The article is contributed by Amel. Amel is a 24 years old fresh graduate in international affairs who spent the last 5 years traveling solo around Asia. Last year, her internship at the French Embassy in China enabled her to visit friends in Thailand, South Korea, and Japan. In this article, she opens the door to a new way of thinking solo travelling in China, with a close look at the Muslim Hui people you could meet in Xi'an.

I lived in Beijing from July to December 2019 and travelled within China.

Depending on the type of visa you get to enter the country, you might not be allowed to leave and re-enter China. I then recommend you to travel within China before considering visiting neighbor countries. This is the cheapest and most interesting experience as China is diverse and offers various types of landscapes and lush valleys, mountains, beaches…

To start this article, spoiler alert, it is considered safe to solo travel in China, but I highly recommend you to have a fair Mandarin spoken and reading comprehension level. Despite Chinese people’s kindness, most signs are not translated, including the apps that you must download before landing there such as maps, food delivery apps, chat apps etc.

I was fortunate enough to travel solo from Beijing to the city of Xi’an, one of the country’s biggest cities in size and population. This city, which has a history of more than 3,100 years, was the capital of China during the Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties and was then called Chang'an. Today's Xi'an is one of the ten largest cities in China. It has more than 8 million registered inhabitants and is reachable by a bullet train from the capital

This trip to Xi’an was then a gateway to the Hui Ethnic minority.

Wandering around Xi’an often starts with a tour at Huimin Street, the northern gate of Xi'an.  Huimin street is the most famous district of Xi'an in terms of gastronomy and culture as it offers Hui food including ramen noodles, lamb skewers, and naan.

Through my interactions with Hui people, I discovered a fascinating side of this culturally-rich country. Their culture has distinct differences that developed from the practice of Islam. The government defines the Hui people to include all historically Muslim communities not included in China's other ethnic groups. They are therefore distinct from other Muslim groups such as the Uyghurs mostly living in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

A must-go place to discover the Hui cultures and values is the mosque, located in the center of the Hui district. The mosque’s maintenance staff was very welcoming and the locals invited me to visit the prayer room.

To add, the large wild goose pagoda of Xi'an is majestic and a great spot to meet many enthusiastic and warm people while learning about the history of Xi’an. It is fair to say that Chinese people tend to be really curious and won’t hesitate to hail foreigners in the street to ask them about their nationality or the reason for their venue in China. For a solo traveler, this is something that most of the time is more than welcome.

Indeed, I was fortunate enough to talk with several people in the subway, share my diner with strangers in a restaurant and play cards with a family sitting next to me on the train after the mother kindly offered me some cucumbers. In general, people directly hail you in Chinese and are glad when you manage to have a basic conversation in Mandarin.

Indeed, on my way to the Little and Big Wild Goose pagodas, some Chinese tourists asked me for directions on the bus. They were coming from Shanghai, and did not realize  I was not Chinese and asked me in Mandarin: "Are you Muslim? Or Uyghur?" When I exposed them to where I came from, they were very surprised since they thought my hair and brown eyes made me look like an Uyghur woman. It is very common for a foreigner in China to experience such conversations,  and there is nothing wrong with it unless it makes you uncomfortable.  One solo traveler should expect some Chinese people to ask for pictures taken together, to touch her hair, or comment on their physical appearance. This does not happen very often, especially in big cities, but should be declined nicely if not appreciated.

All in all, I aimed with this short article to give a taster of what it is like to travel solo in the city of Xi’an. When we decide to travel by ourselves and not to depend on anyone else, trying to get to know people from different ethnicities levels up our experience. Xi’an is a very fascinating destination for basic tourism, offering various sites to visit. However, I highly recommend you to immerse yourself in the Hui district for a few days, striking experience guaranteed.

New York City is often associated with plenty of things: some good, some bad and some things that you don’t even know what to make of. However, I must assure you that despite the warnings and the risky adrenaline filled movies about the city, it is indeed possible to have both a safe and enjoyable experience in the heart of Manhattan. New York is a city with a wide range of boroughs and neighborhoods that are home to the most diverse group of people, cultures and cuisines. It is possibly the most metropolitan city that you will ever encounter and has a heartbeat to it that is impossible to replicate. The city that never sleeps is indeed the best way to describe it as the city often feels alive in itself. When you visit Manhattan, you will meet the most interesting people and hear the most extraordinary stories and if you’re lucky enough, you will have some unforgettable adventures. I know that embarking on a journey to New York is definitely a nerve racking experience and I’m sure that everyone around you will have some sort of advice or opinion to give you. I acknowledge that most of these things are well-intentioned but just remember to be aware that not all these sources come from facts and are sometimes based on rumors and old wives’ tales. However, that being said, New York definitely has some shady areas and you just need to be able to take care of yourself  in order to remain safe.

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Here are my New York solo female travel tips:
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1. Do not take the subway alone after 11pm
‍The subway is the most commonly used mode of transportation in New York and is extremely efficient and cost friendly. It may be daunting at first, but make sure to familiarize yourself with the system and you should be fine. Ensure that if you are ever in a subway car alone that you switch cars. Conductors are often found in middle cars and it is usually recommended to travel in their car. Mind your own business whilst traveling and make sure to be aware of your belongings.
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2. Do not venture into boroughs that you are not advised to be in
‍Familiarize yourself with the safe neighborhoods and the not so safe areas some of which include East Harlem and the Bronx. These neighborhoods often have sights to visit too and you may do so in groups of 3 or more; there are often tour groups arranged.
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3. Do not leave personal belongings unattended in public areas
New York is full of many types of people including thiefs. Do not tempt them by leaving your belongings out in the open. Make sure to always keep a close eye on your personal items in order to ensure their safety.

4. Make sure to know your way around/route
One way of ensuring additional safety is by being aware of where you are going. It will help you remain efficient and not accidentally venture into areas where you do not want to be. It will also help you refrain from viewing your map or directions on your phone which will immediately signal your status as a tourist and might warrant you unwanted attention.

5. Keep your belongings close to your body
New York has a lot of pickpockets and the only way to avoid it is by being constantly aware of your belongings and holding onto your valuables tight. In the worst case that you do get stolen from, I’d recommend to not get too affected as it happens often in the city. In order to minimize your misfortune, make sure to not carry too much money or valuables on your body and to instead keep them in the safe.

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6. Maintain a brisk pace of walk
By maintaining a quick speed, you will be able to get to places fast without attracting unwanted attention and you will blend in with the local New Yorkers.

7. Do not be scared or fear walking alone - remain confident 
Stay confident. You are a strong, independent woman and you have all the resources to take care of yourself. To invest in this confidence, make sure to download all the apps that you need to assist you on this journey and educate yourself on your environment and surroundings.

8. Don’t stop and take selfies/photos in the middle of the road 
By doing this you are not only clearly labelling yourself as a tourist but you are also annoying a lot of the locals. This will probably earn you a few brisk looks or even huffs while people walk past you. If you wish to take pictures, make sure to stop in a way that you are not blocking other people’s paths.

Last but not least, enjoy your time in the greatest city in the world! It is absolutely magical and has something for every single type of person.

Sri Lanka is a small island rich with culture, history and most importantly, delicious food! The island is often referred to as the pearl of the Indian Ocean and indeed has qualities that are quite precious. Sri Lankan food is a culinary experience that can be compared to no other, but if I had to describe it for what it is, I would say it is most similar to a zesty mix between Thai and Indian food. However, despite that description, I must set a disclaimer that it really cannot be compared to any other cuisine, so you must first try it in order to truly understand it. There are many different flavors and tastes that encompass the broad Sri Lankan cuisine. It is most famous for its herbs and spices that range from cinnamon to nutmeg to lemongrass and more. The food is often spicy and may be a little difficult for people who are not familiar with spicy food but can usually be created and customized for individual tastes. In a broader sense, it is generally quite a healthy cuisine and is based in carbohydrates such as rice and accompanied with proteins usually in the form of curries. Sri Lankans are not always vegetarian but there are many flavorful vegetarian dishes that add to the health factor in Sri Lankan cuisine. Most people come to Sri Lanka with no prior expectations from the cuisine, but if you ask tourists leaving Sri Lanka what their favorite memory is, I would guarantee you that 80% of them will say the food is what blew them away!

A brief description of the main dishes that make up Sri Lankan cuisine:

Kottu Roti
Kottu is one of the most iconic Sri Lankan meals and is usually considered the staple fast food on the island. I personally associate it with late night stops on the side of the road to indulge in the yummy spice filled delicacy that is Kottu. Think of a sort of a fried rice but instead of rice, it is replaced with roti (a type of bread)

Chicken Curry (kukulmas curry)

This is the most famous curry that accompanies the classic Sri Lankan rice and curry experience. It is made with coconut milk and often includes tomato in the mix. Like most other famous Sri Lankan dishes it too involves the use of many spices to finish off it’s wonderful taste.

Kiri bath (Milk rice)

This is another staple Sri Lankan dish that is usually associated with auspicious religious events. Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist island and this meal is commonly found at religious celebrations and special events.

String hoppers (Indhiyappa)

String hoppers are another famous dish on the island loved by both locals and tourists alike. It is again based in starch and can be eaten with accompaniments of spicy curries.

Thambili (Coconut water)

This is a well known local drink that is quite popular on the island. It is both refreshing and yummy and is usually consumed by the beach with the salty air blowing through your hair. The drink’s taste resembles the chilled out vibe on the South Coast of the island.

Chocolate Biscuit Pudding

Or as the locals fondly refer to it - CBP. CBP is a dessert found only in Sri Lanka and is genuinely one of the most divine desserts that I have ever tasted. It can be made in many different ways with nuts, with brandy, with Hennessy or even with Nutella. Either way, it is a wonderful concoction of soft Marie biscuits mixed with chocolate and is a crowd favorite loved by all.

ласкаво просимо в Україну !

I was born in Ukraine and I lived there until I was 9-10 years old. Since then, I go back to my home country almost every summer. I want to share with you the little things that, for me, make Ukraine take a permanent place in your heart. I don't think you fall in love with Ukraine the same way you fall in love with France for example. France knows how to bewitch and charm you with its perfumes, its sweetness, its elegance. But for me, Ukraine represents in comparison a rougher, more subtle beauty to which you need to get used to first, and once you have opened your heart to Ukraine, it will be impossible to get rid of it, it will contently stay there forever.

I will not hide the fact that the Ukrainian way of life is very different from the one in Western Europe, but the cultural shock you will most likely experience once you go there will be a good thing. You will discover a country rich and proud of its history and of what it has to offer. Ukraine is a window into the Eastern Europe, the one that is modernizing and rebuilding itself step by step. One of the cultural shocks may be due to the language as Ukrainian is a Slavonic language with a Cyrillic alphabet and therefore has no resemblance with the languages spoken in Western Europe. Personally, as someone who speaks Russian and Ukrainian, I find Ukrainian to be softer to the ear than Russian, although the latter is still a very beautiful language.

Let me give you some advice for when you visit my home country:

First, be careful on the roads. Ukrainian roads are... let's just say they are special. If you like the roller coaster feeling, you are in the right place! No, I'm joking. But it is true that Ukrainian roads are sometimes not very well maintained so it’s not uncommon to see huge holes in the middle of a highway. Also, it’s not uncommon to find yourself driving on a road that has no white lines to delimit the lanes. It’s for those two main reasons that some Ukrainians drive as if they were in Fast and Furious. But overall, please don't worry. Driving in Ukraine is not that bad. For example, you will often see on the roadside people selling fruits, vegetables, and other products that they grew themselves in their yard, and you can directly stop and judge the merchandise. My uncle used to buy the best watermelons just like that! Obviously, you will have to be careful and really pay attention to the quality of the product.

Secondly, the safety. Ukraine is overall quite safe, but beware of scams in big cities such as Kiev. Ukrainian scammers are often times not so subtle so you will probably see it coming a mile away (but it’s not always the case, of course). If I can give you another piece of advice, avoid walking alone at night because most of the acts of violence happen at that time.

Now I would like to present to you a very random list of things that make me proud to say "I am Ukrainian":

The People

A lot of people tend to believe that Ukrainians are welcoming but at the same time a little “cold” as they keep their distances. Indeed, Ukrainians know almost instinctively how to welcome people warmly and how to make them feel good. My grand mother and mother always made sure that I learned from the very young age how to properly welcome guests and how to be considerate. However, it is true that, despite their generous nature, Ukrainians tend to keep their distances as they are sometimes more withdrawn about certain things and to a certain extent. We all tend to be more or less on our guard about new things and Ukrainians are on their guard a lot. Personally, I think it's due to the fact that many of them have not had an easy life. But I promise you, once you manage to pass over that wall and reach the very heart of a Ukrainian, you will have the most caring and protective person by your side.

A Rare Variety of Landscapes

You have the city, you have the mountains, you have the sea, you have everything in Ukraine. For example, you have Carpathians, the mountain range that crosses the southwestern Ukraine. You can go hiking in summer, skiing in winter (several ski resorts are available) and it's a place where you can discover the most adorable and authentic villages of Ukraine.

Vorokhta village (https://www.ukraine-tourisme.com/page/vorokhta.php)

The Cities

Kiev, Myrhorod, Lviv, Odessa, Tchernihiv, Oujhorod... to name just a few. Ukraine has a real architectural richness and each city has its very own spirit and feature. For example, the historic center of Lviv is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will find all kinds of art galleries, opera houses, and even ballet performances there.

The Metro of Kiev

The metro stations are always clean, with clear and precise indications. You want to know something surprising? The Arsenalnaya station is one of deepest stations in the world with 105.5 meters of depths. It takes about 5 minutes to get down to the bottom of the subway. When I was little, I had the impression of going down into the very center of earth and I was always very impatient to arrive at the end. I used to love watching the illuminated billboards passing by as I slowly went down the escalator.

The food

Varenyky, borsch, galoubtsi...you name it! Not to brag but my grandmother makes the best varenyky and pirachki of all Ukraine. But you will probably hear the same thing from 99% of Ukrainians x) My favorite ones are varenyky filled with cherry. You can basically make varenyky with everything and anything: you can fill this delicious dough with mashed potatoes, some cream cheese or even meat. The ukrainian food is mostly based on fat elements and as my grand mother says "The more, the better!" Of course, you can still eat healthy in Ukraine, but don't forget to treat yourself from time to time too.

(https://www.tasteatlas.com/varenyky)

The Picnics

So basically you have forests everywhere in Ukraine and people love to have a cozy little picnic with friends and family. I have these memories of being on so many picnics with my parents and their friends when I was little. It does not matter if it’s summer, autumn or spring, Ukrainians will have their picnic and there is nothing you can do about it. As you can see on the photo, it's either early spring or late autumn and here I am, in my colorful hat, laying out some plates for a picnic and you can tell that I take my job very seriously. No plate shall be displaced on my watch!

The Seasons

A fairy spring, a not too hot summer (although it becomes less and less true with the global warming), a harsh or mild winter with powder snow just like in the movies... As for the summer, when I am in Ukraine during this period, it always makes me think of the country's flag. The Ukrainian flag is made of two horizontal stripes: the first one blue and the second one yellow. The blue represents the sky and the yellow represents the wheat fields. I was lucky enough to see with my own eyes this same picture being recreated by nature and when you will see in front of you this bright and vibrant blue touching with the tips of its fingers the pure and elegant yellow, you will find it difficult to detach yourself from this view and you will suddenly understand why it is proudly represented on the national flag.

Nevertheless, what I prefer above all is the Ukrainian autumn. While in most countries autumn comes hand in hand with rain and strong wind, autumn in Ukraine looks and feels like paradise. The weather is soft, the wind still has some light notes of summer and you are surrounded by gold. Indeed, wherever you go, you will see trees and this is one of the things I like the most about Ukraine. So in autumn, when you take a walk in a park, you will glide on a ground covered with yellow and orange leaves that gracefully form a golden carpet. And if you raise your head, you will marvel at the golden reflection of the sunbeams on the uncountable leaves.

I visited Vienna, the capital of Austria, during a school trip, when I was 16 years old. It was actually a trip with my German class that was supposed to help us discover Austrian culture and make us practice our German. It did help me fall in love with the Austrian capital, however I am pretty sure that I skipped the whole “learning and improving your German skills”. Anyway. It was a one week journey. Our whole class took the bus and the trip took approximately 15 hours. Even if my tallest friends complained about the lack of space (Those were justified complaints. One of my friends was so annoyed that she just slept in the ally because she didn't have much room for her legs on her sit) the bus trip was pretty fun. We arrived early in the morning, at the very downtown of the city and we directly went to a café. We ate some toasts with jam and butter and drank some hot chocolate. Once we were sated, we were ready to explore Vienna and we spent the rest of the day visiting the heart of the city. By the end of the day we were exhausted but excited to meet our “families”. Indeed, we were divided by groups of four or five and we were placed into families that were used to welcome in their home students that were on a school trip. My friends and I were welcomed by a sweet sweet lady. She offered us two bedrooms with two beds in each. Those bedrooms were her children’s, but because they were all grown up now, she decided to sign up to be a host. She was adorable and every day, for every diner (we spend our lunch eating sandwiches as we visited the city) she cooked some Austrian specialty. One of the dishes that really stayed with me was a soup. Now, you must know that usually I hate soup. I can’t bear it. I can’t even look at it (so sorry for soup lovers out there). So the fact that this sweet lady managed to make me LOVE soup was a magical phenomenon that never occurred to me since. I am pretty sure that she systematically gave us the name of the dish while describing it in German, but even if I've tried really hard to keep those names in mind, when I googled some of them at the end of the trip, they ended up not existing. Because I did not remember the names correctly. Despite my hopes to memorize at least some German words. She was also genuinely nice because she always made sure to alter a dish or to make another one for my two vegetarian friends. I guess what I am trying to say is that Austrian people are pretty wholesome in general. Every time my friends and I got a chance to talk to some locals, at a bookshop or café, they were always friendly and welcoming.

Here are some of the spots we visited during our stay:

The RathausIt's the site of the Town Hall. Build in Neo-Gothic style, it is quite noticeable with its middle tower, the largest one, topped by the famous Rathausman statue.

Hundertwasserhaus and the Hundertwasser MuseumFriedensreich Hundertwasser (pseudonym of Friedrich Stowasser) was a famous Austrian-born visual artist and architect. He was known for his role in the field of environmental protection. He was against any “straight line”, any standardization. The artist’s work is unique, colorful and “nature and human friendly”. The buildings we visited, the museum and his house, were the most famous of his creations. Inside of the museum, we were able to see exhibitions of different artists and intellectuals. Nearby, there was a little place full of authentic Austrian souvenir boutiques and I saw the most beautiful tealight holders there.

Belvedere PalaceOther than being a fantastic museum, this place offers you a breathtaking view on a colorful garden. Inside, you can discover the works of Gustav Klimt, including his famous “The Kiss” painting.

Schonbrunn PalaceThis Baroque style palace is one of the main touristic attractions in Vienna. You can go inside and enjoy a tour through numerous sumptuous rooms that were once home to the Habsburgs. You can also enjoy the Schonbrunn Gardens, filled with artfully cut trees and uncountable varieties of flowers. I loved the Neptune’s fountain and the artificial Roman Ruin, they were quite mesmerizing.

The Prater and the Giant Ferris WheelFor the last day we could do whatever we wanted. Of course with my friends, after days of visiting historical sites, we could not resist the colorful sign of the Vienna Prater. I had so much fun discovering all the different roller coasters, autodroms and other adventurous attractions. My favorite one was the Free Fall Tower: I will never forget the incredible rush of adrenaline it gave me.

All I can say to conclude is that you will probably leave Vienna with the impression of having visited a city filled with colors and joy. Even if it rained for like 80% of the time, because it was early spring, I still have the impression of Vienna being full of light.

A few years ago, after a difficult, unpassionate year in college, and after working my ass off for two months in a restaurant, I decided I needed holidays and went to see one of my bestfriends in Rotterdam. She had been studying there for the past semester, had only good things to tell me about the city and her college, and I really needed a change of air (also, I missed her, obviously). So I took off, a seven hours trip from Paris to Rotterdam, in a lousy, crowded bus with unbearable teenagers in the back and a cute Russian family next to me. Finally I arrived, and I knew in a matter of seconds, that I would love the city.

Bear in mind, this isn't Amsterdam, with its cute paved streets and canals everywhere, a sort of perfect, peaceful Disney (in a good way) city. Rotterdam, my best friend told me, had been bombed during WWII by Germany because of a miscommunication issue (which is both horrific and kind of funny, History is sometimes made in a weird way). So a big part of the city had to be rebuilt. That's the thing though: none of it is ugly. This city has both an old, charming vibe AND a futuristic vibe.  None of the buildings which have been rebuilt in the 50s-60s (I guess) look ugly or out of time, as it is mostly the case in France. Even 60 years later, it still looks futuristic, like straight out of a sci-fi magazine.

It's pretty, it's clean, it's modern, it's green. Here is your slogan. Ever seen those perfect construction billboards showing you the futuristic neighborhood or building complexes that are planned, promising you a perfect, magazine-like life? This is Rotterdam. Obviously, the only thing ruining it being my rented orange bike, which was probably the only one in the city that heavy and that squeaky.

What can I say about the population? Tall (REALLY tall, like light-switches-placed-way-too-high-on-the-walls tall), beautiful (all of them, seriously guys, what's the secret?) blonde giants, cycling everywhere, to go to work, meet friends, buy groceries, in a inextricable ballet, cycling past you effortlessly. You thought you were in shape? I'm telling you, you're not. I literally saw a guy moving away by bike. And another one balancing packs and packs of empty beers on his knees while cycling away. Wtf.

We tried the lekkerber speciaaltje at the Market Hall and had truffle chips and beer on Witte de Withstraat, parked our bikes in an underground bike parking lot and played a giant chess game at the Centraal Bibliotheek, visited the Kijk-Kubus (these incredible yellow tree houses), ate krokets among buddhas statues in a restaurant in the middle of nowhere while trying to see the windmills of Kinderdijk. We watched seagulls attack a guy to get his sandwich and observed Dutch people tanning (meaning: going from very white to very red) on The Hague's beach, saw the Parliament and the International Court of Justice (which lacks a tower because of lack of money apparently), drank cappuccinos after cappuccinos in bobo vegan cafés and cycled all day long -followed by the squeaky sound of my orange bike.

We did so much in those four days, and it could sound so packed and in a hurry, but it was the most peaceful, perfect four days of my year. The absolute freedom to decide what we wanted to do and see. To choose, on the spot, whether to have a break and a cappucino or to keep cycling around the city. To set a morning alarm when we wanted and to call it a day when we decided it. To visit the city or to take the train and go to another one. Rotterdam is this kind of perfect city to visit for a solo trip or a trip with friends. A four-days break can seem way too short to really enjoy a city, or to really rest, but I left with my self-confidence boosted, my mind at ease and rested, full of paved streets and futuristic buildings. And my ears still ringing from my squeaky orange bike.

My pieces of advice and safety tips

Why do people go solo travel ? According to most of the surveys, people prefer solo travel because of three main reasons : to gain and feel the Freedom, to Challenge themselves, to Discover a new place and a new culture.

While you are planing your first solo travel abroad, what are the things you care about the most ? You probably want to have an unforgettable experience, learn more about the world and about yourself while escaping a tiresome routine. Therefore, you probably want to visit a place that offers you a unique journey. Trust me when I say that Paris got all that and more. There is a reason why it's one of the most famous touristic places in the world. However, the two other things that you probably care about (and if not, please do)  are: not having too much of bad surprises and feel safe.

People often idealize Paris. Some of the assumptions about this city are true : Paris is indeed a beautiful destination, it has so much to offer and the internet overflows with all kinds of suggestions related to different places you should visit. BUT it's important to bear in mind that it's also a city with a population of more than 2 Million so it's fair to say that you will find all kinds of people there. We will gradually go through things that you may not know about Paris and that will counterbalance the whole " perfect fairy tale destination “ illusion and make it a more fair representation of the french city. I hope that by the end of this article you will have enough tools to decide whether or not Paris should be the destination for your first solo trip ever.

Paris, a never-ending city

First, may I jump on that “city of 2 millions of people” fact? If you live in a little town, with few people and if you are not used to over-crowded and loud spaces, Paris might be a little overwhelming. But still, it doesn't  mean that it couldn't be a great first travel experience, you just have to take a few extra points in consideration. For example, it will be important to make some research about how to handle the stress that might overwhelm you because of this new and unusual environment. One of the ways to lessen some anxiety is to thoroughly acquaint yourself with Paris’ metro and train system beforehand. Because it's a very big city, it has a lot of metro and RER lines that seem to mingle quite chaotically at first. Thus, taking a few extra steps that will in the end help you feel less anxious about things such as your movements around the city, is always a good idea.

The other thing related to the fact that Paris is huge, is the number of arrondissements, of districts. Paris incorporates 20 districts, each one different from the other, so you may want to have a look at those beforehand. For your first stay in Paris, I would advise you to narrow your choice of districts to 1-10. These are the places with the most important museums, parks and other touristic sites and they are also considered as quite safe.

Some random facts about Paris that you may not have heard of

fact 1: related to the Metro and RER stations

One of the things that my mom found horrific when we moved to France was how dirty the metro and the RER stations were. Now, even if I found it a tiny bitsy exaggerated, I have to agree with the fact that some stations may be cleaner than the others. And let’s just tell the truth : the touristic lines, like metro 1, are more cleaner than the less “famous” once. So if you find yourself at the metro 4 station and you are a little taken aback by the strange cat pee odeur, don’t worry, it’s normal and you’ll get used to it. Personally, I just try to not pay attention to it and instead I try to focus my mind elsewhere (the music that I am listening to, the people around me...) so it won’t affect my mood.

fact 2: More public transports, less taxi

Yes, I just talked about how some metro and train stations were not perfectly clean but listen me out. Taxi is pretty expensive in Paris and often times, because of traffic, it's not the fastest way to go from point A to point B. Therefore, I advise you to favor public transports. However, if you stay late in a bar, for example, and you don't want to take any risk, Uber would be a good choice. Taxis are a good option only in the following scenario: a taxi is cheaper if you take it from the aeroport when you arrive, as they have to obey official Paris rates, so make sure to check that out !

fact 3: Be aware of the happy hours !

Speaking of staying late in a bar: sometimes having a drink can be expensive, thus make sure to check out the happy hours in bars and cafés ! Most of them offer you great discounts on drinks, like a 50 % discount. The happy hour usually starts at 17:00 and ends at 21:00. You can always search the name of the bar on Google and see its opening/closing hours and its happy hours schedule.

fact 4:  a free walking tour is actually a good idea in Paris

As it is your first solo trip ever and because Paris offers you so many places to visit, you might feel dizzy and overwhelmed because of the endless possibilities. Therefore, it might be a good idea to start your journey with a little guided tour. As you will gain experience in solo travel, you will learn how to organize your journey properly. However, for your first travel ever, a guided tour will help you adjust to the new city faster. Guided tours can be expensive, and it’s especially true for a city like Paris. Thus, Discover Walks company offers you free walking tours all around the french capital city. The tour guide will usually wait for a tip at the end of the tour but that’s it. You are free to choose the place you want to visit, at what time etc. Here is the official website of the company, check it out!

https://www.discoverwalks.com/tour/city/paris-walking-tours/

Safety

Now. As a young woman who spends a lot of her free time in Paris, I can say with no doubt that this city is pretty safe. BUT. Be aware of this magnificent " pretty “. Indeed, even if Paris in ranked one of the safest places to travel alone as a woman (https://www.mapquest.com/travel/safest-cities-in-europe-for-women-to-travel-alone/) it does not mean that there is no risk at all.

The Pickpockets

As I said earlier, many people think of Paris as the perfect fairy tale place and other people might take advantage of this sweet naivety. While you look at the sparkling Tour Eiffel at night, with your mouth and eyes wide open, someone will probably try to sneak their hand into your bag, the one that you left open after taking your camera out of it. It’s the same scenario during the day, and it’s especially true for famous and crowded places such as Les Champs Elysées, Sacré Coeur and Le Louvre. It's also true when you are in transports. If you are standing by the doors, be particularly aware when they open and close because often times people will try to grab your bag from outside or from inside and then run outside, and before you know it, the doors are closed and you can’t go after them. I didn’t see it happen often but it does happen, so stay alert.

Here are some basic rules I follow in order to make sure to be safe in transports (metros, RER, buses, tramways):

-Always have a purse with a zipper. If it’s a bag, never have it on both shoulders. The reason why? When it’s crowded, you are squeezed against people so you might not see/feel a hand opening your bag. Thus, in order to avoid that, I always have my bag on one shoulder which enables me to have my hand on it.

-Always have your bag in your hands, on your lap. I never leave it on the seat beside me and I never leave it under my seat.

-Never have too much money with you. I always have less than 30 EUR in cash and the rest is on my credit card. My credit card is protected by a card sleeve that blocks scanning. They don’t cost much and it’s a great way to feel safe and not worry if somebody is trying to scan the money off your credit card.

Scams

-transport scams :

Most of the scammers are concentrated in metro, buses, RER stations that tourists use a lot. The most common scam is a person who will try to sell you metro or RER tickets. Those are usually more expensive than the regular onces. So, make sure to always buy your metro/ RER ticket at a valid machine. You will have no difficulty finding one of those at the station and if you ever have any problem, there is usually a counter, an office, with RATP workers who will help you out. Also, if it's a long stay, you may want to purchase a Navigo special travel pass. Check out the RATP official website for more info ! https://www.ratp.fr/en/visite-paris/english/visiting-paris-and-its-surrounding-areas

-touristic sites scams :

type 1: fake petitions.

Now, this is kind of tricky. In Paris, it's normal to find a group of people who offer you to sign a petition for a good cause. However, when this kind of people approach you near a very famous touristic place, without any official signs/logo that represent the cause, it's usually a scam. If you sign the paper, they will want you to pay money and none of it will go to a charity. So be careful, do not sign anything that looks suspicious. In general, the person will not insist much, but if it’s the case, just walk away and ignore them.

type 2: the “free” gift.

Never agree to take a flower, a bracelet, a ring or other accessories from people who offer it “for free”. It's actually a scam and they will want you to pay for it afterwards. Those scams are easy to avoid, just like for the first one, say “no” and walk away.

Here are some more general pieces of advice that are relevant to any travel, not only for Paris

-Make sure to keep some friends and/or your family updated

Maybe you want to escape your family with this trip and it's not my place to say that you should or not do that. However, it might be a good idea to give at least one friend your itinerary plan or just to keep them updated every day. For example, writing a little “Hey! I am alive!” message. It's just for your own safety and in case something goes wrong, someone will be able to help you. Also, as we said before, you might feel lonely, anxious, overwhelmed or even scared during your first trip, so keeping in touch with your loved once will help you overcome some of those negative (but totally normal) feelings.

-Have a back up cash in case your bag or purse is stolen.

-Make sure to book the hotel/hostel/airbnb in a safe area, close to transports and close to at least one supermarket.

Here you go! I hope you find those tips and pieces of advice useful and clear. Share your own solo travel tips in the comments, I will be happy to read them!

Often times when I go out to eat in Paris, I announce like every person living away from the motherland, “This is not authentic Indian food, food is so much better in India.” Well, that is true. I do think food in India is some of the best in the world with a variety of spices, vegetables, lentils, cheese, and kinds of butter used. It’s like a celebration of the taste buds. I am Indian so I grew up eating the food but even if you get sick after eating it, trust me, it will be worth it. Haha, okay not really.

There are some misconceptions people have about Indian food. We don’t eat curry all the time. Not everything is created to burn your insides. Believe me. I often get asked, “What are the best dishes in India?” Well, here you will find them approved and recommended by a fellow curry person.

1.Dosa

I feel like I could write an ode to Dosa. This is my favorite dish of all time. It comes from the south of India but is available throughout the country. It is essentially a thin rice crepe which is often served with sambar, a type of lentil curry, and coconut chutney. When I say that I could eat a bucket full of coconut chutney, I mean it. Sometimes, it also comes with surprises in the middle – a potato curry. This is called Masala Dosa. Usually, it is enjoyed for breakfast but because it is so good, you can literally eat it any time of the day. It is also really cheap and filling. The bonus? It is vegan most of the time! Just ask the server to prepare it without ghee or butter and you have the best vegan meal of all time!

2. Naan

Repeat after me, IT IS NOT NAAN BREAD. Naan literally means bread so saying Naan bread sounds like bread bread. I know it has been popularized all over the world but Naan in India is especially special. It is made in a tandoor which is a clay oven. We also have so many varieties of naans – Naan, butter naan, cheese naan, cheese garlic naan, chur chur naan, pudina naan, and what not. I could just eat it by itself but it is best enjoyed with –

3. Dal Makhani

Yes, naan and dal makhani are a match made in heaven. This combination is especially enjoyed in winters because it warms your soul. Dal Makhani is a lentil curry but it isn’t just any other lentil curry, it is the most superior one. Dal Makhani literally means buttery lentils. Basically, the lentils are cooked for up to 24 hours in cream and butter which makes it so rich and melt-in-the-mouth. It can even be prepared without dairy for people with dietary restrictions.

4. Chole Bhature

This is the type of dish you enjoy once or twice a year and you’ll soon understand why. It is chana masala, the chickpea curry, served with a fried bread. Obviously, eating this regularly can be heart attack inducing but it is just so good. The bread and the spicy chickpeas complement each other so well. They are even served with onions and pickles sometimes. It is originally a street food from the north of India but now, it is available everywhere.

5. Chaat

Chaat is not a dish, it is basically street food. Chaat means to lick because it is so good that you will end up licking your fingers. Now, there are so many different chaats – bhel puri, which is puffed rice with potatoes, onion and mango served with chutneys and sev, sev puri, fried and crispy dough served with tomatoes, potatoes, onions and chutney with a dash of lime and gol gappe/pani puri/puchka which is a round-shaped hollow dough served with potatoes, onions and chickpeas with a mixture of flavored water. I know, my words don’t translate well enough to describe the experience but your tastebuds will thank me later.

6. Butter Chicken

Now, I am a vegetarian and I don’t personally know what butter chicken tastes like. But, I asked a friend to tell me. Chicken marinated overnight in yogurt and spices mixture and cooked with a special Makhani (Butter) sauce, tomato puree, and spices that gives the dish its unique flavor. It is also best enjoyed with naan and is the ultimate comfort food of non-vegetarians in India. It is also quite popular all around the world but of course, it’s the best in the motherland.

7. Thali

Thali is not a dish, it’s an experience. Thali means plate. It is like a tasting platter where you get to try different curries. It has all the courses - snacks, drink, main course, bread, and dessert. They also don’t stop serving you until you tell them. This is called unlimited thali which is very quintessential to India. Dishes served in a thali vary for regions in India with north Indian thalis serving North Indian cuisine and South Indian thalis serving south Indian cuisines. Irrespective of all that, it is absolutely delicious and you will leave with a swollen belly.

8. Biryani

This slow-cooked rice dish is sealed into containers with a bunch of spices including saffron. It traditionally includes either marinated chicken or mutton. But since almost 40% of the country is vegetarian, veg biryanis are also available irrespective of what people say. It is quite wholesome and is served with raita or yogurt on the side.

9, Gulab Jamun

Once, my friend ate 13 of these. I still call her a legend. I’d say this Indian dessert may be is an acquired taste. It is a doughnut made of cheese which is fried and then dipped in sugar syrup, yes. It is so sweet but also so good. What is worrisome is the fact that this is not the most diabetes-inducing dessert. That title goes to jalebi. We often enjoy it in winter but is often eaten with ice cream in summer. It is also the standard dessert in every Indian restaurant.

10. Kulfi

Kulfi is a type of Indian ice cream which is often served on a stick. It is similar to ice cream but is denser and creamier. It is flavored with many different things – saffron, pistachio, almonds, rose, mango, and whatnot. It’s the perfect dessert after a spicy meal, the mild flavors and sweetness along with the coldness calms down your burning insides.

Great, now I am hungry!

I am from India and I consider myself quite well travelled. My country, India can have an intimidating reputation of being unsafe. I won’t deny, some places can be a bit unsafe so it is partially true. However, India is HUGE – in terms of area, population, cultures, cuisine, and whatnot. So, to say that the whole of India is unsafe is unfair.

India is beautiful. It is so rich with some of the best food in the world. Every state is completely different and there is just so much to see. There are the mighty Himalayas in the North with snow-packed peaks and pristine rivers and the great Indian Ocean in the south with beautiful and untouched beaches. In the west, there is the Thar desert with extravagant palaces and colourful culture and in the east, we have the natural wonder, the Sundarbans. It also has a rich biodiversity, being the only country with both lions and tigers in the wild. I feel like India has something to offer for all types of travellers.

Here, I will recommend the top 5 destinations for solo female travellers to travel within India. These places are not only safe but are also frequented by other solo female travellers!

1. Rishikesh

I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting Rishikesh in 2018 after I graduated from college. Rishikesh is a small town in the north of India. It lies on the foothills of the Himalayas. It is famous for having the Beatles Ashram where the members of the Beatles learned meditation. I feel like the city is still authentically very Indian with tons of noise, colours, and cows owning the streets but it is so popular among tourists that it is very accommodating and kind. You’ll meet other travellers and make friends! If you like adventure, you can do some river rafting in the Ganges, one of the holiest rivers of India, rappelling and what not! If you like yoga, it is the yoga capital of the world with some of the best yoga institutions in the world. If you like culture, you’re in for a treat, it is one of the holiest cities of India and you’ll discover little temples in the middle of a busy street. It is also HEAVEN for vegetarians and vegans. I had one of the best, and might I add, the cheapest meal of my life here!

(The residents of the cities who are actually very calm and well mannered)

(Geetanjali enjoying the view)

2. Goa

Goa is a small state on the western coastline of India. It was ruled by the Portuguese so it has a mix of Portuguese and Indian culture which is visible in its architecture, cuisine, and even language. Goa seems to have a reputation as the party capital of India. It often talked about for its parties by the beach with dirt-cheap alcohol. However, I feel that it is a lot more than that. There are so many unexplored little beaches to find. It is also quite relaxed with hippie vibes. There are so many flea markets to explore as well. Just don’t forget one thing, BARGAIN!

(Small beaches with adventure sports)

(Small trekking routes overlooking the sea)

3. Kerala

I personally feel that Kerala is a wonderful introduction to India, it is a lot chiller and hassle-free than the rest of the country. Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India and here, the women are highly educated. Kochi, the largest city is crammed full of amazing history with its origins on the original Spice Route and cultural heritage from Portuguese, Chinese, Arab, Jewish, Dutch, British and Indian cultures. There are the wonderful backwaters with houseboats to get lost in at Allepy. You can even head to tea gardens in Munnar, which is a hill station. Also, since it is a coastal state, there are many beaches to explore.

(Houseboats and the backwaters)

(Tea Gardens in Munnar)

4. Mumbai

Alright, if you want a big chaotic Indian city experience, I highly recommend Mumbai. I have lived in this city for 7 years and I know it pretty well and according to me, it is the safest and the most liberal city in India. I am a big fan. Alright, there is the beach with the best and cheapest street food in the world, tons of museums to explore, beautiful British era architecture, so many places to shop and the best nightlife in the country. Moreover, the public transport system is very efficient and you’ll find a tuk-tuk/rikshaw even at 3 am in the night. The local trains, which are essentially the lifeline of the city are actually an adventure. The city is however filled with stark inequality, towering skyscrapers are neighbours to huge slum settlements. However, no matter what, everybody is so happy and very accommodating here. It also happens to be the Bollywood city. My favourite neighbourhood in the entire world, Colaba is here with trendy cafes, the gateway of India, the Taj hotel and the most colourful flea market.

(The resident of the city being pleased with the good weather and the sea)

(Skyline overlooking the Arabian sea at Marine Drive)

5. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

These islands caught the attention of the world when an American missionary was attacked by an uncontacted tribe in these islands. However, trust me, that is not why the islands should be famous. They are quite far from mainland India but are well connected through flights from Kolkata and Chennai. The capital city, Port Blair, is the quintessential Indian city – traffic, tons of people, and noise. However, just a small ferry ride away is the beautiful Havelock Island. The island is still quite untouched from the exploitation brought on by tourism even though it is now becoming a popular destination. It has the Radhanagar beach, white sand and blue waters, which was actually ranked as the 7th best beach in the world. There is an elephant beach where a swimming elephant Rajan used to live and swim of course! The locals are very kind and you’ll often see them waving and smiling at you while you travel around the small island. There are tons of bungalows by the beach where you can literally wake up to the sound of the ocean and the rainforest. On top of all this, it is incredibly cheap. However, the biggest plus for me, which could be a drawback for others, the internet connectivity here is incredibly poor. For me, it served as a digital detox.

(Small unexplored beach)

(Radhanagar Beach)

I do hope that you give India a chance. Trust me, it will become one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Please feel free to reach out to me for any recommendations or help in planning.