5 Amazing Adventures For Solo Travelers

If you’ve been eyeing a hiking trip to Ireland, dreaming about India, or wishing that you had someone to go to Vienna with, don’t wait. There’s no better time than right now for checking exciting destinations off your bucket list, even if you’re traveling alone. Keep reading to learn about the best places to go for solo travelers.

For the Active Adventurer

If you’re the type of intrepid traveler who likes to move while on vacation and challenge yourself, there’s no better way to experience the Emerald Isle than on a hiking trip with Wilderness Ireland. With Johnny Cash’s “Forty Shades of Green” lyrics ringing in your ears, you’ll join a group of bold outdoors-y folks on a journey of a lifetime. You’ll spend your time hiking in the diverse and vast Irish landscapes during the day and sipping a pint in a pub at nights. The best part? You’ll make new friends along the way while an expert and amiable guide leads your small group and organizes all of the logistics.

Choose your own adventure with one of the many tours on offer throughout the country, including Northern Ireland’s Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway. One indelible experience not to miss, however, is the Connemara, the Burren, Mayo & the Aran Islands tour. Your hiking boots will squish in bogs dotted with Heather, take you to the top of a limestone-studded peak, travel through moss-covered forests, and traverse along the edge of the Cliffs of Moher. This is the adventure you’ve been looking for!

For the Cultural Maven

If you’ve never been to India before, you most certainly should make time for seeing the Taj Mahal, India’s most recognizable white marble mausoleum, located in Agra. And, of course, Old Delhi is a feast for the senses, especially if you hop in a rickshaw and travel through the narrow alleyways where bursts of colors, scents, and sounds tickle your brain.

A favorite for most travelers on the circuit of the famous Golden Triangle is Jaipur, the “Pink City”. The capital of India’s Rajasthan state, you can see evidence of the royal family that once ruled the region in Jaipur. Visit the stunning Amber Fort; Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory; snap a photo of Hawa Mahal, the “Palace of Wind”, which is surrounded by a busy bazaar; marvel at Jal Mahal, a water palace seemingly submerged in the middle of Man Sagar Lake; and treat yourself to a Bollywood movie in a cinema.

For planning and a bit of a respite from the bustling metropolis, utilize the services and accommodations of The Leela Palace Jaipur. This beautiful resort is worth the trip to the Republic of India alone. There’s a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, the rooms are stunning and private, and there’s an incredible restaurant, Mohan Mahal, that uses hundreds of candles in lieu of natural light, which creates the most astonishing dining experience amongst 350 thousand pieces of shaped glass—you have to see it to believe it! The staff here are incredibly warm and helpful—you’ll have everything you need, including social connections during their organized group special events.

For the Animal Lover

For many, an African safari is top of the list. If you’ve always wanted to visit Kenya for a quintessential safari venture, then look no further than the Classic Kenya 4WD Safari with Exodus Travels.

As a solo traveler, you’ll have the comfort of joining a group of new friends on this incredible adventure that travels through Lake Nakuru National Park, the stomping grounds of black and white rhinos and the Masai Mara, home to one of the most spectacular migrations on the planet. Part of this wild voyage includes a stay in a tented camp, where you’ll hear the wind and wilds of Kenya just outside your zipped-up door. Special add-on experiences, not to be missed, are visits to small villages and an early morning hot air balloon ride. You don’t have to travel with a big group to enjoy the sounds and sights of Kenya.

For the Urban Explorer

If wandering a cityscape is your idea of a magical vacation, then book a trip to Vienna, Austria’s most populous and vibrant metropolis. See Klimt’s famous painting, “The Kiss”; get your steps in along the historic Ringstrasse; eat your weight in Sachertorte, the capital city’s signature cake; marvel at the Hofburg Palace; and experience the lively and vigorous coffee culture (including a “Granny Café”).

Stay at SO/Vienna, a centrally located modern hotel, which is home to one of the best bars and restaurants in the city: Das LOFT. You’ll enjoy panoramic views of the city, with a cocktail in hand, while experiencing delectable and inventive cuisine. Vienna, easily accessible with great public transportation, is the perfect blend of history, culture, architecture, and a youthful ethos.

For the Warm-Weather Seeker

If you have a long layover in the UAE, or if you’re spending a few days in Dubai, arrange for an exhilarating desert safari with Platinum Heritage Dubai. For the Heritage Safari, you’ll travel in a vintage Land Rover with a knowledgeable conservation guide who will teach you about the interesting flora and fauna of the desert as well as the ancient survival methods of the Bedouin. You’ll see a revealing falconry demonstration, indulge in a multi-course Emirati meal, meet a caravan of camels—the “ships of the desert”—and try your hand at beating a traditional drum for nighttime entertainment.

From start to finish, everything will be well organized and accounted for, including transportation from and to your hotel in Dubai. This is an experience to remember and one that can be enjoyed by solo travelers due to the ease of planning and logistics.