Canadian Living

Safety First

Four ways to travel solo with confidence

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Check out the plethora of resources on the Government of Canada travel website (travel.gc. ca), from “Her Own Way: A Women’s Safe-travel Guide” (which covers cultural issues, medical matters and overseas partnershi­ps) to country-specific government-issued safety advisories. Have a touchstone back home. Leave copies of your travel documents and your itinerary with a close friend or family member and preschedul­e regular check-ins. Look to local women for advice. Ask the female staff at your hotel or a nearby café what’s safe. It’s also key to know the law in countries you might be visiting— especially in countries like Saudi Arabia, where there are prohibitio­ns on women’s movement. Do your research and ensure that you’ve got a good sense of the local landscape. Know the available services. Some cities—including Mumbai, Tokyo and Mexico City—have female-only taxis, subway cars and buses, while many hotels also offer women-only floors. Female travel networks like Maiden Voyage regularly inspect hotels for safety features such as well-lit car parks and 24-hour reception.

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