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Last year my roommate decided she wanted to take a trip to Paris…alone. At the time I thought she was a little nuts wanting to travel by herself but as it turned out it was the best vacation she ever had! In fact, vacationing alone can be pretty therapeutic. You don’t have to worry about anyone else, you’re in charge of your own itinerary, you can stay out or sleep in as late as you want and can repeat your outfits as many times as you want without someone asking “Didn’t you wear that already?”

In Beth Whitman’s Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo, the avid travel blogger offers essential travel tips on what you’ll need to obtain a passport, how to save money and budget properly on your journey, who you should tip and how much, the best way to purchase your tickets and the always important what should go in your suitcase (besides that new bathing suit).

Sure, going on a trip by yourself can be a little nerve-wracking but think of the adventures that await you. It just takes one trip to get you started so plan accordingly, budget properly and don’t forget to have the time of your life!

Here are vidagirl staff’s top 5 travel must-haves:

1. international cell phone
2. one perfect shade of lipstick
3. one big handbag & one small clutch
4. extra dough for emergencies
5. a dress that doesn’t need ironing