Many people don’t travel because they have nobody to travel with. It is an unfortunate situation that I know well and had to overcome to get to where I am now. First consider that if you have nobody to go with you’re probably alone already. From experience being alone in an exciting foreign country obscures the loneliness. It’s hard to get out the door, but it really is better.

Traveling alone does not mean being alone, and some locations are better than others for meeting people. You are the special person here, someone with a different viewpoint. Here are a few places that really shine when it comes to friendly outgoing people.

• Ireland
• Scotland
• Japan
• Poland
• Hungary

These are just a few places, however the true answer is that every place has friendly people. Maybe not Russia, seems that is one place that is not very friendly based on accounts from a few friends. That said everywhere else is likely to be fine. The biggest obstacle is you. Follow these tips:

• Learn a little about the culture so you realize what to do and not to do when greeting someone. A little effort here goes a very long way
• Get a few phrases under your belt, making an effort with speaking the local language will help a lot. Plus you can innocently ask for help on your pronunciation
• Smile and be humble. People there are probably unsure of you, if you seem inviting then it will be a signal to them
• Try. Go out and find things going on. Meet up is a great resource and has lots of options from Writing workshops (my favorite) to the ubiquitous language exchange. It is a great resource.
• Dating. Yes dating and I don’t mean hookups you naughty girl. OK Cupid is used world wide and so is Tinder. Just be good and really go out and have fun. It is an effective way to meet a local.

Most of all be nice, respectful and recognize it will take a few tries in most cases. Most of all think positive and remember if someone did the same in your hometown you would probably be helpful and want to talk to the person visiting you’re stomping grounds.