1. Ireland

For U.S.-based travelers, Ireland is kind of a no-brainer when it comes to solo travel, thanks to easy access and friendly locals. Travel to the Emerald Isle becomes even easier with Brendan Vacations, a Dublin-based agency dating back to 1969. While they offer traditional group tours, solo travelers should try one of the “locally hosted rail” options: These excursions—including the editor-approved Ireland’s Sparkling Gems tour—will set you up with hotels, transports (including train rides and chauffeured drives), and one activity per day, but leave you with enough free time to explore on your own.

 

2. Europe

It’s hard for solo travelers to consider a cruise without first worrying about “single supplements”—the dreaded fees slapped on passengers for booking a room designed to hold two or more people (depending on the trip, those fees can end up tacking on thousands of extra dollars). Luckily, the industry is becoming increasingly accommodating, with cruise lines of all sizes reducing or getting rid of the infamous fees. Riviera River Cruises is one company that specifically caters to solo travelers, with a variety of routes and exclusive departures for solo travelers. 

 

3. Montana

Glamping company Under Canvas is known for its safari-style tents in iconic American sites, from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rushmore. In June 2023, the brand will add a new camp in North Yellowstone-Paradise Valley, offering sweeping views of the Yellowstone River and Absaroka Mountain Range. Each of the 50 tents will feature elevated decks and private bathrooms, as well as king-size beds and wood-burning stoves.

 

4. Sri Lanka

Flash Pack is one of our favorite tour operators for solo travelers, offering high-end adventures for people in their 30s and 40s. The company is especially great for visiting countries that may be new to you, since you won’t have to worry about the minutiae of your itinerary or have to navigate unfamiliar terrain all on your own.

 

5. Japan

 When there are two pairs of elbows in a tiny hotel room, someone’s bound to get hurt. But a single traveler has more options, like New York’s two Pod Hotels in Midtown. Single rooms have a twin bed, flat-screen TV, free Wi-fi, and…not much else, ideal for propelling you out on the town. In Japan (including various train stations and Tokyo’s Narita Airport), the experience is more extreme: For a low price, you can get a pod bed at Nine Hours for, yes, nine hours—just long enough to rest and shower.

 

6. Rwanda

Yes, a solo safari is possible—and extremely rewarding. There are few better places to recharge and recenter than in the middle of Africa, with only the hotel staff and wild animals to keep you company; plus, some travel companies even have discounted single supplements. In 2019, Singita opened two new properties in Rwanda—Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House—complete with gorilla trekking expeditions ideal for adventurers traveling alone.

 

7. The Arctic

We can’t imagine anything more serene and soul-searching than a trip to the Arctic—especially if you decide to take the trip by yourself. Aurora Expedition’s cruises to Svalbard and the Arctic Circle ensure travelers have enough space without getting lonely, with small ships (averaging 132 passengers) and group excursions that take like-minded adventurers through some of the planet’s most awe-inspiring spaces.

 

8. The Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos archipelago, off the coast of Ecuador, is one of the world’s most famous destinations for adventure travel. Join a small group of fellow outdoor enthusiasts on this “Galapagos: In Darwin’s Footsteps” trip from Exodus Travels, a two-week walking tour that lets you explore 45 miles of the islands on foot. Highlights include hiking up the Sierra Negra Volcano, snorkeling with sea turtles and manta rays, boating past sea lion colonies, and touring the city of Quito on the mainland.

 

9. Colombia

Sojrn is a new travel brand that is essentially like study abroad for adults, offering four-week immersion courses ranging from cuisine in Mexico City to fashion in Paris. One of the company’s most popular classes is the Spanish language course in Medellín, Colombia—and trust us, you’ll make friends fast when you’re learning the basics of a new language together. For an entire month, you’ll meet with a private language tutor every day, have weekly happy hours with your fellow classmates, and enjoy extras like salsa dancing lessons and cooking classes.

 

10. Bali

The Buddhist practice of quietly meditating dates back millennia, but the need for silent reflection in the face of never-ending online chatter is so needed today. There are many hideaways around the world aimed at helping travelers disconnect, but one of our favorites is Bali Silent Retreat. As the name suggests, the retreat involves no talking, no listening to music, just silence and the noises of nature (so really, there wouldn’t be any point in bringing along a travel companion).