Plan your outfits accordingly when taking flights to Canada.
I've done a lot of traveling in my life, but never alone. It's not that I had some deep-seated fear of solo travel or the notion that I had to have a partner in crime to go to a place and enjoy it—it was just that I always had other obligations. For example, I didn't have the time or money to take off on an epic road trip when I was young. When I was older, my husband and I were traveling with family or friends—we didn't want to be separated for any length of time.
Travel to Canada was a major bucket-list item for me, but because it required so much planning (and money), I kept putting it off. But there came the point when I wasn't feeling well and needed to get out of town for a bit, so I decided to check into booking my first solo trip—just eight days in Toronto and Niagara Falls (two places I've been dying to see).
I've been around the world a couple of times, but my first solo trip to Canada was so much fun that I had to share it with you! Packing for this trip was relatively easy since I already had a lot of Canada-appropriate clothing.
Being prepared for the weather is probably one of the most important things when heading up north. It can be warm in the summer and cold in the winter, so ensure you have enough layers to help keep you comfortable. Plan your outfits accordingly when taking flights to Canada.
Canada is home to some of my favorite cities around the world. I visited Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal on this trip, and they were all fantastic experiences. The only regret I had was that I didn't have more time to explore each city individually. If you're short on time, get up early and see as much as you can during daylight hours. I personally prefer mornings overnights when visiting new places because it allows me to experience each place with a fresh set of eyes and an open mind.
Make sure your passport is valid and take enough money for the trip. Have a plan in place for emergencies and follow it! Stay warm! A friend of mine who lives in Canada told me about all the ways he keeps his hands warm when he goes out for long walks. These include wearing gloves with cotton inside (you'll still have some sense of touch), using hand sanitiser gel (it warms up quickly) and carrying a cup of hot coffee with you. It may seem like common sense but trust me, no matter how much you think, it won't happen.
Expectations
Going into my trip, my biggest fear was that I would be bored. But the truth is that it's impossible to be bored if you're visiting a new place. Even the dreariest parts of Toronto were interesting to me because I didn't know what to expect, and everything was new.
Immersion
Travelling solo means that you have to talk to people – a lot of people – if you want to get anything done. I had no choice but to ask strangers how to get somewhere in Toronto, even though it made me slightly uncomfortable at first. As a result, I talked with dozens of people – store clerks, police officers and passersby – cultivating positive interactions with locals.
Air travel tips
Buy your ticket as early in advance as possible because you will receive the cheapest fares if you do so. Your flight may fill up quickly at this price, so be sure to book your ticket as soon as possible. If you are not eligible for a frequent flier program with your airline(s), sign up for one or try another airline – You can accumulate points by flying on different airlines, but be careful because some of them will use up large amounts of points for short flights or layovers that exceed 2 hours.
