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Winter is a perfect time to plan a trip alone. The family travel season is over, crowds are gone and bargains abound. It's easy to go someplace, meet new people and immerse yourself in another culture. Travel veteran Sharon Wingler, a thirty-something year flight attendant and author of the book, Travel Alone & Love It; A Flight Attendant's Guide To Solo Travel has traveled the world alone for the past 12 years. She cites the advantages, "You actually meet more people because you're not sharing all your time with just one person. People you meet readily offer more information, assistance and even companionship to the solo traveler. Consequently, you learn more about the place you're visiting. And of course, you have total freedom to do just as you please every moment of your trip."

Solo travel is a growing trend. With almost 40% of adults in this country either single, divorced or widowed, more and more travelers are venturing into the world alone. Safety is always the first concern. Travel Alone & Love It offers many tips, among them:

• Call the US Department of State, 202-647-5225, to make sure the country you're planning to visit is relatively safe.
• Don't look like an obvious tourist. Dress conservatively and a bit more formally than you would at home. Avoid expensive or designer clothing, luggage and jewelry.
• Make a tentative itinerary and leave a copy with a relative or friend. Phone them periodically with updates.
• Be discerning about whom you tell you're American, and do not advertise your nationality with lapel pins or flag imprinted clothes.
• Be selective about whom you tell you're alone. Normally, you can trust people with this information but, when in doubt, say you're with friends or a tour group.
• When you register for a hotel room, do not let the desk clerk announce your room number within earshot of strangers. If they do, ask for another room and explain why.
• Be careful about giving the name of your hotel to strangers. When you meet someone you'd like to see again, arrange another place to meet.
• Ask your hotel staff to mark your map with the location of your hotel and any areas you should avoid. Ask if it's safe to use public transportation after dark.
• When you are out and about, be alert, not fearful, and not caught up in daydreams. Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. After dark, try to walk on well lit streets with other people around. If you find yourself in a questionable area, duck into a public place to check your map or call for a taxi.
  
  

Despite all the safety tips, Wingler contends solo travel is safe. "Traveling alone will restore your faith in humanity", she says. "Wherever you go, guides and helpers will be there when you need them. Wander, knowing you have friends all over the planet. You just haven't met them yet."

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