Actually in quite a bit of countries, in order to stop your street harassers (and not just hey baby but like literally following you) you literally need to yell at them or shame them by reporting them to someone else who will then yell at them.

 Reply

I prefer to travel to big cities alone. If I took every place off the list where I wound "stand out" that would leave very few places to travel.

I avoid war zones so not sure what this woman is talk about. The point of traveling is explore other cultures.

Some practical advice, pack super light when going to Europe. Closets are small.

 Reply

I know, I know, you're on vacation. You want to see beautiful new sights and exciting new cities. You want to strap on your watermelon-sized bright white new puffy sneakers and your non-ironic fanny pack and throw on a sweatshirt with a screen print of kittens on it and stroll four abreast with your similarly lost-looking friends or family, totally oblivious of the pedestrians desperately trying to get to work, to catch mass transit, to get to social obligations, but that's fine, I mean, shouldn't they slow down to YOUR pace because YOU'RE on vacation and shouldn't they be sympathetic to the fact that you want to unsafely block the foot of a down escalator, or that you want to come to a dead stop in the middle of a busy pedestrian thoroughfare and and cluelessly throw your arms wide to either side as you unfurl your map and you bleat loudly about how you can't find Times Square and then you act really really butthurt when someone accidentally clips your shoulder with a briefcase or handbag because they couldn't get around you or couldn't stop in time NOT THAT I WOULD KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS

If you're going to travel and you want to get the most of the experience, try to move with the flow of the locals. Don't expect the world to stop for you because you're on vacation. You'll attract unwanted attention and get glared-at, fleeced by a fast-talking street vendor, or pickpocketed.

Plan your route, go there purposefully, and act like you know what you're doing, even if you don't. Consider others and try not to make a spectacle of yourself, I guess is all I'm saying. There are plenty of people who will try to hassle you plenty even if you DO travel resourcefully and considerately. There's no need to act totally clueless and oblivious in an unfamiliar place.

 Reply

-If possible, wear clothing that you would wear for a day of shopping at home. Some travelers dress like they are hiking the Andes when they are walking around a large city and it makes it pretty obvious that they aren't local. Jeans and sneakers are fine, you don't need hiking boots or a fanny pack. In the summer, I usually wear skirts and I bring them backpacking.

-Canadians, I understand you have pride in your country, but don't sew your national flag to your day pack. It is letting everyone know that you aren't local when maybe you could have blended in. Also, don't carry around a full size version of your national flag unless you are headed for a festival, it's just odd. More than once I've been asked by non-North Americans "Isn't Canada just like the US?" Being Canadian doesn't seem to get the bonus points some Canadians think it does so its really not worth the mugging potential of your flag on your messenger bag.

-Carry a tiny notebook. It makes it 100% easier to ask for directions when you don't speak the language if you have a notebook. I once nearly missed my plane because no one in Charles DeGalle understood my pronunciation of Aer Lingus. When I tried, national airline of Ireland, they directed me to British Airways (flames! flames out the side of my head!) Writing it down fixed things.

-For overnight trains, there are sometimes women-only cars if you ask (I know Spain has them, Scandnavia doesn't).

-Travelling along doesn't mean you have to be lonely. If you stay in a hostel, hang out in the common room and don't be afraid to ask if you can tag along. Worst case scenario is that people you won't ever see again think you're a little weird. Personally, I have found New Worlders to be much more open to hanging out with a stranger, so if you're a little nervous start with a Kiwi/Ozzie if possible, followed by a USian/Canadian.

 Reply

Is traveling by yourself really that bad? I'm trying to convince my parents to let me go to Iceland by myself. I understand their concern, but still Iceland doesn't seem too dangerous, I am an adult (albeit just barely), and I've been to four continents and eight countries, so I do have some travel experience.

I'm not sure I would be comfortable traveling by myself in some countries. I loved India, but I was glad I was with someone. Also, everywhere I went it seemed like a was mobbed by people wanting a picture with the freakishly tall American female, and it was nice to have someone to sometimes tell people to go away, since I feel bad doing it.

 Reply

I don't believe this mythical place exists...

 Reply

I guess the only place I can visit is Kashyyyk.

 Reply

There are HONESTLY people who don't know how to do this stuff.

 Reply