• I swear by a few items to help make my solo trips more convenient.
• My portable tripod allows me to capture photos of myself without relying on help from strangers.
• My other must-haves include a back-lotion applicator, first-aid kit, and portable charger.

As a travel writer, I'm often taking off by myself — as often as 15 times a year.

Because I typically travel without a partner, I make sure to pack a few essential items to make my trips easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

Here are seven things I don't leave for a solo trip without.

Having a tripod means I don't have to rely on strangers to take pictures for me.

I like to take pictures of myself traveling, whether to post on social media or send to my boyfriend. I'm not into selfie sticks, and unfortunately, I can't always rely on strangers to take photos for me. So, having a cellphone tripod is a good compromise.

I love my ToneOf universal cellphone tripod because it easily slips into my carry-on luggage and expands when I need to snap a picture. It also includes a rechargeable remote control for the shutter.

My portable speaker doubles as a white-noise machine.

When I'm traveling by myself, I always carry my LectroFan Bluetooth speaker with me. The sound is incredible considering its tiny size, and it has several white-noise settings to drown out noisy neighbors or street sounds.

When I'm feeling lonely, I also like to use it to have a solo dance party in my room.

This back-lotion applicator helps me avoid getting sunburn in the areas I can't reach.

Since I often travel to tropical places, I prefer to pack bottles of sunscreen lotion since the coverage is heavier than spray. However, it's tricky to apply the lotion to my own back and shoulders.

Foam brush applicators are clunky to pack, but luckily, I found a cloth applicator from Steugo that folds up and doesn't take up much room in my suitcase.

I pour some lotion onto the fabric and then use the handles to rub it onto my back as if I'm drying myself with a towel. I rinse or hand-wash it between uses and throw it in the washing machine once I return home.

A first-aid kit is a must-have when traveling alone.

When I get injured or start to come down with something while traveling alone, there's no one to run out to the drugstore to get medicine or first-aid supplies for me.

Sometimes, I'm not even in an area with a nearby drugstore, so I make sure to bring along any items I might need.

My first-aid kit is stocked with bandages, cleaning wipes, gauze, tick removers, nosebleed plugs, sting relief, burn ointment, and a thermometer.

I also pack some over-the-counter medicine for pain, gastrointestinal issues, motion sickness, and congestion.

A portable charger is always good to have on hand.

One of my biggest concerns when traveling alone is my cellphone battery running low.

After all, I need my phone to navigate cities, book Uber rides, make restaurant reservations, and research tourist attractions. That's why I always carry a USB portable charger with me.

Slip-on shoes are a must for airport travel.

When TSA PreCheck isn't available, I often have to remove my shoes and coat and take my laptop and liquids out of my bag when I go through security.

Without a travel partner to double-check I grabbed everything, I like to make sure the process is as quick and easy as possible. That's why I always wear my favorite slip-on sneakers from Kizik.

They're also incredibly comfortable even after a long day of exploring.

Having a portable wash bag allows me to do my laundry.

I never check my luggage, and being a single traveler means I can only bring one carry-on with me. Even though I can fit a lot in my bag, I sometimes need to re-wear and freshen up my clothes.

Because hotel laundry service is often expensive, I bring my own Scrubba portable wash bag with me.

To use it, I fill the packable bag with socks, underwear, and t-shirts and then add water and a laundry sheet. Then, I deflate the bag and rub my clothes along the inner washboard before rinsing, wringing, and hanging my garments to dry.

• I'm a solo traveler who recently visited Alaska for the first time.
• I recommend taking the Alaska Railroad for its scenic views and efficient transportation.
• I loved taking in the wildlife at Kenai Fjords National Park and Potter Marsh.

Over the years, I've watched many of my friends and family members go on weeklong cruises to Alaska.

As a solo traveler, I thought a cruise would be the best way to see the state. However, I didn't want to spend my entire trip on a boat and decided to make my own itinerary instead.

Here are four activities I recommend to those visiting Alaska for the first time.

Take advantage of the views on the Alaska Railroad.

During my trip, I loved talking a ride on the Alaska Railroad, which just celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023.

Since I was staying in Anchorage and wanted to see Kenai Fjords National Park, I took the train from Anchorage to Seward and back.

If you have the means to splurge a bit, I recommend opting for the GoldStar service, which featured glass-dome ceilings and incredible panoramic views of Alaska.

Cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park.

Taking a boat ride through Kenai Fjords National Park is a terrific option for anyone who doesn't want to spend their entire trip on a boat. I loved seeing the fjords and watching the playful sea lions and orcas.

Our ship even stopped for lunch on Fox Island. Although there isn't much exploring to do on the small island, it was nice to get off the boat and warm up with some soup and salad.

Take a flightseeing tour to Denali.

I knew booking a flightseeing tour to Denali was a gamble because of how weather-dependent the activity is.

When I arrived at the office, though, I was disappointed to find out the cloud cover would prevent us from seeing Denali, the tallest mountain in North America.

However, the pilots had a backup plan, and I still got to see lots of gorgeous glaciers and breathtaking snow-covered mountains.

Check out the wildlife at Potter Marsh.

If you're looking to enjoy some fresh air and see different species of birds, Potter Marsh is the place to go. I loved walking along the wooden boardwalk and having close-up views of the wildlife.

Although there are tours of Potter Marsh, I'm glad I drove myself and could take my time soaking in my surroundings.

• I've always wanted to visit London, but as a 44-year-old mom of two, I struggled to find time to go.
• I decided to take a solo trip without my kids or husband.
• Exploring London on my own was empowering, and I'm so glad I took the trip.

I didn't grow up in a family that traveled. The first time I vacationed outside the US was on my honeymoon, and just a few years after getting married, our first child was born, significantly slowing down our travels. It's only been since my kids got older that I've been traveling to spots I've always wanted to visit, like Italy and Mexico's Baja California peninsula.

London has always been on my travel bucket list, but flying a family of four to Europe can be pricey. I'm 44 years old and have accomplished a lot over the last two years, from losing 100 pounds with the help of weight loss surgery to breaking up with alcohol and celebrating a year of sobriety. Recently, I decided to do something outside of my comfort zone and traveled to London all alone. As it turns out, it was a lovely city to visit on a solo trip.

Riding the tube on my own was empowering

Sure, I've read about the London Underground (the tube) in books and seen it in movies, but actually landing at Heathrow Airport and hopping on the tube to get to my hotel felt surreal. I fly often, so the long plane ride from Florida didn't feel much different than other travels, but there something about stepping onto the tube was empowering. I realized I'd arrived in London and was about to go on the solo adventure of a lifetime.

To my relief, the tube was surprisingly easy to navigate. I found the line needed to get to my hotel and settled in to watch London roll by through the windows as I traveled.

I stayed in a hotel chain that felt familiar to me

I stayed in the Stratford neighborhood of London at a fairly new Yotelpad hotel location. I flew direct from Miami to London and stayed at a Yotelpad in Miami, too, both before and after my flights. If there's one tip I'd give solo travelers, it's to stay at a hotel chain that's the same during every stop on your trip, as I found it comforting not to be disoriented by getting used to a new hotel as I changed locales and time zones.

After checking in, I spent the day exploring the area — including seeing the Olympic-sized pool built for the 2012 games — which came in handy later when I needed to hop onto the tube or grab a morning cup of coffee.

Traveling solo allowed me to check off plenty of bucket-list activities

From eating Indian food on Brick Lane to seeing Big Ben to shopping (and eating) my way through Borough Market, the trip allowed me to check off many things I've only dreamed about doing. And it was incredibly empowering to do them independently, even though I missed sharing the experiences with my husband and kids.

Would I recommend London to other solo travelers? Absolutely. Not only is the city easy to navigate between the tube, buses, and walking, but every Londoner I met was incredibly kind and helpful. Minus a few warnings about pickpockets, I never felt unsafe walking around or riding public transportation.

My only regret is that I didn't stay longer. I had three full days in town plus travel days on each end, and that wasn't nearly enough; I barely scratched the surface of all there is to do in London. I can't wait to go back, and an added perk of going solo is that I've learned the London basics and can play tour guide to my family when I take them along someday.

By my last tube ride, I felt like a pro and was so glad I went

On my very last tube ride to the airport, I felt like a true London girlie. I stopped for a coffee and a toastie (think: the most delicious grilled cheese-like breakfast sandwich) and walked to the Stratford tube station, riding it straight to the airport for my flight home. A true Swiftie at heart, I couldn't help but hum "so long London, had a good run" to myself as I left.

A while ago, on a trip to Europe, I met a fellow traveler and shared with her that it was my first time there. "Isn't that embarrassing?" I asked. "I am in my 40s and have never been to Europe until now."

"I rebuke that statement," she said. "For whatever reason, you are exactly where you are supposed to be, and the time of your life when you're supposed to be traveling the world is right now." I've never forgotten her words, and I hold them close.

Traveling to London solo was an incredible experience, and, though it may have taken me 44 years to do it, the trip came at exactly the right time in my life. Sober, healthier, and happier, I was able to fully appreciate making it across the pond to a bucket-list city all on my own.

• Since 2017, I've been skipping family holiday gatherings to travel solo.
• I've found that I score some of the best deals when flying on major holidays.
• One of the biggest perks of traveling during the holidays is skipping the inevitable family drama.

In 2017, I decided to take my first-ever solo trip — a weeklong jaunt to London during Christmas.

I was single for the first time in a while, with no real holiday plans, and some "free" vacation days since my office was closed for the week.

I didn't expect my first trip to plant the seed for an annual tradition, but now, I spend the holidays on vacation every year.

Here are some of the biggest perks to traveling solo during this time of year.

I've found ways to travel for really cheap during holidays

Traveling around the holidays can get expensive, and airports are usually as busy as ever on days leading up to major holidays.

However, I've found you can score cheap flights when you're willing to travel on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, or New Year's Day.

For example, on my first Christmas trip in 2017, I flew from Los Angeles to London on Christmas Eve (with a return on New Year's Eve) for less than $900. An added bonus? Getting to see New Year's Eve fireworks as we flew over LA.

Christmas isn't the only holiday for cheap flights, either. In 2022, I flew from Palm Springs to Puerto Vallarta over Thanksgiving for less than $500 — about $300 cheaper than non-holiday weeks at the time.

Many popular destinations are less crowded during the holidays

During my trip to London, I booked a day trip to Stonehenge for the day after Christmas. However, I failed to realize December 26 is Boxing Day, a major holiday in the UK.

This worked out incredibly well, as our tour bus was only half-full, and Stonehenge itself was nearly empty.

Aside from major shopping destinations like Oxford Street or Harrod's, London also felt less crowded, and it was easy to get last-minute access to tours and museums.

I've found that it's not just major cities that see fewer crowds, either. When I spend Christmas at a beachfront resort in Mexico, it's the only time of year I don't have to wake up early to find a chair by the pool.

I can skip the drama and join family celebrations virtually

One of the biggest perks of traveling during the holidays is skipping the inevitable family drama. Whether it's politics, a passive-aggressive slight, or a family grudge that spans generations, holiday get-togethers tend to be a powder keg just waiting for a spark.

After years of therapy and a lot of healing work, I've fallen in love with prioritizing my peace — even if that means skipping a family holiday.

With today's technology, I can always join the major moments via video call. If things get heated, it's easy enough to hang up and get right back to vacation mode.

• In September, Katka Lapelosova took a solo trip to Greece.
• While she enjoyed the six days in Zakynthos, it wasn't the stress-free vacation she'd hoped for.
• If she could do it over, she'd travel there with friends and rent a car.

Now that I live in Europe, I love how easy it is to visit different countries. Since leaving New York City in 2020, I aim to travel at least once a month.

In September, I decided it was time for a solo trip to a Greek island to live out my "Mamma Mia" dreams. My friends recommended Santorini and Mykonos, but those islands were expensive, and I was nervous about them being overcrowded.

I researched a few alternatives, like Corfu, Zakynthos, and Rhodes, and settled on Zakynthos, partly due to photos of a shipwreck I'd seen on Instagram.

I wanted to see if the water was really the color of Colgate toothpaste, but more than that, I just needed a seaside break to relax and help me reset. My beach vacation in Greece was very much what I needed, but there are some things I would change if I had the chance for a vacation redo.

1. Spend time in Athens

I had an overnight layover in Athens, so I spent one night in the city center before heading to Zakynthos. Friends had told me I only needed a day in the city, saying that there wasn't much to see or do. The city took me by surprise, though, and I wish I'd had more time there.

Outside the incredible historic Greek archaeology, I didn't have enough time for the art museums or festivals. While the residential architecture wasn't as charming as what I saw on the island, the mix of classical designs, modern restaurants, and cocktail bars all looked worthy of a visit.

2. Avoid the party zones

Once I got to Zakynthos, the energy level changed. I was greeted by the chaos of gap year travelers living out the last days of summer. I had read that the island was a hot spot for college-aged travelers, but I figured it was big enough that we could keep our distance. But despite my accommodation being just outside the main party zone of Laganas, I shared a floor with a group of eight rowdy college kids. I was thankful that I'd packed earplugs.

In hindsight, I should have done more research on other parts of the island. While some locals told me Zakynthos has parties wherever you go, others said that renting a villa can be a good alternative for finding a bit of peace and quiet. They said that visitors who stay more inland can rent a car and drive to the beach, as most coastlines can be reached in a few minutes.

3. Rent a car to explore more of the island

Renting a car would have been a great idea overall, but my plan had been to take buses. In true island fashion, these ran on their own schedule

One day in Zakynthos, I waited over an hour for a bus that never came. Taxis proved to be just as unreliable, with many canceling or not showing up when I tried to book them by phone.

While I was able to make the most of Laganas, the island's village and beach resort, I feel like there was more I could have explored. I was limited to the nearby beaches, which were not super crowded but not very serene or peaceful either.

I also didn't realize that it was much easier to get to the shipwreck by car. Only one tour company offered to drive people there, so I had to work around their schedule to see it.

4. Travel with friends instead of going solo

Normally, I opt for solo travel. I find it to be the least stressful. But I often felt lonely on Zakynthos because I saw big groups of people everywhere I went — not just college kids either, but multi-generational families and honeymooning couples, all having fun in the sun around me.

I watched a lot of them enjoying the outdoor and water activities that Greece has to offer. Small boats can be rented to sail around the island, take tours of water caves and go diving or snorkeling, grab a few mopeds or four-wheelers and drive around, party on a booze cruise, or enjoy inflatable water playgrounds along the beach.

While I could have done some of those things on my own, I knew they'd be more fun with a big group of friends to share the excitement.

5. Understand the difference between beachfront and beach access

One of the biggest things I'd change about my Greek island trip is booking a hotel that had beach access. "Beachfront" doesn't necessarily mean you can just walk right out to the beach from your hotel, or at least not on Zakynthos.

While my accommodation was next to the beach, if I wanted to spend time lounging in the sun, I had to pay for a crummy cappuccino or an overpriced bottle of water for the privilege.

I didn't realize this before I booked my trip, but locals told me it's common. Many cafés, restaurants, and bars own beach access, and while most just ask that you purchase some food or drinks, some require you to rent a beach chair and umbrella or even buy a day pass.

Next time, I'll read more reviews or even contact the property and ask if they have a beach for their guests. I only saw "beachfront" on my booking website and realized after spending a few days there that what I needed was "beach access" or "private beach."