Travelers all around the world have been praising the concept of solo travel. Not without reason – traveling solo might be the perfect solution for any travel-related problems you might have. Say you want to do a three-month tour around Australia, and you’re lucky enough to have a remote job and a chunk of savings dedicated to this expense.
But many of your friends and travel partners don’t! So while you’re afraid of even sounding insensitive for proposing this trip to your friend who lives paycheck to paycheck, have you thought of going there alone? If this would be your first time, we get that it sounds scary. Will you manage on your own? And what will you do with that many time just by yourself? But trust us, if you’re not bored easily on your own at home, if you can find things to read and observe and enjoy alone, you will most definitely not be bored abroad alone.
Solo Travellers
Moreover, the situations you will be put in will sometimes be far from your comfort zone – but that’s what travel is all about. You’ll learn new things about yourself, learn how to manage new situations with no one to hold your back, maybe in a foreign language. And, yes, sometimes you will learn that you hate traveling solo – but that is a risk you have to be willing to take. After all, what if you have a great time? Here are some of the destinations perfect for your first-time solo adventure!
Barcelona, Spain
First things first – even if you arrive in Spain alone, heads up you will be surrounded by people as much as you allow it. By people, we don’t mean just passers-by, but your new friends: Spain is incredibly social, open and hospitable. By the way, Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in the world, which is no wonder since it has almost year-round mild weather, in addition to amazing architecture and the lovely residents.
The city is quite navigable both by metro or on foot, so choose what suits you better, or just choose what feels right at the moment! You’ll be spending your days in Barcelona sipping coffee in the cafes found all throughout the city, or have your hours-long lunch, just like the locals, complete with wine and beer.
Recommended For You:
- The Best and Adventurous Holiday Destinations of the World
- Top 10 things to Do in Delaware
- 7 Reasons You Should Visit London at Least Once in Your Life
Don’t forget tapas bars and the nightclubs, and the beach, where it’s super easy to meet both locals and tourists. Of course, your thirst for art will be satisfied here, as there’s a major art collection in almost every central neighborhood. And we haven’t even mentioned Gaudi’s creations that will greet you all around the city – like La Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, Casa Batllo. Truly a magnificent location for travelers who wander alone.
Queenstown, New Zealand
This quaint little town in the South Island of New Zealand has become immensely popular in the recent years, and its popularity is still growing. Reason: beautiful nature and an abundance of outdoor adventures and activities you can pursue here. So no, if you’re more interested in culture and architecture, skip this one. But if you want to enjoy paragliding, white-water rafting, or skiing, all in the same day, this is the place to be.
Is bungee jumping your choice? There’s no better place to try it than in Queenstown – its birthplace. And even if your adrenaline seeks is modest, Queenstown and nearby Wanaka are an amazing choice for ski holidays. So many people go there on their own, looking for an adventure at the end of the world, you’re likely to meet some cool new friends.
Road Tripping from Mimi to Los Angeles
Okay, this is a bit of an atypical destination, because it’s not a destination in itself. But if you’ve got the will and a working car, why not do this trip of a lifetime? Start in Miami and drive towards St Augustine – the oldest city in America, where you can visit Castillo de San Marcos and the “Fountain of Youth”. Back in the car, get ready and excited to visit the lively New Orleans, that can offer you some of the best bars and jazz clubs in the world. And of course, don’t forget to eat your weight in seafood. Then go to Texas and eat some more – we’re talking barbecue, of course.
Enjoy the landscape you’ve been seeing in TV shows. The same goes for New Mexico and Arizona, but stay alert at suspicious gas station rest stops where you’re bound to stop at some point. If you can schedule a trip through Joshua Tree to catch the most majestic sunrise, make sure to do that. And then you’re almost there! The sun, the ocean, street tacos, and Pacific sunsets may prolong your stay for more than you’d imagined.
Bali, Indonesia
Maybe you wouldn’t like your first solo travel destination to be one where you don’t speak the language and the cities are – so you’ve heard – more than chaotic. But Bali beats all the inconveniences, and that’s what all the first-time travellers and regular visitors agree on. You might have heard of the Bali serenity and think that you don’t need a spiritual journey – at least not in this moment of your life. That’s fine, but it’s definitely not the only thing Bali has to offer.
If you’re looking to party with backpackers, don’t miss Kuta. If you’re more of a cultural person, head to Ubud. If you prefer trendy boutiques and fancy beach clubs to win at Instagram, opt for Seminyak. But wherever you end up, you’ll be spoiled with sunshine, island vibes, and great cheap food (and drinks!). So it is likely you’ll end up reaching out to others and, who knows, maybe making friends for a lifetime.
But don’t worry – the purpose of you going on a trip alone does not have to be making friends. It’s okay if you end up making some, and it’s equally okay if you end up loving your solitude. The whole point of being alone is doing what you like at each moment and making no compromises that you would have otherwise. Eat what you feel like, do what you feel like, and it’s bound to charge your batteries. If, on the other hand, you find out your batteries deplete rather quickly with no close friends around, don’t worry. Just make sure to bring them along next time. In the meantime, try and enjoy your solo adventure as much as possible, because that’s something you will probably remember for the rest of your life.