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Solo travel can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences. It means spending your holidays exactly as you wish, completely immersing yourself in each destination and being present for every experience. You might even discover some new things about yourself along the way.
What’s more, setting off solo doesn’t mean being lonely, as it encourages us to connect with new people – whether friendly locals or fellow globetrotters. Still, feeling a bit daunted is completely natural, especially if it’s your first time.
That’s where solo group tours can make all the difference. Because everything is organised for you – from transport to meals and accommodation – you can focus on enjoying yourself, rather than worrying about logistics. You’ll also have the company of like-minded travellers, which can offer peace of mind when exploring unfamiliar places, while expert guides can reveal hidden gems and insights you might otherwise miss.
To inspire anyone wanting to set off on their first solo adventure, we’ve listed some amazing destinations below with the help of One Traveller. Since 2007, family-run One Traveller have delivered expert-led tours for solo travellers over 50, providing the perfect opportunity to see the world, make new friends, and create lasting memories. We’ve secured their expert opinion as the company of choice for first-time solo travellers in later life.
Read on for solo travel destination ideas…
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One Traveller Norfolk Historic Houses & Gardens*
United Kingdom | 5 days | Accommodation Included
No single supplements.
Includes taxes and fees
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One Traveller Lake Constance & Bregenz Festival*
Austria | 8 days | Accommodation & Flights Included
No single supplements. Pre-holiday get-together on select departures.
Includes taxes and fees
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One Traveller Crete – A Walking Holiday*
Greece | 8 days | Accommodation & Flights Included
No single supplements.
Includes taxes and fees
1. Albania
For decades, the Land of Eagles flew under the travel radar, but it’s now being discovered as a hidden gem. In Albania, you’ll find warm and welcoming people (always a draw for solo travellers) and beaches to rival those of Spain and Greece, from crystalline coves at the feet of glorious mountains to sweeping pebble stretches dotted with lively bars.
But there’s plenty more to enjoy than friendly locals and captivating coastlines. History buffs can explore ancient Greek ruins at Apollonia and unravel the stories behind Berat’s Ottoman mosques and Byzantine Churches. And foodies will delight in the culinary culture, whether tasting rich lamb dishes in traditional tavernas or some of Europe’s most underrated wines at bucolic vineyards.
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One Traveller North Macedonia & Northern Albania*
Albania | 12 days | Accommodation & Flights Included
No single supplements. Pre-holiday get-together on select departures.
Includes taxes and fees
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One Traveller Albania*
Albania | 8 days | Accommodation & Flights Included
No single supplements. Pre-holiday get-together on select departures.
Includes taxes and fees
2. Namibia
Namibia is home to some truly surreal landscapes: towering seas of red dunes, plunging crimson canyons, and sun-scorched trees standing like sentinels in gleaming clay pans. Itineraries blend starkly beautiful spots, like the abandoned desert town of Kolmanskop, with areas bursting with life. Think Etosha National Park, where hundreds of lions, rhinos, elephants, and more gather at watering holes for an unforgettable spectacle.
But Namibia isn’t just about dramatic scenery and animal encounters. This is a place where history runs deep – both ancient and recent. There’s rock art in the Kunene Region that’s twice as old as Stonehenge, while some corners of this vast wilderness served as remote battlegrounds during World War I. Culture seekers can also visit the Himba tribes in the north, who have preserved their traditional ways of life for generations. A trip here will surely make for an unforgettable solo adventure.
3. The Baltics
The Baltics (Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania) are another up-and-coming travel destination. In addition to being among the world’s safest countries, they boast some truly stunning cities, featuring perfectly preserved medieval quarters, vibrant Baroque palaces, and soaring Gothic spires. Each offers a spectrum of unique cultural experiences, whether soaking in a Tallinn sauna or tasting cepelinai, delicious potato dumplings, in Vilnius.
Yet, the Baltic hinterlands offer equally bewitching scenery and intriguing attractions. Around half of the region is covered in lush forest, and it’s home to many pristine beaches that would look at home on the Costa Brava. There are also plenty of gorgeous castles and royal residences, such as the grand Trakai Castle, situated on an island amidst the sapphire waters of a Lithuanian lake.
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One Traveller Tallinn, Riga & Vilnius*
Estonia | 10 days | Accommodation & Flights Included
No single supplements. Pre-holiday get-together on select departures.
Includes taxes and fees
4. Uzbekistan
Almost everywhere you turn in Uzbekistan, you’ll find beautiful human creations – from elaborate carpets in Tashkent’s bazaars to Samarkand’s mosques, mausoleums, and madrasas, intricately tiled in every imaginable shade of blue. For centuries, it was a key stop along the great Silk Road trading routes. That history, along with decades of Soviet rule, has crafted a completely unique cultural landscape.
Beyond the bazaars and breathtaking buildings, there’s a whole other side of Uzbekistan waiting to be discovered. Witness Lazgi, a soul-stirring folk dance in the Khorazm region, or learn about Islamic theology in historic Bukhara. Then there’s the food: mouthwatering plov (slow-cooked rice) and sizzling shashlik (meat skewers) are both must-tries. Few people are as hospitable as Uzbekistanis, so don’t be surprised if you’re invited to try some of these delicacies in locals’ homes.
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One Traveller Uzbekistan*
Uzbekistan | 12 days | Accommodation & Flights Included
No single supplements.
Includes taxes and fees
5. Austria
The imperial grandeur of Austria’s cities is exceeded only by its magnificent mountain scenery. You might spend one day wandering the Baroque grounds of Salzburg’s Mirabell Palace, and the next, sailing across mirror-like Lake Hallstatt, surrounded by dizzying peaks. Quaint alpine towns dot the landscape, their chalet balconies bursting with flowers, while royal residences have featured in Hollywood classics like Where Eagles Dare and The Sound of Music.
Austria’s cultural riches are also plentiful. Besides its unrivalled classical music heritage, it’s where the Habsburg dynasty shaped European history for over six centuries, leaving behind lavish buildings and vast art collections, like that at Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum. Between gallery tours and concerts, sample world-class coffee alongside scrumptious treats like apple strudel in traditional Viennese cafés. What’s more, Austria is one of the world’s safest countries, according to the Global Peace Index.
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One Traveller Lake Constance & Bregenz Festival*
Austria | 8 days | Accommodation & Flights Included
No single supplements. Pre-holiday get-together on select departures.
Includes taxes and fees
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One Traveller Festive Danube Capitals*
Austria | 11 days | Accommodation & Flights Included
No single supplements. Pre-holiday get-together on select departures.
Includes taxes and fees
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One Traveller Danube Christmas Cruise*
Austria | 6 days | Flights Included
No single supplements. One Experience holiday. Pre-holiday get-together on select departures.
Includes taxes and fees
6. Costa Rica
If unique wildlife and natural beauty are top priorities, Costa Rica might be your perfect solo adventure destination. Picture yourself swimming in glassy shallows and wandering barefoot along powdery Caribbean sands, where graceful sea turtles nest along the shore. Or head inland to traverse lofty volcanic regions, where cooled lava flows cut rugged paths through the emerald vegetation.
This former Spanish colony is perhaps most famous for its twisting jungles and mist-shrouded cloud forests, home to sloths, toucans, jaguars – not to mention many species of hummingbirds. Between wildlife spotting, you can tour coffee and cacao plantations, and cap it all off with the vibrant art, history, and cuisine of San José, the country’s lively capital. Although the true highlight of your trip may be the locals you meet along the way, as Costa Ricans are often counted among the world’s friendliest people.
7. Morocco
Morocco’s cities offer something for every solo traveller. Casablanca’s chic shopping streets contrast with Marrakech’s hectic, spice-scented souks, and Moorish minarets rub shoulders with Art Deco wonders. Relaxing hammam and botanical garden experiences share itineraries with evenings at Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, where musicians, conjurers, and street artists dazzle onlookers.
Venture beyond city limits, and Morocco takes on an entirely different character. Stretching like a golden tapestry to the south, the dunes of the Sahara beckon intrepid travellers – as do the formidable peaks of the Atlas Mountains. Discover towns like Aït Benhaddou and the ‘Blue Pearl’ of Chefchaouen, which are nestled into the undulating topography, and unearth the region’s history at crumbling kasbahs and Roman ruins.
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One Traveller Festive Morocco*
Morocco | 12 days | Accommodation & Flights Included
No single supplements.
Includes taxes and fees
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One Traveller Morocco*
Morocco | 14 days | Accommodation & Flights Included
No single supplements.
Includes taxes and fees
8. Sri Lanka
Safe, welcoming, and packed with variety, this small, tear-drop-shaped isle is a favourite with solo travellers. Strung along the coast, you’ll find gorgeous sandy beaches and colourful colonial fortresses where Eastern and Western influences mingle. The cosmopolitan capital, Colombo, pulls you in with bustling markets and some of the country’s best cuisine. And be sure to check out the work of Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most celebrated architect.
Venture inland, and glittering coasts give way to verdant rice fields and tropical jungles, while misty mountains shelter Buddhist temples, sparkling waterfalls, and tea plantations. Wildlife enthusiasts won’t want to miss Yala National Park, where leopards, elephants, and sloth bears roam. Then, there’s Sigiriya, a fifth-century fortress perched precariously atop a 180m-tall rock formation.
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One Traveller Festive Sri Lanka*
Sri Lanka | 16 days | Accommodation & Flights Included
No single supplements.
Includes taxes and fees
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One Traveller Sri Lanka*
Sri Lanka | 17 days | Accommodation & Flights Included
No single supplements.
Includes taxes and fees
9. Crete
For a balance of leisure and sightseeing on your first solo adventure, Crete ticks every box. Spend your days relaxing on sugar sand beaches lapped by gin-clear waters or meandering through enchanting Old Towns in picturesque Venetian ports. Come evening, settle into a welcoming taverna for souvlaki (grilled meat skewers) and dolmades (stuffed vine leaves), washed down with plenty of ouzo and crisp local beer.
On more active days, Crete’s fascinating history will keep you busy. The Palace of Knossos offers glimpses into the Minoan civilisation that thrived here over 4,000 years ago, while the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion brings that lost world to life through pottery, jewellery, and tools. You might also like to visit the idyllic wineries, honey farms, and olive groves to sample delicious local produce and connect with the island’s way of life.
10. Kenya
Kenya is another brilliant destination for solo travellers in search of unforgettable wildlife encounters. This is particularly true for the Great Rift Valley, a vast lowland stretching through the full length of the country and beyond. Its deserts, savannahs, mountains, and lakes are home to some of Africa’s most iconic animals – including lions, hippos, elephants, and cheetahs.
One of the most impressive wildlife experiences in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley is a visit to Lake Nakuru. Here, thousands of rosy flamingoes gather during the breeding season, painting the waters a vivid carpet of pink. The lake is also home to one of the largest concentrations of black and white rhinos in the world. Rhinos can also be seen at Ol-Pejeta Conservancy at the foot of Mt Kenya, Africa’s second-tallest peak.
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One Traveller Festive Kenya*
Kenya | 13 days | Accommodation & Flights Included
No single supplements. Pre-holiday get-together on select departures.
Includes taxes and fees
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One Traveller Kenya Safari*
Kenya | 13 days | Accommodation & Flights Included
No single supplements.
Includes taxes and fees
Final thoughts…
From Morocco’s sun-lit riads to Costa Rica’s dewy cloud forests, wild Baltic beaches to vast Kenyan grasslands, these destinations can offer first-time solo travellers the adventure of a lifetime.
And whether you’re seeking cultural experiences, wondrous wildlife, jaw-dropping landscapes, or simply some time on the beach, taking a solo group tour with One Traveller can help you get the most from your trip.
One Traveller holidays are aimed exclusively at solo travellers over 50, meaning you’ll join a group of like-minded people also looking to see the world and make new connections. What’s more, the optional Pre-Holiday Get-Togethers offer a great opportunity to break the ice and get to know your fellow travellers before setting off.
Plus, with One Traveller, almost everything is included in the initial price of your holiday – like most meals, many drinks, excursions, and extra touches, so you can budget your holiday easily. You also won’t have to pay a singles supplement, which is standard on many traditional tours, and you’ll enjoy your own double room for sole use, included as standard.