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The best solo travel destinations, according to a long-time solo traveller
Travelling alone can be one of life's most rewarding experiences, says Tracey Davies, editor of 101 Singles Holidays
As the editor of 101 Singles Holidays, the UK's only independent singles holiday site, I'm a huge advocate of seeing the world on your own terms. Whether you want to ride on a steam train through the Scottish Highlands, climb a glacier in Iceland or go island hopping around Croatia, when you travel alone there are no compromises.
Solo travel is having a real renaissance right now. According to American Express’ latest Global Travel Trends report, 69 per cent of travellers are planning to go it alone on their next holiday, with women in the post-45 age bracket leading the charge. There are many reasons women choose to travel on their own: separation from a partner, a sabbatical from work, seeking empowerment and freedom, or simply wanting to do things their own way for a change.
So, if you’re looking for a yoga retreat in Spain, want to explore the Golden Triangle in India, or even snuffle for truffles in the forests of Slovenia, there are a million and one solo holiday ideas to garner inspiration from. Here are some of my favourites…
Romania
Gothic castles, fairytale medieval towns and mountain adventures, Romania is a great destination for solo travellers. However, you might want to consider this brilliant five-night trip by Good Housekeeping where you'll see best of Romania with a small group of like-minded folk.
Starting with three nights in the capital, Bucharest, where you'll stay in the vibrant Lipscani district, you'll then head into the Carpathian Mountains. Reached only by cable car, the Hotel of Ice is rebuilt every year using ice blocks from the glacial Balea Lake. Here you can feast on Transylvanian dishes in the candlelit Ice Restaurant before spending the night in an actual igloo.
Of course, you can't visit Transylvania and not see the home of the Prince of Darkness himself. The tour continues on to Brasov, a beautiful Gothic town, and includes a visit to Dracula's Castle in nearby Bran.
Northumberland
Considered one of the friendliest counties in England, Northumberland is one of my favourite UK destinations to explore solo. Amateur astronomers will particularly love a stargazing break in the wilds of the county.
Promising vast unspoilt landscapes with little light pollution, the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park is one of the largest Dark Sky parks in Europe. Offering unparalleled views of the Milky Way, constellations and meteor showers, particularly in winter, Good Housekeeping's three-night trip is an awe-inspiring way to holiday beneath the stars.
You'll stay at the Twice Brewed Inn, a gorgeous pub with rooms near Hadrian's Wall with roaring fires, a tap room and even its own observatory. On the trip, you'll be joined by local astronomer, Richard Darn, who will guide you through the constellations at both the Twice Brewed Observatory and the Kielder Observatory.
Slovenia
Famously welcoming, Slovenia is the perfect destination when travelling alone.
Bordering Hungary, Italy, Austria and Croatia, this small but mighty country is relatively straightforward to explore, thanks to its efficient transport system. The fact that there's also plenty to see and do – and that most people speak English – means it should be on any solo adventurer’s must-visit list.
This six-day guided Slovenia adventure, departing in October 2024, is a great introduction to Central and Southeastern Europe. The trip begins and ends in Ljubljana, Slovenia's cobblestoned capital, and includes tours of Triglav National Park, Lake Bled (pictured) and the UNESCO-listed Skocjan caves.
You’ll also enjoy wine tasting in the Vipava Valley and an afternoon learning about the art of truffle hunting.
Spain
Spain hits the top spot as one of the easiest places to travel solo. It has Mediterranean beach resorts, buzzing cities abundant with cool bars and restaurants (like Granada, pictured), and small towns and picturesque villages that are perfect for pottering.
Add in a straightforward and reliable transport network, a plethora of solo accommodation options and friendly residents, it's easy to see why Spain is a great choice for a solo sojourn.
The Healthy Holiday Company offers numerous wellness trips throughout Spain. One of the best for solo travellers is Shanti Som, a small, boutique retreat in Andalusia. With just 15 rooms it offers an intimate experience plus has a yoga pavilion and gorgeous little spa that offers different treatments and therapies.
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Greece
If you're looking for sun, sea and spectacular sunsets, the Greek Islands are always a great choice for solo travellers. With an extensive network of ferries, buses, and regional flights, the islands are easy to explore on your own. Alternatively, you could join Good Housekeeping's fun group tour of Corfu.
Famously home to Gerald Durrell, author of My Family and Other Animals, the fantastic five-day holiday explores settings from the book and the recent TV show starring Keeley Hawes, including their family home in Kalami, Mouse Island and Old Perithia.
You'll spend four nights at the beautiful five-star Corfu Holiday Palace in Kanoni, near Corfu Town, which has a pool, a private beach and views over Mouse Island. However, a real highlight is meeting with the late author's wife, Lee Durrell, who will talk about Gerald's wildlife conservation and her family's love affair with the island.
Italy
Italy is incredibly welcoming to the solo traveller. Have you read the book or seen the movie Eat, Pray, Love? Our hero Elizabeth Gilbert fell in love with the country’s great food, romantic language and utterly charming locals. Italy's also an easy country to get around in, thanks to its excellent transport network.
One of my favourite cities in Italy is Bologna (pictured). Known as La Grassa ('the fat one'), the northern city is a mecca for gastronomes. As well as feasting on hearty pasta dishes and locally-made wine, Good Housekeeping's six-day foodies tour (which begins and ends in Bologna) visits producers of Parma ham, balsamic vinegar and Parmesan, and includes an Italian cooking class in the neighbouring city of Modena.
Norway
Considered one of the safest countries in the world, Norway is the perfect destination for solo travellers, especially those looking to embrace friluftsliv, the Norwegian concept of enjoying the great outdoors.
Like other Nordic countries, Norway is incredibly well organised, efficient and easy to traverse. It also has a fantastic, solo-friendly dining scene with a focus on home-grown, seasonal produce.
Norway is one of the best places on earth to witness the Northern Lights, so join Good Housekeeping on this fantastic 12-day Norway cruise with astronomer Tom Kerss.
You'll sail on a Hurtigruten ship, stopping off at the UNESCO-listed port of Bergen, the Lofoten Islands and Tromsø. As you cross the Arctic Circle, the chances of spotting the aurora borealis are almost guaranteed.
France
As our closest continental neighbours, France is a good place to start when venturing abroad solo. It's easy to get around, dining alone is welcomed and the French are very accustomed to tourists.
Follow in the footsteps of Claude Monet on this four-day Good Housekeeping holiday taking in Paris and Giverny. Great for single travellers with a passion for art, the base for the trip (departing in July 2025) is the four-star Château de Montvillargenne in the heart of the Chantilly forest.
Excursions include a visit to Château de Chantilly and the market town of Senlis plus a guided tour of Monet's gardens in Giverny (pictured) led by gardening expert and writer Paula McWaters.
India
India was one of the first countries I ever travelled around alone (talk about throwing myself in at the deep end!) and while it was challenging in parts, it was also rewarding and transformative.
Whether you're looking to hike the Himalayas, 'find yourself' through yoga and meditation on a retreat or marvel at the Taj Mahal, India's unique culture and vibrancy is bucket list-worthy.
One of the easiest ways to explore India on your own is on an escorted tour. Solos Holidays itineraries are made specifically for the single traveller, and their Holi and Splendour's of Rajasthan tour explores the Golden Triangle of Jodhpur, Jaipur and Agra. Highlights include seeing the Taj Mahal at sunrise (pictured) and visiting the Amber Fort in the Aravalli Hills.
Alternatively, you can experience the Golden Triangle and search for Ranthambore's tigers on Good Housekeeping's once in a lifetime 18-day tour.
Iceland
Considered to be one of the most captivating landscapes on the planet, Iceland is a must for any adventurer, including those going it alone.
With incredibly welcoming locals, Iceland is known as the Land of Fire and Ice, and offers visitors the chance to bathe in hot springs, climb sheer glaciers or come face-to-face with feisty volcanoes. To see this vast landscape in style, it's well worth joining a group tour (ideal for solo travellers) or hiring a car.
Soak in the famous Blue Lagoon (pictured), see the Skógafoss waterfall and hike up the Sólheimajökull glacier on an exhilarating five-day tour of Iceland. Hosted by Regent Holidays, this is a great option for solo travellers aiming to tick off a range of Iceland activities.
Croatia
Gorgeous white beaches, rugged national parks and perhaps the prettiest medieval walled city in the world (hello, Dubrovnik), Croatia is one of my favourite places in Europe to explore by myself.
Croatia is an easy country to get around, whether you want to go island hopping by ferry, catch a coach along the Adriatic Coast or hire a car to explore the country’s rugged interior.
If you want to see Croatia with a some like-minded folk, consider booking an escorted tour with Just You, a solo holidays specialist. Their Croatia and the Markarska Riviera trip focuses on the Dalmatian Coast and is bookended by stays in Zadar and Dubrovnik. It also includes a brilliant boat trip to Hvar and Brac (pictured), and a visit to Krka National Park.
You can also join a Good Housekeeping trip to Croatia where you'll be island hopping on a boutique ship with only 18 cabins - a great way to make new friends as you explore the likes of Dubrovnik, Hvar and Mljet.
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