1. Practise makes perfect Practise makes perfect, and if you are planning on a visit to one of Las Vegas’ many casinos, then it would be a good idea to get in some practise before you hit the world renowned Las Vegas strip. Whether you work your way around the casino tables at one of your native land based casinos, or play at an online casino such as Spin Palace Online, it’s essential to become accustom to the games available to play. Remember the table doesn’t always win, practise makes perfect.

2. Know the locals Get to know the locals, you don’t want to stand out from the crowd entirely, and it’s important to get to know who you’re socialising with. Although a large percentage of the people in Las Vegas will be tourists themselves, it’s always nice to get on with the locals. Equip yourself with a travel guide, a local map of the area, and you can’t go much wrong.

3. Take a camera If you want to bring the memories back home with you, I’d recommend bringing a good quality camera. A portable digital camera would be sufficient, however if you are a up-and-coming photographer a DSLR should do the trick. Some of the sights around Las Vegas include the Hoover Dam, stunning displays from the MGM Grand, and round the clock shows from the likes of Celine Dion, Cirque du Soleil and the Jersey Boys

4. Travel light There’s a lot of traveling to do while you’re in Las Vegas, so it might be a good idea traveling light. Only take the necessary things with you, there are always local shops or shopping malls where you will be able to top up on anything you forgot during your travels. This is particularly important whilst on any Las Vegas tour, the last thing you want to be doing is carrying everything but the kitchen sink while expediting through the arid Nevada desert.

5. Show me the money Las Vegas is far from the cheapest destination you can travel to in the US, so it’s important to take lots of Wonga. Yes that’s right, unless you’re 100 percent certain of a mega bucks win at the casino, I’d recommend taking a fair wedge of cash with you. Planning your activities and tours will help determine what money you should take on your trip. It’s best to take more cash out with you than less, as exchange rates and credit card fees can be relatively expensive while you’re out there.

When to go to Laos

Laos is a year round destination but there are better times to go than others. The peak season runs from November to March and this coincides with the winter season where temperatures are slit lay cooler but rainfall dryer.

Things can really heat up in April until July and it can be hazy from agricultural burning. August through November is the rainy season and probably best avoided although the countryside is lush in colours.

Travel Costs in Laos

Compared to neighbouring countries Laos is very good value for money indeed in a region that’s already cheap. Even as a solo traveler you can have your own room for less than £10 per night and even less if you are willing lot share. Food can be had for less than £5 per day and beer is very cheap too.

There are many free attractions in Laos and costs of tours are cheap compared to prices you might pay in Europe.

Meeting other solo travellers in Laos

With Laos being such a cheap country to travel alone there are always lots of single travellers around to hook up with. Staying in cheap lodgings and you will always meet other like minded folk of all ages.

There are lots of tours to join too where you are likely to meet others travellers who are on their own so there is no excuse to be alone!

Where to go in Laos

There are three or four places with a lively traveller scene in Laos which are popular with single travellers.

Vientiane city guide

The capital city is like no other as it sits lazily on the banks of the mighty Mekong. Dining options are excellent here and there is quite a bit to see, particularly if you enjoy temples and historical sights. There is some good night life as well but things close down pretty early in Laos so come here expecting a mini version of Bangkok!

Vang Vieng travel

The once official party central of Laos has since November 2012 become a little more like its sleep old self since the government clamped down on all the partying.

It is still worth a visit with many outdoor attractions such as the tubing down the river, many walks, kayaking and caving too.

Just don’t expect a late night.

Luang Prabang world heritage city

The world heritage city is a must stop destination in Asia. So much culture and fine dining you may think you are in France not Laos!

There is a really cool night market that takes up whole streets, you have the mighty Mekong of or activities or just cruising along and world class restaurants at affordable prices. LP is also the home of many spas too.

Around Luang Prabang you also have many attractions where as a solo you can join the many tours that run from town. The waterfalls and Buddha caves are two of the best.

4000 Islands Southern Laos

The so called 4000 islands are probably nearer 400 in reality but offer a tiny piece of the southern Thai experience to Laos.

This is a real place to kick back and do nothing but read a good book in a hammock.

If you want activities and to meet other travellers then you can of course join a number of tours, such as a day trip to see the largest waterfall system in all of Southeast Asia.

Also there are some rare fresh water dolphins that can be viewed via an organised boat trip.

In summary, Laos is an excellent destination for solo travel as it offers the main ingredients for a solo trip, that is being affordable with many activities and other solo travellers.

Our advice would be to get there quick before it becomes another Thailand.

This is the number one reason why it is essential to take out travel insurance before you leave home. Even if you are a citizen on the EU traveling to another EU country then do not rely on the European Health card which will not work in most cases.

Hospital treatment anywhere in the World can be very expensive and just because you are in a cheap country do not assume that medical cover will come cheap as it’s often the case that cheaper countries often have higher medical costs.

Your life literally might be at stake if you have no medical cover. Enough said!

2. FOR LEGAL EXPENSES

You may need  to make a compensation claim after an injury or accident that happened overseas, professional help can be very costly but can be covered by your travel insurance.  This is linked into medical cover.

3. FOR THEFT REASONS

If you are travelling for a long period of time the chances are you will have some pretty expensive kit with you e.g. Smart phone, laptop/ibook. ipads, ipods, expensive camera equipment to name but a few. Replacing this kit while you are overseas might be more expensive than in your own country too so it’s always worth taking out travel insurance to cover loss by theft.

4. FOR PERSONAL LIABILITY REASONS

Just imagine you cause an accident that damages property or affects another person, you could be liable and this could be a very costly mistake. Travel insurance can protect you in a legal claim but always make sure that a liability clause is included.

5. FOR LOSS OF DOCUMENTS REASONS

Losing your passport can mean more than losing all those hard-earned stamps. The cost of replacing documents while abroad can really eat into your savings.

Bring your phone with you:

It’s a must to bring your phone wherever you go. Cell phones, especially smartphones, work as a communicator in case of emergency, companion during boring long drives, and translator. Sonico GmbH introduced its award-winning tool called iTranslate. It helps people break down the language barrier easily. You translate words, phrases and text between more than 60 languages. iTranslate version 6.0.1 is now available on iTunes.

Your mobile phone will also be a good companion during long drives, especially if you’re from just a nearby European country and planning to visit France. You can install fun and exciting games on your smartphone such as partypoker.fr/how_to_play.html.

France is deemed to be the birthplace of poker (from its old card game of ‘Pogue’). You can certainly find many casinos in the country offering poker tables and even hosting poker tournaments. One of the most famous casinos in the country is the Aviation Club de France in Paris.

But why even bother dressing up just to play poker, when you can enjoy poker in the comfort of your hotel room? Online poker websites such as Party Poker have a huge number of French followings. Due to the changes to the French gambling law in 2010, it is now legal to play online poker on government-approved websites. Today, the online poker industry in the country shows very promising results.

Follow appropriate traveler’s etiquettes:

Most of the time, travelers forget that they need to adjust to the cultural norm of the country they’re visiting. Remember that traveling in a foreign land is a learning experience. Being polite in any situation will take you a long way, however if you’re visiting France for the first time, it’s necessary to know some basic French etiquettes to avoid any problem.

Here are some basic etiquettes in France:

When entering any shop in France, it’s customary to greet the shop keeper. It’s considered rude to pass them by. Greet them by saying ‘Bonjour!’ (Hello!) and then add Madame/Mademoiselle for females and Monsieur for men. Before leaving the shop, do not forget to say ‘Au revoir!’ (Good bye!).

For those travelers in need of assistance with direction, you can ask politely to passersby given that you start your request with a polite ‘pardon’ (excuse me) and finish it with ‘s’il vous plat’ (please). Remember to say ‘Merci!’ (Thank you!) afterwards.

Never place your cash in the cashier’s hand after purchasing something. This is a common act of foreign tourists. In France, you will need to place your payments in a small dish or rubber mat when paying at a counter. This guarantees that there is no error in the money being given or received.

The tips above are just simple guidelines on how to get around France easily. Remember that it’s best to be prepared especially if we’re visiting an unfamiliar territory. This will save you from any trouble during your vacation.

For the solo traveler who is aboout to start an intrepid trip around SE Asia there can be no better placer to start one’s travel.

Maybe you are looking for a travel buddy or wanting to stock up on malerial meds for your hike through the jungles of Borneo. Whatever you are looking for then Bangkok is going to have it for you and there will always be a local ready to help you out.

Many people indeed start in Bangkok and usually once they have landed at one of the two International airports they will then head to the safety that is Koh San Road, the traveler ghetto that has grown up from one guesthouse for traveling salesmen to an entire area geared entirely to the intrepid world traveler.

Having said that many Thais are also attracted to KSR to have a drink and be part of the international circus.

KSR is not on the metro systems but you can travel around easily by boat, bus or taxi.

Here are some solo transport tips for Bangkok:

• Insist Taxi drivers put their meter on, if they refuse then walk away
• Tuk Tuks will not have meters so always agree a price before you climb aboard
• Bus 15 (red) leaves from near KSR and travels straight to Siam Centre which is pretty much the center of Bangkok
• The boat is also a good way of getting around and to a sky train station. Ask at your guesthouse for directions
• Walking anywhere far from KSR is not worth the effort or the exhaust fumes!

Most importantly Enjoy Bangkok!

1. Getting there Check your flight tickets and the likelihood is you will be landing in ‘London’ Heathrow. The airport is actually 15 miles out of town and there can be a few panicky tube changes to navigate for first-time travellers on their own. Do yourself a favour and make it an easy arrival by buying tickets for the Heathrow Express. This will drop you in central London (Paddington) in just 15 stress-free minutes.

2. Getting around #1

Pack light, pack layers and pack portably. Use luggage that has wheels or shoulder straps as London’s tube stations have a notorious amount of stairs and long walkways. London’s weather is changeable so layers will help you change at the drop of a dime (or a ten pence piece).

3. Getting around #2

The ‘Hop On Hop Off’ tour buses get you to most major sights and offer great value for money and plenty of opportunities to meet other solo travellers. If you are staying longer than just a day, however, you will need an Oyster Card and a Tube map. The Oyster Card will save you lots of money on both buses and tubes – it can be picked up from any tube station or online before you arrive from the Transport for London website.

4. Spend a penny?

Spending a penny is a British euphemism for using the toilet. Actually it is likely to cost you 30-40 pennies so keep some change on you when you are out and about.

5. Cheap chains

For quick lunches as you whizz round the sights keep your eyes peeled for chains such as Pret A Manger, Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK), Giraffe, Pizza Express, Masala Zone or, more authentically, The West Cornwall Pasty Company.

6. Cheap shows

The TKTS ticket booth in Leicester Square can reward anyone who can be flexible on their times with West End show tickets at half price. This is great for solo travellers who can come and go as they please.

7. Free museums

Museums are great for the solo traveller, especially if it rains. Many world class museums in London are free – although a donation is expected – so take your pick from the Tate Modern, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), National Gallery, and National Portrait Gallery.

8. Plenty of pubs

Pubs are quintessentially British and London has some fine ones. An organised pub crawl is a fun way to meet other solo travellers – look up London Tavern Trails but there are plenty of others on offer.

9. Royal sights

Where to start? Well a flavour of the monarchy can be gained from Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London is pricey but, in its own way, priceless. Further afield it is easy to organise trips to Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace where Henry VIII ruled the roost.

10. Taking time out

It wasn’t just in the 1960’s that London was swinging. Music lovers can find gigs in intimate venues and stadiums all over the city and listings sites like Time Out can help you find the night out that is perfect for you. When the sun sets over the Thames the party is just beginning – enjoy yourself.

There are many good guides to the Camino which some are listed at the end of the of this article but we are going to look at doing this great journey from a solo perspective.

Here’s the thing, no one will ever really be doing the Camino solo. Ten of thousands of pilgrims now start out on the journey, many of which are alone when they begin. The movie ‘The Way’ has certainly added to the hype and has contributed to a much larger international selection of pilgrims with the United States leading the way.

Planning for the Camino

Depending on your own way of doing things some people will need little planning for the camino. The main issue is when to do it and what to take.

We started in August, the busiest month but always found accommodation in Albergues which are big hostels that cater only for pilgrims, and expect to pay up to EUR 10 per night for a bed in a dormitory.

The closer you get to Santiago the more busy the way becomes and this can lead to a mad daily dash to the best Albergues but there will always be a bed or floorspace somewhere!

So the main consideration when planning on when to do the walk is probably the weather. The best months would be May, June and September. During this period the days are still warm, or sometimes hot but the crowds are less than July and August and walking conditions more bearable.

Some hardy souls will start off in winter but expect very changeable weather and less facilities open.

The main aspect of planning is what to take. Our advice is as little as possible. Do not carry tents and camping gear as you will always find a bed. Take only lightweight clothing that dries quickly.

The aim is to only carry 10% of your body weight, and this includes the backpack itself and the annoyingly heavy water. Plan on having at least one liter on you.

The only other important thing is to have you Pilgrims passport, a document called the credencial, purchased for a few euros from many outlets on the way itself, you can purchase one at the beginning in Saint-Jean Pied de Port or just over the border in Spain.

This document will enable you to stay in Alburgues along the way and will be proof once you arrive in Santiago for your certificate. The last 100kms of the Way must have been walked to get this. You can get you passport stamped at many hotels, all albergues and even gas stations!

Your day on ‘The Way’

Day’s will usually start very early, indeed some pilgrims will be packing up their stuff from 5am in order to get away early. While this doesn’t make for a relaxing time it does mean you will often avoid the heat of the afternoon as you will arrive at your next destination around lunchtime.

Most days are around 25kms on average but there are places to stay pretty much everywhere and if you want you could probably only walk 5-10kms (4 to 6 miles) a day if you wanted and maybe build up slowly to longer days. It will depend on how long you have and how far you want to go.

Once you have checked in to your accommodation for the day then you will probably sit around and chat to other pilgrims, wash your clothes, repair the blisters on your feet (yes you will get them!) or just chill out with a good book in the sun.

Dinner is usually a communal dining experience and adds to the social nature of the walk. Most Albergues have a strict curfew and will slam the front door shut by 10pm and most people are usually fast asleep soon after!

The ultimate social solo experience?

There can be few outdoor activities that you start on your own and meet so many people in the world of travel. From our observations about 50% of the pilgrims are Spanish and they tend to be in preformed groups of friends whereas the international element tends to be walking alone to begin with.

Many people end up walking in a group or in pairs with people they have met on the way. Some people prefer to do the walk alone preferring to set their own pace but enjoying the sociable nature of the evenings in the Albergues.

So here is the thing, the Camino can be as sociable as you want. You could choose to walk alone all day and then stay in a hotel room, in fact after a few days in the busy hostels this can come as a nice treat for one night!

We certainly recommend the Camino because it is just so flexible.

- You can walk as far as you want

- You can start where you want

- You can walk with others or alone

- You have total flexibility where you stay and where you eat

If you are travelling around Europe alone and enjoy walking then the Camino offers a great opportunity to meet folk, young and old, from around the world. You also will get a magical insight into Spanish culture and rural/city life of Northern Spain.

Beun Camino!

 Further reading

Wiki Page on the Way of St James

Excellent resource on the camino

There are number of interesting things to see during your stay here, with just a few just of them listed below:

1. Queen Victoria Market

This is one of the largest open air markets, where over 600 traders come together. This market has been going on for 120 years. Here you can find a mixture of organic foods, ranging from delicious cheeses to perfectly ripe fruit. There is even a night market, which runs from November to February.

2. Abbotsford Convent

This convent dates back to1861, however, there are no longer any nuns here. It has historic buildings and some fabulous art to look at if this is what interests you. It is a great place for the art community, having lots of different styles of art placed throughout the convent.

3. Flagstaff Gardens

This is where most of the early settlers settled in Melbourne. The gardens are suited on top of Burial Hill and has one of the best views of the entire city and the bay, which is why the signalling station is set up there.

Solo travel accommodation options for you in Melbourne:

So you might be wondering what style of accommodation is best when staying in Melbourne. There are a selection of hotels and hostels to choose from, however a popular lodging choice in Melbourne is staying in private accommodation, such as the apartments. Not only does staying in this style of accommodation gives you a better insight into the local culture, but it also provides you with more space and privacy. Melbourne is a fantastic city to visit, so make sure you make the most of it by selecting the right place for you and your group trip.

If you are heading to Australia then ensure you have good travel insurance over 64 coverage in case you run into issues.

If you do not have a friend to go with then this could present an issue as it’s often hard to find someone to go on a trip with, particularly if it’s longer than a usual week vacation.

There are other ways to tackle this issue though.

Probably not the cheapest option but one of the easiest is to join an existing group who specializes in providing single group travel. Although they don’t all target solo travelers solely, many group trips tend to have at least half their clients going along on their own making it easy to hook up with others.

These trips range from weekends away to huge trans-continental overland tours lasting many months so you could find yourself on a city break weekend to Prague or a three month expedition from Cairo to Cape Town!

These trips will often have transport and accommodation included but you will likely be spending more money than if you do it independently but remember you are getting a guide and the company of others.

If you need to keep to a tight budget but still want guaranteed company of others then using a scheme like hospitality club or couchsurfing where you end up staying with a local for a number of nights and normally they will show you around their city or area.

These schemes are done on a voluntary basis and can be a great way of seeing ‘off the beaten track’ places that the guidebooks have omitted. There is always the chance of making very good friends along the way and the opportunity to meet others through catch-up events.

Other ways to keep company on your travels could be volunteering although these tend to involve being in one place longer than you would normally as a traveler.

However there are many volunteer schemes that involve short stays, even  just a week long. Some do have expensive fees and fall more under the voluntourism banner but it’s always possible to make yourself known to local schools or other organisations and offer your services.

Finally you could just resort to staying in friendly hostels that have dormitory rooms. These are great for meeting other travelers as even the most shy person will generally strike up a conversation in a dorm room.

As a solo travel destination Prague truly excels and is possibly one of the most solo friendly cities in the Western world, certainly in Europe anyway.

What makes Prague such a cool place for solos?

- Accommodation
- Numerous tours
- Friendly locals and many other solo travelers
- Bar / Pub culture
- Huge foreign and expat population

Prague Accommodation for Solos

You are truly spoiled with options in Prague. If you are a younger solo traveler or backpacker then there are lots of backpacker style hostels that offer sociable lodgings. Some of the hostels have bars and the rule of thumb is that if there is a bar then it will likely be a party place!

Many of the hostels in Praha 1 (Central Prague) have private rooms too which are ideal for the older backpacker.

There are many smaller hotels too and as true of much of Europe, many will offer a discount for single occupancy of a double room.

Things to do in Prague for solos

Being on your own in Prague is great if you want to take in all the splendid historical buildings such a Prague Castle but if you want some company then the many tours on offer can provide a great alternative to wandering around on your own.

Prague Royal Free Walks offers a Daily Free Tour at 11:00AM & 2:00PM who meets in Old Town Square near the Astronomical Clock. The friendly guides are wearing yellow T-shirts with yellow umbrellas. Tours are provided in English and Spanish and are 2.5 hours.

Prague Adventure Mountain Bike tours offer daily guided Mtb trips for everybody and for expert bikers in search of nature and culture in the Prague Area.

Then you have the Prague Underground Tours that go beneath the town is an other city. The one from before. Visit the undergrounds at the OldTown square from the 12th century and some even older and hidden rooms. This is a great discovery tour.

Another interesting historic tour is the  Communism and Nuclear Bunker tour.  You can discover the background and stories from the communist time and experience how life was in Czechoslovakia during the communism and in the cold war period.

Finally, after all that walking and history then we’d highly recommend the Prague Beer Tours. There is many hidden microbreweries and pubs with special and limited beer production. Taste the unique homebrew beers, see truly local pubs, learn about Czech beer, its history, production and discover the traditional Czech Beer Culture.

Prague in the evening for solos

There are lots of cafes, pubs and restaurants in Praha to suit every taste and budget. Most tourist orientated places are found in the New Town but you do not have to go far to find local haunts.

The cuisine of the Czech Republic is very much based on meat but being the cosmopolitan place it is, you find meat free food all over. There is a particular concentration of Vietnamese food in the center along with every other cuisine imaginable!

Drinking is big business in Prague and the beer halls are exceptionally friendly places to go for a solitary beer with locals usually eager to start a conversation in English.

There are many expat themed Irish pubs too that attract all manor of folk. The one thing we’d recommend to solos is to avoid the Old Town Irish/British style bars on a weekend as you may well be swamped by huge groups of stag and hen parties.

When we visited the smaller friendlier bars were devoid of large groups.

One great drinking tip for Prague is to consider that in Prague it is customary, especially at beer halls, to sit with a group of people if there are no free tables and the locals will be totally cool with this so don’t be shy.

Finally, for younger solo travelers, check out the numerous pub crawls which is a great way of meeting other folk. It must be emphasized that these are squarely aimed at the younger revelers. Older solos should check out the various beer tours that tend to have a wider age range.

…and Finally

Prague is a top destination for solos. Go there with an open mind and a friendly smile and you are sure to have a great time!