There’s a certain attractiveness to grabbing a few of your best buddies and going on a trip. But as fun as that is, in many situations you actually prefer doing it by yourself. Traveling solo can actually help you clear up your mind, and you’ll find that you can actually spend time focusing on doing things and visiting places that you love, instead of doing what the entire group dictates. With that in mind, there are quite a lot of destinations that you could explore if you’re a solo traveler. But not all of them are great, and things could get tricky, especially if you were doing this for your first time. So, what are some of the best destinations to explore for solo travelers?
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Japan
If you’re looking for an organized country that’s extremely safe to travel to, Japan should be at the top of your list. It’s one of the cleanest, most polite, and most organized countries that you can visit, and the fact that it’s incredibly unique in terms of food, culture, and technology, makes it even better.
Now, one issue could be the language, but something like Live Lingua could easily help with that. If you’re okay with that, and if you’re good with using point and nod to order your food, there’s no reason not to head to Japan.
Oh, and if you’re worried about staying in a hostel as a solo traveler, Japan has capsule hotels that give you a more confined bed space with much more respect for your personal space. It’s also very much acceptable to eat alone, because this is a norm in Japan, so that’s one less problem for you to deal with.
New Zealand
Even though it might not be the first destination that springs to mind, New Zealand is actually a really nice place to explore if you’re a solo traveler. The key here is to get as much information as you can before you go out on your trip, so you can pretend you’re a local when you get there. With so much cultural diversity, people won’t notice you aren’t a local if you act like one.
One of the best things you can do while you’re there is visiting the Tongariro National Park. It’s home to, among other things, Mount Doom, which is an active volcano that’s truly a beautiful sight. If you aren’t the mountain type, you could head to the west coast, where you’ll find Waitomo. It’s a pretty town, but its true charm is the network of caverns that are lit by glow worms. If you want to do something unforgettable, grab a kayak or canoe and head inside.
Lord of the Rings fans will also love Matamata, which is the home of Hobbiton. It’s also where you’ll find the full-scale set that was used in the actual movies, which is a big tourist spot, especially for fans of the trilogy. All things considered, there’s certainly no shortage of things to do here.
Germany
Germany tends to be people’s favorite when it comes to traveling to Europe. If you’re a first-time solo traveler, you should head to Berlin. There’s a host of things you can do on your own, from shopping at flea markets to visiting galleries. And when you’ve had enough of it, Stuttgart, Spreewald and a host of other places are at your disposal, one train ride away.
You’ll be in a safe country where navigation is a breeze. Most of the locals are well versed in English, and they’re also pretty helpful so if you get stuck anywhere, just ask. The cultural diversity is excellent, and it’s a place where you can be yourself, completely, without being judged.
Thailand
While many just see it as an out-of-reach exotic destination, Thailand is actually a great place for solo travelers. It’s easy to travel through, it’s always full of other travelers, and it’s actually pretty affordable. You’ll find flights from all around the world landing in Bangkok a few times a day, which brings a host of travelers on a journey around the country.
We would advise choosing between Chiang Mai and Bangkok, to begin with, and move on from there. From the temples to playing with elephants, to cooking courses, you will find a host of activities to fill up your time, and it’s an experience you’ll surely love.
Peru
If you’re looking to practice your Spanish a bit, Peru should be on your list for South America. It’s a country that’s incredibly diverse, and you’ll get to experience cultures, climates and a variety of iconic spots. From the Inca Trail to the Peruvian Amazon (which is one of the most challenging places on Earth for traveling) and Rainbow Mountain, there’s no shortage of gorgeous spots to visit.
When you take into consideration that most of the people that visit Peru will also be going to these places, you won’t be alone. Most of the organized tours will happily welcome you as well, and the backpacker scene in Peru is pretty active, making meeting new people pretty easy. We mentioned the language, and our advice to you would be to learn a bit of Spanish since the locals seldom know English.
There are also many other countries and destinations that you can travel alone. But those destinations above are best, because they are easier, especially for solo travelers who just want to relax and enjoy, instead of traveling with more preparations, cautions, etc. Other destinations are not about safety, but just they would be more proper for a company of friends together. So, if you can travel alone, don’t miss the experience in the countries above, because the specific memories from such trips are really worth!
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Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually.
So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration.
And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality.
Enjoy!
