Luxury solo travel: your guide to high-end solo adventures

High-end solo travel experiences can be anything from being pampered in a beachside spa with all inclusive access to food, drink, wellness and activities, through to taking a more adventurous tour of lesser known places with the help of a personal or small group guide.

There’s a huge market for luxury travel for singles - so there are plenty of options for your next trip.

Join us as we explore top solo travel destinations you may want to consider.

Top luxury solo travel destinations

If you’re looking for high-end solo travel experiences, the main challenge is likely to be making a decision between so many perfect solo travel destinations.

The chances are that you’ll narrow down your options based on your personal preferences, budget and the amount of time you have to spend - but this still leaves a lot to think through.

To help kick start your thinking, we’ve touched on some popular spots for solo travel split out by region.

Europe

Europe isn’t the cheapest place to head, which can mean that solo travel packages cost a little more compared to some destinations.

But, with a relatively short flight time from the US, and a huge variety to pick from, Europe still presents some excellent luxury travel for singles.

There’s no shortage of luxury hotels, resorts, and travel options in Europe. If you’re thinking of a city break, London, Rome or Athens may leap out, and can all easily be paired with other close-by destinations if you have a little extra time.

Another option you may not have considered is to see Europe by boat. Riverside Luxury Cruises¹ offers trips down the Rhine, Rhone or Danube, which could take in beautiful cities like Vienna and Budapest, cruise through vineyards, and pass through important historical and cultural sites. Just sit back in your luxury cabin and let the experience come to you.

If you’re new to solo travel, booking your trip with an expert can mean you make the most of your time - and can help you unlock more than you may when planning independently.

One good option is Jacada Travel², which offers trips designed to suit solo travelers, including a tour of Italy which takes in Venice, Florence and Rome in 5 star luxury.

Americas

There’s plenty of luxury travel options for singles in the Americas - many of which have the benefit of being close by and therefore suited to a shorter break.

If you’re thinking of experiencing nature in the lap of luxury you could pick Costa Rica for example, or if the great outdoors means skiing, consider Canada. If you want luxury check out Whistler or Banff, which both have great skiing conditions, and good access to other destinations in the country. Travel fully solo, or join a small group - or book your hotel and join group skiing classes if you’re less confident, as a great way to learn and also make new friends.

You may also want to save time planning by booking a tour for luxury travel in the Americas. Geographic Expeditions³ might sound like a tour organizer for only the most intrepid - but in fact, it’s a luxury solo travel organization which offers some amazing itineraries including a trip to Patagonia to explore southern Argentina in style.

There are also trips designed by special interest, and a Women of the World collection which offers female only small group luxury breaks.

Asia

Asia has many popular luxury solo travel destinations, and is a good pick as many countries are extremely friendly, safe and relatively low cost, so you can get even more for your money.

You’ve got a lot of options here. If you’re looking for a city packed with world class attractions and amazing hotels, you could consider Singapore. Or, for a luxury solo break which offers a broad variety of places and experiences, there’s Sri Lanka, with safari, tea plantations, beaches and historic cities to see, all within a pretty short drive of each other. For luxury by the beach try Thailand, or if you’re looking for something completely different, India.

If you’re thinking of booking your solo trip to Asia with an agent, check out SevenTravel⁴ which is a London based luxury tour operator and offers trips to destinations such as Bali and Lombok, to explore Indonesia in the height of luxury all the way.

Or if you want a real adventure, why not get off the beaten track with a luxury solo trip to Bhutan. Druk Asia⁵ offers 5 star travel options including fully customizable tours which you can build to suit your own unique needs, exploring this hidden gem nestled in the Himalayas.

Africa

Africa offers everything from awesome nature, to vibrant culture and history, great food and so many different ways to spend your time you’ll struggle to choose just one or two.

For many people, Africa means safari - and you’ve certainly got many luxury options here if you’re traveling alone. Small group tours are the perfect choice to share your experience with others without being overwhelmed - plus you can always book just a few days on safari and opt for some alone time as well.

If you’re thinking of something a bit quirky which can suit a solo luxury travel, look out for Rovos Rail⁶ - a luxury train operator which lets you travel from 2 glamorous days to 2 full weeks across Southern Africa, dining and sleeping on the train.

Looking for a small group organized tour which is perfect for solo travel? Check out Abercrombie and Kent⁷ (A&K). While they offer many different tour options, A&K are a definite hit for safari and all things Africa. They’ve been organizing luxury tours for over 60 years, and were voted Best Tour Operators in Africa for an amazing 17 years.

Going abroad? Make sure to take a Wise card with you

Explore the world with your handy Wise card!

Spend money in over 150+ countries at the mid-market rate — and avoid hidden fees while you’re at it.

Heading abroad? Bring Wise along for the journey!

Get a Wise Account

How do you plan a luxury solo trip?

While you can book your luxury solo trip independently, solo luxury tours are also a good option in many destinations as they will take care of all the booking and travel administration and leave you with less to worry about.

Which works best for you might depend on your personal preferences, and where exactly you’re heading - as some places are easier than others when it comes to vacation planning. Here’s a little summary of the options you might consider.

Best luxury solo travel tours and packages

Luxury travel for singles means different things to different people. Perhaps you want to be fully independent, with some real time for yourself. Or maybe you want to be part of a small group, to make some friends along the way. Or a little of both.

The beauty of luxury tours and packages is that they’re often tailor made so you can build your own mix of activities, destinations, and format - including time alone, and in groups as you please.

You might also want to consider joining a special interest tour, or a tour designed for specific traveler types - such as all female groups, or groups aimed at the over 50s. These allow you to get to know a small number of people who likely have shared experiences or interests while you travel.

Picking a great tour operator is key here. Do some research based on your preferred destination and tour type, looking for feedback and ratings from previous customers. In most cases you’ll speak to the same agent throughout the booking process, so you’ll get a feel for the level of service - and if it’s not what you want, you can always switch providers.

Luxury accommodations for solo travelers

Solo travel destinations for luxury travel can be anything from a cruise or historic train journey, to a resort or hotel, a villa or chalet or a tented lodge on safari or in the wilderness. The options here are pretty endless, so picking your accommodation once you’ve decided on your destination is not likely to be too difficult.

When you’re choosing your accommodation consider the flexibility offered for solo travelers. For example, some specialist single cruises don’t charge a single supplement for cabins, and arrange group meals so you can get to know your fellow travelers. Many hotels also offer activities you can easily join in solo, from tours to yoga to cooking classes, so you’ll have plenty of variety to choose from.

Are there luxury tours for solo travelers?

Absolutely. Solo travel packages - including high end and luxury options - are huge right now, as people choose to get away from all the distractions and travel without losing the freedom to choose their own itinerary and daily plan. Opting for a high end package can be a great choice as it takes away a lot of the stress of planning a solo trip, so you can simply relax and make the most of your hard earned vacation.

Best practices for staying safe while traveling solo

Solo travel can be perfectly safe, and a great confidence booster as you navigate a new place alone. Usually taking normal common sense measures when traveling anywhere are all you need to stay safe when traveling on your own. Here are a few to think about:

• Get travel and medical insurance - this is probably the most important point for any traveler, but even more so if you’re on your own and need to know you’ll be looked after if anything goes wrong on your trip

• Read up on your destination - learning about your destination, including any known safety issues, scams, or local cultural expectations regarding dress or activities can help you feel secure once you arrive

• Make sure someone else knows where you are - if you’re heading out from your hotel alone, make sure someone knows where you’re going and what to do if there’s any issue while you’re out and about

• Stay aware of your surroundings - as a solo traveler you’ll need to navigate by yourself, but don't get lost in the map, your phone, or your guidebook. Keeping aware of your surroundings is the best way to avoid being the victim of a pickpocket or other petty crime

• Take care of your valuables - this isn’t just for solo travel, but avoiding carrying too much cash, keeping valuables in the hotel safe, and avoiding going out with visible jewelry can also help keep you safe when you travel

If you’re planning a high-end solo adventure you’re in for an amazing time. Going luxe means you can make the most of your time, and really plan the perfect itinerary for your needs - or have an agent help out with this step if you’d prefer. Use this guide to luxury solo travel destinations to give you inspiration and get planning.

Sources:

1. Riverside Luxury Cruises
2. Jacada Travel
3. Geographic Expeditions
4. SevenTravel
5. Druk Asia
6. Rovos Rail
7. Abercrombie and Kent