Solo Travel Without the Lonely, Scary or “Is This Weird?” Bits

I travel in a mix of ways: solo, with friends, and with family. Each has its benefits. But there are always those destinations no one else is interested in, or trips where people don’t have the time or budget to join. Instead of missing out, I’ll happily pack my bag and take off on a solo trip.

This year really showed me how different solo travel can feel, even when it’s just me on the booking. I Island hopped around the Greek Ionian Islands for a month, went on a small group adventure trip through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, and indulged in a spa break for a couple of days. All three were very different trips.

On my independent trip island hopping around the Greek Islands, I noticed I became more open and a little more vulnerable (in a good way). Without a travel companion to fall back on, I pushed myself to connect with people more. I’d wander into neighbourhood restaurants outside the main tourist areas and make myself start a conversation. Sometimes it was just a short, slightly awkward chat, but other times I ended up having great conversations and being given local recommendations I would never have been able to research. People genuinely want to help and are interested in tourists visiting their town/city.

On my group adventure trip through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, the experience was different again. I was still travelling solo, but with a small group and a guide. I loved having people to share the experience, chat to on the long drives and learn about the history of these three countries together. But what really worked for me was the built-in free time. I could wander off on my own, recharge my social battery and explore at my own pace, and then join the group later for dinner or the next day.

Then there was my solo spa break, which was the complete opposite energy, a full get away, recharge and reset mode. No pressure to sightsee, no schedule to stick to. I spent my days been pampered in the spa, reading books I’d been meaning to pick up for ages, lingering over good food, and very happily enjoying more than one glass of wine by the fire. It was quiet, indulgent and exactly what I needed at the time.

Solo travel used to be expensive - paying the same price as two people. But that isn’t always the case any longer. More and more hotels are offering single rooms, cruise companies offer “no Single occupancy surcharge” cabins, and if you don’t mind sharing on a group trip, you can often choose to share with another solo traveller in the group.

If you don’t want to miss out on a holiday but don’t have anyone to go with, here are some ideas that work well for solo travellers.

Independent Travel

Independent travel works really well in places like Europe, New Zealand, Australia, the USA and Canada, where tourism is well established and getting around is generally straightforward. You might feel more comfortable if the local language is one you already speak, but don’t be put off if you don’t. A few basic phrases, some enthusiastic hand gestures, a translation app and a big smile can take you a very long way.

Package Holidays
A package holiday in one resort can be a really easy option if you’re travelling solo. Everything you need is on-site – pools, restaurants, bars and activities – so you don’t have to think too hard about planning. You’ll also start to recognise the same faces around the resort, which makes it easier to say hello, strike up conversations and maybe even find a few “holiday friends”. If you’re going alone, an adults-only resort often works better than a very family-focused one, as you’re more likely to meet people in a similar mindset.

Activity Holidays
Activity-based trips, like skiing, walking, cycling or sailing holidays, are a great way to travel solo without ever really feeling alone. You’re automatically placed with a group of people doing the same thing, and often in situations where you need to rely on each other – whether that’s navigating a trail, crewing a boat or cheering each other on. It’s easy to bond quickly, and by the end of the trip you can feel like a little temporary family, even if you all head back to different parts of the world afterwards.

Adventure Holidays
Adventure holidays tend to attract curious, like-minded people who are interested in more than just lying by a pool. Depending on where you go, you might find yourself surrounded by people who share your love of history, food, culture, wildlife or simply going somewhere a bit different from the usual hotspots. The nice thing about many adventure trips is the balance of organised group activities, and also pockets of free time where you can wander off and do your own thing, whether that’s café hopping, museum exploring or just sitting in a square people-watching.

Wellness Holidays
Wellness breaks don’t have to mean a week of silence and green juice (unless that’s exactly what you’re after). These days, wellness travel can include reading or writing retreats, cooking holidays, special interest breaks, spa weekends, and yoga or meditation retreats. They work especially well if you have a particular passion and want to be around people who enjoy the same thing, while still having space to rest, reset and focus on yourself for a while.

Cruises
If you like the idea of having lots to do, being surrounded by people, but still having the option to disappear with a book whenever you like, a cruise can be a brilliant choice for solo travel. There’s always something happening on board – talks, classes, shows, activities and shore excursions – so boredom isn’t really an issue. You can dip in and out of the social side as much as you want. And don’t forget, some cruises offer Single Cabins, making it an affordable option.

Solo travel doesn’t have to be lonely, scary or something only “brave” people do. It can be a month of island hopping, a week of adventure with a group, or two days in a fluffy robe with a good book and a glass of wine. The point is: you don’t have to wait for someone else’s diary, budget or bucket list to line up with yours before you go.

If you’re toying with the idea of a solo trip and don’t quite know where to start, I’m always happy to chat. Drop a comment below or get in touch and we can talk through ideas, worries and what kind of solo travel might suit you best.