Common myths about solo travel (and what's actually true)
Plus: World's tallest mountain (not Everest), Malaysian hand gestures, and an underrated Mediterranean city
Hi friend, welcome back to another edition of Itchy Feet. It’s great to have you here! Thanks for reading and supporting my writing.
In case you missed it, last week I shared a fun (and very educational) travel talk with my friend Wagner. You can read it here.
This week, let’s dive into something very important:
The most common myths about solo travel
There are many travel myths out there, and many involve solo travel. Let’s take a deeper look and debunk each myth!
Myth: Solo travel is dangerous
Reality: Anywhere you go can be dangerous, even if traveling with a group. Solo travelers can stay safe with thorough research, street smarts, and by booking trustworthy lodging. There are plenty of resources (YouTube, LonelyPlanet, Substacks about your destination) to give you quality trip planning advice.
If you can figure out how to safely get to your lodging (take Uber or rideshare if it’s available) and choose a safe neighborhood (TripAdvisor and Culture Trip offer great ideas), you’ve already conquered most of the challenge.
Female travelers need to take extra steps to stay safe while solo traveling. However, this hasn’t stopped countless solo travelers of all genders from seeing the world.
Myth: Solo travel is lonely
Reality: Solo travel gives you a unique chance to connect with yourself. At times, this can be lonely. It can also be very refreshing and exciting. Also, solo travel gives you complete freedom to decide your experiences. If you feel lonely, you can stay at hostels, book tours, join a local Meetup, or connect with people on Couchsurfing.
Myth: Solo travel is only for young singles
Reality: On my trips, I’ve encountered solo travelers from all walks of life. Some were husbands, wives, divorced, widowed, young, and old. I stayed at hostels with solo retirees who had more fun than the 20-somethings. It all depends on your mindset. If you believe you can do it, then you will.
Myth: Solo travel is selfish
Reality: The way you decide to travel solo can be selfish. If you leave impulsively or without telling loved ones, then that’s highly selfish. If you’re traveling solo to cheat on your wife, have lots of one-night stands, and exploit locals, then you’re being selfish.
However, if your goal is to not harm others (or yourself) then it’s not selfish. It’s important to include loved ones in the planning process and have an agreement with your family. Also, if you make it a habit to call home, share pictures, and let folks know you’re ok, then you’re not being selfish.
In my opinion, solo travel can be therapeutic and a great form of self-care.
⭐️ If you want to solo travel but don’t know where to start, I created a free guide. All you have to do is refer one friend to this newsletter and you can download it!
🚀 Travel Quote of the Week
“There was never a question in my mind that I wanted to climb that mountain, no matter what other people said.”
- Junko Tabei
🤲 Did You Know?
According to Mental Floss, the tallest planet on earth is NOT Mount Everest. You’d have to fly across the planet to Hawaii. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano on the big island and sits 13,800 feet above sea level. At first glance, this is well below Everest’s mammoth, which is 29,031 feet in elevation.
However, Everest’s height is only above sea level. Most of Mauna Kea isn’t visible to the naked eye because there’s another 19,700 feet under the ocean.
So, from base to summit, Mauna Kea (33,500 feet) is taller than Everest.
🎏 Culture Corner
If you find yourself in Malaysia, remember not to use your index finger to point. To many folks in this country, it’s a rude gesture. According to Cultural Atlas, you can either use your thumb or an open hand to give directions.
Also, always use two hands to receive something. Never use just a left hand to give or receive something; traditionally, the left hand was used to clean yourself.
It’s important to know that 63 percent (Wikipedia) of the country practices Islam. Islam is part of Malaysia’s Constitution. Therefore, many Malays show respect for their cultural practices and it’s wise for travelers to try their best as well.
🌆 Fun Things to Do in Tunis, Tunisia
Tunis is the capital of Tunisia, a North African country sandwiched between Algeria and Libya. Tunis has a complex history with strong Berber, Roman, and Arab influences. Walking down the street, you’ll most likely hear Arabic and French.
Tunis is less expensive than Europe and offers a fantastic Mediterranean vacation experience. Since this city is a gateway to the Sahara Desert, it can be a scorcher there depending on the time of year. So, dress accordingly and drink lots of water!
If you’re planning a trip, here are some ideas.
Medina of Tunis: The best starting point for your Tunis adventure is within the Medina (old city walls) of Tunis. It’s a UNESCO site with over 700 monuments, mosques, and important sites to discover. The Kasbah Mosque is one of the most prominent buildings in the quarter.
National Museum of Bardo: Learn about Tunisia’s rich history and culture at the Bardo Museum. A former palace, the museum showcases a vast collection of beautiful Roman mosaics and Carthaginian artifacts.
Day trip to Sidi Bou Said: This picturesque hillside town is about 12 miles north of Tunis. Visitors can enjoy captivating views of the Mediterranean Sea while sipping on a mint tea. Most of the buildings in Sidi Bou Said are painted white and blue, similar to Greece.
Far, far away: I’m a Star Wars nerd and Tunisia is where many scenes of the fictional planet Tatooine were filmed. Luke Skywalker’s famous igloo house was built on the dried salt lake Chott El Jerid. It’s nowhere close to Tunis, but there are multiple Star Wars tours taking fans there.
The Sahara Desert: The Northern Sahara is accessible through Tunisia but it’s a few hours south of Tunis. Many organized excursions leave from Douz.
Staying safe in Tunisia: Certain parts of the country are unsafe. Luckily, these areas aren’t close to Tunis. Still, you must exercise increased caution. Consult the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory website for the best information.
Also: Mr. M is an excellent travel blog for anyone wanting to take a deeper dive into Tunisia.
That’s a wrap for this week! Let’s dock at port for seven(ish) days. 🛳
Thanks again for reading this travel-inspired newsletter.
Much love,
-Daniel
Instagram / X / YouTube / Travel Planning
P.S. Consider working with me to plan your next adventure.
I love planning trips and thoroughly do research every week, so let’s chat.
Hi Daniel, I agree with your comments about traveling solo. There are considerations that women need to take when traveling along-- most of them involve using common sense and paying close attention to the surroundings. Thank you for posting another excellent article.
Hi Daniel , I think everyone should travel alone once in their life . It’s so enriching ,although as a woman the precautions to take are greater