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Selene Nelson March 10, 2025

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Jules Verne logoMost of us feel the pull of travel at one time or another – the urge to marvel at wonderful landscapes, connect with new cultures, eat fabulous food, and experience the world in an entirely new way. Yet, making our dreams a reality can be easier said than done, especially if we’re waiting for others to come with us or feel unsure about going alone.

But imagine not waiting and living out your travel dreams on your terms; answering the call of Borneo’s gorgeous orangutans; delving into Albania’s treasure chest of ancient cities; or standing, staring up at India’s iconic Taj Mahal. Solo travel is one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable. It can lead to new friends; increased self-awareness, creativity, and confidence; and more immersive, mindful experiences.

Award-winning Jules Verne understands the complex nature of not wanting to wait for your next adventure – but not wanting to travel completely alone, either. Their small group tours offer 10-16 like-minded people the chance to see the very best of a country while enjoying a balanced blend of personal privacy and social interaction.

Popular with those looking to gain a deeper understanding of the country they’re visiting; these tours are packed with special touches and moments. The expert guides go above and beyond to make sure you have a rich, rewarding, and memorable holiday. Plus, there’s an adventure for everyone, whether you fancy exploring dramatic otherworldly landscapes in Iceland, meeting the penguins on South Africa’s Boulders Beach, or travelling across Uzbekistan’s red sand desert.

So, the only question left is: where to go? To satisfy your wanderlust, here are 10 unforgettable solo adventures for 2025. Once you’ve found a trip that takes your fancy, you can also get an exclusive 5% off on your holiday with code RESTLESS2. Book online or call 020 38113861.

1. Uzbekistan – The Golden Road to Samarkand

Uzbekistan – The Golden Road to Samarkand

As central Asia’s most impressive showstopper, Uzbekistan offers a mesmerising treasure trove of architecture and ancient cities, all deeply infused with the fascinating history of the Silk Road. The city of Samarkand is a crossroads and melting pot of the world’s cultures and one of the Silk Road’s most important sites; home to beautiful mosques and mausoleums, and the jewel that is Registan Square.

Jules Verne’s 11-night tour wends to Samarkand, with plenty to explore en route. You’ll explore Khiva, the magical UNESCO-listed ‘old town’, where 300 houses and monuments nestle within fortress walls; soak in the tranquillity of the vast Kyzylkum Desert; and enjoy a delicious barbeque lunch in Bukhara, the country’s weaving capital. You’ll also have plenty of time to explore at your leisure.

2. Italy – Treasures of Sicily

Italy – Treasures of Sicily

It’s difficult not to fall in love with bright, beautiful Sicily and its alluring blend of art, culture, and nature. Located just off the “toe” of Italy’s “boot”, it’s the largest Mediterranean island, boasting a magnificent collection of ancient ruins and archaeological sites – not to mention the amazing wine, dreamy beaches, and charming towns and villages.

On a circular tour with Jules Verne, seven nights are spent uncovering the region’s intriguing past. You’ll visit the ancient port of Catania; the gorgeous medieval town of Taormina, perched above the sea; and the Roman Villa del Casale in the pretty town of Piazza Armerina. Nature lovers will also love visiting Europe’s highest and most active volcano, Mount Etna, while wine enthusiasts will be in their element with a tasting in Marsala.

3. Highlights of Kenya

Highlights of Kenya

This tour of Kenya is an animal lover’s dream. The country’s incredibly diverse scenery – from golden savannahs and hulking mountains to luscious greenery and paradisiacal beaches – makes it a joy to explore. With Jules Verne, you can spend a week spotting elephants, birdlife (including flamingos!), big cats, and much more at stunning wildlife reserves.

Nicknamed ‘Africa’s Elephant Park’, Amboseli National Park is a UNESCO heritage site and home to 56 animal species including hippos, hyenas, wild dogs, giraffes, and the Big Five. After two nights here, you’ll spend a night at Lake Elementaita with the flamingos before heading to the world-famous Masai Mara for a full-day game drive in the Big Five reserve.

4. Classical Tour of Albania

Classical Tour of Albania

Albania is still somewhat underrated as a travel destination – but it’s unlikely to stay that way, as more people are recognising it as a hidden gem. Its unique culture, mythical mountains, picturesque coastline, and abundance of museums, castles, and architectural wonders are just a few reasons to visit. The spellbinding hillside city of Gjirokastra in the South has 600 examples of Ottoman architecture!

Jules Verne’s Classical Tour of Albania lasts seven nights and covers every facet of this fascinating country, travelling through the past and present. You can expect lovely coastal villages, medieval towers and ancient citadels, an astonishing anti-nuclear bunker, fortresses, and rock-hewn tombs. The capital, Tirana, is also safe and very walkable, with a funky vibe, great coffee, and an interesting mix of restaurants.

5. Tunisia – Carthage to Kairouan

Tunisia – Carthage to Kairouan

Like Albania, Tunisia goes somewhat under the radar, but this slender slice of North Africa has much to offer. Along its Mediterranean shores, where citrus groves meet golden beaches, traditional fishing boats deliver fresh catches to seaside restaurants. Yet, beyond the sun-soaked coast waits a land of startling contrasts, from pine-covered hills tumbling down to turquoise waters to the mesmerising Sahara, where towering dunes ripple to the horizon.

With Jules Verne, you can spend an unhurried week here taking a journey through past and present. Highlights include visits to the Roman town of Uthina; the gorgeous coastal town of Sidi Bou Said; the ancient ruins of Carthage; and the Roman amphitheatre of El Djem, with a spectator capacity of 35,000. In Sousse, you can also admire one of the largest mosaic collections in the world at the famous Bardo National Museum.

6. Highlights of Northern India

Highlights of Northern India

India is a place that needs to be visited to be understood. There’s a story around every corner and the country’s frenetic energy is offset by its culinary delights, natural beauty, vibrant culture, and beguiling history. The diversity of languages, religions, and landscapes here is also huge: from lush national parks and vast stretches of desert to the 200 native languages and thousands of ethnic and tribal communities.

With Jules Verne, you can join a solo group tour and spend 13 nights exploring the Highlights of Northern India. The tour includes unmissable experiences, like the chance to take in an exquisite sunrise over the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. You’ll also go tiger-spotting in Ranthambore National Park, visit the stark Thar Desert, and marvel at the regal Pink City of Jaipur.

7. Highlights of Sri Lanka

Highlights of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is known for its stunning weather and spectacular tropical landscapes – from emerald tea plantations to pristine beaches – as well as its world-class wildlife, beautiful Buddhist temples, warm, welcoming people, and colourful cuisine. It offers the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion.

Jules Verne’s Highlights of Sri Lanka tour is set over eight nights and will take you from cosmopolitan Colombo to the vibrant city of Galle, experiencing all sorts along the way. Explore Sri Lanka’s UNESCO treasures: ascend the 600-foot Sigiriya Rock Fortress, where royal palace remnants crown an ancient stone monolith; marvel at the Dambulla Cave Temples, a sacred sanctuary drawing pilgrims for millennia; and visit Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth, the island’s most venerated spiritual landmark.

8. Iceland – Ice & Lights

Iceland – Ice & Lights

Often nicknamed ‘The Land of Fire and Ice’, the otherworldly landscapes of Iceland belong on everyone’s bucket list. The dancing colours of the ethereal and sought-after Northern Lights are an obvious potential highlight. But the gleaming glacier lagoons, bubbling hot springs, frozen waterfalls, steaming geysers, and black and crystal sand beaches aren’t to be missed – not forgetting the lava fields.

Beyond this, colourful Reykjavik is known for its trendy bars, cosy cafes, fascinating museums, and stylish shops. It’s small and walkable, with a big cosmopolitan personality. On Jules Verne’s six-night Ice & Lights tour, you can experience all this and more. You’ll visit the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, discover South Icelandic villages, tour the Golden Circle Route, and have the option to soak in Blue Lagoon.

9. Malaysia – Best of Borneo

Malaysia – Best of Borneo

A visit to Borneo will stay with you long after you land back in the UK. The enchanting island has one of the most megadiverse ecosystems in the world, home to orangutans, Sun Bears, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, and fabulous flora and fauna. Dramatic landscapes range from dense rainforests, mountain peaks, and misted rivers to untouched coastlines and mystical caves.

To see the very best of Borneo, you might like to consider spending 12 nights on Jules Verne’s Best of Borneo tour. You’ll visit wildlife rehabilitation centres to see some incredible animals and walk the plank in the rainforest to explore Lang Cave, the world’s largest cave passage. Plus, you can walk among the treetops on the Mulu Canopy Skywalk and visit a local village to learn more about the different ethnic groups who live there.

10. Highlights from South Africa

Highlights from South Africa

Vivid and varied, South Africa is arguably one of the world’s most diverse countries – so much so that travelling from one corner to another can feel like stepping into a new country. On Jules Verne’s Highlights of South Africa tour, you can experience a wonderful mix of landscapes, lifestyles, and cultures, starting in stylish Cape Town and flying home from the metropolis that is Johannesburg.

In Cape Town, the cobbled streets and colourful houses of hillside Bo-Kaap are lovely to explore and the panoramic views from Table Mountain are breathtaking. From here, there’s also the option to visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his 27 years imprisonment. Other highlights include wine tasting in the world-famous Stellenbosch region and a safari in Kruger National Park, home to the Big Five.

Final thoughts…

With so much of the world to see, it can be frustrating to wait on others to make travel plans or think about missing out because you’re worried about going alone. But, there are some incredible benefits to solo travel – from making new friends to building confidence and connecting with new cultures.

Plus, by joining a solo group tour with Jules Verne, you can get the best of both worlds: a chance to experience the very best of a country while enjoying a balanced blend of personal privacy and social interaction.

Jules Verne’s tours are also incredibly varied, so whether you’d like to spot wildlife in Kenya or journey through past and present in Albania, there’s something for everyone. Plus, with code RESTLESS2, you can get an exclusive 5% off on your holiday. Book online or call 020 38113861.

Are you considering a solo adventure? What destinations interest you most? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Selene Nelson

Selene Nelson is an author, freelance journalist, and lifestyle writer for Rest Less. After graduating from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature, Selene began contributing to many major newspapers and websites, and has written for the BBC, The Sunday Times, The Independent, Town & Country, and HuffPost. Her specialist subjects include food, travel, and health, though she enjoys writing about a wide range of topics (e.g. her two books are about veganism and psychopathy, respectively!). She enjoys cooking (particularly pasta and Asian noodle soups), reading, travelling, hiking, attempting to keep fit, and watching animal videos on YouTube.

* Links with an * by them are affiliate links which help Rest Less stay free to use as they can result in a payment or benefit to us. You can read more on how we make money here.

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