Best Places to Travel Alone

People who travel alone for the first time always describe the experience as an almost religious one. I recently went on a solo travel trip to France and I realized that traveling alone gives you the chance to indulge yourself fully. I could rest whenever I wanted and pour it on when I was feeling ambitious.

According to Sarah Schlichter, editor of IndependentTraveler.com, “The biggest appeal of travelling alone is the freedom of it. You make your own itinerary and see what you want to see.” I also realized that your mistakes are your own, and your triumphs all the more exciting. Will you get lonely during when you travel alone? No. When you are travelling alone you meet like-minded people on a solo travel. This gives you a chance to socialize and get to know about people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Best places to travel alone – always safety first.

Before you set off, and when you’re in the midst of your journey, it’s important to keep in mind safety issues to protect yourself and your belongings. Safetravel.co.uk gives some tips that will keep women safe when travelling alone; “Choose your accommodation carefully. Read reviews and pick well-known hotels or hostels.

On public transport, sit next to or near other women or women with children. When it comes to exploring, avoid walking in unknown or badly lit places at night. Instead, plan your trips around daylight hours. To avoid unwanted male attention, don’t make eye contact and wear a wedding ring, even if you’re not married. Body language is important. Walk tall and confidently, and people will think you are.”

So which are the best destinations to visit? Here are some of the best places to travel alone;

Ireland

It is amazing how friendly the Irish are. According to Schlichter, “That makes you feel like you’re not alone.” So which are the sights to look for in Ireland? “Expedia recommends the Wicklow Mountains, the Dublin Writers Museum and a literary tour of Ireland that celebrates authors including Frank McCourt, James Joyce and Oscar Wilde.”

Australia

“Australians have a real sense of independence down there,” Schlichter said. “No one’s going to look at you funny if you’re traveling by yourself!” Australians are also very friendly people and they have a real culture of travel, particularly traveling solo. It is also easy to get around in Australia. For the sights to look for, Single Travels International recommends; The Great Barrier Reef for diving, the Blue Mountains near Sydney for hiking and Banzai Beach for relaxing or surfing.” You can also take a tour of the outback.

Iceland

“When you think of really romantic travel, you don’t think of Iceland,” Schlichter said, which makes it perfect for traveling alone. “It’s got cool culture, cool landscape with all the waterfalls and strange formations – it’s fascinating to explore,” she added. The sight which you must visit when you go to Iceland is the Blue Lagoon Spa, a massive 10,000-square foot outdoor geothermal bath surrounded by snow-capped lava rocks.

Costa Rico

For any solo traveler, Costa Rica is a great place to visit, with a variety of activities, including white-water rafting, hiking, relaxing in hot springs or “scaring yourself silly zip lining through the forest canopy,” Schlichter said. I personally love its lush landscape which includes beaches, rain forest, volcanoes and diverse wildlife.

The sights: “Independent Traveler suggests Manuel Antonio National Park, La Posada Private Jungle Bungalows, a lodge right outside the rainforest. Singles Travel International also recommends Tamarindo Beach, a great spot for surfers and for rainforest zip lining.” Costa Rica is also a great place to do a volunteer vacation, such as helping with turtles or teaching English.

Best places to travel alone are everywhere once you take simple steps for safety into consideration, the world is your oyster.