Rick Steves Believes Developing This Important Skill Is A Must For Solo Travelers

Naturally, traveling alone is introspective, and figuring out the intricacies and logistics on your own can foster confidence and independence. Of course, it has its pros and its cons. You don't have anyone to lean on if you're a little lost and the rain starts pouring, nobody to split the hotel costs with, and after many meals alone, it's natural to miss a bit of carefree dinner conversation — don't forget this "Golden Rule" of solo travel to eliminate a stressful possibility.

Travel sage Rick Steve has plenty of advice, including for travelers going solo. "If you want to travel overseas but don't have a partner, consider gathering the courage to go it alone," he explained on his blog. "Traveling on your own allows you to be more present and open to your surroundings. You'll meet more people — you're seen as more approachable. You're more likely to experience the kindness of strangers." There are easy ways to connect with locals and culture, and that's why Steves says the solo-travel pros outweigh the cons. However, you'll need an important skill for an elevated experience. As Steves shared in a clip on TikTok, "If you're going to travel on your own, you've got to be good at finding information because you don't have a guide. You're your own guide."

It goes without saying that you'll need to research, finding information about how to get around, where to stay, and how not to blow out your budget. The logistics on your own are one thing; amplifying the experience is another. Finding information on when that bridge was built or who this street was named after adds levels of appreciation. Rick Steves naturally has advice on all of it, recommending that travelers be insatiably curious, take a tour, or find a local guide to give the destination proper cultural and historic depth.

Rick Steves has an article on his website with tips for traveling solo, with pieces about meeting people, dining out, and safety. It's good advice to have before embarking out on your own. In his lecture entitled "Experiencing Europe," he goes deeper into how to squeeze the most out of the experience, and that's why he recommends a tour guide. He hires a private guide to show him around while giving the historic and cultural context of the city. He admits that it's not the cheapest option, but it's worth it to have someone friendly, entertaining, and knowledgeable give you the ins and outs of a place.

There are activities you should take advantage of when traveling solo, like small group tours, and bigger cities often have free ones where your only cost will be a tip. Another affordable strategy Steves recommends is going through a museum slowly and catching pieces of the guided tours — just be sure not to overstay your welcome or ask many questions. You might also get a good guidebook or audiobook that goes thoroughly into the history.

The more you know about the city under your feet, the more you appreciate it, and the deeper the experience becomes. As Steves said, "When you understand the context in which things were made, who paid for it and why, what the challenges of the day were, and so on, paintings and statues become the closest thing Europe has to a time machine." Dive deep into the queens, cathedrals, artists, and epic history of a place. Find information and make that solo trip a rewarding journey into the past.