This blog post was updated on July 19, 2019.
In need of a big dose of nothing and a date with nobody? All of us can benefit from time on our own. Spending that time away from home can up the advantages of being alone without leaving you feeling lonely.
For your next solo expedition, have a look-see at our latest list of destinations that we think are perfect for a getaway with yourself.
New York
If ever a city was designed to be enjoyed on one’s own it’s New York. Manhattan especially beckons any and all who seek anonymity without having to skimp on the delights of being in a big city. From getting lost in a museum and getting lost in a crowd to discovering hidden gems and the latest global trends – going solo on the not-so-mean streets of New York is the way to get away without having to get away from it all.
Paris
Primetime people watch and cafe culture par excellence make the City of Lights a shining example of somewhere to savor as a singleton. Why bother with a pesky sidekick when all you really want to do is linger a little longer in your favorite floor of the Louvre or window shop along the Champs-Elysees at your own Parisian pace?
Iceland
Few places on Earth are as cool to visit as Iceland – and we’re not just talking about the weather! For splendid isolation, desolate landscapes, windswept seascapes, and loads of elbow room (not to mention superbly paved roads, modern accommodation, and kindly salt-of-the-earth folks), the tiny Scandinavian nation of Iceland is a hot spot for travelers in need of some time on their own.
Fredericksburg
The gateway to the Texas Hill Country and a hub for the burgeoning wine region, Fredericksburg has a “big small town” feel to it. Visitors here do not remain strangers for long as locals are keen to strike up conversations but equally respect anybody just looking to be left alone. A few miles out from Fredericksburg are amazing back roads for scenic driving; Enchanted Rock for spectacular panoramas and remote trail hiking; and the blink-and-miss-it community of Luckenbach, Texas.
London
Londoners are renowned for being extremely polite and reserved. That’s a perfect combo for solo travelers. Arguably the most diverse and cosmopolitan city on the planet, London has it all with respect to urban delights and cultural cravings. Plus, most museums are free to visit, the street food is phenomenal, and history oozes out of every corner of this welcoming British city.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Traditional Southeast Asian culture and contemporary world traveler expectations meld as seamlessly as possible in this small city in the uplands of northern Thailand. Whether backpacking your way through or checking in for an extended spa break, you won’t stand out if you do so alone. You’ll blend right in with all the other seekers and dreamers drawn to beautiful and enchanting Chiang Mai.
Nashville
With loads of bars to sidle up to any time of the day and live music playing on a stage 24-7 (literally, and usually with no charge), Music City USA is an ideal destination for fans of live performance in intimate settings. You don’t have to be a country music fan necessarily either; Nashville is home to all sorts of amazing musicians and songwriters. The Tennessee capital’s downtown is walkable, safe, and clean, with plenty of great places to eat and a wealth of museums and historic landmarks. Folks here are friendly too and relish any opportunity to spin a yarn with a new friend from out of town.
South Island, New Zealand
If you truly are aching to escape society, there’s perhaps no more beautiful a place to do it than the vast, rugged, and sparsely populated South Island of New Zealand. Towns like Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown make great bases from where you can explore all the wilderness in between. And when you do encounter others, they’ll be some of the friendliest and most welcoming people you’re ever apt to meet!
What are your thoughts on solo travel? Any tips on how to get the most out of a trip when you roaming around by yourself?
