Did you know that six in ten of recent survey respondents considering solo travel in 2024 intend to take two or more such trips? Why is solo travel on the rise? There are a wide range of reasons people choose to travel solo. Sometimes you tack on a few days pre-/post- a business trip. Sometimes your family/friends can’t make it. Sometimes the only compromises you want to make are with yourself. Sometimes you want to challenge yourself, be introspective, or just be spontaneous. Regardless of your whys for traveling solo, it doesn’t necessarily mean traveling alone. Here are a few kinds of solo travel to consider.

Solo Travel on Cruises:

Many cruise lines, be they river or ocean, have singles/solo travelers’ programs that include activities (classes, trivia, wine tastings), cocktail parties and mixers, and special tables in dining venues specifically for singles/solo travelers to enjoy. Giving you the choice to engage or indulge in privacy whenever you like.

Small/Smaller Group Travel:

If the idea of travelling solo is a bit too much and you prefer not to be part of a 40-50 person group, small/smaller group travel bridges the gap. Several of our partners offer small/smaller group travel ranging from 15-24 people. Enjoy your own private accommodations while having the camaraderie of like-minded travelers to share destination experiences with, or not. It’s a wonderful way to have ‘me time’ while also having safety in numbers.

Private FIT Travel:

This intimate party of one travel is where we work together to craft an itinerary featuring exactly where, when, how and what is most important to you. Our first consideration will be your why. Are you celebrating, healing, challenging, exploring, learning, or something else? Then, what do you hope to accomplish, feel, and/or experience because of this trip? Finally, we’ll dig down into the other details (how, where, when) to create the perfect itinerary for you.

Wondering where to go? Travel publications have noted Albania, Spain, and Switzerland as being solo traveler friendly. Here’s why:

Up & Coming: Albania

The locals are friendly. The scenery is stunning. Plunge into some of the bluest, clearest water in the world at Blue Eye Spring near Saranda. Be forewarned, the spring water is brisk! Warm your shivering limbs at Rana e Hedhun beach. Slide down the large sand dune that runs from the mountain into the sea. Soak in the healing properties of Permet’s Benja Thermal Baths. Wander Berat – the “town of a thousand windows”- as you marvel at its Ottoman-era architecture, medieval castles, mosques, and Holy Trinity Church – all not to be missed treasures of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Castle of Porto Palermo, one of the top fifteen undiscovered European destinations, situated in the bay of Porto Palermo, south of Himarë along the Albanian Riviera.

A-Z: Spain

Spain has everything from A to Z: remarkable art, inspiring architecture, scrumptious food, stunning beaches, exciting nightlife, and jaw-dropping hikes. In Barcelona, meander through Park Guell, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with modern architecture, sculptures and mosaics designed by Antoni Gaudi who also designed the famous Sagrada Familia. Elect to explore the Picasso Museum or venture off the beaten path to see street art (the mosaic artwork of “The Kiss,” the giant hot air balloon on La Carboneria, graffiti art in Poblenou). If your tummy starts to growl, visit the Mercado de La Boqueria, the oldest market in the city. There’s also worldclass beaches (Ocata near Barcelona, Socorro in Tenerife). Or hike through Caminito del Rey (Malaga) or journey along the famed Camino de Santiago.

By Rail or River: Switzerland

See the beauty of Switzerland by scenic rail journeys or on a river cruise. There’s breathtaking waterfalls, forests, and lakes. Enjoy stops in cities both large and small. Delight in the tried-and-true like the jaw-dropping Matterhorn; the tranquil Lake Geneva; the steep descent of Pilatus Luzern; the dense forests, alpine meadows, and glaciers of Interlaken; or the Old Town in Zurich. Or opt for a hidden gem like Morcote, the “Pearl of Ceresio,” on the shores of Lake Lugano. Its charming alleys, shoreside homes, towering cypresses, terraced crops, hilltop church, and lushly landscaped Scherrer Park will enchant you. Nearby Lugano is one of the sunniest locations in Switzerland with hiking, swimming, Swiss-Mediterranean cuisine, lovely parks, and a funicular leading to dazzling views!