Read this before booking your first solo trip
The whole world at your feet, the chance to explore at your own pace, the joy of choosing your own destination — it’s no wonder solo travel is getting more popular every year. Except… where do you start?
Not all solo trips are the same. An extrovert’s dream might be an introvert’s nightmare, a chilled out beach break could be bliss or instant boredom.
So whether your perfect solo adventure means far-flung destinations, a hefty dose of culture or a chance to meet new people, here are great ideas for your first trip.
When you want to make new friends
Travelling solo doesn’t mean you have to be alone — finding people who love travel as much as you can be one highlight of seeing the world. And with that interest in common, it’s a great start to inspiring new friendships.
Escorted group tours are a great starting point, especially when they’re relatively small sizes. It’s easy to get to know the whole group and if you don’t hit it off with everyone, there’s a good chance you’ll bond with at least a few fellow travellers.
A company like On The Go Tours covers dozens of countries, including themed tours, wildlife spotting and special festivals. There’s no compulsory single supplement if you’re happy to share a room, and some trips let you have your own for no extra cost.
Or check out the destination experts if you’ve got your heart set on a particular country. Take Me To Africa typically has a maximum of 12 clients on each trip sharing rooms, while Inside Asia Tours specialises in South East Asia and the Far East with similarly small group tours.
If you love the atmosphere of a group but don’t fancy a tour, how about a house party style holiday?
Travel One is aimed at ‘sociable singles’ with plenty of sunny escapes, while Friendship Travel lives up to its name with ski, sun and long-haul breaks.
When you want to push yourself to the limits
What if you want to step right out of your comfort zone?
With Yellowwood Adventures, you could head off the beaten track and ride with nomads in Kyrgyzstan, or climb the Gheralta Mountains in Ethiopia to discover rock churches in the cliffs. Or try life as a cowboy or cowgirl in the Wild West, staying on one of America’s working ranches.
How about an overland adventure? More than 60% of those travelling with Tucan Travel arrive alone, and with tours lasting from seven to 53 days in Africa alone, you could challenge yourself with anything from mountain climbs to gorilla trekking, spotting big cats and learning traditional tribal culture.
Who doesn’t fancy travelling the legendary Silk Road? You could spend 17 weeks voyaging from Istanbul to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan via Kathmandu on this ultimate Central Asia adventure. Nepal is unmissable — from the Himalayan foothills to medieval temples, and this nine-day Nepal Experience tour is an unforgettable experience.
You don’t have to travel half-way round the world for adventure . Head to Svalbard in Norway for a Polar Nights tour that gets you as close to the North Pole as you can without mounting a special expedition.
When you just need to chill out
Sometimes only a beach will do. And while there are plenty to choose from, it pays to check yours has the perfect lounger for one. Mercury Holidays has a string of hotels with no single supplement, whether you fancy a short-haul fly and flop to Europe or a more exotic escape such as Sri Lanka or Bali.
Or check out the Caribbean. For example, Breathless Puna Cana in the Dominican Republic has restaurants with communal tables if you don’t fancy eating alone plus a virtual guest chatroom to strike up conversations and activities galore.
In St Lucia, The Body Holiday has a September Solos month designed for single travellers, plus rooms with no single supplement year-round. There are even spa treatments as part of the all-inclusive package.
And if it’s a pampering escape you fancy, The Healthy Holiday Company has spa escapes across Europe and further afield, including Absolute Sanctuary in Thailand, as well as some with daily yoga classes.
When you want a dose of culture
Want to come back from your trip feeling enlightened? With expert lecturers and private access, a cultural solo break can be even more rewarding than ticking off museums.
Specialists such as Martin Randall Travel have cultural tours galore, including the UK and Europe, with some solo-only departures, while Kirker Holidays combines tours around music and art in some of Europe’s great cities.
Or cruise around some of the great cities of Europe. Norwegian Cruise Lines was one of the first to add single staterooms to its ships, with special areas for solo cruisers, plus informal dining. Norwegian Epic cruises around the Mediterranean, stopping at Rome, Florence and Barcelona.
Singles specialist Just You has river cruises for solo travellers, perhaps discovering the Alhambra in Granada or cruising along the Seine from Rouen to Paris.
With experts on hand, the gulet cruises from Peter Sommer Travels sail to some of Europe’s most fascinating ancient sites, discovering history along with great food and beautiful coasts around Greece, Turkey and Croatia.
When you don’t want to be the only one solo
Fed up of being the odd one out? Or worried that it’s going to be you and an endless sea of couples? Take out the risk and find a break that’s exclusively for those on their own.
The Mistral Hotel in Crete is only for solo guests: perfect whether you want to relax by the pool or head out exploring.
Solo Travellers group tours are almost entirely made up of those travelling alone with itineraries to take you to some less explored corners of the world.
And as well as active and city break escapes, singles specialist Solos Holidays has its Club Solos hotels — booked out exclusively for their solo traveller guests, each one starts with a welcome party to break the ice.
For more solo travel ideas and inspiration, visit 101 Singles Holidays
Images: Pixbay
