Unusual Places for Solo Travel to Inspire Your Spirit of Adventure.
When traveling alone, we frequently choose to stay in the same well-known locations. the ones that appear highly on internet rankings of the “greatest destinations for solo travel.” They provide a variety of hostel options. where speaking English is required of inhabitants due to tourism. And when other travelers are there, we feel more at ease. However, over my seven years of solo travel, I’ve discovered that these kinds of places frequently restrict our sense of adventure. The same spirit that encouraged us to go it alone in the first place.
In retrospect, my favorite memories of traveling alone were created in unique, unconventional locations that may not be thought of as solo travel destinations. When compiling this list of the top destinations for solo travel, I took into account the following factors:
The inhabitants aren’t overrun by tourists: Even though I’m an introvert, I had no trouble interacting with locals and making friends there.
There is a lot to do alone, even on a budget: These are places where I found a lot to do on a moderate budget and using public transportation, however this is highly subjective and dependent on personal preferences.
A general sense of security: Although it’s crucial to be vigilant wherever we go or reside, I never felt especially dangerous there.
Even though we have a ton of options in Europe for single travelers, Slovenia is the one that truly captured my heart. Like many other tourists, I arrived in Ljubljana, an artistic hub with amazing vegan cuisine (see out Barberella Arkade Bistro) and Lake Bled, which was a bitter letdown considering how commercialized it has become. However, when I ventured farther into the Slovenian Alps, I became enthralled with the picturesque mountains and valleys, enjoyed hiking and cycling alone, and ultimately stayed with amiable Slovenian hosts who took me to their favorite restaurants and took me to their favorite locations amidst the breathtaking rivers and woods. I changed my vacation plans and returned to Slovenia a week after I left because of that unique connection.
Sri Lanka, in my opinion, is a more subdued, compact, and orderly version of India; it is just as beautiful in nature but feels safer and more manageable. As I relax on the damp shores of the Indian Ocean, eat at restaurants that happen to be vegan, and envision a perfect India with less people, cleaner streets, and better infrastructure, the capital city of Colombo always makes me feel at home. And when I imagine the countryside, I can’t stop thinking about the verdant hills, the train excursions through foggy rice paddies and tea plantations, the inquisitive people who make friends with a warm grin, the woods with native inhabitants, the untamed elephants and big cats, and most importantly, of course,
I learned a lot about solo travel in the Kumaon area of Uttarakhand on some of my first solo expeditions in India. I gained confidence in nature, learned to trek alone, and accepted spontaneous acts of kindness from strangers in Peora and Nathuakhan. I discovered how to accept the leisurely living philosophy of the natives while strolling around the Himalayan villages of Kumaon, sometimes voluntarily and other times due to circumstances. I discovered the man-forest struggle in Binsar, and I realized in Sarmoli how a few dedicated women can change their own life and the lives of many others.
Reading that Mauritius is a popular destination for honeymooners is one thing, but arriving on this stunning island and being inundated with inquiries about why you choose to go alone is quite another. I fell in love with the island’s many facets after I learned to laugh at the questions. I hiked in the untamed wilderness above Port Louis and in the Black River Gorges National Park, rode my bike through swaying sugarcane fields, chatted with Indo-Mauritian farmers and fishermen, enjoyed the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, checked out the craft beer and street food scene, slept on a rooftop under the stars, and snorkeled to discover the Indian Ocean’s breathtaking underwater beauty. It wouldn’t be my first solo choice.
I wasn’t sure whether I would like traveling alone in Cuba since I can’t picture being offline for extended periods of time. It turned out that, despite the fact that the internet was available in public parks, the captivating history, remote culture, breathtaking natural beauty, and charming residents completely forgot about it! The highlight of my trip to Havana was booking a private “go with the flow” afternoon with Cuban Adventures. I spent three hours with a young guide who was born and raised in Cuba, enjoying a daiquiri, watching a football game, learning about the Afro-Cuban religion, and admiring amazing murals and sculptures while we explored the city’s alleyways and had an open discussion about its turbulent past.