Vacation For Solo Travelers
Traveling for the holidays can be stressful. Whether you are traveling for work or pleasure, the stresses of travel can be overwhelming. Solo travelers have a special set of challenges that not only concern getting from point A to B, but also how they will get through their time abroad alone.
For those of you who are living the single life and would like to travel but have no one to go with, fear not. Solo travel doesn’t have to be lonely or intimidating. It can actually open up a whole new world for you, whether this is one where you decide to get a dog (yes, please), take up an instrument (far out!), or just come back from a holiday having actually managed to end up in Rome and not Budapest (that happens sometimes when you’re alone).
A lot of people think solo travel is a lonely and boring experience. Well, let me tell you: for the right person it can be one of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences in life. It allows you to connect with yourself, with other people, and with nature like never before. If this sounds like something that really gets your adrenaline pumping, you’ll love this list of how to travel alone!
Vacation For Solo Travelers
Here’s my take on traveling alone as a female. I’ve been doing it for years and there are some things that are just obvious…that you’d really wish someone would tell you before your first solo trip. I’ve been blessed to be in the travel industry for over 10 years, so I am lucky to have met lots of like minded individuals in the past few years who also love to travel alone. In this article I will share with you the best advice I can give for those who have never traveled alone before and maybe don’t know if they can do it….or maybe if they even want to do it!
Many people have yet to discover the awesomeness of solo travelling. They believe that travelling alone is a lonesome and boring idea. The reality is that they just don’t know why they should travel alone. To talk about the good parts of traveling alone, we’ll have to address the negatives first.
1. Iceland
There are many reasons why travelling solo is way better than travelling with a significant other, and Iceland is a place that encapsulates many of them. If solitude and time to think are what you’re after, the otherworldly aura of this island in the North Atlantic provides the perfect backdrop. Who knows what inspiration might be unlocked as you gaze at hot springs and geysers? No country does beautiful solitude quite like Iceland. The Icelandic people also happen to be delightfully thoughtful, meaning you’re never far away from a good conversation. Get you a country that can do both, we say.
Discover the best things to do in Iceland
2. East Coast Australia
Australia is a massive, massive country. That cannot be overstated. Luckily for solo travellers and jilted lovers, most of the action takes place on a stretch of East Coast cities each as thrilling as the next. There are plenty of classic routes that run from Adelaide to Brisbane and beyond, allowing intrepid explorers to visit a variety of exciting towns that each seem to have their own magnificent ocean view. Australians are famously sociable, too, so meeting new people will never be an issue in this isolated corner of our beautiful planet.
Discover the best places to visit in Australia
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3. Rwanda
The Land of a Thousand Hills is making a name for itself as something of a travel paradise. The exploration possibilities are seemingly endless, with congenial guides ready to thrust the beauty of Rwanda into the spotlight. The country is pretty well connected, so getting around is fairly simple, while the vibrant capital Kigali is fast becoming one of Africa’s most exciting cities. Also, gorillas. What’s not to love about gorillas?
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4. Pacific Northwest, USA and British Columbia, Canada
A two-for-one here, but any solo visitor heading this way would be foolish to ignore either one of these two areas. Oregon, Washington and Idaho make up the American Pacific Northwest and offer all sorts of exciting adventures, from the creative innovation of Seattle and Portland to the curious tale of American expansion in more isolated spots, while Canada’s British Columbia is its own treasure trove of stories. Vancouver is a city unlike any other, from its unique urban design to its simply stunning surroundings. The weather? Not so great, but the people? Incredible.
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5. Portugal
Portugal’s most popular spots frequently pick up travel awards and plaudits alike, and the hype is not without good reason. Lisbon is a backpacker’s dream, while the dreamlike beauty of Porto attracts wide-eyed adventurers from all over the world. You never know, you might just meet the love of your life there. The Algarve is much more than its budget holiday destination suggests, and the rest of the country is packed with stunning sights and spots. Pick up João Saramago’s ‘Journey to Portugal’ for some serious inspiration.
Discover the best things to do in Portugal
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6. Guatemala
Guatemala is famous for its tight-knit community of travellers, making it arguably the easiest country in Central America for solo adventures. Information is easily acquired and friendly faces are everywhere, leaving visitors plenty of mental space for exploring the vast array of wonder that the country has to offer, from ancient Mayan ruins to gorgeous lakes surrounded by coffee fields.
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7. Slovenia
Small but perfectly formed, Slovenia is a tremendous destination for solo travellers. The old ‘four seasons in a day’ adage is very much alive and well in a place where you can spend the morning skiing in the Alps before heading for a romantic solo sunset on the Adriatic at Piran. The capital, Ljubljana, is the perfect base for exploration, a city of friendly people and social spots an easy bus or train from Slovenia’s famous lakes and less-famous postcard villages. Pro tip: pick up a €15 IZLETka train ticket and get unlimited travel on the weekends.