Through their podcast, XX Will Travel, Ines and Kathy give interviews, anecdotes, and travel ideas for independent women in their podcast, XX Will Travel. They want to reach out to women who are afraid or overwhelmed by traveling and show them that it is possible for them.
Travel has a transforming effect on people in various ways, like how it empowers women in numerous ways. Female solo travel is one of the most liberating experiences. It requires confidence and courage to go out on the road by yourself. So, traveling alone allows you to do things your way, which may be freeing and increase your confidence.
About XX, Will Travel
Kathy and Ines founded XX Will Travel in May 2015 to provide a space for women to find support for their adventures, whether they are solo or with a friend or partner. Since then, people in the United States and over ninety more countries have been tuning in to the show.
Besides sharing their experiences and insights on travel, both women aim to help alleviate the stereotype that only young, white, rich single women can travel extensively. They also mention Facebook groups for female travelers as an avenue for women to encourage one another on their trips.
Over the past three seasons, discussion topics have ranged from the existential (travel epiphanies) to the practical (how to handle travel disasters and healthcare tips for female travelers.) Both Ines and Kathy believe that their listeners will travel and feel altered due to their work, especially after receiving positive feedback from their audience.
If you saved enough for the vacation of a lifetime or have a long list of bucket list items to knock off, I recommend embarking on a single female travel adventure. You will capture more vivid memories, engage in new conversations, and develop more connections than you would if you traveled with friends or family.
Whether planning your first solo trip or being a seasoned traveler looking for new destinations, you came to the right place! For nearly ten years, COMBADI has been able to help people ensure that they have all of the information they need before they travel.
How Travel Empowers Women
Travel has a transforming effect on people in various ways. For example, it empowers women in numerous ways, and both COMBADI and XX Will Travel support them. Here are some ways travel empowers women:
Travel Boosts Confidence
Traveling is an empowering experience, especially if you are a woman traveling alone. When you step out of your comfort zone, you must trust your instincts, be confident in your decisions, and welcome possibilities that may test your boundaries. Most of the time, you will impress yourself and learn that the things you worried about were not so scary after all.
Travel Fosters Community
When lone travelers seek advice, they frequently turn to their friends for suggestions. It might be daunting to travel alone, so it is no surprise that travel-related online groups are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among female travelers.
Women travelers find a kinship with one another that creates a safe, inclusive space for them to grow and prosper, whether they are content creators looking for business advice or travelers simply looking to share experiences and travel tips.
Travel Creates Economic Opportunities
The creation of economic opportunities is maybe the most important thing that travel can achieve. Aside from personal development, travel provides economic empowerment to women. It can provide meaningful employment, resulting in a solid income and a sense of freedom.
Travel Tips for Women
Suppose you plan to travel alone but wonder if it is feasible for a woman to travel around the world while remaining safe. The answer is yes! Even if you stay away from resorts, travel to underdeveloped nations, or do not understand the language.
Are you a foreigner who wants to travel the North Americas but is too afraid to feel lost? COMBADI shares many travel insights on traveling in the US that can help you stay safe and enjoy yourself at the same time.
While there are many benefits to foreign and local travel, we must not overlook the significance of remaining safe during this time. The most important aspect of safely traveling is utilizing common sense. So, if you are planning to travel by yourself, these tips may also be beneficial for you:
Conduct a Research about Your Destination Beforehand
Many tourists find that preparing and researching are equally as fun as traveling! So in between checking out the most stunning beaches and coolest towns, it would be best to spend some time researching safety information for your destination.
What are the finest and worst neighborhoods? Is it necessary to take only particular types of taxis? Is there a medical center near you in case something goes wrong?
What are the safety ratings of your lodging? What do previous visitors have to say about their stays? Are there any concerning trends in the reviews?
Keep Your Valuables with You While Traveling
People can now travel safely because of advances in technology that were unthinkable just a decade ago. Most travelers bring at least a smartphone, while many bring computers, tablets, DSLR cameras with expensive lenses, and other items. However, when you consider the expenses of replacing any of those products, they are undeniably valuable.
It would be best to have a day bag that can hold all your essentials, like your passport, camera, medication, jewelry, credit cards, smartphone, and other valuable equipment. So, it is okay to spend money on this since it is vital to keep you and your belongings safe.
Besides bringing a day bag, it would be best to avoid packing your goods in a regular backpack. Never put valuable items in a bus’s luggage hold or your checked luggage on the plane. There is a reasonable risk that you will lose them forever if you let them out of your sight.
Take What You Need and Keep the Rest in a Safe Place
There is no reason to go outside with all your credit cards, passport, and a considerable amount of money in cash. Instead, it is best to take what you need for the day and leave the rest at home.
Almost every good hostel provides guests with lockers. So, if they have them, use them. You can also use a portable safe if your place does not have a vault or safe for you.
While it does not eliminate the risk, most thieves are opportunistic. So, if you take away their chance, they will go after something else that they can readily find.
Do Not Trust Others Too Easily
When traveling in a new area, discovering and joining a group can be tempting, especially if you are traveling alone. These packs can sometimes lead to lifetime connections. But, remember that it is not impolite to be careful. So, take things carefully, and only when someone wins your trust can you rely on them.
Try to Blend In
The more your appearance stands out, the more you identify as someone unfamiliar with the area, making you more open to criminal attention. So instead, research your destination, observe how locals dress and try to pass as a local or a longtime resident.
Along with blending in, you must keep your confidence at all times. So, even if you do not feel confident, give the impression that you are.
Spend Money on Your Safety and Security
When traveling on a tight budget for an extended period, it might not be easy to justify spending extra money when so many other exciting things are to do. However, it is wise to make a financial investment in your protection.
It means that if you expect your aircraft to land late at night in a tough city, you should avoid taking a bus into town and attempting to negotiate your way there on foot. Instead, spend more money on a hotel that will pick you up immediately from the airport.
It may also mean that you should pay more money to take a taxi home at night if you do not feel safe strolling around the neighborhood alone.
Prepare for the Worst with Documents and Hidden Money
You should have a backup plan if the worst happens. So, keep front-and-back copies of your credit cards, or a copy of your passport, in cloud storage such as Google Docs or Dropbox. Additionally, it would be best to have your bank and credit card phone numbers in a document.
Keep a backup cash stockpile in addition to the paperwork and keep a backup credit card in a separate location. But, you will want to prepare more if you visit somewhere with limited ATM and internet access.
Regularly Check In
When traveling alone, you should also give at least one designated friend or family member a copy of your itinerary ahead of time. It should include your flight numbers, accommodations, and a general schedule of where you will be on which dates, and information on your travel insurance, credit cards, and bank account number.