To ask for your tips for a first time solo traveller?

[FirstTimeSoloTraveller]

I have just booked my first ever solo trip (not booked my flights yet, I'm going to book those in the new years sales).

I'll be going to the Italian Grand Prix next year, by myself. I'll fly in on the Wednesday and fly home on the Monday.

I've always travelled with either my family, or a group of friends. Any tips would be welcome. I feel like I'm quite street "smart" in terms of valuables etc., but any advice would be great!

Also: Milan, was there recently. The metro is really easy and you can tap in and tap out. Have fun!

To be fair, I was in Naples. Motor scooter bag grabbing is rife there, and that trip was more than 10 years ago.
I'm almost entirely cashless these days, but it's always useful to have a few Euros in cash. I didn't need the cash for emergencies on my last holiday, but I did use it to tip the staff. I was staying in a hotel I stay in regularly, and where I'm given a preferential rate, so it does feel decent to tip generously.

Ah, we didn't go down to Naples, we stuck to northern Italy. I am considering a day trip to Como on the Friday, as opposed to the practice sessions, but I don’t know yet

Take photo of your bag & passport

But good travel insurance and buy it now.

I have great insurance through my bank :) I keep it active all year round

Have you been there before? If not, one of my favourite things in Como was the funicular railway. You’re best off getting there as early as possible though since it gets busy very quickly.

www.atm.it/en/AltriServizi/Trasporto/Pages/FunicolareComoBrunate.aspx

We did, but we went just after the Lisbon accident and we didn’t feel comfortable going on it

I literally don’t think there’s anything I do differently when travelling alone to when I travel with friends or DH and DS. I’ve certainly never pretended I was being met at the end of a taxi ride or that I was staying in a different hotel. Milan is perfectly safe.

Keep a back up credit card seperate from your phone so if the worst happens and you lose your phone you can still buy food / drink / a new phone!

Take pics of your documents and email them to an email account that you can access without your phone.

I always pack light so I’m not lugging a suitcase around on public transport or down stairs. I also find reading other people's trip reviews really useful before picking where to stay. For solo travel, I’ve used forum loads—not just for places to go, but also little tips like which train station is easiest to use or areas that feel safer at night.

Assuming you are flying from the UK, you might actually be better off booking flights now. Short haul are rarely discounted in sales particularly around big events like a GP where they know they will sell out.

Use a cross body bag not a rucsac - one you can access everything without taking it off. A key clip is useful too.
I've just bought this one and love it
https://www.elizabethscarlett.com/products/earth-goddess-crossbody-sling-bag
And its not a "travel" bag but one to use all year

I travel a lot and had my purse stolen earlier in the year from a rucsac on a crowded bus. Im still cross with myself.

Leave a card hidden where you're staying so if the worst happens you can still access money.