Can you give any advice or travelling tips for a woman travelling on her own

Asks alicevida

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- Choose a hotel that is friendly and small, it will be a lot easier to spot loiterers in the lobby area this way.

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- Become friendly with the reception staff so that they know you and more importantly, know your room number so that you don't have to say it aloud, if you are uneasy about it being overheard.

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- Ensure that you are accompanied to your hotel room late at night by a member of staff if you feel unsafe.

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- Only take a room if it has double locks on it and a peephole.

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- Carry a door wedge with you and place it under your door when you're in the room - it prevents it being opened from the outside.

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- Do not open the door to your room if you feel at all uncomfortable, or that a visitor is not who they say they are.

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- Do not be afraid to refuse a room if you're not happy with it, or alternatively if you receive any hassle in your hotel room insist that you are moved immediately.

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- Use the do not disturb sign even when you are not there as it makes it appear occupied. Call housekeeping if you want your room made up.

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- Do not use the "make my room up" sign as it advertises to any potential thieves that you are out of your room.

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- Do not use the breakfast ordering service whereby you hang your order on the door before you go to bed, anyone can read it and it advertises the fact that you're in the room on your own.

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- If you're blond cover your hair with a hat or scarf so you don't stand out too much in countries where dark hair is the norm e.g. in Asia or Africa.

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- If possible, try to appear as local as you can i.e. study a map before you leave the hotel and only use a pocket guidebook instead of a huge map on the street, as this will draw attention to the fact that you are a tourist.

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- Do not take all your money out at the same time. Leave it in the hotel safe, and disperse any money you have around your person, not just in your handbag, which could be easy to snatch.

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- Take photocopies of important documents e.g. passport and store them separately.

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- Make yourself familiar with foreign currency before you have to use it.

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- Use covered luggage tags and print them with your office address instead of your home, if this is possible.

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- Do not use unmarked taxis, always use registered transport.

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- If you travel on the metro or underground at night only go into crowded carriages and avoid eye contact (or wear sunglasses) - this will mark you out and attract attention to you. If in any doubt about this do a test on your local train or bus, and you'll notice that eye contact is rarely made. So just try and act as if you're at home.

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- Ask the locals for information on where not to visit and stay clear of dodgy areas. Always err on the side of caution, if you feel uneasy about a place do not visit it, or try again on a different day at a different time.

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- Follow local customs for dress code e.g. cover up if showing parts of your body can be offensive e.g. arms and legs.

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- Wear a ring and pretend you're married, this may sound stupid but it can deter a lot of men.

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- Always walk confidently and with purpose.

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- Try to stay sober; a drunk woman on her own is an easy target.

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- Keep your hands free and travel light. Do not wear high heels.

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- If anyone attempts to hassle you make a LOT of noise - and make sure you attract a lot of attention.

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Q. Can you recommend any good websites that are targeted at women travelling alone

A. A few good websites for women travellers that offer tips and advice include: http://www.redcarnationhotels.com/tips/women_trav.htm, http://eurotrip.fansonly.com/destinations/Women_Alone/women_alone.html

and http://www.journeywoman.com/. Alternatively if you do not want to travel alone try and contact some of the websites that cater for solo travellers, e.g. http://www.women-traveling.com caters for women travellers and arranges organised trips for women.

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By Karen Anderson