• Aleaya Duran shares her top advice for heading on your first solo trip abroad
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Single female traveler Aleaya Duran @aleayabella It offers numerous suggestions for your bucket list if you enjoy traveling solo as well.

However, before we begin, she wants to issue a caution regarding two well-liked backpacking spots that she believes solo travelers should steer clear of.

'I faced some tough times in the Philippines, particularly in Palawan,' the 22-year-old shares with MailOnline Travel. 'My visit coincided with typhoon season, making things challenging due to frequent flight cancellations.'

Apart from the natural concerns, I was also more worried about my safety there because of the harassment I experienced from certain local residents.

The adventurous traveler similarly advises against visiting Cambodia for women traveling alone, mentioning that she felt least secure there.

Therefore, where should aspiring solo travelers add to their bucket lists?

Aleaya, from Oregon , explains: ‘Switzerland, Iceland, Singapore and Japan was like a dream since I felt incredibly secure traveling there solo as a woman.

'Additionally, those were the sole nations where I ventured out alone after dark, solely because of the sense of security I experienced.'

She also advises first-time solo travellers to start with 'very touristy places', as she did.

'Paris, Italy "And traveling to Bali served as excellent initiations into solo travel," she notes.

This does not imply that Aleaya avoids less accessible locations, as she found herself 'agreeably astonished by Laos'.

She clarifies: "Although it isn’t as prominent a tourist spot as its neighboring nations, Thailand And Vietnam boasts an abundance of offerings.

'The amazing people, along with the natural surroundings and wildlife – it genuinely made this one of my most cherished destinations.'

Aleaya mentions that she grew up in a 'very small town' and states 'there was always this urge to leave'.

She goes on: "I was curious about what lay beyond and eventually grew weary of waiting for company."

'I believe that traveling seems incredibly daunting initially. However, after venturing out into the world, you discover that not taking the chance at all would have been much scarier.'

When Aleaya initially shared her aspirations for traveling alone with her family, she acknowledges that some members had reservations. However, she firmly believes that it's crucial to "trust your intuition and not allow others' opinions to deter you."

He offers an excellent solution that suits his needs and those close to him, advising others to consider this approach as well.

She clarifies: "Typically, I utilize Google Docs to create an initial version of each daily plan and subsequently compile a PowerPoint presentation for my relatives to keep them informed about my whereabouts and scheduled activities each day."

'This provides them with a feeling of ease and confidence that I am aware of what I'm doing.'

Although solo travel comes with significant costs, Aleaya shares that she managed 'to finance her journeys by taking up various unconventional jobs'.

She states: "Many individuals lack additional funds for traveling purposes, and I was not different in this aspect. I discovered methods to earn income from home by reselling second-hand clothing and taking up multiple job roles simultaneously."

Social media has assisted in financing some of my trips, and I believe it's an excellent channel for individuals to earn money by sharing their passions.

The thrifty traveler avoids inflating trip expenses by steering clear of 'a typical error,' which involves making reservations through a travel agency.

She cautions: "Although this might be wise for your initial journey or if you're anxious about traveling solo, it will double the expense."

She opts for carrying only a carry-on suitcase when traveling, thus always faces the challenge of 'highly restricted space'. What strategies does she use to manage this?

She says: ‘I bring packing cubes to make my luggage more organised. I make sure to always leave for a destination with only half my bag full so I can save room for a lot of souvenirs.

I would argue that the most crucial necessity is medication since various nations carry different brands, making it challenging to locate what you need.

Although Aleaya maintains that solo travel isn't always glamorous, she has never regretted her decision since embarking on her first trip alone.

She concludes: 'The aspect I enjoy most about traveling solo is the sense of freedom it offers. No one is around to spoil my experiences or hinder my progress.'

'Often, it has seemed as though only God and I are journeying through this world together.'

I can stroll through the streets and hills, immersing myself solely in my surroundings. This liberates me and enables me to genuinely engage with my current location.

Looking for more content from Aleaya? Follow her on TikTok – @aleayabella or Instagram - @aleayabella for more travel tips and inspiration.

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