8 Destinations for the Solo Traveler (PHOTOS)
TEXT SIZE:
A A AAs with everything else, traveling alone has its pros and cons. Pros: No scheduling conflicts, you can choose every meal, not to mention grab all the glory of travel triumphs (and pitfalls) all to yourself. Cons: Safety is paramount, and there is the ever lingering feeling of loneliness that can turn a fabulous, delicious dinner into a slow form of torture.
But to let those totally surmountable problems stop you from lounging in Iceland's thermal baths, tucking into a heaping helping of poutine, or pensively staring out on stunning fjords seems ill-advised. The trick is to plan ahead.
Ask the hotel's concierge for a restaurant recommendation, for example, and sit at the bar. Pick the bartender's mind about what's not to be missed and what can easily be skipped. Standing in line at a bakery or to buy tickets for an event is another perfect place to strike up conversation. Getting a local's take on where to go and what to eat makes for great adventures (and stories).
Certain destinations are better for solo travelers than others, though, depending on language barriers, easy-to-understand currency, built-in activities, or food so good you'll forget you're sitting there on your own. Australia has these qualities in spades and was ranked the 18th safest country on the Global Peace Index. Likewise, traveling alone in Costa Rica is among the easiest and most fun trips to plan, from zip lining and chilling on the beach to snacking on plantains.
Whether you're an outdoor adventurer or a culinary explorer, there are amazing trips just waiting for you (and you alone).
Here are The Daily Meal's picks for the best trips to experience solo.
Norway
Scandinavians love Scandinavia — particularly when they’re showing you around and lauding the delicious food and fascinating cultural scene.
Ranked ninth on the Global Peace Index, Norway is a must on any solo traveler’s to-do list. The country boasts 21 national parks, legendary fjords, and the National Museum of Art, Architecture, and Design, and food-loving travelers should be sure to taste their distinctive cuisine from pinnekjøtt to Norwegian salmon and from rømmegrøt to reker.
1 of 8 Photos
- Best Fourth of July Vacations Across America [AOL Travel]
- 7 Surprising Items that Set Off Airport Security [Budget Travel]
Add a Comment
The Canada slide mentions wine and beer festivals only on the East Coast. If you are traveling to the West Coast, consider Vancouver Craft Beer Week (http://vancouvercraftbeerweek.com/) and the Great Canadian Beer Festival (http://gcbf.com/) in Victoria.
July 29 2011 at 6:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyfor india travel packages visit us : www(dot)companion-travels(dot)com
July 26 2011 at 5:07 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIf I ever made a mad libs for travel writing, I believe it would read about as original as this article...that means this is bullshit and the writer can't produce anything other than what he/she finds on the back of the toilet paper he/she throws into a trash can. Although, I seriously doubt this writer has ever been adventurous enough to go to a place where you can't put the toilet paper in the toilet. i.e. read the fascinating and in depth look at Ireland...really can I get a pint of something there?
July 22 2011 at 8:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI Love traveling alone ,I move ,stop and go without any opposition .I am not selfish but if I and my companion have different vacation schedual that we both dont have countrol over am not going to sit at home and watch life go by on my TV ,Ipod, computer or have my imagination go wild from reading a book I always say there are many worlds to see ,feel,experence cultures to learn people to meet and foods to try .I was born by myself ,having a companion is nice but if not its ok and fun to enjoy my company while meeting people abroad. Another saying i have is someone had to have gone first for others to follow so why not let it be me. Peace Love and Respect to All
July 20 2011 at 1:28 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIn this world there are extroverts and introverts...it's just the way it is. Me, I'm an introvert and love traveling by myself...done a lot of it and finally decided to settle....in Thailand. (By the way Maya, Poutine is my favorite thing about Quebec...I'm from New Hampshire). Traveling with other people, for me, was always a drag in the past. Now I travel to neighboring countries like Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, India, etc., and thoroughly enjoy doing what I want to do, when I want to do it without worrying about somebody else and their desires.
July 18 2011 at 6:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI just want to say that the province of Quebec, Canada has more to offer than poutine. By the way, that's not real poutine on the photo... wrong cheese. There are many beautiful places in Canada, it's a shame to just show junk food to attract tourists from USA.
July 16 2011 at 7:31 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAny Apts available in the Theater District [ Covent Garden ] in London UK ?
July 02 2011 at 4:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI LIKE TO TRAVEL WITHOUT MY WIFE SO I CAN PICK UP STRANGE BROADS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
July 02 2011 at 3:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI LIKE TO TRAVEL WITHOUT MY WIFE SO I CAN PICK UP STRANGE BROADS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
July 02 2011 at 3:29 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyI love to travel alone. Most people are worried about being lonely, but the majority of native people will treat a lone traveler with a lot of kindness. I love to to take pictured, so I bring a couple of my Digital DSLRs and it always draws enough attention from locals, to where they will start up conversations. I've been invited to people homes for meals and even been asked to stay over since I am alone. I love meeting people. A great way to travel.
July 02 2011 at 2:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot 5 Deals
The Hot 5 Deals & Discount Travel.
Get top travel deals to compare and save money.
Search for Deals
Gadling
Feb 23rd 2012 9:00AM
Feb 23rd 2012 8:00AM
Feb 22nd 2012 6:30PM
Feb 22nd 2012 6:00PM
Categories
- Destin-Nations
- Adventure Travel
- Air Travel
- Arts & Culture
- Beach
- Best Of
- Budget
- Celebrity
- Cruise
- Disney
- EcoTravel
- Family
- Food + Drink
- Holiday Travel
- Hotel
- Luxury
- News
- Nightlife
- Real Life Stories
- Romantic
- Seasonal
- Ski Vacations
- Spa & Wellness
- Tips & Tricks
- Travel History
- Video
- Weekend Getaways
- Weird
Silvia Usuriaga: New Indigenous Reserve Aims To Save A Fading Culture







39 Comments