Going Solo: Exploring the World as a Solo Traveler

The thought of traveling solo might be a little daunting if it's not something you've ever considered before, but more and more of us are embracing this wonderfully exhilarating and exciting way to see the world. We caught up with one of our guests, Alison, to find out why she has discovered one of travel's best kept secrets and why once you have, you'll be hooked! 
 

What initially inspired you to start traveling solo, and how did that first trip shape your perspective on it?

I decided to travel solo 6 months after losing my husband to pancreatic cancer. We’d been together 40 years and always vacationed together.  I had only just taken early retirement, and we had lots of exciting travel plans with a three-year bucket list of travel scheduled. Sadly, I had to cancel all those bookings during his short illness two years ago.

My objective for my first solo trip was to lose myself in epic scenery somewhere we hadn’t been before.  I decided to go to Canada, ride the Rocky Mountaineer and cruise to Alaska with Riviera on an escorted tour.  It was an incredible experience; I was one of 37 on that trip and the only solo traveler.  The tour manager made me feel very safe and she and the other guests proved great company and made me feel confident about my decision to travel on my own again. 

What would you say are the biggest misconceptions people have about solo travel, and how have you found the reality?

Solo travel can be enormous fun and very rewarding.  The age range of solo travelers is quite wide.

On my second trip – a river cruise from Porto along the Douro – there were 12 solo guests. You certainly don’t have to be on your own if you don’t want to be and I prefer not to just do the solo exclusive trips.  In my experience over the last 18 months, lot of couples and friends/family traveling together are very kind and invite you to have a drink or dine and chat with them as well as singles.   

Many people worry that traveling solo will be lonely. What would you tell them? For people who love companionship and social interaction, what are some strategies for balancing solitude with meeting new people while traveling solo?

I met a fellow solo traveler celebrating her 60th birthday on the Portuguese River cruise and we’ve become great friends ever since!  In fact, we’ve taken four vacations together this year and have more planned in future. We visit each other frequently and speak on the phone or WhatsApp most days!  Whilst we were on a French River cruise this summer, several people came up to us and remembered us from the Douro last year!  I’ve heard many similar stories and experiences from other solo travellers who’ve met new friends and ‘travel buddies’ on previous vacations.  

Traveling solo on River cruises or escorted tours is easy and very flexible to either be on your own or mix with others.  The tour managers and cruise directors and concierges are very good at encouraging you to join in the quiz or other activities (such as walking tours) if you want – and are always on hand to provide added reassurance and security and someone to talk to if you prefer to stay on your own. 

Safety is often a concern for potential solo travelers, especially women. What advice would you give for staying safe while traveling alone?

I was nervous about traveling on my own but having done quite a few trips now. I love the variety and itineraries Riviera offers in Europe and around the world and feel completely safe traveling with them.  

When out exploring in new destinations, I am more aware of not wearing much jewellery or carrying fancy handbags, being very mindful of pick pockets and personal security, and using the safe for passports and valuables etc. I also make sure I ask the tour manager or cruise director advice about the places I’d like to explore in my free time and let them they know where I’m going and when.  I keep their mobile number in my phone and follow any security warnings or places to avoid.  

What are the key benefits of solo travel that you think people don't fully appreciate until they experience it?

The key benefits of solo travel for me is you can do whatever you want to, whenever you want to!  You don’t have to think of anyone else and you set your own agenda and pace, joining in as much, or as little, as you want.  

Fellow guests and the staff are generally very friendly and there’s always someone to chat with and share their travel stories and experiences. 

How does traveling solo change the way you experience new cultures and destinations compared to traveling with friends or family?  

I think traveling solo can be very exciting and varied as you meet and travel with different people on every trip.

I think I’ve become more independent and adventurous on my choices. There is no compromise as to where I want to go and when!  You can be more impulsive and flexible and can try more new things maybe your friends or family aren’t keen to do.  I don’t think solo travel has changed the way I interact with locals, but I’ve found I’ve probably done more on adventures on my own. I’ve always been curious and now have the flexibility to do more on my own with the help of the tour schedules and different fellow guests who introduce you to new perspectives and share their travel experiences and recommendations. 

What would you say to someone who is hesitant to travel alone because they're unsure about handling logistics or unexpected problems?

The best thing about the river cruises and organized land tours is you are never on your own if anything goes wrong or you’re concerned about the logistics whilst away.  The expert handling of luggage on big trips between locations and daily checking in is very impressive, reassuring but not overtly ‘controlling’ or restrictive. 

Are there any moments from your solo travels that stand out as especially rewarding or transformative, and why?

On my first solo trip, I did several ‘firsts’ including going on a very small research boat had the most remarkable and memorable experience watching pods of orcas and humpback whales’ babble fishing up close with just 15 others.  I loved husky sledging too.  I also did a photographic trip and discovered lots of new tricks using my iPhone camera whilst in Alaska! You need never be bored on a Riviera vacation!

The journey down the Douro was breathtaking and unbelievably peaceful and beautiful and seeing the country from the river was a totally new experience and perspective, as was the Gold Leaf experience on the Rocky Mountaineer train from Jasper to Vancouver.  The Timeless Provence trip was stunning too and we packed in so much in just a week without it feeling too rushed and had time to explore on your own. 

How has solo travel impacted your personal growth, confidence, or worldview over time?

I am grateful I’ve been able to travel on business and with colleagues and vacationed with my late husband and other family over the last 40 years. Traveling solo has been quite a revelation, confidence booster and way to meet lots of new and interesting people.  It’s fuelled my passion and desire to tick off my bucket list destinations, add some new ones (!) and I now have no reservations about going solo. 

What’s the one piece of advice you wish you had been given before your first solo trip that might help someone else take the plunge?

Seize the moment and don’t delay!  Don’t over think, anticipate potential concerns or worry too much – take every day one day at a time, be in the moment and open to enjoy every precious moment!

I recently had my own health scare over Christmas and the New Year, and I’m just so grateful my surgery was successful and I was able to resume my own travel plans three months later after I had to cancel a big trip to Japan. 

How do you decide where to go next?

After losing my husband, I didn’t want to go back to anywhere we’d been before.  So, I looked for new places and things to do we hadn’t done as a couple in the short term.

This Christmas I will be cruising the Caribbean solo which had been cancelled twice. I recently did a cruise from Athens to Barcelona with my friend I met on the Douro which was enormous fun!

I’m now confident to go anywhere and do anything – especially with cruises for the entertainment and organised tours for destinations further afield.  I’ve also done several city breaks too.

I had to cancel a major trip to Japan three years in a row (Covid, my husband’s illness, my surgery) so I still want to do that, but not next year – probably spring 2027.  I have Cambodia and Vietnam, South America and the Seychelles high on my list for 2025/26.  I’d also like to do the Italian Lakes and Swiss Bernina Express tour. 

How has solo travel influenced the way you view your home and your sense of belonging?

I care for my mum who’s 95 with Alzheimer’s.  In future, I’m looking to downsize my home and increase my travel budget to adventure far and wide once I can. The joy of travel is priceless – although it can be more expensive going solo, so finding my new travel buddy I can share a room with enables me to take more vacations and we get on so well and happy to share a twin room/cabin for some trips! 

What’s your go-to ritual or habit when you first arrive in a new city or country?

If I’m doing an independent or city tour, I take an open top bus ride to orientate myself and help prioritise things I want to do.  If I’m on an organised tour or cruise I do lots of research ahead of arriving – especially checking out the best beaches, places to eat and other places of interest to visit in any free time.

Can you describe a moment when solo travel helped you gain a new perspective on a personal issue or challenge?

Solo travel certainly helped increase my confidence that I could travel on my own and enjoy fantastic new experiences and places I didn’t think I’d be able to.  I’m also not frightened to be slow to ask questions and advice if I’m unsure of anything.  I didn’t think I would be able to laugh and dance so much travelling alone and meet so many lovely people! 

What’s the most remote or off-the-beaten-path destination you've visited on your own, and what drew you there?

Probably Alaskan whale-watching on a very small research boat.  I didn’t want to be on the typical large tour boat, and it was a truly remarkable, thrilling one-off experience.   I learnt loads about the wildlife and area on that trip and we were able to be much more flexible and follow the more interesting sightings further away from the masses and larger boats.

If you could give your past self-one piece of advice before you embarked on your first solo trip, what would it be?

Continue to be forever curious, dream big and don’t fear the unknown. You’re braver and more adventurous than you ever dreamed possible, and you can try and do anything you want to! 

Explore our Solo River Cruises here: Solo Vacations