Don’t have anyone to travel with? That’s no reason to stay home. Solo travel is on the rise, and tour operators, hotels, and cruise lines are expanding their offerings to meet the increasing demand. Below are the 10 best solo vacations, covering every corner of the globe. Some of these trips made the list because they’re specifically designed for solo travelers; others offer discounted single supplements or roommate matching so you don’t have to pay extra fees for traveling alone.
Note that all trips and single supplement discounts were available at the time of publication, but they could sell out at any time. If you’re interested in these solo vacations, it’s best to book early.
Take a Culinary Vacation in Italy
Does tasting local wines, cooking with fresh mozzarella and organic vegetables, and staying in a historic villa sound appealing? If so, sign yourself up for a small-group cooking vacation in Italy with Best Single Travel. The company offers trips to popular hot spots like Tuscany and less-traveled regions like Puglia. All packages include a mix of cooking classes, excursions to nearby towns, and free time to relax. Best Single Travel is a company that specializes in trips for singles and will match you with a same-sex roommate. Cooking vacations are offered on select dates in spring, summer, and fall.
See Vietnam from Top to Bottom
You can enjoy a meal at a Buddhist nunnery, take an overnight boat trip on Halong Bay, and take a heart-pounding motorbike tour through Hue on the Vietnam Express Soundbound trip from Intrepid Travel. Starting in Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh City, this 10-day trip is a solo-only version of one of the company’s most popular tours, so you’ll never feel like a third wheel. You’ll automatically be matched with a roommate of the same sex unless you decide you’d prefer your own room, which costs just $200 extra. This solo tour is available on select dates between April and November 2019.
Restore Yourself on a Wellness Getaway in Costa Rica
One of the most appealing aspects of solo travel is the chance to get in touch with yourself, and you can do just that on an escape to The Retreat, a luxe wellness resort on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. The most popular package is the five- to six-night Revive & Renew experience, which includes daily yoga classes and nature hikes, two cooking classes, a 60-minute massage, all meals (including smoothies at sunset), and access to the Jacuzzi, pool, and steam room. The resort welcomes solo travelers, and it’s easy to make new friends during classes or while sitting by the pool.
Discover Ancient History in Turkey
From the famed city of Troy to the stunning archaeological ruins of Ephesus, Turkey’s ancient treasures will appeal to any solo history buff. Learn about the country’s past on Insight Vacations’ 11-day Wonders of Turkey tour, which starts and ends in Istanbul. Beyond historical experiences, the trip also includes a stay in a cave hotel, a pottery-making demonstration, and a performance by whirling dervishes. Insight Vacations is reducing or waiving single supplements on select departures in summer and winter 2019.
Discover Melbourne and the Australian Outback
Knock a few of Australia’s major attractions off your bucket list on the 12-day Melbourne, Outback, & Uluru Adventure from G Adventures. The trip starts in culture-rich Melbourne, travels along the scenic Great Ocean Road, and winds its way through the rugged Outback to Uluru, a sacred site for the Aboriginal people. This intimate small-group tour maxes out at 16 people, so you can count on getting to know your fellow travelers. If you’re traveling solo, G Adventures will pair you with a same-sex roommate, or you can pay extra for the “My Own Room” option if you’d rather have a little privacy. This trip runs on select dates throughout 2019.
Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
If you’re seeking a challenge in the new year, consider climbing Africa’s most famous mountain: Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano in Tanzania. TourRadar offers an eight-day trip that ascends the mountain via the Rongai route, which is easier and less crowded than some other popular routes to the top. A single supplement does apply to this trip, but the additional cost is only about 15 percent more than the per-person cost for double occupancy—which is less than most other single supplements in the industry. The trip runs from January through October 2019.
Explore Europe on a River Cruise
Whether you’re looking to tour castles along the Rhine, sip local wines in the south of France, or discover the rich culture of Moscow and St. Petersburg, Uniworld offers a river cruise that will help you get there. The company has waived and reduced single supplements on some of its 2019 itineraries, ranging from eight to 12 days. Uniworld’s ships are small and have open seating at all meals, so it’s easy to get to know other travelers. Single supplement discounts are available on select dates and sailings throughout 2019.
Cruise the Caribbean in Your Own Cabin
If you’re more into sun and sand than cobblestones and castles, consider booking a Caribbean cruise with U.K.-based P&O Cruises. A half-dozen of its ships have solo staterooms, so you can have your own space without worrying about paying a single supplement. The ship that currently has the most solo cabins is Britannia, which offers 12 inside cabins and 15 with balconies. Britannia will spend the colder months of 2019 visiting Barbados, St. Lucia, Aruba, and other sunny Caribbean islands.
Have a ‘Learning Adventure’ in Peru
Visit Machu Picchu and discover colorful Andean culture on Road Scholar’s nine-day Perspectives of Peru trip. Road Scholar, a tour company where about a quarter of the guests are solo travelers, emphasizes learning on its tours, and this one is no exception. The itinerary includes a presentation on Peruvian politics in Lima, a basket-weaving lesson in the Sacred Valley, and a visit to a planetarium in Cusco to learn about the Andean night sky. The company is currently waiving single supplements on this Peru trip, which departs on select dates between February and December 2019.
Travel the World with Fellow Women
If you, like many female travelers, feel safer and more comfortable in the company of other women, consider booking a trip with Women Traveling Together, which offers small-group, women-only tours to destinations around the world. About 80 percent of the company’s clients come alone, so you’re sure to find common ground with your fellow travelers. 2019 trips that still have openings include a seven-day tour of Seattle and Olympic National Park, a 10-day trip through Morocco, an 11-day “Highlights of Italy” package, and more. You can choose to be matched with a roommate or pay a little extra for your own room.
For more ideas, see Top Travel Destinations for 2019.
