HOW TO BE A FEARLESS TRAVELLER Life coach Lou Hamilton offers the following advice to take the stress out of solo travel

1 Have a sense of purpose. A reason you want to do it that’s bigger than your fear. 2 Be prepared. Double-check everything. 3 Walk yourself through the trip in your mind’s eye and imagine success.

4 Organise the first few trips with a reason to interact with people, such as a retreat or creative course or a family-run B&B or homestay.

5 Don’t spend your time staring at your phone – look up, make eye contact, introduce yourself, and smile.

6 Take safety precautions but don’t let fear stop you taking calculated risks.

A TRAVELLER’S COMPANION Things to read

Roam Alone, Inspiring Tales by Reluctant Solo Travellers (Bradt) 40 tales of adventure by people who took the plunge and never looked back.

Solitude by Michael Harris (Random House) Get inspired to set off.

Without Reservations: The Travel of an

Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach (Bantam). An US journalist travels Europe alone after her kids have flown the nest.

Things to download

Zipskee The app that connects you with like-minded locals around the world.

Triplt This clever app replaces the travel companion who reminds you to pack your passport, book that transfer, and so on.

Google Translate Will encourage you to interact with locals and decipher menus.