WELCOME
The Solo Solstice is a solo travel blog that I created to share my best travel advice, including in-depth travel guides. Check out some important information on this page.
📧 FREE 5-DAY SOLO TRAVEL EMAIL COURSE
Look. Planning your first solo trip can be difficult and overwhelming. So I created a FREE 5-day email course to solve that problem! Learn everything you need to know to plan a trip you won’t forget.
Begin the email course by submitting the form below. Upon form submission, you will also be added to my weekly travel newsletter. If you only want the course, simply unsubscribe after gaining access.
RECENT TRAVEL GUIDES
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The Best Time to Visit Chicago: Detailed Breakdown + Planning Tips
Planning a trip to The Windy City, but don’t know when to go? In this guide, I share the best time to visit Chicago.
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How to Spend One Day in Chicago (Perfect for First-Timers)
Visiting Chicago on a long layover or day trip? I’ll show you exactly how to make the best of one day in Chicago.
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5 Helpful Tips for Traveling Solo with Social Anxiety (from an Introvert)
Are you a socially anxious person & having trouble with solo travel? In this guide, I share 5 helpful tips for traveling solo with social anxiety.
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22 Common Travel Mistakes & How to Avoid Them (from a Frequent Traveler + Travel Creator)
Many first-time travelers make numerous mistakes that cost them time and money. In this guide, I share some of those travel mistakes and how to avoid them.
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The Beginner’s Guide on How to Travel Alone: Planning Tips, Navigating Anxiety and Loneliness + More
Thinking about going on your first solo trip, but don’t know where to start? In this guide, I share exactly how to travel alone.
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16 Important Things to Know Before Visiting Chicago, Illinois
Planning your first solo trip to Chicago? In this post, I share 16 things to know before visiting Chicago for a smooth trip.
PLANNING A TRIP SOON? THESE ARE MY FAVORITE RESOURCES!
If you’re planning a trip soon, I suggest using some of my favorite travel resources. I use these for every trip and I couldn’t live without them!
- FLIGHTS:Â I use Google Flights and Skyscanner to find flight deals. I also use Hopper to decide the best time to book flights. All three services have flight alerts that can be sent directly to your email.
- ACCOMMODATION: I use Hotels.com and Airbnb to find accommodations, but I prefer hotels since they’re a safer and more responsible choice. I also use Kayak to find hotel deals and decide the best time to book a room.
- PACKING: I always use my Solo Travel Packing List in the TSS Freebie Library. It has everything you could ever need for almost any kind of trip and ensures you never forget anything!
- ACTIVITIES & TOURS: I use GetYourGuide and Viator to book special experiences like walking tours and guided museum tours. I also use CityPASS and GoCity passes for bundled activities, as they’re often cheaper than booking things individually.
- TRAVEL INSURANCE: I typically use either IMG Travel Insurance or World Nomads Insurance, depending on which is a better deal. If my travel plans aren’t final, I’ll get CFAR insurance, which will give me up to 75% back on nonrefundable trip expenses like airfare and accommodations.
- TRAVEL CREDIT CARD: I use the US Bank Altitude Connect for all of my travel expenses, including hotels, ride-hailing services, activities and dining. I’ve also used the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which is excellent for beginners. Both offer travel insurance!
Want more travel resources? Check out this post for 50+ of my favorite travel planning apps and resources.
ABOUT DEMARCUS
DeMarcus is a Midwest-based travel content creator and the founder of the solo travel blog, The Solo Solstice. He began his solo travel journey in December 2025 and since has been creating practical, in-depth travel guides for a like-minded community of first-time solo adventurers.
Visit the About Page to learn more about DeMarcus, and visit the Ethical & Responsible Tourism Page to learn more about his efforts to promote responsible tourism.