Flying Solo: 10 Travel Destinations For the Independent Traveler

10 best places to travel alone

Solo travel is widely becoming a popular phenomenon for the avid traveler craving a sense of individuality, especially in a world where we are never truly alone.

Away from the opinions of friends, coworkers and family members as well as buzzing cellphones constantly bombarding us with emails, social media posts, text messages and phone calls, solo travel allow vacationers to lose themselves completely in the tranquility of their own thoughts absent from life’s hectic schedules.

Therefore, many travelers are choosing solitary escapes where they can be extremely selfish. After all, why compromise your own vacation experience to please an audience? Here are top 10 destination spots where vacationing alone is ideal.

London, England

For the Anglophile

While London is a bustling metropolis, its many nooks and crannies offer up plenty of peaceful side streets for a quiet stroll. As you get lost in its winding old-world layout, you'll find that London is the perfect example for the single wanderer.

Blessed with architectonic structures appearing on almost every corner, the city is an artistic masterpiece in itself matched by a rich history and colorful culture. 

With so many places to see, a visit to London with family or friends usually entails a lot of planning, arguing and compromising on attractions — especially if your fellow travelers have dissimilar interests. 

So if you want to roam through the past at the Natural History Museum and be a paleontologist for the day amid the Diplodocus skeleton and dinosaur gallery, enter at your free will without feeling hurried or worrying if your partners aren't enjoying the exhibits as much as you are.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

For the shopaholic

Have you ever shopped with friends and had to wait forever while they try on a million outfits before purchasing only one measly shirt?

How annoying is that?!

Well, you will not feel that way with some of the world’s biggest shopping malls just an arm’s length away.

Kuala Lumpur is a renowned shopper’s heaven and home to three great malls to whip you into world-class shopping frenzy filled with international as well as local cuisine and fashion. You’ll have as much freedom as possible to explore every fashionable opportunity, free of impatient co-shoppers.

Australia

For the backpacker

Close your eyes. Now picture being alone with nature — no arguments or complaints.  Just you and the melodious calls of the wild… Now let your imaginations linger even further to the wilderness of Australia’s Kimberley, where images of the Bungle Bungle are beginning to change your state of mind and make you feel complete in tune with nature.

Now open your eyes. Doesn’t this sound nice?

Well just picture how it would feel actually being alone in this remote region where nature showcases its most beautiful features. 

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

For the culturist

For a very small city, Amsterdam packs a great punch for the drifting onlooker. 

And some of its most interesting possessions are buried deeply in the Amsterdam Museum.

Serving as an open history book filled with timeless events and legends, this treasure trove comes complete with unique riches to set any solo traveler on the right path to discovery.

Here, its walls transport guests into a time capsule where they are presented with temporary shows highlighting traditions, people, and style impacting the city. 

The museum’s elaborate displays also highlight religious factors, prostitution, Ajax, football, and urban myths — all under one roof.

Enjoy the freedom to wander in your own world as Amsterdam’s hidden treasures wraps you under their captivating spell.

Washington DC

For the history buff

In the nation’s capital, a mecca of history and monumental sites all sit at the forefront of the grand appeal of Washington, D.C.

These fascinating elements all make a Washington Walk a great way to indulge in American history where you can follow the footsteps of our founding fathers as long as you want, without having to listen to your friends complain for hours about their feet hurting. 

You will be too busy listening to the legends buried inside of the haunted houses or exploring the mystery of memorials by moonlight to be bothered with how anyone else feels about the tour.

There's nothing wrong with having friends around, but with this much history all in one place, you'll want to take everything in at your own pace.

Naples, Italy

For the foodie

Naples offers up rich Italian culture and a culinary journey for the palate. And in keeping with Italian tradition, it does so with incredibly generous portions. 

Exploring this destination alone means no catering to picky eaters, especially when traveling with a large group makes deciding on a place to eat more like a chore than an adventure. 

Not to worry; when you are solo, locating a local eatery will be a breeze, especially since Naples has such a profound spot on the gourmet map. Anything from a slice of authentic Italian pizza from a little hole-in-the-wall to seafood platters to pasta dishes at all made from the heart is at your beck and call. 

Thailand

For the animal lover

If you spent your childhood dreaming of running the zoo, and who didn't, then a visit to Thailand will not disappoint. Especially at the Elephant Nature Park where volunteers are welcome to join any of the park’s volunteer programs. You can get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures by assisting in bathing and feeding them.

At the end of your visit you’ll be happy you contributed to the elephant’s well-being and you'll have gained a bond with these elephants that only the true animal lover will understand.

Florianopolis, Brazil

For the beach bum

Voted the friendliest city by Conde Nast Traveler, solo visitors can feel completely at ease on this “Island of Magic.” 

If you are looking for that sand-between-your- toes experience, Florianopolis may just be calling your name.

You can be as lazy as you want, lying in the sun for hours at length, while periodically escaping to the depths of the pristine water to cool down as it magically washes away your unwanted stress.

Florianopolis may just be what the doctor ordered for beach lovers craving a beach town escape without seeing a familiar face in sight.

Bali, Indonesia

For the spiritually-inclined

Bali is as magical as it is spiritual; a haven for soul-searchers seeking spiritual guidance.

If this is you, the spiritual retreat Journeys of the Spirit offers just that and much more.

The resort embraces the solo traveler with life-changing adventures as you try your hand at the cultural Lejong Dance, don a ceremonial mask, bathe in the Indian Ocean and waterfalls, meet mountain villagers, pray in the temples, and maybe — just maybe — unlock the secrets of the universe and finally understand man's place in the cosmos.

But even if you don't get to that last part, everything before it sounds amazing.

New York City

For the Broadway enthusiast

Deciding which Broadway show to see among the seemingly endless lineup of shows along the "Great White Way" can be an endless debate.

So leave the arguments to the amateurs and head to the Big Apple by yourself to escape under the bright lights of a Broadway show.

Yes watching a theatrical show alone can be quite intimidating, but once those lights are dimmed and everyone’s focus is on the actors, you will be wondering why you haven’t thought about getting lost in the magic of phenomenal performers sooner.