Avoid large, impersonal hotels.

Opt for a more friendly bed and breakfast experience where guests enjoy the morning meal together and often linger with coffee and great stories.

Many solo travellers tend to choose hostels because they are looking for travelling partners.

Take advantage of that fact.

Don't like eating dinner alone?

Pack your favorite tunafish casserole recipe and offer to cook dinner for your new hostelling pals.

You will be a very popular Journeywoman.

Eating in a cafe? Keep an English book or newspaper on your table.

Inevitably someone will recognize either the book title or the newspaper and will strike up a conversation.

Likewise, you can be the first to comment if you notice someone reading a book that you've already enjoyed.

Look for restaurants that offer communal seating at large dining room tables.

Journeywoman has tried this at the warm and welcoming Pain Quotidian bakery, bar and cafe all rolled into one, as well as Wagamama, a chain that serves tasty noodles dishes worldwide.

The fun part of these restaurants is you never know who will sit down beside you and what the conversation will yield.

Never tell a new pal you've met on the road which hotel and (gasp!) what room he/she can find you in.

If arranging a rendez-vous meet the person at a neutral yet busy spot.

Leave a note in your room describing who you are meeting and where.

In case you run into trouble authorities will, at least, have some idea of your circumstances.

Log on to twitter.com.

Open an account and put out a call for information.

You'll be amazed at the wealth of knowledge that comes back to you about women's organizations around the world.

Do you know about HERmail.net?

This is a free online directory of women willing to mentor women as you travel to their part of the world.

Some great travel friendships have been formed via this website.

You can read comments here.

Ed. Note: We all know that cyberspace is imperfect.