Heading out to explore the world is an adventure that will attract many people both young and old, but for those who are traveling solo there are a number of challenges that can turn the adventure of the lifetime into a tough slog. By being aware of the challenges you are likely to encounter, and planning ways to deal with these challenges, it is possible to embrace the whole travel experience and to turn each challenge into a new opportunity.

1. Staying In Touch With Family And Friends

Most people will spend a fair amount of time of every week at home keeping in touch with friends and family, so one of the main facts of international solo travel is that it won't always be possible to speak to those people at home every day.

Regularly using a cellphone abroad can be very expensive, but one popular solution is to buy cheaper SIM cards in the region that can then be used for calling home. Starting a blog is also a great way to stay in touch and share experiences, and this is why many people who now support their travels through blogging first started to write their travel blog.

2. Loneliness

Another important aspect to consider before deciding to travel solo is whether you will be able to deal with the loneliness and homesickness that can often strike on a long term trip. This is something that can be particularly troubling for some people, and may cause a few travelers to doubt the choice they made to travel alone.

Many people may not feel this emotion at all, while others may have regular pangs, but looking at how you intend to stay in touch with family and planning for exciting and interesting things to keep you motivated can help to keep aside these feelings.

3. Sticking to Your Budget

There is no doubt that international travel can be an expensive business, particularly when it comes to enjoying long term trips. Before you embark on the journey, make sure that you have planned a realistic solo travel budget for the journey, and that you aren't just living on breadcrumbs throughout the journey.

Consider the different activities that you would like to enjoy as you travel, and it may also be worth considering seeing if you can work in some of your destinations to help boost your travel budget.

4. Meeting People as You Travel

While joining group activities and organized tours can help you to meet other people who also have a love of travel, some of the best experiences on the road will often come when you meet locals.

An enthusiasm for trying out the local languages and dialects is a very good place to start, while those who are looking for travel buddies will often find that staying in hostels and being sociable in the common room can allow you to meet people who may be keen to join you for a part of your journey.

5. Eating Alone

One of the biggest challenges for those who do choose to travel solo is overcoming the perceived stigma that comes with eating and going out alone. While taking a table at a top restaurant by yourself may be very daunting, there is no reason to be concerned if you are taking a drink and a snack at a bar or restaurant by yourself.

Eating the local delicacies served by street vendors is a good way to avoid this, while others will choose to cook and eat at the hostel or hotel they are visiting.

6. Safety And Security

There are many emotional and social challenges that come with solo travel, but staying safe and secure as you travel is very much about practicality. Avoiding dangerous or notorious areas or cities can be a good precaution, while taking steps to ensure your belongings are safe is another wise move.

It is also a good move to ensure that you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy that will be able to help you to return home or find treatment should anything happen while you travel.