While holidays have esentially been viewed as an occasion to spend time with the family, the concept is clearly changing now, with more and more people opting for, travelling by themselves. The craze is fast catching on. This way people get to rediscover themselves, spend time alone, with no boundaries or restrictions and have unlimited fun. As a single traveller though, you do need to take care of a few things. Here are some useful tips.

• If you are a women, Look for women-friendly hotels/hostels. Some hotels now have special rooms designed with the female traveler in mind. Rooms are stocked with irons, hair dryers and the like, so you can avoid calling out every now and then  for room service. The rooms may even be situated in the safer part of the hotel or hostel, and not in some isolated area.
• To avoid eating in restaurants alone and save money, find rooms with kitchen facilities.
• Several guidebooks/websites are available that have valuable tips for the solo female traveler.
• Women-only holidays have become popular in the travel industry. Professional women take these holidays as the time to connect with female friends and to rejuvinate. Spa and adventure travel are among the most popular catagories for women traveling with other women
• Compare not only the airfares but also railways and bus fares as you may be able to cut your fare by as much as half or even more.
• Take your trip before or after peak seasons ,for example half-term and school holidays, and save money. You can easily cut the cost of your airfare and accomadation. Plus, hotels and restaurants will be less crowded so that means better service for you all the way.
• You will probably get the best deal online by browsing through various websites for hostels/budget hotels. Always read about special offers and deals.
• If you are still not sure about heading off alone, consider a holiday destination where probably your relatives live . This way you not only save the cost of accomodationbut also get to know the places and get to visit the local chaiwalas and the best road side food joints and at the same time don’t feel lonely as youhave someone to come back to..

• Do not  wear clothes that are revealing or provocative. When in rural India, it is best to cover up yourself so as not to attract unwanted attention as it can spoil the whole tour.
• Women can roam around in jeans and tee shirts, long cotton pants and cotton shirts. Skirts, if long are much better than the short ones as they are not very well accepted in the villages .
• It is not quite advisable to show public displays of affection. It not only offends Indians, but also attracts unwanted remarks and gestures. Refrain from any such physical activity that is intimate.
• It is alright to shake hands with most people, though keep a distance from males. Some people might just take it in the wrong sense and not like it.
• Saying "Hi" or "Hello" is acceptable in cities, though with elders it is best to greet with a "Namaste".
• Whilestrolling down a beach, it is best to be clothed. India does not allow people to be in their swim-wear even on beaches. Wear a cotton pant and a tee shirt.
• While in a pub, discotheque or a bar, it is advisable to take a friend along with you. Do not venture there alone as it may not be very safe even in the metropolitan cities.
• Indians usually don't allow women to smoke in public. If you have to smoke, do it in your hotel room. However, some major urban cities seem to have accepted women smoking in public.
• If you happen to come across a street party or a festive procession, it is best not to take part. Infact even the Indian women try to stay away from such crowds in which there are many aggressive males. You can watch from a distance and move on when it has passed byor if you want to experience the whole festival first hand try to be at the back with a male friend if possible.