Solo travel is one hell of an adventure. These are the best places to travel alone…
Reykjavik, Iceland
Considered one of the safest places in Europe, Reykjavik sure is a destination that is solo travel friendly. Colourful buildings, café’s, galleries and heaps of culture will lure you in, but it’s the adventures outside of the city that make it something special. Take a half hour drive to The Blue Lagoon’s geothermal pools, head to the ski resort of Bláfjöll and hit the slopes, look out for minke whales, humpbacks, porpoises and dolphins in the Faxaflói bay, or take a horse ride tour around Iceland’s incredible landscape. And if all of that isn’t enough to keep you on your feet, glacier hiking, white water rafting and searching for the Northern Lights sure will be!
RELATED: ICELAND, A (FEMINIST) TRAVELER’S PARADISE
Vancouver, Canada
Wilderness, urban culture, beaches, mountains and rainforests collide into one of the most surreal cities around. Filled with outdoor adventures, snow-capped mountains and cool city vibes, there’s no doubt Vancouver is a solo adventurers dream! Take a skyline or hike 3,642-feet to the summit of Grouse Mountain for some awesome views over Vancouver, or walk through the incredible surroundings on the 450-foot-long, 230-foot-high Capilano Suspension Bridge. Whale watching, snorkelling with seals and Zip Lining in Grouse Mountain are also up there on Vancouver’s adventure activity musts, ensuring any solo traveller is inundated with adventurous activities! And if you fancy a bit of down time, the indie bars and restaurants of Gastown or the heritage-house beachfronts of Kitsilano, play as the perfect urban retreat.
South Island, New Zealand
Zorbing, horse riding, bungee jumping, skiing, wild-life watching, kayaking, hiking, skydiving, jet boating, white-water rafting – the list of solo activities you can do on New Zealand’s beautiful South Island is endless …. as are the dreamy destinations! Head to Queenstown, aka the adventure capital of the world, and get your heart racing with a canyon bungee jump, or grab your boots and hike a glazier in Franz Josef. If you’re after a slightly less heart palpitating adventure, take a stroll around Milford Sounds or try catching a New Zealand rugby matches. With incredible scenery around every corner, safe surroundings and one hell of an adventure bucket list to tick off, you won’t be stuck for things to do. It really doesn’t get much sweeter than the south!
Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu, the holy grail for travellers and an absolute must for anyone visiting Peru. The ancient Inca Empire city is one of the world’s most famous archaeological areas and a World Heritage Site. Normally starting from Cusco, the Inca trail can take anything from 8-15 days, proving itself to be one of the world’s most desired experiences. Of course you can’t descend on the Andes Mountains alone, but there are plenty of group trips you can join (like Contiki’s Peru Panorama trip, hint hint) giving you the chance to meet some friendly faces whilst heading for the hills.
Sri Lanka
If you’re a sun seeker but get restless with endless beach days, Sri Lanka is absolutely the place for you. The predominantly Buddhist country and its residents are friendly and welcoming, whilst the waterfalls, dense rainforests, tropical beaches and safari parks make this one helluva naturally beautiful county just waiting to be explored. Check out the elephants, sloth bears, leopards and crocodiles in Yala National Park, kayak down the Kalu Ganga River, go back in time on a visit to the colonial tea plantations dotted around the central highlands, hike to Adam’s peak and even hit up the all year round surfing scene on the south coast at Ahangama, or on the east coast at Arugam Bay. The entire county has something exciting and unique to offer; fortunately it’s fairly small so you’ll be able to cover a good chunk off in 2-3 weeks if you make some strong travel plans.
RELATED: THE UNPRECEDENTED RISE OF SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL
The East Coast, Australia
The well trodden stretch from Melbourne to Cairns is by far one of the most iconic routes for young backpackers so you’ll be sure to find like-minded solo travellers in their masses. The safe and straight forward route will treat you to beach days and brunching in Sydney, hippie vibes in Byron Bay, craziness in Cairns, surfing spots in Surfers Paradise, idyllic settings and sailing feels at the Whitsundays and of course, let’s not forget the bucket list must – Snorkelling or diving in the clear corals of The Great Barrier Reef. Mix this in with a buzzing party scene and load of care free young travellers and The East Coast is sure to please.
