Solo tripping is no millennial trend, it is for the soul. According to us, it should be mandatory for everyone, specially women. We are told to let our 7-year-old little brothers accompany us to the local market because a male child has more power than a female adult. Naturally, when we grow up traveling solo becomes a horrifying desire. There comes a point when we take certain risks in life and going for our first solo trip is when we cross the lakshman rekha. On this World Tourism Day, grab your freedom we say. Easier said than done, we know. That’s why we have curated the perfect travels for your first solo trip.
1. Iceland
What would be a better destination for your first solo trip than one of the safest places on earth. It’s extremely rare to be cheated by taxi drivers or harassed for breathing as a woman with nostrils on a solo trip. It’s sad but it’s true that women’s default mode is guard up. We can vote and we can work but, there’s a long road ahead. We tread lightly on this dangerous road to make the most of the fight. Your first solo trip should be fun, revealing and most importantly comfortable. Iceland is all those things.
One night under northern lights will illuminate the hidden corners in your heart that you have never seen before. That one night is on every explorer’s checklist so why wait! The ground there is no less nurturing. Their geothermal pools and lagoons have the power to rejuvenate your soul and skin. Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice with bubbling mud-pits and breathtaking waterfalls. Being high up on the gender equality index is just icing on the trip.
Travel tip: rent a car!
2. Vietnam
In the last few years, the entire country has become a tourist hub. Solo travelers end up here like a moth to a flame. That means lots of available accommodation, food, restaurants and fellow travelers. People love it so much they never come back, literally. Numbers of foreign settlers have spiked in the country because of easy visas, job opportunity and low-cost living. Fun fact: beer is cheaper than water in some Vietnamese places!
Best travel tip: learn how to ride a bike!
3. Japan
It’s not just where sushi comes from. It would take weeks to get through everything Japan offers: the world’s tallest tower, Mount Fuji, the iconic bullet train, Samurais, sumo wrestling and manga. All of this falls short when travelers have to choose between any of that and the cherry blossom. Japan has given us art, anime, and haikus. It’s time we give it travelers ready to experience it all while sipping tea Japanese style.
While we might feel guilty about accepting too much help from Japanese locals. To them, they’re just doing their jobs. Perhaps, we can credit the Japanese values for the low crime rates or just the ‘busy culture’. Whatever it is, it allows women on their first solo trip to really feel at ease, let their guard down and start working on that to-do list. There are more than a dozen UNESCO world heritage sites to see!
Travel tip: try tinder to make friends!
4. Philippines
You will never feel like you’ve seen enough of the Philippines. It’s got 7,641 islands for crying out loud! This is the perfect place to step out of your comfort zone and adorn local lifestyle because it’s so breezy! Sun, sand and pina coladas is the way for Filipinos. This destination is such a favourite among all kinds of travelers that we worry locals have merged into a permanent vacazone. Worry, grateful, all the same! Easy breezy.
Ditch bar hopping for beach hopping. An endless parade of fun and friendship, your first solo trip could be the biggest party you ever attend. Swim with gentle whale sharks, eat with locals and bond with travelers in the island of your pick.
Travel tip: avoid flashy jewelry to stay inconspicuous!
5. The Nusa Islands, Indonesia
Swimming in the ocean with manta rays, lying on clean sand and rowing through outworldly mangroves! The Nusa Islands are a time travel machine that takes you back to the Bali of 30 years ago. Imagine the perfect solo trip in Bali and half the crowd. Since everybody flocks to Bali’s beaches in noisy groups, the tree houses here only have the sound of birds. Everywhere you go you’ll find like-minded people looking for a little bit of peace and quiet and a whole lot of adventure. Snorkeling, diving, cliff jumping and nakedness is a low-key day in these islands. Who knows, you might end up making connections that last a lifetime with other women on their first solo trip too!
Travel tip:
6. New Zealand
Solo female travelers are very common in New Zealand. The locals are used to you before you even get there. They have great backpacker hostels filled with people who will help you, befriend you or leave you alone, your wish is their command. The country did just elect their third female President.
The capital of adventure travel makes daily life seem very dull. Here people hike a volcano instead of walking in parks. After that you can visit the Vineyards for some much-deserved rest. You did just dodge lava. If that isn’t relaxing enough, you can go ahead and dig your own spa at Hot Water Beach. Two hours before and after high tide, locals and travelers grab a spade and fashion themselves a hot pool of steaming beach water.
Travel tip: hire a campervan to save on costs and interact with other travelers!
7. Slovenia
Europe’ hidden gem must remain a secret because people ruin everything. Don’t worry about that happening here because people are rare to find. Secluded scenery of snow-capped mountains from the window of your beautiful Airbnb will make you feel like the only soul in the world. Locals will generally leave you alone so you can enjoy some alone time. On the flip side, if you wish to make friends, travelers are often scouting for someone to split the massive meat platters with. We were surprised when we found a Michelin star restaurant in the quiet creases of these hills. On exploring a little more we realised Slovenia’s a lot more than meets the eye.
People sleeping in trailers and tents at Camp Lazar, emerald green Soca river valley and underground exploration in Postojna Cave makes for a wholesome experience. It’s expensive to get there but very cheap once you’re in. Slovenia shares borders with Croatia, Italy, Austria and Hungary making it super easy to do two destinations on one solo trip.
Travel tip: book your mode of transportation before you get there!
8. Sossusvlei, Namibia
Beaches and mountains are so 2018. We’re majorly into dessert dusk this year. Landscapes here are so inspirational your creative juices are bound to flow. Sunset and sunrise is a marvel every day and don’t even get us started on the stargazing. We didn’t know we could drool over things which were not edible. Actually, we can’t, this is food for the soul.
There are loads of camps with pools where all the community building happens. Get the real African experience sans crowd and traffic. Doesn’t that sound like a dream! You can travel alone for hours before you see a single soul. Wildlife is all around you, from snakes to jackals, in the heart of nature. Do we need to remind you dessert safaris?
Travel tip: be careful of scorpions!
9. India
Hello! India is the land of culture and diversity. Be it the overwhelming Himalayas or modest towns in Pondicherry. We say start at home! Himachal Pradesh has turned into the land of solo travelers, many of them female. Dharamkot is like a mini Israel and old Manali is still charming and chaos-free. Meanwhile, down south in Gokarna wanderers from every part of the country are making music topless on untamed beaches.
India comes with its own challenges like any other place but, when it comes to a culturally rich first solo trip, there is no better place on earth. Most people plan their trips to India over long durations of time. Every 200 km introduces new food and language to visitors and they are left flabbergasted. The charm never fades.
Travel tip: go to a local store and buy something so that the bag marks you a local!
Your first solo trip is scary, exciting, risky and worth it! Don’t miss out on a whole way of life because we have been taught to be cautious. Be cautious and responsible for your safety but, also for your quality of life. Women are everywhere and always willing to help a sister out. So get packing before you get cold feet!
First Published: September 27, 2019 5:28 PM