Too many solo people sit at home wishing their lives away. Life is short — and the world is huge.
Travel enriches your life and removes the boring, mundane aspects of day-to-day living. Yes, travelling solo can feel intimidating — but you don’t need to go extreme to begin.
Mix and match your travels to suit you and your confidence level. I’ve done it all — tours, beach holidays, city breaks, UK breaks and trips to the other side of the world. I’ve loved every minute of visiting stunning places and ticking things off my bucket list — even standing in the Ganges.
Start Close to Home
You don’t have to fly across the world for your first solo adventure.
Begin with a weekend break somewhere within a couple of hours of home — just choose somewhere different. One of my first trips was staying in a gypsy caravan in the Lake District. It was perched on top of a hill and rocked all night long… an experience never to be repeated! But I did it — and that’s what matters.
We’re lucky in the UK to have beautiful destinations within easy reach.
Build Your Confidence
When you feel ready to go a little further, flights and beach destinations such as Tunisia can offer great value and a gentle introduction to travelling alone.
After that, consider an organised long-haul tour. It’s a wonderful stepping stone — you’re travelling solo, but not alone.
My first big tour was “Tigers and the Taj Mahal” in India. You can often fly direct to Delhi, avoiding multiple airport transfers, and you’ll have a guide with you throughout, plus a group of people to share the experience with.
It’s a gradual build-up. Before long, you’ll be confidently booking your own flights, hotels, transfers and excursions.
Keep It Simple at First
I always give this advice to people starting out — though not everyone listens.
A colleague once booked her first solo trip for a month in Benidorm in January, staying with people twenty years older than her. She later said it was her first — and last — solo trip.
Instead, I’d suggest a week somewhere that feels a little different but manageable — perhaps Morocco. A package deal including flights and transfers can reduce the stress of organising everything yourself and provide rep services if needed.
Practical Tips
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Do your research — especially on price. The same holiday can appear across multiple platforms, so take time to find the best deal.
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Only book with reputable holiday companies.
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Make sure someone knows where you’re going.
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Always have travel insurance.
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And above all, maintain your own safety.
Solo travel isn’t about proving anything. It’s about giving yourself permission to explore.
One woman. One bag. A whole world waiting.
