Where to holiday when travelling solo

Travel is generally considered something of a team sport.

Family, friends or partners are usually there along the way but while you are probably enjoying yourself, there are no doubt compromises.

One family likes nothing more than a thousand-mile stare into the seaside view with a G&T clutched in a sweaty hand while another’s shameless levels of energy require a frantic level of activity of the painfully exhausting kind. It’s a rare holiday that pleases everyone.

Why not go it alone then? Go where you want, see what you want, relax or scale mountains, the decision is yours.

Read: Unique and affordable: Amami Islands of Japan

Here’s our guide to some of the best place to travel alone.

Iceland

Australia is slowly coming to the realisation that Europe has had for a while – that Iceland is so hot right now.

Iceland offers some spectacular scenery including volcanoes, geysers, glaciers, lava fields and waterfalls as well as the northern lights and the capital, Reykjavik, is packed with restaurants, cafes and bars.

It’s the perfect one-stop-shop for solo travellers who wish to enjoy some spectacular natural beauty but come home to a strong cocktail and delish meal.

Cruising

We get it, cruising isn’t for everyone, but the cruising industry now recognises and rewards the solo traveller with specific cruises, cabins and rates where previously the industry almost always charged the dreaded ‘single supplement’ that often doubled the bill.

Every level is catered for, from Cunard’s luxury ships to hip and happy cruising around the Caribbean.

Read: How to keep the holiday vibes alive

New Zealand

If you are a nervous Nellie before your first overseas trip by yourself, take the path of least resistance and book a trip to New Zealand.

They are just like us, but the scenery is totally different. The compact nature of the country means travelling between cities is easy and there’s plenty of scope for activities from chill guided wine tasting to throwing yourself from a vast height while bungy jumping.

Pacific islands

Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Hawaii, Tahiti, pick your tropical paradise of choice and go for it.

All are relatively close to Australia, it’s easy to get around speaking English and the weather is generally fantastic, hurricane season aside of course. Some of these countries are desperate for tourism dollars, so enjoy the small, warm inner feeling that your island holiday is doing good work as well.

The US Pacific Northwest

Australians tend crowd out Los Angeles and New York when travelling to the US, but there’s a little pocket of America that’s easy to get to and offers a stunning alternative to Australia’s generally flat, dry landscapes.

The Pacific Northwest is the area covered by Oregon and Washington state above California and it’s known for its stunning coastline, lush forests and snow-capped mountains. It’s also known for its rain, which is where all that green comes from, so always pack a raincoat.

The best time to visit is during our winter. And consider a road trip to take in the best the area has to offer.

Read: Bucket list trip to the NT

If you are considering travelling alone, here are a few tips before you cheerily wave goodbye to your everyday responsibilities.

Always share your travel plans with a family member or friend, including travel dates, flights, accommodation and any planned activities.

Have a backup for your travel plans, either hard copy or stored somewhere online. A dedicated folder in your email or photographing them with your smart phone are simple storage solutions.

Get good travel insurance. If the worst happens and you are incapacitated, you will not have anyone at hand to sort it out. Good travel insurance will at least iron out some of the issues with suitable medical care or getting you back home.

Check the fine print for those two awful words ‘single supplement’. Advertised prices may not be accurate for single travellers.

Have you travelled solo? Did you enjoy it? Why not share your experience in the comments section below?