A seasoned traveller who has explored every corner of the United States has issued a stark warning about a common holiday habit that could be putting people in serious danger.
The Dangers of Oversharing Online
Emily Hart, a 40-year-old from Boulder, Colorado, known online as EmilyVentures, began her solo travel journey in her early thirties. Over the past decade, she has accomplished the remarkable feat of visiting all 50 US states and hiking every one of the country's 63 National Parks, documenting her adventures for her online audience.
Having left her traditional job to become a full-time travel content creator, Hart is acutely aware of the unique risks faced by solo female travellers. She has developed a comprehensive set of safety strategies, which she recently shared in an exclusive interview.
Her most critical advice targets a seemingly innocent activity: posting about your holiday on social media in real time. "Never post your travels in real time," Hart stressed. "Even if you have a private profile, don’t think many people are looking at your social media, or that you don’t tag the specific location, there are many ways to figure out exactly where a person is from a photo, and it is not safe."
Essential Safety Strategies for Solo Adventurers
Hart's safety protocol extends far beyond social media vigilance. She strongly recommends always informing trusted friends or family of your plans and sharing your location with them. "I sometimes go on hikes or long drives where I have no cell service, but I have shared my plans with others in case I don’t return as expected," she explained.
Another key tactic is strategic dishonesty when interacting with strangers. "Lie when necessary," Hart advised. "I often lie about who I am with, where I am staying, or my plans when asked by a stranger." She suggests examples such as telling a taxi driver you're meeting friends at the hotel or informing a waiter your partner is picking you up.
Hart emphasised the importance of always having a contingency plan and the means to act on it. She admitted to having changed hotels or altered her itinerary due to uncomfortable situations. "Listening to your intuition is key," she added. "If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, or if your intuition tells you something is off, go, turn around, or change plans without feeling bad about it."
Smart Tips for Budget-Conscious Travel
Beyond safety, Hart also shared her proven methods for saving money while on the road. Her foremost advice is to book well in advance and travel during the off-season. "Planning and research have saved me the most throughout the years. If you are left to find last-minute lodging or a rental car, you will ultimately pay a premium," she noted.
She also advocates setting a strict daily budget before departure to simplify spending decisions. "If I want to take myself out to a nicer dinner, then the rest of the day will have to be cheaper," Hart said.
Finally, she highlighted the significant benefits of leveraging loyalty schemes. Utilising credit card points, hotel reward programmes, and airline miles has been a "game changer" for making her extensive travels more affordable.
