BudgetTravel

Being completely and utterly open to trying anything and everything is part of the beauty of travel and learning about other cultures. The most recent delicacy I tried was goat's head in Tanzania with a Masai tribe. There's no failsafe way to gauge if the food is OK, but if food is hot and cooked in front of you it will usually be OK—busy stalls are also usually a sign of OK food. Failing that, keeping some Imodium in reserve can help you out of tricky situations! —Bruce Haxton

If it isn't a matter of health but rather an ingredient I am not accustomed to eating, I have always thought it rude to not try something once. What is good enough for the locals certainly isn't going to kill you to try, and often you will be very surprised by just how delicious something is when prepared by those who know what to do with it. Some of the best local dishes I have tried, despite my initial surprise, include snails in nettle sauce, sheep brain, and lizards—yes, from head to tail! —Anne Wood

Avoid seafood in the countryside unless it is locally fished. Refrigeration can be an issue. —Geoff Watts

So as long as it looks like people are eating and leaving alive, I'll probably try it. —Mo Frechette

TIPS FOR SOLO TRAVELERS

I used to love traveling on my own and would suggest to others not to worry too much about being lonely: you will often find that local people will come and chat if you are on your own, and it can be a great way to make friends. —Bruce Haxton

In a restaurant, don't isolate yourself in a booth or in a corner. Sit at the bar when possible, or at a centrally located table. Buy the local newspaper; it's a good way to start a conversation. —Pancho Doll

I enjoy going out to dinner alone (with or without a book). View it as a special treat—having time to yourself and treating yourself to a nice dinner. —Walter Lowry

Eating alone is fun because going for dinner is often a special occasion, especially outside of big cities, so there is a lot of awkwardness and etiquette, and that makes for very amusing people-watching. Instead of feeling self-conscious, I enjoy observing the behavior of those around me without the interruption of having to talk to someone else. —Henry Madden

Afterward, I take an evening stroll, if it feels safe to walk alone outside. I remember one evening on my own when it was my only night in Barcelona. I didn't want to go out on the town by myself, so I paid a taxi driver to just drive me around and show me Barcelona at night-just for an half hour. It actually didn't cost that much, and I really enjoyed seeing all the people dressed up for their night on the town walking about, and hearing the sounds of the city alive at night. —Anne Wood

RECORDING YOUR TRIP

I use my digital camera to record new products—or new product ideas. I also have a notebook with me at all times, in which I record all sorts of things in chronological order. When traveling on business, I not only take notes about products, vendors, etc., but I also staple business cards onto pages in the notebook. Months later, when I need information, I know exactly where to find it. —Walter Lowry