Traveling on your own is one of the most amazing, life-affirming things you can ever do. You find out so much about yourself and you come home feeling like a whole other person. Once You read my post on why travel solo, you will hopefully find yourself wanting to book a trip right away. But where to go? Here is the list of some of the best places to visit as a solo traveler based on important criteria such as simplicity of getting around, the affordability of accommodation, friendliness of locals and chance of meeting other solo travelers and of course the beauty of the destination.
1. South Africa
As you can imagine, there are so many different things to see, do and experience in South Africa and it covers all the bases! Head to Cape Town if you want to see the buzzing, cosmopolitan side, or choose Kruger National Park to get up close and personal with the animals on a safari. There’s history to be explored in the battlefields of KwaZulu Natal and culture around every corner.
And if you are a wine lover there are more than 200 cellars within a couple of hours’ drive of Cape Town, and four main wine regions – Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and Wellington.
Getting around South Africa by public transportation is quite easy and accommodation is cheap what makes it a great destination for solo backpackers. Contrary to popular belief that South Africa is dangerous, with a normal common sense traveling the country is safe.
2. Italy
Italy is famous for incredible architecture, beautiful art, and of course, delectable food. Traveling on your own means getting to choose where you want to eat every day, after hours of sightseeing and exploring. The weather is glorious, Italians are friendly, and the food is plentiful. Italians are friendly nation what makes Italy a fantastic option for anyone traveling solo and you’ll want to keep going back time and time again.
3. Australia
There’s a reason that Australia is so popular with backpackers – in fact, there are a few reasons! It’s a country geared up for travelers, with cheap but safe hostels, endless activities, and plenty of flexible jobs for anyone wanting to travel and stay a little more long-term. The locals tend to embrace tourists, so you’ll likely find a new friend around every corner. Also, Australia is huge what means there’s a lot of wildly different things to see and do too. Whether you want to enjoy endless beaches, dry deserts or tropical rain-forest, Australia got you covered. Since it has it all, it is a great place to thick bunch of things off your bucket list.
4. England
England is small enough to explore in a relatively short space of time, with lots of different types of places to enjoy, from coastal towns to the peaceful countryside and bustling cities to historical villages. Sure, it might be a little gray and wet, but that’s part of the charm!
There are lots of indoor museums and art galleries (many of which are free), and be sure to eat some authentic English food such as Yorkshire puddings and fish and chips. Public transport will get you around easily enough, although expect to take part in a popular British pastime – standing in line!
5. France
Is there anything more poetic than a brooding artist or writer on a lone trip to Paris looking to find themselves? Eat nothing but fresh bread and drink plenty of wine as you browse at the galleries and head to the beaches in the South for a wonderful solo travel adventure. Keep a diary and start your life as a writer, or sit on the side of the water with a sketchbook, and say ‘oui oui’ to exploring France on your own this year.
6. Thailand
Is there anything more poetic than a brooding artist or writer on a lone trip to Paris looking to find themselves? Eat nothing but fresh bread and drink plenty of wine as you browse at the galleries and head to the beaches in the South for a wonderful solo travel adventure. Keep a diary and start your life as a writer, or sit on the side of the water with a sketchbook, and say ‘oui oui’ to exploring France on your own this year.
Head to Bangkok to experience a city that is full of fun, noise, and excitement. When you’re done there, hop on to one of the islands for a relaxing break, chilling out on the sand with a cocktail in hand, or try snorkeling to see the wonders beneath the water.
Traveling alone in Thailand is easy, cheap and a lot of fun!
When it comes to traveling alone, you want to choose somewhere that is friendly and safe, but with plenty of adventures to be had. You need to feel able to roam around and explore a new place on your own without worrying too much. These six places should tick all those boxes and now all that’s left to do is choose where you want start, and get it booked! Have you ever traveled solo? Let me know where you went in the comments.
