Traveling Alone | Practical Tips
Inhoudsopgave
2
3

Traveling Alone: Why You Should Give It a Try

Traveling alone is becoming more and more popular. And there are more and more options. Do you do it to escape the daily hustle and bustle of modern life, or to consciously experience other cultures and meet new people?

So many people, so many preferences. That’s certainly true when it comes to travel. Sometimes your expectations for a trip or vacation are very different from those of your travel companion. How wonderful it is, then, to be able to set off on your own, without having to take your travel companion(s)’ preferences into account.

Travel is not just about unique experiences; it’s increasingly about self-development. It’s about traveling more mindfully, traveling with awareness, and returning as a better person. It’s about taking the time to reflect on what’s important to you—things you don’t get around to because of your busy life.

The Nest - Alvados - Portugal - Reading Room
thevagar-country-house-belmonte-portugal-evening-sun-pool

I’ve been traveling alone frequently for years. By choice, because I love it, but also somewhat out of necessity because my partner doesn’t like to travel and I’m often on the road for work. What I love about it is that you never know what’s in store for you, who you’ll meet, and—most of all—you have plenty of time to unwind and enjoy nature.

Plus, the best ideas often come to you when you’re traveling alone (as was the case with the idea for this platform). You break free from your daily routine, live more in the moment, and have the time and mental space to think about the things that matter to you.

Read all about why you should try traveling solo, the best places for women to do so, and trips specifically designed for relaxation and self-development: retreats and yoga trips.

First, some advantages of traveling alone

For me, there are more pros than cons, but it really depends on what kind of person you are.

  • You have a lot of freedom and flexibility

You don’t have to worry about other people’s wishes. You set your own pace and can decide on the spur of the moment how you’ll spend your day. If you’re used to a busy (family) life, that can sometimes be a wonderful escape.

  • You’ll get to know yourself well and discover what’s important to you.

You are responsible for your own choices and need to trust yourself by taking on new challenges from time to time. This helps you develop and grow as a person.

  • You’ll meet new people

In addition to getting to know yourself better, you’ll also get to know other people more quickly when you travel alone. You can join group activities or a group tour for solo travelers, but even when you’re traveling completely on your own, you’re more likely to connect with other travelers or with locals wherever you are.

  • Profound experiences

You’ll have more time to reflect and enjoy your surroundings. You’ll experience the authentic local culture without distractions. You might be forced to learn a language, which will help you overcome the necessary hurdles—simply because you have to.

You can travel with a group of solo travelers. If you want to try traveling alone but don’t want to be completely on your own, choose an organized trip that you can sign up for by yourself.

Madeira - Levada Trail - Old Man
Madeira - Funchal - Farmers' Markets

Possible downsides of traveling alone and how to overcome them

  • If you don’t like being alone, you may sometimes feel lonely. You don’t have a travel companion to share your special experiences with, and that can sometimes be painful or make you feel isolated. But it can also be an opportunity to overcome your feelings of loneliness. You can stay in touch (online) with your loved ones back home, and you can actively seek out other travelers or local residents.
  • If you find traveling alone scary, you can take some extra precautions to feel safe. For example, make copies of your travel documents and keep someone at home informed of your plans so they can raise the alarm if necessary. I’ve never felt unsafe anywhere, and yet I’ve traveled alone to many extraordinary places around the world. There’s always someone willing to help you if you’re feeling hesitant or lonely.
  • Another drawback is that costs can be relatively higher when you travel alone. You often pay more when you stay in a double room by yourself. And you have fewer opportunities to split costs. You could avoid this by joining a group tour for solo travelers. You may also be able to save money by being more selective about your accommodations or dining options.
  • I’ve never found it boring to sit alone in a restaurant. Sometimes you’re invited to join a table with other people, and very often I have a book—or these days, always my cell phone—with me, so I don’t end up staring off into space all by myself while I eat.
  • If you find it hard to make decisions on your own, traveling alone can also be a challenge, because you have to decide for yourself which path to take, where to go next, and how to spend your day. In that case, it’s nice to make a rough plan or itinerary in advance—which you can, of course, deviate from if you don’t feel like sticking to it. That’s the beauty of it.

The Best Countries and Regions in Europe for Solo Travel

You can travel safely almost anywhere in Europe. Here are our top picks for your solo trip:

  • The Netherlands, of course, has excellent infrastructure, making it a safe place to try out solo travel. There’s plenty to see and do within a short distance. It offers beautiful hiking areas and is ideal for a bike ride or cultural exploration.
  • Portugal is my top choice for solo travel. The people are friendly, and cities like Lisbon and Porto are lively yet easy to navigate. There are beautiful beaches and plenty of history, as well as stunning hiking trails, such as the Rota Vicentina. This trail is perfect for solo hiking. Accommodations are still affordable, and the food is delicious.
  • Scotland boasts breathtaking landscapes and historic castles. The locals are friendly, and Scotland has a rich culture. It’s perfect for hiking and exploring nature. It’s also fun to travel by train.
  • Iceland has stunning natural beauty and friendly locals. It’s a perfect destination for the adventurous solo traveler. It’s safe, and you’ll experience unique landscapes such as geysers and waterfalls.
  • Slovenia is a lesser-known gem with stunning natural scenery and cities like Ljubljana. You can travel safely and easily through the beautiful lakes and mountains, and Slovenia has a welcoming atmosphere.
  • Italy —and specifically Tuscany or Umbria—are regions where you can easily travel on your own and, above all, stay at an agriturismo or spend the night surrounded by nature.
Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel - Portugal - Wellness and Relaxation
Bathroom - Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel - Portugal
Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel - Portugal - Breakfast Table

Solo Travel for Women

More and more women are traveling alone. And fortunately, that’s entirely possible. Sometimes it’s to explore a new country or region, but often it’s a conscious choice to take some time and relax—to finally read that book, visit museums, go for walks, or enjoy a wellness retreat.

To be on the safe side, it’s best to travel during the day. Although I’ve also traveled a lot on night trains and have never had a negative experience. By the way, “women-only cars” are becoming more common on night trains. Stay in touch with your loved ones and share your itinerary. Above all, trust your intuition and stay alert.

Once, when I was heavily pregnant, I was stuck in traffic alone for hours in Italy. As a result, I arrived late for my appointment, and because of the delay, my hotel reservation had been canceled. I struck up a conversation with other people in the long traffic jam, and they kindly guided me to a hotel where I could stay and slept wonderfully.

Do your research on your destination beforehand and then decide for yourself if it’s right for you. In terms of safety, it’s obviously best to choose a retreat or stay in one place, so you can be sure in advance that you won’t run into any unpleasant surprises. In the book *Solo Travel*, you can read about Liesbeth Rasker’s experiences traveling solo.

Traveling Alone – Mindful Travel

It’s not necessarily just for women, but there are more and more opportunities to travel alone for self-reflection, mindfulness experiences, yoga, or meditation retreats. There are also stays where you can focus specifically on your health—whether physical or mental. Check out our “Special Stays” section to see which accommodations are particularly well-suited for this.

Destinations particularly well-suited for women traveling alone

  • Austria: Welcoming and Full of Solo-Friendly Activities
  • The Netherlands: need I say more?
  • Japan: Very Safe and Well-Organized
  • Scandinavia: high levels of safety and equality, with beautiful nature and cities
  • Canada: friendly and helpful, with plenty of natural beauty.

Why would you travel alone?

In short, there are plenty of reasons to give it a try. Get to know yourself and meet new people, expand your mind and improve your health, or go in completely unprepared and let the local culture surprise you. Even if it turns out to be a bit of a letdown in the end, you’ll still take something away from the experience. And you’re never alone.

Table of Contents
2
3
Madelon-Seignette - auteur Nature Travel Lab

Over de auteur

Madelon Seignette

Met een passie voor reizen en fotografie én meer dan 30 jaar ervaring in de reisbranche, deel ik graag mijn bijzondere natuur-reistips. Reizen is heerlijk en belangrijk, je ontmoet nieuwe mensen en culturen en het opent je blik op de wereld.

ALLE BERICHTEN VAN DEZE AMBASSADEUR

Bekijk andere blogs

Last September, we had a wonderful six-day hiking vacation from Bologna to Florence (Via Degli Dei). Not only was the weather perfect, but the organization also contributed to this wonderful experience. The hotels were good, and our luggage was always delivered to the hotel before we arrived. The private transfer was on time, and communication via WhatsApp during our hiking week went smoothly as well; responses were quick and clear. We can therefore definitely recommend this hiking vacation through Nature Travel Lab!

We hebben afgelopen september een heerlijke wandelvakantie (zes dagen) gehad van Bologna naar Florence (Via Degli Dei). Niet alleen werkte het weer mee, maar ook de organisatie droeg bij aan deze fijne ervaring. De hotels waren goed en onze bagage werd steeds vóór onze aankomst bij het hotel afgeleverd. De privétransfer was op tijd en het contact via WhatsApp tijdens onze wandelweek verliep ook goed; er werd snel en duidelijk gereageerd. Wij kunnen deze wandelvakantie via Nature Travel Lab dan ook zeker aanbevelen!

Johan en Pauline

After reading the report on the “Alpenüberquerung,” we got really excited. The combination of hiking through beautiful nature and the luxury of luggage transport and a reserved hotel perfectly meets our desire to stay active but then be able to enjoy a well-deserved drink and a delicious meal. The hikes were manageable for us and very varied; some basic fitness is required, especially since we aren’t used to the elevation gain. The trip really gives you the feeling that you’re on a hiking expedition, especially since you hike on your own but meet the same fellow hikers in the afternoons and evenings at one of the mountain huts or at the hotel. Highly recommended for hikers who love unspoiled nature combined with the luxury of a hotel!

Na het lezen van het verslag van de 'Alpenüberquerung' zijn we enthousiast geraakt. De combinatie van wandelen in de prachtige natuur en de luxe van het bagagetransport en een gereserveerd hotel, beantwoord helemaal aan onze wensen om actief bezig te zijn maar daarna lekker te kunnen genieten van een welverdiend drankje en een lekkere maaltijd. De wandelingen waren voor ons goed te doen en zeer gevarieerd; enige basisconditie is wel vereist, zeker omdat we de hoogtemeters niet gewend zijn. De tocht geeft je echt het gevoel dat je op een wandel-expeditie bent, helemaal omdat je individueel loopt maar 's middags en 's avonds dezelfde lopers treft in één van de hutjes op de berg of in het hotel. Absolute aanrader voor wandelaars die van ongerepte natuur houden gecombineerd met de luxe van een hotel!

Ton & Julia

Peloponnese Hiking Tour

Wandelreis Peloponnesos

Mar en Co

A really beautiful six-day hike from Bologna to Florence. Communication with NatureTravelLab and the local agent was excellent. The information packet was waiting for us at the hotel in Bologna, and the app with the route worked great. Luggage transport was well organized every day, and our bags were waiting for us each time we arrived at our new room! We covered more than 1,400 meters of elevation gain, but unfortunately didn’t always get the views we’d hoped for due to cloud cover and some drizzle. Most days had great hiking weather. It was wonderful to walk into Florence on foot and stay there an extra day.

Een hele mooie zesdaagse hike van Bologna naar Florence. Communicatie met NatureTravelLab en lokale agent was prima. Infopakket lag klaar in hotel in Bologna en app met route werkte top. Bagagevervoer was elke dag goed geregeld en de tassen stonden er elke dag weer als we aankwamen in onze nieuwe kamer! Meer dan 1.400 hoogtemeters gemaakt, maar hadden helaas niet altijd de gewenste uitzichten door bewolking met wat motregen. Meeste dagen prima wandelweer. Heerlijk om per voet Florence in te lopen en daar nog een dag extra gebleven

Jeroen

We experienced the Walk of the Gods as a great adventure. Our start in Bologna didn’t go quite as planned because our app wasn’t working yet and we couldn’t find a single sign for Via degli Dei in the square. Fortunately, we were quickly able to join two young hikers from Florence who were also doing the hike. After a wonderful night’s stay at the beautiful Rio Verde agritourism farm, Day 2 went much better with the help of the hiking app. Along the way, we enjoyed stunning views, met some great fellow hikers, and sampled delicious local dishes. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t always on our side, and we had a day of heavy rain, which made the trail very slippery and required us to be careful. It’s a real treat when, on the last day, you can already see Florence in the distance and walk into this beautiful city a few hours later. Thank you so much for your quick and friendly responses to all our questions.

We hebben de tocht der Goden als een groot avontuur ervaren. Onze start in Bologna verliep niet helemaal naar wens omdat onze app nog niet werkte en we op het plein geen enkel bordje konden vinden van Via degli Dei Gelukkig konden we snel aansluiten bij twee jonge wandelaars uit Florence die de tocht ook liepen. Na een heerlijke overnachting in een prachtige Agri toerisme Rio Verde verliep dag 2 een stuk beter met behulp van de wandel app. Onderweg hebben we genoten van prachtige uitzichten. Leuke wandelaars ontmoet en heerlijke streek gerechten geproefd. Helaas waren de weer goden ons niet altijd goed gezind en hadden we een dag volop regen waardoor het pad erg glibberig werd en het oppassen was. Het is volop genieten als je de laatste dag al van veraf Florence ziet liggen en deze mooie stad een paar uur later binnen loopt. Dank je wel voor jullie snelle vriendelijke reacties op al onze vragen.

Rob en Jose

We enjoyed the trip. We also made some changes to our itinerary, and the email correspondence went very smoothly. We started in Mantera; the next day, our first and only hike was a really beautiful one. The taxi picked us up right on time. Unfortunately, the second day’s route was almost the same when we cycled to Ostuni. The bikes were well-maintained, including panniers and helmets (these were simply included). You could even bring your own water bottle!!! We found the route very scenic and varied. There were charming little villages where we could stop for lunch or coffee. The app worked great. All the hotels ranged from good to excellent, though we didn’t think the hotel in Leuca was worthy of 4 stars. We followed your advice for the two nights we stayed there. We found Leuca a bit underwhelming for a two-day stay. We would have preferred to stay in Gallipoli or Lecce for two days. We took this trip in April and were very lucky with the weather. It’s still a quiet time of year, but we didn’t mind that. We definitely recommend it!!!

We hebben de reis als prettig ervaren. We hebben ook onze reis aangepast en de mails gingen erg vlot. We zijn in Mantera begonnen, de volgende dag onze 1e en enige wandeling was een hele mooie wandeling. Werden netjes opgehaald door de taxi. Helaas was de 2e dag bijna de zelfde route toen we gingen fietsen naar Ostuni. De fietsen waren keurig verzorgd incl.fietstassen en helmen ( Dit zat er gewoon bij) Je zou zelf een bidon kunnen meenemen !!! De route vonden wij heel mooi en afwisselend. Leuke dorpjes om te lunchen of koffie te drinken. Gaat prima met de app. Alle hotels zijn prima tot uitstekend, echter het hotel in Leuca vonden wij geen 4 * waardig. Waar we 2 nachten verbleven zijn we vanuit jullie advies gegaan. We vonden in Leuca iets minder voor 2 dagen. We hadden liever in Gallipoli of in Lecce 2 dagen verbleven. Wij hebben deze reis in april gedaan, hadden veel geluk met weer. Is nog rustig periode, maar dat vonden wij niet erg. Het is zeker een aanrader !!!

Rondreis door Puglia

Thanks to a great tip from Nature Travel Lab, we had a wonderful week in Italy. Fattoria di Maiano, just outside Florence, was a beautiful and peaceful place. And the suggested road trips were a great guide for exploring the region. We’ll definitely check here for tips for our next vacation, too. Highly recommended!

Dankzij een gouden tip van Nature Travel Lab een heerlijke week gehad in Italië. Fattoria di Maiano net buiten Florence was een prachtige en rustige plek. En de voorgestelde autoritten waren een heel mooi handboek om de regio te verkennen. Ook voor de volgende vakantie zullen we hier checken voor tips. Zeker een aanrader!

Tara en Roy

We spent a divine week in Italy: we walked the Path of the Gods, from Bologna to Florence—about 135 km spread over 6 days of hiking. Challenging distances and climbs, amazing views, nature, and a warm welcome every time we arrived at the agriturismo or albergo/hotel. All of this was perfectly organized by the Italian company Slow Active Tours, entirely in line with Nature Travel Lab’s itinerary proposal: upon arrival in Bologna, an information packet was waiting for us, complete with a hiking map, a booklet, and passports for the stamps. And the hiking app was very practical for along the way! Our luggage was transported every day and was always waiting for us when we arrived at the next location. Communication was smooth and clear. In short, highly recommended, well worth it, and well-organized.

Wij hebben een goddelijke week in Italie doorgebracht: de Godenweg gelopen, van Bologna naar Florence, zo’n 135km verdeeld over 6 wandeldagen. Pittige afstanden en stijgingen, geweldige uitzichten, natuur en steeds weer een gastvrij onthaal bij aankomst in de agriturismo, of albergo/hotel. Dit alles was perfect georganiseerd door het Italiaanse Slow Active Tours, geheel volgens reisvoorstel van Nature Travel Lab: bij aankomst in Bologna lag er een infopakket klaar, met wandelkaart, boekje en paspoorten voor de stempels. En de wandelapp was zeer praktisch voor onderweg! De bagage werd elke dag vervoerd, en was steeds ter plekke als wij aankwamen op de volgende locatie. De communicatie verliep vlot en duidelijk. Kortom, aanrader, zeer de moeite waard en goed georganiseerd.

Roos & Marc

In September, I walked the Cammino Materano. Communicating with Madelon about the booking was a pleasure. To be honest, I was quite nervous because it was my first time doing a multi-day hike—alone and in a region I wasn’t familiar with—but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The hike to Matera was beautiful, and I was able to complete it without any trouble thanks to the clear on-site signage and the routing and advice provided by the GPS app. The rest of the organization was top-notch as well. My luggage always arrived on time at the right destination, and the hotels and B&Bs were of high quality. In addition, the organizers were easy to reach via WhatsApp if I had any questions. Highly recommended!

In september heb ik de Cammino Materano gelopen. Het contact met Madelon voor de boeking was plezierig. Eerlijk gezegd vond ik best spannend, omdat het de eerste keer was dat ik een meerdaagse wandeling deed, alleen en in een voor mij onbekende regio, maar het is mij uitstekend bevallen. De wandeling naar Matera was prachtig en heb ik probleemloos kunnen lopen dankzij de heldere bewegwijzering ter plekke en routing en adviezen in de gps app. De overige organisatie was ook top. Mijn bagage was altijd op tijd op de juiste bestemming en de hotels/benb's waren van hoge kwaliteit. Daarnaast was de organisatie goed bereikbaar via whatsapp in geval van vragen. Dikke aanrader!

Barbara

Slovenia was absolutely amazing. A beautiful country, friendly people, lovely hiking trails, and truly top-notch hotels. The staff at the local organization were also very easy to reach and helpful. The hiking was manageable. As Dutch people, we’re not used to high altitudes, of course, so it was pretty tough at times. But it was also a lot of fun.

Slovenie was helemaal geweldig. Mooi land, leuke mensen, mooi wandelroutes en echt top hotels. Ook waren de mensen van de lokale organisatie echt goed bereikbaar en behulpzaam. Lopen was goed te doen. Wij zijn als Nederlanders natuurlijk geen hoogtes gewend, dus dat was soms best pittig. Maar ook lekker.

Charlotte

We had a wonderful trip. Everything was well organized. Due to an unfortunate fall, I ended up traveling with my luggage for a day, but that was handled well, too. We really liked all the accommodations. Only the Hotel Hebe in St. Piero a Sieve was a little less impressive, but it was still okay.

Wij hadden een fijne reis. Alles prima geregeld. Ik ben -door een ongelukkige val- een dag meegereisd met mijn bagage, ook dat werd goed geregeld. We vonden alle accommodaties heel fijn. Alleen hotel Hebe in st Piero a Sieve iets minder, maar wel oke.

Carla

Looks fantastic! I'm definitely going to book a trip with this company... they're committed to sustainability and personalized advice. Definitely worth it.

Ziet er fantastisch uit! Ik ga zeker een reis bij deze organisatie boeken...ze staan voor duurzaamheid en persoonlijk advies. zeker de moeite waard.

Belinda

Madelon and her team are true experts. Thanks to their years of experience and passion for travel, they manage to surprise us time and time again. Beautiful hikes, the most picturesque spots—it’s a real treat. I highly recommend them!

Madelon en haar team zijn echte experts. Door hun jarenlange ervaring en passie voor reizen weten ze ons iedere keer weer te verrassen. Prachtige wandelingen, de mooiste plekjes en daardoor echt genieten. Zeer zeker een aanrader!

Richard

Nature Travel Lab provided us with very helpful and honest assistance!

We zijn heel adequaat en eerlijk geholpen door Nature Travel Lab!

Peter

If you’re looking for travel itineraries, the most beautiful hikes, and destinations, you can find it all here. You’ll find endless inspiration for your next trip. Beautiful cities are interspersed with nature. You’ll find everything you need to know about practical matters. Plus, there are plenty of tips for sustainable travel. That way, you’ll get the most out of your trip.

Ben je op zoek naar reisroutes, de mooiste wandelingen en bestemmingen, dan kun je het hier allemaal vinden. Je vindt oneindig veel inspiratie voor een volgende reis. Mooie steden worden afgewisseld met natuur. Je leest alles over praktische zaken. Daarnaast worden er veel tips gegeven om duurzaam te reizen. Zo haal je alles uit je reis.

Marijke

45

Laat je inspireren

Ben je op zoek naar de mooiste wandel- en fietsroutes? Of wil je informatie over reizen met de trein of advies voor de mooiste roadtrips door de natuur. Laat je inspireren voor je volgende reis in het groen; ideeën om je eigen reis te plannen of te kiezen voor een georganiseerde reis.

Meer info

Wandelroutes

Fietsroutes

De mooiste roadtrips

Met de trein

Cities