r/SoloFemaleTravelTips

I'm on the first solo trip ever as a 55 year old woman. I've always traveled with my husband and kids, brother and sister, grandkids or on girl's trips. I am always the person in charge of logistics, and itinerary planning. But I never get to do what I want, as I'm more of a go with the flow type.

I planned my first trip ever with no one else along. I am so relaxed. I really should have done this years ago.

Sorry to bring up the obvious here, but I want to share this with other women solo travellers who fixate too much on "which destinations are safe for women". I learned on my recent solo trip that it isn't the destination you should be so focused on in terms of safety.

I travelled solo to Norway last month and for all of the trip, Norwegian men never gave me a hard time and were nothing but friendly and respected boundaries.

The people who would continually hound me, follow me, or try to advance friendly interactions: other travellers (a mix of tourists, expats, or other short-term travellers). I won't name where they're from because it's not fair to portray "all people from ___" do this. I think anyone from any country will try to push boundaries.

So I've come to take "countries that are safe for women" with a grain of salt. Sure, don't visit a country that's actively going through a war (unless for humanitarian efforts). But I don't think we should choose a solo travel destination based on its supposed "safety rating", or judge based on the locals that live there and their cultures and customs.

I'm curious – women solo travellers – could you think back to times when you were made to feel uncomfortable, unsure, or unsafe – were they locals or were they other travellers/passing through? What were those destinations?