EXCLUSIVE I'm a female solo traveller and have visited 70 countries - there's one I'll never go back to as it was so unsafe
Solo travel is having a moment - with nearly half of all Brits planning to go it alone in the next year.
If you're one of those wanting to step out on your own for your next holiday, we've got you covered, as MailOnline caught up with experienced solo traveller Liz Parry, 50, to get her top tips for first-timers.
Liz, who runs PR company Liz Parry PR, has travelled to 70 countries, and explains that she considers herself a 'late starter in terms of solo travel'.
She says: 'The first time I really went on my own was a six month trip to South America when I was 30.
'I started with a month in a homestay in Cusco in Peru which was great and really threw me into the culture. Then I did the Inca trail and was meant to continue with a tour group but I quickly realised I didn't like the formula.
'I didn't like being told where to go and how long we had there so I ended up doing it myself. And after that trip, the passion just continued.
'I loved South America, so I started going back every year to a different country and then after about a decade I'd seen all the countries in Central and South America.'
Read on to discover where Liz's favourite countries are, where she wouldn't go back to, and her top tips for first-time travellers...
The best countries
As a huge fan of the continent, it's no surprise that one of Liz's two favourite destinations is Colombia in South America.
'It's really misunderstood and it has this reputation for being dangerous,' she says. 'But it's this really fabulous country with amazing culture.'
The solo traveller, who previously lived in Marrakech, also ranks Morocco as one of her favourite destinations.
'It's amazing,' says Liz. 'If you take the time to understand the local culture, then you can have such a rewarding experience.'
The countries to avoid
Although Liz is no stranger to going off-the-beaten track, and even once spent her birthday sleeping in the 'super creepy' prison on Devil's Island in French Guiana, there's one destination that left her feeling extremely unsafe.
She reveals she wouldn't return to Venezuela.
'I think the most memorable place where I felt really fearful was in Caracas in Venezuela. The energy was just very foreboding,' explains Liz.
'I literally got into my hotel room and didn't leave.
'I called in food and ate it in the room. I just did not want to go and explore at all, I was really keen to get out of there. I think I stayed one night and then left.'
And there's another country where Liz wouldn't want to get behind the wheel.
She says: 'I certainly wouldn't drive again in Lithuania.
'I did a road trip from Estonia and by the time I got to Lithuania, the driving was so insane. It would be pouring with rain and you'd have three cars all overtaking on a blind bend with a bus and a lorry.
'I just turned the car around and went back. I felt emotionally drained by the situation.'
The most underrated destinations
While Mexico is a popular holiday destination, Liz urges travellers to explore the rest of Central America.
'Below Mexico, you've got Guatemala which is amazing and Panama which has the most fantastic islands.
'It's a joy to take an overland bus there. You can go through all the villages and see everything unfold.'
Liz's top tips for first-time travellers
Stay in hostels
'If you don't know somewhere very well, it's quite a useful experience to be able to speak to some people staying at a hostel.
'A lot of people that stay in hostels have been there an awfully long time and their recommendations are better than any guidebook.'
Opt for a female-only dorm
'Female-only dorms are great for solo women travellers.'
Liz likes to stay in Generator Hostels where available.
Avoid flights that arrive at awkward times
'Don't take a really cheap flight that arrives at 2am in the morning.
'You'll have to find your way across the city in the darkness. Always pay close attention to the timing of flights.'
Don't flash the cash
'Don't walk around with your phone in your hand looking at it constantly.'
Do some research
She loves Colombia which she describes as really misunderstood. Pictured above is the Rock of Guatape
'Gem up a little bit before you go, have a flick through the guidebooks and get to know a little about the culture and some key phrases.'
Avoid tourist hotspots
'Try and stay away from the really touristic hotspots because you're going to pay an awful lot more money there.
'You're not going to have a particularly enriching experience.'
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EXCLUSIVE I'm a female solo traveller and have visited 70 countries - there's one I'll never go back to as it was so unsafe
Solo travel is having a moment - with nearly half of all Brits planning to go it alone in the next year. If you're one of those wanting to step out on your own for your next holiday, we've got you covered, as MailOnline caught up with experienced solo traveller Liz Parry, 50, to get her top tips for first-timers. Liz, who runs PR company Liz Parry PR, has travelled to 70 countries, and explains that she considers herself a 'late starter in terms of solo travel'. She says: 'The first time I really went on my own was a six month trip to South America when I was 30. 'I started with a month in a homestay in Cusco in Peru which was great and really threw me into the culture. Then I did the Inca trail and was meant to continue with a tour group but I quickly realised I didn't like the formula. 'I didn't like being told where to go and how long we had there so I ended up doing it myself. And after that trip, the passion just continued. 'I loved South America, so I started going back every year to a different country and then after about a decade I'd seen all the countries in Central and South America.' Read on to discover where Liz's favourite countries are, where she wouldn't go back to, and her top tips for first-time travellers... The best countries As a huge fan of the continent, it's no surprise that one of Liz's two favourite destinations is Colombia in South America. 'It's really misunderstood and it has this reputation for being dangerous,' she says. 'But it's this really fabulous country with amazing culture.' The solo traveller, who previously lived in Marrakech, also ranks Morocco as one of her favourite destinations. 'It's amazing,' says Liz. 'If you take the time to understand the local culture, then you can have such a rewarding experience.' The countries to avoid Although Liz is no stranger to going off-the-beaten track, and even once spent her birthday sleeping in the 'super creepy' prison on Devil's Island in French Guiana, there's one destination that left her feeling extremely unsafe. She reveals she wouldn't return to Venezuela. 'I think the most memorable place where I felt really fearful was in Caracas in Venezuela. The energy was just very foreboding,' explains Liz. 'I literally got into my hotel room and didn't leave. 'I called in food and ate it in the room. I just did not want to go and explore at all, I was really keen to get out of there. I think I stayed one night and then left.' And there's another country where Liz wouldn't want to get behind the wheel. She says: 'I certainly wouldn't drive again in Lithuania. 'I did a road trip from Estonia and by the time I got to Lithuania, the driving was so insane. It would be pouring with rain and you'd have three cars all overtaking on a blind bend with a bus and a lorry. 'I just turned the car around and went back. I felt emotionally drained by the situation.' The most underrated destinations While Mexico is a popular holiday destination, Liz urges travellers to explore the rest of Central America. 'Below Mexico, you've got Guatemala which is amazing and Panama which has the most fantastic islands. 'It's a joy to take an overland bus there. You can go through all the villages and see everything unfold.' Liz's top tips for first-time travellers Stay in hostels 'If you don't know somewhere very well, it's quite a useful experience to be able to speak to some people staying at a hostel. 'A lot of people that stay in hostels have been there an awfully long time and their recommendations are better than any guidebook.' Opt for a female-only dorm 'Female-only dorms are great for solo women travellers.' Liz likes to stay in Generator Hostels where available. Avoid flights that arrive at awkward times 'Don't take a really cheap flight that arrives at 2am in the morning. 'You'll have to find your way across the city in the darkness. Always pay close attention to the timing of flights.' Don't flash the cash 'Don't walk around with your phone in your hand looking at it constantly.' Do some research She loves Colombia which she describes as really misunderstood. Pictured above is the Rock of Guatape 'Gem up a little bit before you go, have a flick through the guidebooks and get to know a little about the culture and some key phrases.' Avoid tourist hotspots 'Try and stay away from the really touristic hotspots because you're going to pay an awful lot more money there. 'You're not going to have a particularly enriching experience.'
