Curator’s statement
Most of the advertising you see for solo travel makes it seem like you have to be young, fit and tan to travel. Or that you have to hike in Patagonia to be defined as adventurous or that to relax, you must be by a beach or pool. I am here to tell you that you do not have to be outdoorsy or a beach bum to be an adventurous solo traveler. For those seeking to explore the world on their own terms, I offer five types of adventures for solo travelers that do not require packing hiking boots or mosquito repellent.
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Things to do
Wildlife encounters
You don’t have to go on a safari in the Serengeti. If you know where to look, you’ll find that opportunities for wildlife adventures are closer than you’d think. You can meet a herd of reindeer at Running Reindeer Ranch in Alaska, spend a week riding horses on a dude ranch at Goosewing Ranch or go whale watching. Catch a boat from Seattle to see orcas or from downtown Boston to see humpback whales.
Create your own culinary-cation
Foodies, why would you not build a trip around great food? I once flew to London to have my birthday dinner at the Savoy Grill, just because I wanted to eat that Gordon Ramsay Beef Wellington. Start with a restaurant you have always wanted to try and build a trip around it. Pick a foodie city and make reservations for dinner every night, then during the day, visit markets or take walking food tours like Vancouver Foodie Tours.
Art & architecture adventure
Flex your nerd muscle. Do some research to find out if your favorite painter, sculptor, architect or photographer will be featured in any major exhibitions like this Mark Rothko retrospective at the Fondation Louis Vuitton (through April 2024). Plan a road or rail trip through Spain to see Santiago Calatrava's early designs. Plan a long weekend in a new city, taking in an art museum, an architecture tour and a gallery or two.
Self-care solo adventure
Prioritize self-care and holistic well-being by embarking on a solo wellness retreat. From luxury spa resorts in Mexico like Zoëtry Casa Del Mar to holistic healing experiences in the jungles of Costa Rica, investing in your mind, body and spirit is always a good decision. Browse my guide to some of our favorite spas for more ideas.
Take a solo cruise
Cruise lines are making it easier to cruise solo by offering solo rooms, not charging single supplements and offering more adult-only voyages. If you’re open to cruising and you choose wisely, you can get a little bit of all of the above adventures, all in one place. Virgin Voyages Insider and Sea View cabins are priced affordably for solo travelers. River cruises are ideal adventures for solo travelers. Avalon Waterways waives the single supplement charge for some cabins on every cruise.
Need to know
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Travel Advisor
Jonna Robertson
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We can’t all be backpackers or beach bums. Some of us like our creature comforts and hate sand! Whether you're drawn to wildlife, art, food or total relaxation on a boat, let’s book your next solo adventure.
This guide is part of our ongoing series on Solo Travel. In need of further inspiration? Check out Kris Weir’s trip report, The Best Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers.