7 Tips for How To Survive Traveling Solo over the Holidays

Many restaurants, stores, historic sights and tour operators shut down for Christmas each year, sometimes remaining closed even until New Year’s Eve. So unless you’re looking to spend few cozy days bundled up inside your accommodation, choose your trip location(s) wisely!

Countries with populations whose primary religion is something other than Christianity is always a good place to start since they typically have more businesses open. However, if your goal is to visit somewhere with a larger Christmas or Holiday celebration, a destination like Vatican City, Berlin or Edinburgh are all great options.

Part of the magic of traveling abroad is participating in local customs and cultures that you might not experience at home.

So instead of observing the holidays exactly like you normally would at home, I invite you to go immerse yourself in the German Christmas Markets, sample some Peruvian Pannetone or participate in Mexico’s Las Posadas. Wherever you are in the world, I can almost guarantee that by doing this you can have a magical – holiday – travel moment.

Be kind to and treat yourself during your trip – traveling solo is hard, especially during this time of year.

For me, this meant splurging on a cream hand-woven alpaca scarf and a few other trinkets made by the amazing women at El Centro De Textiles Tradicionales Del Cusco in Chinchero, Peru.

So, consider treating yourself to that massage after a long flight or buying that second helping of gelato after a long day of sightseeing. Whatever it is, give yourself some grace this holiday season. By treating yourself, no matter how big or small, you will make your trip all the more special.

Growing-up, my family’s Christmas traditions were decorating the tree, watching loads of movies and cooking a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner.

Knowing I wouldn’t be able to experience those while in Peru, I made myself a new tradition: discovering and buying local art to enjoy at home. I would look for a piece that I’d be proud to hang in my living room and that would always remind me of my adventures.

Having this new tradition begin during the holidays made it even more significant. And in doing so, I wasn’t then comparing my experience that year to any Christmases that I’d had before. New art and a fun holiday escape – without any FOMO? Win/win.

If there’s one takeaway to remember from Legally Blonde, it’s that “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy”.

And while I’m not necessarily saying you have to exercise on your trip, boosting adrenaline is a greatway to keep your spirits up if you’re already worried about being solo over the holidays.

While in Peru, I went paragliding on Christmas Eve. It was a blast! In fact, it was so thrilling that it was more than easy for me to sleep-in the next morning during Christmas, when the city would be a bit slower than normal. My joy and entertainment from a rousing and fast-paced activity followed by the need for a slow and easy morning had me completely forget that I was even alone on Christmas at all.

When I realized I’d be missing my family’s annual Polish Christmas Eve dinner, I knew I’d be upset if I didn’t at least treat myself to my own feast abroad. And while I wouldn’t be able to dine on traditional Polish food, I made it a point to have a large local dinner.

I ate more ceviche, chaufa and lomo saltado than I had throughout my entire trip thus far – a true Peruvian feast! And don’t even get me started on the pisco sour and wine, which I drank from the safety of my hotel – a must do when indulging on a solo vacation.

Spoiling myself with foods I knew I couldn’t replicate at home, or at least, couldn’t get as easily upped the allure and magic of it being Christmas Eve. I suddenly found myself being more fully present with my current surroundings that night, rather than wondering what everyone else might up to half a world away. And as cheesy as it sounds, I wasn’t just surviving the holiday anymore, but thriving on my solo adventure.