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Solo Female Traveller
As a solo female traveller, there is always one thing to consider the most – the general safety status of the destination. At the same time, who would want to compromise on the beauty, activities and the delicious, exotic food? The good news is that such places do exist. Being a female traveller, flying solo can be very empowering, challenging and an escape from the mundane routine. As much as the news is always shattering our confidence about travel, it tends to eclipse the friendly, hospitable and generous people that welcome tourists to their homeland. Scenic heavens on Earth that can make you feel alive, without worrying about anything.
The count-down for our 15 vacation destinations are as follows:
1. USA
With more than 35000 museums, 9 national parks to explore and 193,500 miles of trail to tread, the activities in the US are never ceasing. From the electrifying buzz of metropolitan cities like New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, to the quiet, tranquil countryside in cities like South Carolina, Colorado and Montana; USA is a diverse land. The glory of diversity is also discernable in the cultures throughout the country. With settled immigrants from all around the globe, there is a rich blend of ethnicities, fashion, food, and much more!
2. Spain
This sun-blessed land of rich history and culture is on every traveller’s bucket list. There is a good reason for this. If you aren’t one for the museums and historic sites, you would still find numerous adrenaline-pumping activities. Skiing, snowboarding, scuba diving or perhaps hiking on one of the world’s scariest tracks connecting Portugal and Spain should interest you. Is it all safe for a lone woman? Spain generally is among the best ranked among the safest countries in the world. Now that women even in Spain’s government outnumber men, women’s rights is a big deal there and it hints at how confident travelling there would make you feel.
3. France
Ranking second in the Ampersand’s travel safety index, France offers breathtaking landscapes at every turn. Alpine mountains, meadows, rivers and its dazzling sea coast and not to forget, one of the most attractive tourist spots in the world; the Eiffel Tower! There is also the world’s largest and most visited museum at Louvre. If your everyday cheese makes your mouth water, then imagine the 350 to 450 different varieties of cheese that France is known to produce. You simply cannot miss out.
4. Netherlands
The Netherlands in a word? Amsterdam! The city that has inspired numerous songs, has a rich, artistic heritage. The artist in you would experience an unmatched euphoria in the city of Amsterdam; home to the world-famous Rijksmuseum showcasing over 400 masterpieces, plus the Van Gogh Museum that has the largest collection of works by Vincent Van Gogh, in the world. The Netherlands has a lot of English speaking natives. That, together with the ease of transportation, makes getting by in the Netherlands very easy.
Speaking of, everywhere all across the country, bike-riding is very popular. There are Dutch windmills that are a fascinating sight. There are dedicated bike paths everywhere. The Netherlands is brimming with both historic and modern architecture as well as tiny islands and wonderful, serene villages. Sounds like the perfect destination to rediscover yourself, isn’t it?
5. Australia
In terms of tourism, the mention of Australia makes one immediately think about the giant sails-like building, the Sydney Opera. It is ranked in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is one of the world’s greatest architectural icons. Packed with theatres, studios, a concert hall, exhibition rooms, and a cinema, it offers a range of activities for any solo tourist. It is impossible to be in Australia and not go sailing, cruising, swimming at beaches, or visit its natural parks. Wherever you decide to go, the Aussies will welcome you with good cheer.
6. British Virgin Islands
It comprises of four main islands and many smaller ones. The British Virgin Islands are renowned for world-class sailing, yachting, many dive sites, and spectacular beaches. All the islands are volcanic, which makes for amazing sceneries. Except for one island which is for deep-sea fishing, bonefishing, and reef fishing. There is also a National Park as well as two hiking trails in the islands. All makes for the perfect getaway for any solo female traveller hungry for adventure!
7. Switzerland
The fairy-tale beauty of Switzerland is praised around the globe. The snow-covered peaks, storybook huts and the alpine scenery. Even though the country is renowned for its scenery, travellers find way more than that. From museums and galleries, historic buildings, to renowned music festivals, Switzerland offers a full vacation experience. The most loved tourist hotspots are Lake Geneva, Lucerne and the Matterhorn. Switzerland also happens to be one of the safest places in the world. Female solo travellers would find themselves very confident trotting across Switzerland.
8. New Zealand
Not only is New Zealand extremely safe for any solo female traveller, but it is also filled with amazing landscapes, volcanic craters, hot springs, Scottish towns and wilderness islands. The Sky Tower and marine reserve in Auckland are among the best tourist spots in the country. Milford Sound, an attractive area of looming cliffs and waterfalls, is the hiking trail in Queenstown Hill. The natives have amazing culinary skills, and also speak English. New Zealand can be an amazing choice for first time solo travellers.
9. Thailand
Thailand, the Land of Smiles, is one of the easiest places to travel to and explore. Thanks to its combination of wonderful infrastructure and the plethora of travel agencies that will book your route (Bus, train etc.) for you at reasonable rates. The natives speak good English so there isn’t a language barrier either. Experience Thai food like you’ve never had before, although it does get extra spicy if that’s your thing. There is way more to Thailand than just sparkling beaches.
You can expect to see busy cities and mountains, yet wherever you go, you’ll find yourself staying in luxury hotels. So is all of this even safe? Well, yes! The deeply engrained Buddhist culture and general respect for social philosophy allow the crime rates in Thailand to remain really low. As long as you avoid the Malaysian border area where there are political threats and the presence of military, you’re all good to go.
10. Canada
Canada is such a popular solo female traveller as a destination. It is one of the safest and friendliest countries on Earth. Plus, it also happens to be the second-largest country in the world, making diversity in landscapes, cultures, tourist spots, food, and much more. The most attractive spot is, of course, the Niagara Falls, but did you know that since 2017, all of the National Parks have become free too? The Upper and Lower Town of Quebec have the most historic gems of architecture. Old Quebec also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto are among the safest cities in Canada, with very cordial people. If you go up to Manitoba, you can experience riding in tundra buggies with caged windows for a chance to closely encounter the polar bears. Canada is the perfect travel destination one may want to go over and over again.
11. Singapore
Singapore, the Land of the Rich, a popular tourist destination for a lot more than its tall buildings, fancy malls and luxury airports and hotels. Singapore may be a small city-state, but it is packed to the brim with fun activities and tourist spots, that makes it a good choice for anyone travelling alone. Singapore is flourished with temples, excellent infrastructure, Asian civilization museums and even a man-made beach.
You could take the subway to anywhere, but even walking is a safe enough option if you want to explore everything without worry. The people of Singapore are used to diversity in terms of culture, race and languages, thus any female solo traveller would feel right at home among the friendly and highly respectful natives.
12. Italy
Even though there aren’t too many English speakers in Italy, it still makes for a very dreamy travel destination. Just imagining being on a gondola in Venice is enough to start considering going to Italy. Italy is renowned for its artistic history, especially, Florence, which possibly has the most art masterpieces than anywhere else.
Italians can be over-friendly and casually flirtatious, so it’s a good excuse to work on your self-confidence and knowing how to deal with such situations. Learning a little bit of Italian before going would be really handy. The Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, dominating the Florence skyline, Vatican City, Pantheon, and St. Mark’s Basilica are some of the must-see tourist spots in Italy.
13. Taiwan
Easy on the pocket, yet packed with new experiences awaiting the travellers, Taiwan has a really good reputation of its state police and extensive CCTV surveillance all over the country. This makes it especially safe for solo female travellers. The food is delicious, especially, if you explore the late-night outdoor cafes. Taiwan is also exceptionally green and has mountains offering some hardcore hiking. The rich culture makes up for some really colourful festivals. In fact, you would want to visit Taiwan when the festivals are in full swing.
The only thing you would need to plan for is the frequent rainfall the country receives, as well as the language barrier. However, the natives are much used to the tourists and know how to cater to their needs. Still unsure about visiting Taiwan as a solo female traveller ? Would it help if we mentioned their President also happens to be a lady? Tsai Ing-wen has been the President since 2016, and it shows just how much Taiwan has gotten rid of its gender prejudice than the rest of the world.
14. Japan
If you’re a solo female traveller into anime, Japanese culture, or simply understand and/or speak the Japanese language, Japan could very well be the perfect travel destination for you. Japan has a striking culture, outlandish cuisine, and of course, the politest people in the world. It is nearly impossible to lose your belongings because of how honest the locals are. There are numerous temples and historic sites to visit in Japan.
There is mount Fiji, Japan’s most recognizable landmark which you can enjoy from the comfort of a train ride. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park includes important monuments, memorials, and museums. The country’s largest fortress, Osaka Castle, is beautiful for sight-seeing as well. Osaka also features a strong food culture, filled with distinct street food.
Katsuyama is Japan’s largest excavation site, and you can explore their findings at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. If the bustle of the cities is not for you, then perhaps the idyllic Kerama Islands would impress you, especially, if you like hiking, lounging at the beach, whale watching, snorkelling and diving.
The activities in Japan are never-ending. What makes all of this better is that Japanese women are pretty independent and can be found working or just hanging out by themselves. Japan is very women-friendly, with dedicated busses and female-only spaces. For the language barrier, make sure you know the simple phrases and sentences in Japanese, or better yet, join a solo travel groups; perfect for making new friends on the journey!
15. Indonesia
Indonesia is a stunning country with diverse cultures. It comprises of 13,500 islands, including the world’s most famous vacation islands like Bali, Lombok, Sumatra, Flores and Borneo. Bali is, of course, the most famous of all, so for a solo female traveller, it is better to check out Nusa islands off of the southeastern tip of Bali. The Lombok island is very serene where tourists can enjoy a laid-back sunset view and even spot a few turtles here and there. Sumbawa is known for diving, snorkelling and most of all, surfing.
Northern Sumatra is lush green and the sight of wild orangutans is not uncommon there. Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, comprises of five main islands and a number of smaller ones. It is heard that you can witness real-life dragons. Well, Komodo Dragons, but just as exciting.
Nicknamed as the “Spice Islands” in the 1500s, Indonesia is still famous for its vibrant and intensely flavoursome food. The Indonesian cuisine owes its diversity to the plethora of the ethnicities and cultures that have crossed the island in the past, leaving behind a world of different flavours. The streets of Jakarta are as modern as any other global metropolitan. Whereas Tana Toraja is a remote village with a complete 180-degrees turn of landscape and peace.
As dream-like as it all sounds, it’s even safe for solo female travellers, ranking 4th in the safest countries for them, according to Ampersand Travel. The locals are very friendly, used to the tourists that come in all seasons. They might see lone tourists and offer some company, hence it is easy to befriend them as well. While Indonesia is generally a land of modesty and moral values, making it a family-friendly tourist destination, solo female travellers have the option of travel groups as well, to make the most out of the myriad of must-see spots without fearing for their safety.
So, go to your favorite places and enjoy your trip as a solo female traveller!