It may sound a bit corny but taking a solo vacation is a great way to really get to know yourself; a kind of voyage of self discovery. And you can do what you want, when you want to!
Traveling alone can be the best way to see the world; you can be as self indulgent as you like, spend a whole day at a war museum or shopping for shoes. And you can make your own mind up about exhibitions, shows and landscapes, without your travel partner influencing your thoughts and decisions.
Single travel also gives you the opportunity to meet other travelers doing the same thing or just to sit back and people watch. Maybe try something unusual and exciting like river rafting in Peru’s Sacred Valley or trek remote volcanoes in Indonesia – the world is your oyster!
Check out tours and hotels that don’t have extra charges for single supplements (they do exist). Then check out some of the most welcoming countries for single travelers, destinations that will make you feel welcome and safe to explore;
5. Austria – Explore Austria and the capital, Vienna, which is full of rich history and culture which infuses the cities, towns and villages. There’s plenty to do outdoors such as skiing in the Austrian Alps, trekking through the alpine forests of Hohe Tauern National Park and touring the winter palace, Hofburg. Austria is brimming with amazing peaks, an abundance of coffee shops and stunning cathedrals.
4. Sweden – Visit the land of Lapland adventures, Father Christmas and ice hotels. Sweden also offers excellent water sports such as sailing and canoeing on its abundance of lakes, rivers and long coastline. Add in winter sports, such as dog-sledging and ice-fishing, hiking and cycling and there’s plenty to keep solo travelers occupied.
3. Chile – Blessed with amazingly detailed European-style architecture and incredible landscapes from the Atacama Desert in the north to the fjords and snow capped volcanoes in the south, Chile is both safe and exciting to explore. Discover the buzzing capital city Santiago, the Chilean Lake District and go hiking in the beautiful Torres del Paine National Park. Add in skiing, snowboarding and surfing and you’ll forget you’re traveling alone.
Follow common sense and read our guides for a safer and more enjoyable vacation; How to have a safe hotel stay, 22 Ways to stay safe and fit in with the locals and 12 Ways to stop theft during your travels
2. Bhutan – Remaining quite exclusive to visitors thanks to a daily tourist charge (of around 200 USD), Bhutan is a medieval kingdom perfect to be explored at your own pace. Travelers will appreciate the chilled out Buddhist vibe whilst trekking and hiking the unspoilt countryside or simply soaking up the culture amongst the temples and villages.
1. Hong Kong – The once tiny fishing village has grown into a destination of contrasts; modern shiny skyscrapers sit alongside traditional temples; a real blend of Eastern and Western culture. Hong Kong is also incredibly safe and easy to navigate; try dim sum served from traditional trolleys, ride the trams, browse the many markets and place a bet on the horse races. There are also trekking routes to be explored, high end shops to hit and beaches and islands aplenty to escape the daily hustle and bustle.
