only grew stronger.
I was captivated by South America, so I began visiting a new country there each year. After roughly ten years, I had explored all the nations in both Central and South America.
Continue reading to uncover which favorite nations belong to Liz, which one she would not revisit, along with her best advice for those traveling for the first time...
The best countries
Given her great fondness for the continent, it's not surprising that one of Liz's top two favorite places is Colombia in South America.
It’s often misinterpreted and carries an image of danger," she explains. "Yet, it’s a fantastic nation with incredible cultural richness.
The lone traveler, who once resided in Marrakech, also considers Morocco among their most preferred places to visit.
It’s incredible," states Liz. "By investing time in understanding the local culture, you can achieve an immensely fulfilling experience.
The countries to avoid
Even though Liz is quite accustomed to venturing off the beaten path and has previously celebrated her birthday by camping out in the notoriously spooky prison on Devils Island in French Guiana, there is one place that made her feel particularly uneasy.
She discloses that she would not go back to Venezuela.
"I believe the most unforgettable location where I experienced genuine fear was in Caracas, Venezuela. There was an ominous atmosphere," describes Liz.
I actually entered my hotel room and stayed inside without going out.
I ordered some food and consumed it inside my room. I simply had no desire to venture out or explore; I was eager to leave as soon as possible. From what I recall, I only remained for one night before departing.
Additionally, there's another nation where Liz would prefer not to drive.
She states: "I definitely wouldn't drive again in Lithuania."
I went on a road trip starting from Estonia, and when I reached Lithuania, the driving became incredibly reckless. There were times when it was raining heavily, and you’d see three vehicles attempting to overtake each other at once around a blind curve, alongside a bus and a truck.
'I simply reversed the car and returned. The circumstances left me feeling utterly exhausted emotionally.'
The most underrated destinations
Although Mexico is a favored vacation spot, Liz encourages tourists to venture further into Central America.
'South of Mexico lies Guatemala, renowned for its wonders, followed by Panama with breathtaking islands.'
'Taking an overland bus offers great pleasure as you journey through various villages and witness everything unfolding along the way.'
Eлиза'b top advice for those embarking on their initial travels
Stay in hostels
'If you're not familiar with a place, it can be quite helpful to chat with individuals who are staying at a hostel.'
'Many individuals who reside in hostels often do so for extended periods, and their suggestions tend to be more valuable than those found in any travel guide.'
Choose a women-only residence hall
'Single-sex accommodations are ideal for female solo travelers.'
Elizabeth enjoys staying indoors. Generator Hostels where available.
Steer clear of flights that land at inconvenient hours.
'Avoid booking an extremely inexpensive flight that lands around 2 AM.'
'To navigate through the city at night, you must figure out your route carefully. Make sure to keep track of the flight schedules closely.'
Don't flash the cash
'Avoid walking around with your phone in your hand, staring at it all the time.'
Do some research
'Step up a notch before heading out; browse through the guidebooks and familiarize yourself with the local culture and pick up some essential phrases.'
Avoid tourist hotspots
'Attempt to avoid the extremely touristy areas since they tend to be much pricier.'
'Your experience isn’t likely to be very enlightening.'
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