Rest Easy

"At Cracker Barrel restaurants, you can rent and return audiobooks at any location, which is great for road trips. If you finish a book during your journey, it's possible to return it at another location and pick up a new one. You pay for the first book (from $10) and, when it's returned, check out another at a reduced fee." —Harriet Diamond, Boynton Beach, Fla. Get more family-friendly travel tips right on your mobile phone! Scan our QR code, here, and then check back each month as we add more tips.

"We store all adapters, chargers, batteries, iPods, cameras, and phones in a toiletry bag, which we call our technology bag. It's easy to grab when going on a trip, and if we have to leave it in our car, it just appears to be toiletries. Who breaks into a car to steal toothpaste?" —Jody Kirincich, Falmouth, Mass. Get more family-friendly travel tips right on your mobile phone! Scan our QR code, here, and then check back each month as we add more tips.

Our Trip Coach answers your top questions on solo travel. I'm planning to take a trip by myself. Are there any destinations that are especially appealing for solo travelers? First off, you're not alone. Solo travelers account for 11 percent of all American vacationers. No destination is strictly off-limits to solo travelers, but some places are easier (and more appealing) to navigate than others. In general, the best bets for first-time single travelers are English-speaking destinations known for their friendliness and hospitality, such as Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. After all, you're a lot less likely to get lost or feel lonely if you're surrounded by people who can understand what you're saying. Within Southeast Asia, Thailand and Vietnam are also particularly welcoming, if only for the affordability and prevalence of English. What are some ways I can connect with others on the road? You'll want to start planting the seed before you go: Talk up your travel plans on Facebook, Twitter, and other social-media outlets. You might be surprised to discover a long-lost friend from college who plans on passing through Paris when you are, too; or perhaps a colleague has family in India, near the yoga retreat where you've booked a stay. Another networking suggestion, from IndependentTraveler.com editor Sarah Schlichter, is to use the website couchsurfing.org. Even if you're not interested in the site's primary service (setting up free couch-stays), it can be a handy tool for connecting with locals around the world. "The site draws social types who are obviously up for meeting and hosting travelers," she says. "You can suggest lunch or coffee at a café or museum." Beth Whitman, author of Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo, offers this simple tip: Go to a busy park, sit out on a bench with a map and phrasebook, and wait for a curious passerby to make the first move. "You'd be amazed how often this works for me," she says. "In faraway locations, especially, there are always friendly college students who want to practice English." Finally, be strategic about where you stay. At big chain hotels, people tend to retreat to the comfort of their own private rooms; your chances of befriending other travelers are far better at B&Bs and family-run inns, where guests congregate at the breakfast table and in common areas. Any tips for keeping costs down? When you're on your own, lodging becomes the main, annoying expense. Solo travelers are effectively charged twice as much in hotels because most places automatically base their room rates on double occupancy. One way around this surcharge, called a single-supplement fee, is to simply ask for a discount: Point out that you're the only person staying in the room and that you'll be using less electricity and water and eating less breakfast than two guests. "Bargaining over room rates is common and accepted in most of the world," Whitman says. "Smaller, family-run hotels are more apt to give price breaks than chains or ritzy properties." On cruises, solo travelers are often charged the full cabin rate—which amounts to a 200 percent single-supplement fee—but you may be able to find deals by booking early or at the very last minute, according to Amber Blecker, a travel agent who runs Solo Cruise Resource. Specifically, Princess and Holland America often offer solo cruisers discounts of up to 50 percent off the single-supplement fee for bookings made six or more months ahead, and Celebrity and Royal Caribbean often reduce fees by as much as 25 percent as the cruise's date of departure nears, Blecker says. Tour package supplements vary significantly, so choose wisely if you want to go guided. Charging solo travelers around 30 percent more is typical, for instance, but some outfitters, such as Gap Adventures and Cosmos, offer price breaks and design itineraries specifically for groups of singles. That trend seems to be growing, according to Diane Redfern, founder of the website Connecting: Solo Travel Network, which lists tours and trips specifically for solo travelers. "When I launched the company in 1990, I knew of just one travel company that catered specifically to singles," Redfern says. "Now I have upward of 400 tours and cruises listed on my site at any given time." Check out our sidebar, "Trips for One, for Less," for more money-saving trip ideas on cruises, tours, and accommodations.Story continued on next page... I absolutely dread going out to eat on my own. Help! Count yourself in good company. Dining alone may well be solo travelers' number-one fear, so much so that it even has an official diagnosis: solomangarephobia. In practice, however, it can be a lot easier than you expect. Whitman recommends getting a seat at the bar, rather than at a table, in restaurants. "There are always people to chat with—other solo diners, regulars, even the bartender." If you're not feeling talkative, bring along a book or magazine to stay occupied. You could also skip the restaurant scene altogether, by sampling street food or picnicking in a park with items from a farmers' market. I'm concerned about safety. Anything I can do? To minimize risks, follow these five practical tips, gathered from experts including Whitman, Schlichter, and travel guidebook author Rick Steves. (1) Project strength. Walk purposefully, and show no fear—even if you have to fake it. Pickpockets prey on travelers who look like confused, easy victims. (2) Always remain alert. "It's those few seconds of inattentiveness when your bag or purse could get snatched," Whitman says. "Thieves are generally looking for a quick steal, so bring a cable lock to secure your belongings to your seat on trains, and lock the zippers of your bags together so no one can easily open them." (3) Readjust your schedule. If you feel uncomfortable going out at night, don't force it. Instead, sightsee during the day, make lunch your biggest meal, and turn in early. "Everyone should avoid walking alone at night," Schlichter says. "I've heard plenty of stories of male travelers who put themselves in bad situations—they made the mistake of assuming they'd always be fine because they're guys." (4) Avoid the flirts. Steves has long advised single female travelers to wear fake wedding rings, especially in Mediterranean and Latin countries, where the men tend to pay more attention to women than Americans are typically used to. Getting hit on doesn't always turn into a safety concern, of course, but a simple gold band could save you some headaches. (5) Follow your gut. If your radar goes off, listen to it—no matter who sets it off. "Woman and young children are just as likely to be pickpockets in some European countries—not men with knives," Whitman points out. "They often get away with it, I think, because people don't want to be rude to a nice-looking, middle-aged lady holding a baby, even if she's being pushy." How can I get some decent vacation shots—with me in them—if I'm alone? If you go the obvious route (asking someone to snap a picture with your camera), you're not only handing off a pricey piece of electronics to a stranger, you're also relinquishing control of how the photo turns out. Your best bet is to invest in some new gear, namely the XShot Camera Extender ($30), a metal rod that attaches to your camera, extends up to three feet, and acts as an extra-long arm. Once you master your camera's timer, you can capture self-portraits that look like someone else took the shot. "I carry it on every trip," Whitman says. "I put my iPhone in it and take pictures of myself and the friends that I've made. The photos are always great because everybody's laughing when I set up the shot. It's goofy, but fun." Now you can be the designated photographer, stay in the picture, and come home armed with frameable souvenirs.

It's official: Size doesn't matter. At least when it comes to bars, where the make-or-break details aren't the number of stools or the square footage, but how cool the vibe is. With that in mind, we scoured the globe to find the 10 bars that pack the most personality into their tiny spaces, from a London pub with more beers than square footage to a Key West bar that uses coolers instead of taps. 1. SMALLEST BAR  Key West, FloridaTucked between two buildings on action-packed Duval Street, this 72-square-foot bar is about "the size of a jail cell," quips its Midwestern-expat manager, Josh—but the vibe is decidedly upbeat and tropical. Walls are painted with palm trees and waves, and there's a bin packed with hollowed-out coconuts and pineapples, which the bartender fills with beach-ready concoctions on demand. If strawberry daiquiris ($7) aren't your drink of choice, the Smallest Bar also stocks bottles of beer in coolers of ice ($4 and up). A colorful collection of hula hoops is stacked along the walls, and impromptu wiggle parties on the sidewalks outside are encouraged—right up until the 4 a.m. closing time.124 Duval St., 305/294-8507. 2. OASIS ROADHOUSE  Lynd Junction, North Queensland, AustraliaTwo patrons—nearly the entire population of this remote, three-person North Queensland town—can fit comfortably into this 21-square-foot watering hole. Not surprisingly, Oasis Roadhouse is the tiniest establishment in all of Australia; the bar top itself is only 21 inches wide. The scenery isn't picturesque (it's next to a service station along the Great Inland Way, a dusty two-lane that stretches from the Outback to the Coral Sea), and the decorations are nil, save for a single painted cowboy and some beer logos plastered on the walls. But what it lacks in ambience, it makes up for in convenience: The spot, which serves bottled beer and liquor, isn't named Oasis for nothing—it's the only bar within a 37-mile radius.Kennedy Developmental Rd., Mt. Garnet QLD 4872, 011-61/740-625-291. 3. CLOSE QUARTERS PUB  Avon Lake, OhioNestled on a tree-lined, residential street just a block from the shores of Lake Erie, this local dive packs a lot into its 600-square-foot space. Close Quarters Pub is divided among 12 chairs, 11 stools, and prize-worthy collections of sports pennants, vintage postcards, yacht-club flags, and maps of Lake Erie, which wallpaper the walls and ceiling. The chicken wings are extremely popular (and miraculously made on-site, in the tiny kitchen), and the domestic brews on tap, including local favorites from Cleveland's Great Lakes Brewing Co., will only set you back $4.50 a pint.31953 Lake Rd., 440/933-5217. 4. MOU VERY  Dunedin, New ZealandAt less than six feet wide, New Zealand's smallest bar doesn't even have toilets. What Mou Very lacks in facilities, it more than makes up for with a generous wine-and-beer selection, sinfully rich espresso (roasted in-house by owner—and former Dunedin mayoral candidate—Olivier Lequeux), and freshly pressed paninis ($3). Exposed brick and orange stools add to the bar's cozy feel, but that doesn't mean it's quiet: Every Wednesday and most Fridays after 6 p.m., a DJ drops in to spin funk and soul tunes.357 George St., 011-64/3-477-2180. 5. SLIM'S ELBOW ROOM  Cabo San Lucas, MexicoLocated in a crowded Cabo shopping area, this four-stool bar is plastered with signed dollar bills (visitors are encouraged to slap them on the wall) and pictures of tequila-fueled tourists. The signature Mexican spirit is Slims's specialty: There is a wide selection of Jose Cuervo and Hornitos tequilas and even a try-before-you-buy policy. And if you purchase a $10 Slims T-shirt or hat, the bartender gives you a free shot. But be warned: Slims serves only beer and tequila—no mixers—so come prepared to sip your liquor straight. Boulevard Marina, Interior Plaza Mariachis, 143-538, no phone. 6. THE NUTSHELL  Suffolk, EnglandThis 105-square-foot pub, which sits on a street built in the Middle Ages, served its first pint in 1867. No more than 20 people can squeeze into the historical hangout, which offers bottled beer plus two ales on tap, including the Suffolk-brewed Greene King IPA ($4.50 a pint). The Nutshell's decor is not for the faint of heart: Stuffed animal heads line the walls and a skeletal mummified cat, believed to be 400 years old, hangs from the ceiling—talk about medieval!The Traverse, Bury St. Edmunds, 011-44/128-476-4867. 7. SMALLEST WHISKY BAR ON EARTH  Sta. Maria, Grisons, SwitzerlandDespite its pink walls, low-slung ceilings, and slight 92 square feet, the Smallest Whisky Bar on Earth is mighty. With 204 whiskeys—including Scotch, Irish, and Japanese blends, plus sweet, house-made concoctions like whiskey and cream—its menu packs a punch, and so does its owner, Gunter Sommer. In 2007, he persuaded the Guinness World Records organization to officially change the name of its "Smallest Pub" award to "the Smallest Permanently Licensed Bar in the World"—then promptly snagged the honor himself.7536 Sta. Maria, Val Müstair, Graubünden, 011-41/76-422-0308. 8. PIANO BAR  Tokyo, JapanThis skinny, two-story joint is hidden among a cluster of bars beneath the train tracks on Nonbei Yokocho, which aptly translates to "drunkard's alley." But Piano Bar's 32-square-foot size belies its opulence: The interior is modeled after a German castle, decked out with a faux stone fireplace, crystal chandeliers, gold-framed photos of jungle animals, and red velvet walls. You can even drink your beverage—try the sweet rose water and wine cocktail ($10)—out of a glass chalice. And when you want a refill, just ring one of the tiny bells set on every table for service. Editors' note: Though this bar was not directly impacted by the March 11, 2011, earthquake or the subsequent tsunami, we do encourage readers to check the current State Department travel alert for the country before making any travel plans.1-25-10 Shibuya, Tokyo, 154-0002, 011-81/3-5467-0258. 9. 12SQM BAR AND CAFÉ  Beijing, ChinaBefore tripling in size to a whopping 484 square feet, 12Sqm held the title of Beijing's smallest bar. Still, the pub-style nook—which can fit over two dozen people—keeps things cozy with dim lighting, cushioned window seats, and a bookshelf lined with Lonely Planet editions (the bar's Australian owner worked as a tour guide). Drinkers can pick from 140 different spirits, including several high-end Scotches and lots of imported beer starting at $3 (a favorite is Coopers, brewed in Adelaide). Hungry patrons might even get lucky: Whenever the owner's feeling generous—which is often—he stocks 12Sqm's shelves with piping-hot meat pies, an Aussie delicacy.Corner of Nanluogu Xiang and Fuxiang Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 011-86/10-6402-1554. 10. THE RAKE  London, EnglandSet at the back of Borough Market near the Thames River, the purple-painted, 91-square-foot Rake is known for two things: being London's smallest pub and hosting one of the most international beer selections in the city. The bar—which was opened in 2006 by the duo behind Utobeer, a popular British beer retailer—offers eight ever-changing drafts and 160 bottled beers from around the world, including obscure picks from Corsica, Indonesia, and Mozambique. Food is limited to bar snacks like nuts and olives, but if you're craving dessert, order a Cookie Beer, which is inspired by a Belgian biscuit recipe. Bonus: If the bar is too cramped, you can head outside to the patio, where you can drink with more elbow room.14 Winchester Walk, SE1 9AG, 011-44/20-7407-0557. SEE MORE POPULAR CONTENT: 16 Awe-Inspiring American Monuments 6 Essential Items for a Successful Vacation 15 Places Every Kid Should See Before 15 30 Spectacular Images of Our Nation's Parks 10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls