Fearless Journeys: How One Woman Transforms Solo Travel

(Claudia Kielich/Submitted)

Maria Lloyd lives on the east coast of Tasmania, an island state of Australia. Here she shows a sinkhole, one of several in the area.

One author is taking the scary out of traveling solo. In her new book, “Traveling Solo? 75 Winning Tips for Solo Traveling,” Claudia Kielich offers the nervous wanderer peace of mind. The 74-year-old Venice Beach resident wants other women to experience the excitement and pleasure that comes with opening their doors and stepping out.

When women of any age travel alone, they must be cautious. They have to listen to their intuition. Plan B is essential. This is especially critical for senior women who might appear vulnerable. That’s where Kielich’s tips come in.

Maria Lloyd of Smithton, Tasmania, shares her extensive solo traveling experience alongside Kielich. Their first piece of advice is for travelers to be comfortable with their own company.

“I think that is so important,” Kielich said. “You need to entertain yourself and be curious. If you’re curious, you can go anywhere in life.”

Traveling with confidence, or at least an air of confidence, is key, Lloyd added.

“I’ve met some women on my travels who are really scared,” she said. “They worry about everything and don’t want to be alone, and I just think they’re headed for trouble. Especially in the States and the Northern Territory (Australia), if you show any sign of insecurity, bad people are looking for that.”

Lloyd follows a few essential rules:

• Don’t drive at night.

• Know the destination, even if it’s not exact.

• Keep vehicle keys close and accessible.

• Always have a plan B and trust your warning instincts.

Kielich’s traveling mantra is, “Be prepared.” It’s about achieving peace of mind.

“My new book is peace of mind travel tips so it’s not a scary thing,” she said. “It’s a wonderful thing to be confident on a trip.”

She refers to her book as a toolbox filled with “tools” that a woman alone needs to travel safely and with confidence.

“Safety begins with peace of mind,” she said.

One of her practical tips includes putting an identifying marker on her suitcase, like a dog collar, for easy identification.

“This prevents your suitcase from being picked up by mistake,” Kielich said. “You have to have that in mind because every case looks alike now.”

Kielich emphasizes making this simple but important step part of preparation.

“When you’re departing the house this gives you a lot of confidence and it’s very easy,” Kielich said. “Count everything: raincoat, water bottle, purse, carry-on. When I get out of the taxi or car at the airport, I count things again. That’s my favorite tip.”

Kielich understands how easy it is for a person to get lost, flustered, or afraid.

“It’s overwhelming to travel right now,” she said.

For example, she suggests getting your bearings when checking into a hotel, especially in a foreign country.

“Take a business card from the hotel and in the daytime, walk around the neighborhood. Look for landmarks real closely, like an awning on a restaurant. Once you have your bearings, you’re not so nervous about leaving the hotel and coming back.”

Instead of wandering aimlessly, she suggests signing up for tours offered by the hotel or reputable travel companies. If a traveler does find themselves in a sketchy area, her book lists actions to put themselves in a safer situation.

Kielich’s advice also comes from her experiences, sometimes funny and embarrassing.

“Don’t push unknown buttons in your hotel room,” she wrote. “I was taking a bath in the Shangri La Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, and pushed a button next to the tub. In came three men in white tuxedos, wearing pink turbans, with shampoo, champagne, and fresh towels.”

Not everyone grew up traveling nor has everyone had the chance to travel alone. For first-time solo travelers, both Lloyd and Kielich recommend breaking the ice with a weekend trip somewhere close by.

“Only plan a weekend or week trip for your first solo trip,” Kielich wrote. “A place where you never have been but close enough to get home if you change your mind.”

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