Solo travel doesn’t necessarily mean travel on your lonesome and for many, this means going on a trip without the responsibility of catering for someone else’s tastes. That leaves the solo travel door wide open for themed group holidays where unaccompanied travellers are welcome. These could be singles or those wanting to holiday without their partner.
Marina Shamoni, an avid solo traveller, who rarely travels with her husband expressed it this way:
“Travelling solo means I can choose the holiday I want and travel with those that want the same. I’ll be in good company”.
Tour operators are rapidly responding. According to Travel Seven luxury travel company, “solo travel” searches on Google have risen by a whopping 761 per cent and that’s why they have launched a slew of Singlemoon itineraries.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has uncovered that around one in three travellers are opting to go cruising alone to “treat themselves” or “rediscover themselves”. In anticipation of this trend created the Studio concept way back in 2010. It is designed and priced exclusively for solo cruisers.
Gary Anslow, Head of UK and Ireland Business at NCL, said,
“We can see from the survey that enjoying the beauty of travel on your own enables a truly authentic experience and provides for self-discovery and growth. Plus, meeting fellow solo travellers can even lead to long lasting friendships.”
The trend is growing in the over the 50s too says Saga Holidays. A study showed that 29 per cent of women over 50 are more likely to take a solo holiday and want to explore their holiday location more than men.
So with so much choice, your solo travel could start here:
Solo Sojourn in South Africa
Wine growing region
Seven Travel is offering solo travellers the opportunity to saunter through South Africa’s Cape Town learning about the country’s culinary prowess, winding down in the Winelands and twinning wildlife-spotting with spa treatments at two of South Africa’s finest safari lodges. You will see the Cape Peninsula’s best highlights and Cape Town’s secret food hotspots, then lap up the genteel atmosphere of the Winelands (with a wine tasting or two thrown in). You will finish at a pair of safari retreats that deliver excellent bush moments and feature sumptuous spas, allowing them to mix their wild encounters with melt-worthy massages.
How much: from £15,495 per person (excluding flights).
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The Golden Triangle in India
Taj Mahal Image by Dave Parkinson from Pixabay
Now that India is offering evisa’s to the British again, the country is the hottest ticket in travel right now. Titan Travel is offering the popular “Golden Triangle” escorted itinerary. It combines the ‘big three’ – Delhi, Jaipur and Agra – home to the Taj Mahal with two nights in Ranthambore National Park, one of the best places in India to try and spot rare Bengal tigers.
How much: 10 days from £2,049 per person.
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Villa Life in the Maldives
Villa Suite
Turquoise Holidays are offering a seven-night half-board holiday at Gili Lankanfushi in the Maldives. Accommodation is in a Villa Suite.
How much: from £7,999 per person when travelling between May to September 2023, including speedboat transfers and international flights. The price includes a 25% early booking discount and complimentary half board saving £3,500. The price is based on a single person travelling.
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Picnics and Pizza from Paris to Rome – 18-3o year olds.
Eiffel Tower, Paris Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
This tour by G Adventures will see you crisscrossing four countries from Paris to Rome. It’s a whirlwind tour of Europe’s most popular capitals and includes culture, delectable food and drink, stunning scenery, wild nightlife, and centuries of thrilling history in seven days without ever feeling rushed. You will visit galleries and museums of Paris and the beauty of the Swiss Alps.
How much: 7 days from £1,012 (was £1,219) when you join this tour from June 11 2023. This trip is suitable for 18-30-year-olds – backpacker style taking trains and accommodation sometimes in hostels.
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Houseparty in Turkey
Forever Hotel c. Friendship Travel
If you are free on May 8, 2023, or 16 October, 2023 Friendship Travel is offering the intimate 19-room Forever Hotel on Turkey’s Blue Lagoon. With the swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers, this feels very much like a private villa party. Away from the bustle of Oludeniz, is the tranquillity of the ‘village’ of Ovacik, a short (and cheap) dolmus bus ride up the hill. The hillside setting means you can enjoy cooling breezes by day and sunsets over the mountains. The bright lights and bars of Hisaronu ‘village’ are only a 15-minute walk away.
How much: Prices on 8 May 2023 and 16 October 2023, 14 nights priced from £887.50 pp (reduced from £1,065) including a double room for sole use, half board – seven breakfasts and four dinners per week and return transfers from/to Dalaman airport (approx 60 mins).
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Outdoor Adventure in Madeira, Portugal
Looking to get away over Easter? More Life Adventures is offering a six-day adventure in Madeira including outdoor adventure, fitness training and some relaxation in the mix. You could find yourself fitness training, hiking in tropical forests, swimming on secluded beaches, and watching breathtaking sunsets above the clouds. Accommodation is 5 nights at the beautiful Casas da Levada farm estate set on the edge of a forest on the west tip of the island with views of the Atlantic Ocean, an infinity pool and an organic garden.
How much: Packages with More Life Adventures start at £1,450 per person for the 6 days, and 5 nights (excluding flights).
Brightwater Tours has a trip leaving on May 10th 2023 and lasting 11 days. You will experience a full-day game drive in Tarangire National Park, a full-day game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, one afternoon and a full-day game drive in Serengeti National Park, and a full-day in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
How much: From £4,795. Book by February 3 for a discount of up to £200 per person. Price includes return flights from London with free lounge access before departure, accommodation throughout, meals as per the itinerary, local travel aboard a private coach, all visits as per the itinerary and a professional tour manager.
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Cruise Caribbean: Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Norwegian Viva
Get yourself to San Juan, Puerto Rico, then live it up in paradise on board Norwegian Viva. Seven days and seven ports. Enjoy the scenic vistas along Tortola’s Sir Frances Drake’s Highway and explore picturesque villages. Then slow things down in St. John’s as you take a sea taxi to expansive beaches for a dip in the warm waters or simply to recline on the sand with your favourite beverage in hand. From Philipsburg, kayak Simpson Bay Lagoon on a guided tour amongst mangrove trees, iguanas and vibrant sea life.
How much: 7 days from £1,174 (flights not included).
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Self-Guided in Japan
Miyajima
Japan is a great country for solo travellers – being single is not unusual and most restaurants are designed for solo diners, there are capsule hotels and single-bed business hotels all over. It is also one of the safest countries in the world with very little petty crime.
InsideJapan has an 11-night Japan Solo self-guided cultural adventure designed especially for solo travellers. You can opt to join a group cooking class in Tokyo, a guided walking tour of Kyoto’s Gion district, and a food tour in Osaka as well as some private guiding too. The trip also includes a ryokan guest house stay on Miyajima island and a capsule stay in Osaka.
How much: 11 nights from £2,750pp (excluding international flights). This is a self-guided trip and includes all transport across Japan, a range of group cultural activities and experiences.
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Island hopping in Greece
Saga has a 14-night island-hopping holiday for sun-seeking solos. Join fellow solo guests for two weeks hopping between picturesque Greek islands, visiting historical sights and relaxing under the famously blue Mediterranean sky. You get to explore three beautiful Dodecanese Islands whilst making amazing memories and new friends. You will tour medieval Rhodes, zip along Symi’s craggy coastline and see sweeping island views from the Byzantine Castle on Leros.
How much: From £3,109 per single traveller. Suits over 50s.
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Summer in Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen
Solo Holidays are offering a seven-night stay at VIK San Antonio Hotel, by the sandy beaches of Los Pocillos, Puerto Del Carmen. You discover the island of La Graciosa via a day’s boat trip and on another day, you will head to the Timanfaya National Park to see the island’s famous volcano landscape.
How much: From £1,799 for 7-nights, half board, flights included.