10 top spots for solo travelers in winter (or any other time of year)

The idea of traveling alone can be daunting if you've never taken a solo trip before. Checking in for your outbound flight is easy – it's only when you arrive alone in an unfamiliar destination that it all becomes real. But any initial doubts are fleeting. By the time you've checked into your hotel and hit the streets looking for your first meal, nerves will already be giving way to the thrill of being somewhere new. A major factor in mastering the art of solo travel is selecting the right destination. Whether you're embarking on an epic multicountry trip or taking an impulsive city break, some places are more suitable for a solo travel experience than others. There are destinations that are naturally suited to solitude, and destinations where travelers are naturally thrown together, making it easy to meet new people. Best of all, there are solo travel destinations in every corner of the globe, so you can take a solo trip in the depths of winter as easily as you can at the height of summer. Here are 10 sure-fire destinations for lone travelers, organized by interest. Whether you’re into raves, relaxation, hiking or sightseeing, these spots are certain to get your solo travel adventure off on the right foot. Play Video An epic solo adventure in South America South America: best for solo adventures With mountains to climb, rivers to raft, ancient ruins to uncover and jungles to explore, South America is the ultimate adventure destination. And the northern hemisphere's winter is South America's summer – the prime time to visit Patagonia and the Andes. From well-trodden paths in Argentina, Chile and Brazil to virgin jungle trails in Ecuador and Colombia, the continent has something for every kind of adventurer. You'll certainly never struggle for company on the trek to Machu Picchu! Don’t let the continent's size daunt you – with easy border crossings and well-established traveler hubs, South America is ideal for solo overlanding. The well-worn Gringo Trail, which takes in the continent’s most popular destinations, ensures recurring rendezvous with fellow adventurers and ample opportunities to buddy up with travelers heading in the same direction. This, paired with the general warmth of local people and the continent’s premium hostel network, makes solo travel simple. Epic solo travel experience: Mountain biking down Bolivia’s infamous Death Road (the name is an exaggeration, in case you were worried) and debriefing with your fellow riders over a few beers afterward. Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter. Pura Taman Saraswati temple in Ubud, Bali Ubud's ubiquitous temples add to the town's spiritual feel © Sytilin Pavel / Shutterstock Ubud, Indonesia: best for self-reflection Whether you loved or loathed Elizabeth Gilbert’s seminal solo travel memoir Eat, Pray, Love, there’s no denying that Bali has a special magic. The island's artistic and spiritual center, Ubud, is where the author found love (and presumably ate and prayed) and it remains a wonderfully laid-back place for solo travelers to relax, reflect and recharge. And Bali is a year-round destination – summer is peak season, but the island has a quieter and calmer charm in winter. Nestled among emerald rice fields ringed by mist-wrapped mountains, Ubud attracts throngs of solo travelers, meaning no probing glances if you arrive alone at a morning yoga class or ask for a table for one in one of the town’s salubrious vegetarian cafes. To really harness the healing power of Ubud (and for some serious solitude), check yourself into one of the many health retreats that dot the verdant hills around town. Epic solo travel experience: Getting up super early before the heat climbs to join a holistic class – you find lessons in everything from yoga and meditation, and you can follow up with a massage at a tried and tested spa such as Taksu Spa. Young people dancing at a Berlin club Berlin's clubs attract party people from across the globe © TommL / Getty Images Berlin, Germany: best for nightlife Some say you are more likely to get into Berghain, the most famous nightclub in Berlin, if you arrive alone. Whether or not that’s the case, the rumor demonstrates the German capital’s natural affinity for solo travelers. Legions of solo citybreakers are drawn by Berlin's deserved reputation as one of the friendliest, most inclusive cities in Europe, and by its famous nightlife. Berlin is one of the best places in Europe to party, offering a collection of colossal clubs and graffiti-spattered beer gardens, but going clubbing is just one of many things to do in Berlin. Thought-provoking history surrounds you from the moment you arrive, from the Brandenburg Gate to the Holocaust Memorial, while quirky cafes, cool boutiques, weekend flea markets and a growing food-truck scene provide more leisurely delights. Berlin is an easy place to wander alone, or join a walking tour for some company. Epic solo travel experience: Heading out to a bar or nightclub and seeing where the night takes you. For some guided imbibing, join a beer tour with Brewer's Berlin Tours or Berlin Craft Beer Experience. An elephant passes a safari jeep in Kenya A small group tour can take the stress out of organizing a safari in Africa © Emily Marie Wilson / Shutterstock East Africa: best for a group tour Have you always dreamed of viewing gorillas in the jungles of Rwanda, meeting a Maasai chief in Kenya or spotting the “Big Five” in Tanzania, but were daunted by the logistics of tackling East Africa independently? A group tour can simplify the experience of visiting this stunning region of the world, and provide a buffer for the sometimes challenging experiences Africa can throw at first-timers. East Africa’s tourism infrastructure is well developed and traveling solo in most countries here is quite achievable (particularly in Kenya and Tanzania), but joining a group tour means you can bundle together a string of big game-viewing safaris in multiple countries, without getting hit by additional lone traveler charges or facing the daunting prospect of arranging multiple tours and transport. Best of all, tours in these bucket-list destinations attract a diverse group of travelers, meaning you’re much less likely to be the only solo traveler sandwiched between canoodling couples, or the only 20-something in a coach full of empty-nesters. Epic solo travel experience: Catching the great migration from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya – an almost Lion King-esque parade of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and predators. View from the walkway on The Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore The otherworldly Gardens by the Bay is one of many Singapore sights that are great to explore alone © FuuTaMin / Shutterstock Singapore: best for a solo stopover With all manner of cultural attractions to explore, a growing collection of hostels and guesthouses, loads of free things to do, and one of the world’s best public transport systems (including excellent airport links), there are few more stress-free solo travel experiences than landing at Singapore's award-winning Changi airport on a tropical afternoon. Whether you choose to amble with an audio guide through the Chinatown Heritage Centre, gawp at the otherworldly Gardens by the Bay, plunge into a lavish rooftop pool, or join the hordes feasting in Singapore's hawker food courts, the city is perfectly suited to solo travel. An added bonus is the city's cosmopolitan attitude – locals don't bat an eyelid at the daily influx of international arrivals, and there are few hassles and scams to worry about. Epic solo travel experience: Checking out the cozy cafes and quirky boutiques in the gentrified 1930s housing estate of Tiong Bahru. Interior of Rome's Colosseum with a crowd of tourists Rome's Colosseum draws approximately 14 million tourists each year © Marco Rubino / Shutterstock Rome, Italy: best for culture From ancient icons such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum to the towering masterpiece of Renaissance architecture that is St Peter’s Basilica, Rome’s cityscape is a kaleidoscopic canvas of artistic flair, architectural wonderment and historical marvels. Whether you’re visiting for two days or two months, there's so much to see that there's little risk of becoming bored. Though English is not as widely spoken as in some European nations, it’s hard to feel lonely among the 14 million other tourists who visit this cultural hub each year. And solo dining means you only have to worry about keeping one palate happy in Rome's fabulous restaurants. But don’t pack too much into your itinerary, as Rome rewards relaxation; mingling with strangers over a glass of vino at sunset is an essential pastime in The Eternal City.

Can visiting lesser-known places offer a better travel experience?

With COVID-19 pressing pause on the over-tourism box set, the travel industry has the chance to reflect, reassess and reconfigure. But do travelers need to change too? Can traveling beyond blockbuster destinations make trips more rewarding? One writer thinks so. When this pandemic is over – and yes, that’s a hopeful, hands-clasped, please-make-it-happen "when" – and we emerge blinking from our homes, lugging hastily-stuffed backpacks with us, where will you visit first? Perhaps you've been scrolling through photos of the cherry blossoms in Japan? Or circling some way-too-cool bars in a New York City guidebook? Maybe you've been waking in the night, sticky with sweat, following another Cinque Terre fever dream? Not me. There will be no torn-and-tanned bucket list to unfurl from my pocket; no best-rated restaurants to book. Instead, I’ll visit lesser-known destinations where I’m likely to be asked: "What are you doing here?" Here’s why. Play Video Lesser-known destinations you need to visit It leads to more authentic interactions Schwump schwump schwump. The windscreen wipers were making heavy work of the ongoing downpour as we crawled blindly around the overhanging foothills of the Colombian Massif. “This road,” the driver shouted over the rain clattering on the bonnet, “it sometimes washes away in weather like this.” My partner and I weren’t meant to be caught in this storm, even less so this car. We’d been waiting for a bus at the bottom of the road to San Agustín for some six hours. But as a dramatic rainstorm tumbled over the mountain, the last scheduled departure swooshed past, its driver shaking his head. Fortunately Miguel, who had been following behind the bus, realised we were stranded and pulled over to offer a lift. But had we been stuck outside the Roman Forum or the Sanctuary of Apollo – or any ancient ruins where tourists outnumber residents – would anyone have stopped? It’s doubtful. But in lesser-visited destinations, meaningful interactions like these seem to increase. We told Miguel about visiting the cartoonish neolithic sculptures of San Agustín Archaeological Park and he recommended we head to Popayán to see where the poet Guillermo Valencia had lived. He’d even be happy to drive us there. We gleefully accepted and treated Miguel to coffee on the gleaming Parque Caldas, Popayán’s bustling 16th-century market square, as a thank you. An empty pavement cafe with chairs and tables lined up between pillars. The blackboard menu is displayed on the wall An authentic eating experience is essential to many travelers © Rrrainbow / Getty Images You can eat like an actual local We were a little early for Issoudun’s lunchtime rush, if you could call the six or so office workers who came through the swing doors of Brasserie de la Paix a rush. A line of three would constitute an onslaught in this lovely, little-known Loire Valley town, where the most notable feature is a 27m-high white tower knocked together for Richard the Lionheart in 1195. But that was the whole point of our visit: we had deliberately taken the slow route between Châteauroux and Bourges, driving past fields of yellow barley and small green woods, looking for somewhere provincial to eat, preferably a bistro offering le menu. A survey from 2016 revealed that millennials saw authenticity as the most important factor when traveling and fewer restaurants are more genuine than those serving fixed-price menus to locals. But in more popular destinations, particularly near major sights, a restaurant’s authenticity is often knocked to the canvas by its potential profitability. There was no table-turning at Brasserie de la Paix. What it lacked in metropolitan haste, it certainly made up with blanched asparagus drizzled in a smooth mousseline sauce and tender filet mignon cooked in Dijon mustard. The bottle of dry Muscadet, perfected and bottled a mere tractor’s drive away, felt like a secret sealed and told only in these parts. Aerial of Pula Arena, a huge Roman amphitheater, at sunset Bucket lists are subjective, but budgets and breathing space rarely are © concept w / Shutterstock It’s cheaper – and there are far fewer crowds It’s the photo that will light up social media: you stood alone in front of a towering white statue of Jesus Christ against a cloudless blue sky, its robed arms outstretched above a carpet of sun-bleached rooftops and busy city life. The shot looks great, but how did you get Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic tourist attraction all to yourself? The truth is, you didn’t. This isn’t Christ the Redeemer, the art deco statue that crowns Sugarloaf Mountain, it’s the Bolivian equivalent: the taller, but slightly less elegant, Cristo de la Concordia on San Pedro Hill in Cochabamba. Both are expansive interpretations of the same figure, but the latter is free to visit. Travelers can also climb up the statue itself and they’re likely to be the only ones there. Swapping blockbuster sights for their lesser-known understudies not only results in smaller crowds, but can help make budgets go further too. For instance, to see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre costs €15, but to see The Prado Mona Lisa, which was painted in Leonardo da Vinci’s workshop at exactly the same time, it costs half that price (or is free each evening). The question to ask is "why am I visiting?" If you want to see a remarkably-preserved Roman amphitheatre, swap Rome’s Colosseum for Pula’s 1st-century gladiatorial arena; if it’s a dip in alluring blue waters you’re after, head to Albania rather than Iceland. Bucket lists are entirely subjective, budgets and breathing space rarely are. A castle above a river lit up at dusk Lesser-known destinations offer fresh perspectives and more unusual photo opportunities © Umkehrer / iStock / Getty Images Plus It offers more unique photography opportunities It’s easy to tumble down a wormhole of Instagram inspiration, scrolling from one medieval hamlet in France to the white-washed serenity of another Spanish Pueblo Blanco, particularly as both countries essentially host annual beauty pageants for their villages. But where is the thrill in jostling with a coach-load of tourists to take the millionth snap of Riquewihr’s colorful half-timbered houses? Lesser-known destinations not only offer travelers fresh perspectives, but a chance for unique photo opportunities as well. Frame it right and the Semois River bend in Bouillon, Belgium sweeps as gracefully as the famous First Bend of Yangtze River in Lijiang, China. Hochburg-Ach in Upper Austria is another never-heard-it-destination that sits fishing by a river. It’s a slow, faceless town that you might only stumble across en route to the most offensively-named village in Europe (for English speakers at least). But at dusk, it reveals its secret: a startling view of Germany’s 12-century Burghausen Castle, bathed in a wonderful golden light with the turquoise Salzach river flows beneath it. A canal lined with houses in pastel colors. Boats are docked along the left side; bikes are parked on the embankment to the right When you're away from the crowds, you might stumble upon "the next big thing" © Marc Venema / Shutterstock You’ll own the bragging rights when you find the Next Big Thing The clock was ticking towards the time of milkman’s wake-up call, no hour to really be awake. But in Groningen, a city sort of chucked up towards the North Sea in the Netherlands and left to its own devices, the Russian DJ in the nightclub I was in was bashing at a Kaoss Pad that emitted a series of blips and beeps over a metronomic techno thud. When it comes to partying, Groningen is no Berlin or Amsterdam, but there is something special about this university city: its youthful heartbeat; the abundance of bars; a gleeful embrace of architectural futurism stacked against the storied canal houses and Amsterdam School oddities; enough terrace cafes to make Paris blush. It’s car-free, community-orientated and searingly progressive – it’s also somewhere very few tourists seem to get to. But after visiting several times, you can see that change is in the wind, so I’ve been encouraging friends to visit for years. It recently cut the ribbon on the Forum Groningen, what the city refers to as a “cultural department store". This space lets locals hang out without the obligation to consume – a concept we may see more of across the world if the pandemic guts our high streets for good. But you heard it here first because there’s more to discover at lesser-known destinations.

What you need to know to plan a trip around the world

n 1924, a team of aviators from the USA successfully completed the first-ever circumnavigation of the globe by airplane, a feat that took 175 days, 76 stops, a cache of 15 Liberty engines, 14 spare pontoons, four aircraft and two sets of new wings. This achievement ushered in an era of international air travel, and nearly a century later, travelers are still creating their own round-the-world itineraries. You might not have the same worries as those early aviators, but planning a round-the-world trip has never been a more complex process. As COVID-19 continues to alter world travel, heading out on a multi-country trip might be more complicated than it has been in decades. While it might not be the right time to hit the road, luckily it's never too early to start figuring out the logistics of a trip around the globe. After all, who doesn't have a lot of pent-up wanderlust at the moment? When it comes to booking your trip, there are several options for booking your airfare, as well as flexibility on timing, destinations and budget. But don't let that overwhelm you – start here with our handy guide on how to plan that round-the-world trip you’ve always dreamed of. Play Video 10 remarkable wonders of the world Where and how to get a round-the-world plane ticket The most economical way to circumnavigate the globe is to buy a round-the-world (RTW) plane ticket through a single airline alliance. These are confederations of several different airlines that make it simple to maximize the number of places you can travel and pay for it all in one place or with points. There are three primary airline alliances to choose from: Star Alliance, OneWorld and Skyteam. Star Alliance is a coalition of 26 airlines that fly to 1300 airports in 98% of the world’s countries. OneWorld includes 14 airlines traveling to 1100 destinations in 180 territories. Skyteam is made up of 19 airlines that serve 1000 destinations in 170 countries. Read more: How to save money when you're traveling Once you pick an airline alliance, whether because of a loyalty program you’re already a member of or because you like its terms, conditions and destination list, you can purchase a single RTW airline ticket made up of several legs fulfilled by that alliance’s partners. The RTW ticket rules vary between each of the airline alliances, with particulars like Star Alliance’s rule that a RTW ticket can include two to 15 stops. But there are some general principles that apply to most RTW tickets, no matter which airline group you go with. You typically must follow one global direction (east or west – no backtracking); you must start and finish in the same country; and you must book all your flights before departure, though you can change them later (though this could incur extra charges). Typically you have one year to get from your starting point to the finish line. Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter. How long do I need for a round-the-world trip? You could whip around the world in a weekend if you flew non-stop, especially with the advent of new ultra-long-haul flights that can clock in at 20 hours of flight time. However, the minimum duration of most RTW tickets is 10 days – still a breathless romp. To get the most out of your round-the-world ticket, consider stock-piling vacation days, tagging on public holidays or even arranging a sabbatical from work to take off at least two months (but ideally six months to one year). Because most airline alliances give you up to a year to use your ticket, you can maximize your purchase if you plan well. A hiker approaching an archway on a mountainous trail in Nepal Consider what you want to do on your round-the-world trip and when in the year those activities are possible © Moroz Nataliya / Shutterstock When should I travel on a round-the-world trip? The weather will never be ideal in all your stops, so focus on what you want to do most and research the conditions there. In general, city sightseeing can be done year-round (escape extreme heat, cold or rain in museums and cafes), but outdoor adventures are more reliant on – and enjoyable in – the right weather. Research ahead of time if any must-see destinations or must-do activities will mean facing crowds. For example, if you’re hoping to be in Austria for the famous Salzburg Festival, you’ll want to plan ahead and book your tickets months in advance. If you’re hoping to fit a shorter thru-hike into your round-the-world trip, you’ll want to make sure you’re going in the correct season and starting in the right spot. You won’t get far or have as enjoyable an experience if you’re, say, attempting the Tour du Mont Blanc during the dates of the annual winter marathon or headed northbound on the Pacific Crest Trail in July, missing most of the warmer months. Accept youʼll be in some regions at the "wrong" time – though this might offer unexpected benefits. For example, Victoria Falls has a dry season each year, which means a slightly less thunderous cascade, but it does open up rafting opportunities and a chance to swim right up to the lip of the falls in The Devil’s Pool. Going to Venice in the winter might mean grayer skies but fewer crowds. Heading to Kenya and Tanzania in April is likely to mean fewer humans, but not fewer chances to spot wildlife, all while saving money on safari. Also keep in mind that mom-and-pop locations have their downtime and holiday seasons as well; don't be too surprised if your local bakery in Paris is closed for a holiday week or two in August. Where should I go on my round-the-world trip? The classic (and cheapest) RTW tickets flit between a few big cities, for example, London – Bangkok – Singapore – Sydney – LA. If you want to link more offbeat hubs (Baku – Kinshasa – Paramaribo, anyone?), prices will climb considerably. The cost of the ticket is also based on the total distance covered or the number of countries visited. A train crossing a bridge curves through lush green hillsides in India Remember that a lot of your round-the-world trip can be done overland © Getty Images Remember, you donʼt have to fly between each point: in Australia you could land in Perth, travel overland and fly out of Cairns. Or fly into Moscow, board the Trans-Siberian railway and fly onwards from Beijing. Pick some personal highlights and string the rest of your itinerary around those. For instance, if youʼre a keen hiker, flesh out a Peru (Inca Trail) – New Zealand (Milford Track) – Nepal (Everest Base Camp) itinerary with stops in Yosemite, Menz-Gauassa and the Okavango Delta. If budgetʼs an issue, spend more time in less expensive countries and plan budget city breaks along the way. You’ll spend more in metros like Paris, Dubai and San Francisco than in Nusa Tenggara, Budapest and Buffalo. Tips, tricks and pitfalls of round-the-world tickets Talk to an expert before you book a round-the-world ticket: you may have an itinerary in mind, but an experienced RTW flight booker will know which routes work best and cost least. A few tweaks could mean big savings in time and money. Hash out a budget well ahead of time, not only for your RTW ticket, but also for the whole trip. Reach out to friends or travel bloggers who have done a round-the-world trip or are full-time travelers because they can offer tips on how to budget for a trip around the world. Be flexible: moving your departure date by a few days can save money. Mid-week flights are generally cheaper, as are flights on major holidays such as Christmas Day. Avoid days and times popular with business travelers to escape higher prices and more crowded cabins. Think about internal travel: it can be cheaper to book internal flights at the same time as booking your RTW ticket, but with the global increase of low-cost airlines, you may find it better (and more flexible) to buy them separately as you go. Be warned: if you donʼt board one of your booked flights (say, on a whim, you decide to travel overland from Bangkok to Singapore rather than fly it) your airline is likely to cancel all subsequent flights.

Travel

Travel is the movement of people between distant geographical locations. Travel can be done by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, ship or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip. Travel can also include relatively short stays between successive movements, as in the case of tourism.

Etymology

The origin of the word "travel" is most likely lost to history. The term "travel" may originate from the Old French word travail, which means 'work'. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the first known use of the word travel was in the 14th century. It also states that the word comes from Middle English travailen, travelen (which means to torment, labor, strive, journey) and earlier from Old French travailler (which means to work strenuously, toil). In English we still occasionally use the words "travail", which means struggle. According to Simon Winchester in his book The Best Travelers' Tales (2004), the words "travel" and "travail" both share an even more ancient root: a Roman instrument of torture called the tripalium (in Latin it means "three stakes", as in to impale). This link may reflect the extreme difficulty of travel in ancient times. Travel in modern times may or may not be much easier depending upon the destination. Travel to Mount Everest, the Amazon rainforest, extreme tourism, and adventure travel are more difficult forms of travel. Travel can also be more difficult depending on the method of travel, such as by bus, cruise ship, or even by bullock cart.

Purpose and motivation

Reasons for traveling include recreation,  tourism or vacationing, research travel, the gathering of information, visiting people, volunteer travel for charity, migration to begin life somewhere else, religious pilgrimages and mission trips, business travel,  trade, commuting, and other reasons, such as to obtain health care or waging or fleeing war or for the enjoyment of traveling. Travellers may use human-powered transport such as walking or bicycling; or vehicles, such as public transport, automobiles, trains and airplanes.

Motives for travel include:

Pleasure

Relaxation

Discovery and exploration

Intercultural communications

Taking personal time for building interpersonal relationships.