Hi there! I’m in the middle of planning my first solo trip (as a woman). Do you have any ideal destinations with activities like hiking, diving, sightseeing, and easy ways to meet locals—all on a small budget?

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s had this experience before! :)

Hello everyone, after our trip was canceled due to COVID, I’ve decided to travel alone at 66 since my husband is no longer healthy enough to join me. I speak a little English and, while I’m taking this trip as a challenge, I’ll admit it stresses me out a bit. I’ll be leaving in May for 3 weeks. If it’s easy to plan the route and accommodations with Airbnb, I’m a little worried about transportation. Do you think it’s better to hire a guide for visiting the cities? I’d love all your tips. Corinne

Hi, I'm planning a trip to Jamaica. I'd love to hear about experiences traveling solo as a woman... Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone! I REALLY need some advice because I’m feeling lost with my choices for my next solo trip—I’d like to book within the month . Just so you know, my trip will be in September 2025 for about 17 days. My top pick is Vietnam; I’ve never been to Asia. I know the rainy season will be in full swing in September, but several reviews seemed to say it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker, even though it might affect a few hours each day. PS: I was considering Cambodia, but apparently, the situation isn’t safe for a woman or a tourist right now. I’ve also heard a lot about New Zealand, but I don’t know anyone who’s been there—especially solo. The nature looks amazing, but does 100% nature get boring quickly when you’re alone? Are there meet-up spots or restaurants/cafés in all the must-see places? To give you some background, I’ve traveled solo before: Seville, Sweden (Stockholm and Lapland), and I spent 6 months exploring Marseille on my own. I love discovering places and cultures by myself. Fun fact: my favorite trip was South Africa—for the change of scenery, the people I met, the landscapes, and the nature—but I wasn’t solo there. Do you have any firsthand experience with these two destinations for a solo trip as a woman? Or do you have other ideas that fit a similar budget and are interesting for 15–17 days, with a real sense of adventure? And, of course, safe and not too stressful for a woman! (I’d also love to hear about any custom travel agencies you’ve had good experiences with—I really want to plan this trip as best as I can, but all the agencies I’ve found have mixed reviews.) Thank you so much for your help!! I’ll keep you posted on my choice and I’m happy to answer any questions you might have!

I’d like to visit Malta for the first time as a solo woman, in January 2025 for two weeks from Lille in northern France. Explain everything to me from A to Z, please! Is it possible to go without a guide? What do you recommend? Thanks for your valuable advice

Hi everyone, I’m planning my trip to South Africa for February. I’m a woman traveling solo. I have a flight to Nelspruit where I plan to rent a car to visit Kruger Park, then drive the Panoramic Route (starting from Hoedspruit and returning to Nelspruit to drop off the car). The issue is, this will be my first time renting a car, and it’s stressing me out! I travel alone a lot but always manage with public transport. This time, I don’t really have a choice but to rent, but I’m uneasy about driving a car that isn’t mine—especially since it’s left-hand drive... I figure driving in Kruger Park should be manageable since speeds are limited. But I’m worried about the Panorama Road, the mountain pass, etc. Is the road very winding and dangerous? I’m afraid of ending up on narrow, rough roads with the void (Blyde Canyon) right next to me... I know I need to watch out for potholes. But do you think it’s manageable, or is it really too risky for someone who isn’t very comfortable behind the wheel?

And regarding safety (crime), do you know if there are any issues on this route? Thanks for your advice!

Hi everyone, I’m a 67-year-old woman who loves to travel, and for my third solo trip, I’ve decided to explore Indonesia. I’ll be there from September 1st to October 5th, and I’m really struggling to plan my itinerary. I’d love any advice you can share—I’ll read it all carefully. So far, I’ve booked my first two nights with a local host in Jakarta, and then I’m heading to Borobudur. That’s all I’ve got planned for now. Do you think I should book accommodations and transport tickets in advance? It seems really complicated, or could I just decide day by day based on how I feel? Thanks in advance for your replies!

Hi everyone, Here’s my route—I’d like to stay at least 3 nights in each stop, take Indian dance classes, a cooking class, and any other discoveries you might recommend! I arrive in Delhi in early March 2025, then take a flight to Jaisalmer. Do you know of any charming, well-located hotels along this route? Between buses, trains, or another flight, what would you suggest? Jaisalmer / Jodhpur: Jodhpur / Udaipur Udaipur / Jaipur Jaipur / Agra Agra / Varanasi Maybe head down to Kolkata and then back up to Delhi. I’d love to hear about any firsthand experiences you’ve had!

Best, MurieJeanne

Hi everyone, I’m 66 and just discovered solo travel in Uzbekistan—I loved it! So I’ve decided to explore Africa, starting with Senegal. I’m just beginning my research, but if anyone can give me advice on which month to go, what to see, and whether this destination is safe—or maybe suggest another African country—I’d really appreciate your tips!

Hi there,

A friend and I are planning to visit Northern India from March 3rd to March 25th. We’ll arrive in New Delhi, then take a night train to Bikaner, Bikaner to Jaisalmer (train) Jaisalmer to Jodhpur (train) Jodhpur to Udaipur (car) Udaipur to Bundi (train) Bundi to Jaipur (train/bus) Jaipur to Agra by train Agra to Varanasi and return from Varanasi to Delhi by night train

We’re planning to stay 1 or 2 days in each city. This itinerary was recommended by a guide my friend has been talking to—what do you think?

It’s our first time in Northern India. I’ve only been to Southern India before—Pondicherry for 10 days about 10 years ago—so it’s nothing like the North. Thanks!

Hello, so happy to be back on the forum! I’m heading off alone in mid-January for 5 weeks in Mongolia. I’d love all your tips—transport, accommodation, you name it…

For the cold, I think I’m used to it since I used to travel in Siberia, but that’s over now.

Looking forward to hearing from you! M

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a trip to Turkey this summer and I’d like to get there by hitchhiking. I’ll be traveling solo, and I’ve already done a lot of hitchhiking (Brazil, Albania, from Paris to Romania with a companion, France, Vietnam, Cambodia, and short distances in India).

Has anyone here already made this trip by hitchhiking? How long did it take you? Which countries were the hardest to find a ride in? What techniques did you use to get rides in places where people don’t usually stop? Have you ever had to pitch your tent on a highway rest area? Have you ever run into any problems?

I’m not worried about hitchhiking in Europe, but I don’t know much about Turkey or its culture. Is hitchhiking something people do there? What about hitchhiking as a solo woman—do cars stop? What should I watch out for in this country?

I’m looking for stories from people who’ve actually had this experience—or at least part of it—not advice from those who’ve never traveled this way or in these countries. Thanks for respecting that!

Thanks for reading, and I can’t wait to hear your responses!

Hi there, We’d like to stay in Switzerland for five days. There are two of us (women). We don’t know this country at all. What cities or affordable spots would you recommend for visiting? Cheap accommodation. Looking for community-based options. And being close to public transport. Thanks for your tips and experiences! Best regards.

Hi, We’d like to spend about twenty days in Albania next July. We’re two women traveling together and we’re thinking of renting a small car. Does that sound reasonable, or should we avoid it? Thanks for your advice.

I’ve often been told that traveling alone in Egypt as a woman can be dangerous, and that it’s absolutely necessary to have a companion. Is this really the case? Can I travel there without running into major problems?

Hi, I’d like to know if it’s possible to go to the Dominican Republic with just a one-way ticket using a French passport? Also, do you know of any cheap and safe Airbnbs or other options for a woman traveling alone? Thanks for your replies.

Hi everyone, I’m planning to travel solo to Oman in December 2025, renting a vehicle that allows me to camp in certain areas. For those who’ve already explored the country this way, could you share your experiences or tips? I’d also like to visit the Wahiba Desert, but in that area, I’d prefer a guide for driving and, most importantly, not to sleep in those luxury desert-edge camps but rather have a "wild" escape under the stars. Any guide recommendations? Thanks in advance – Clem

Hi there, I’m planning to spend a week in Lapland from January 4th to 11th, 2025. It’s one of my dreams that I’ll finally get to fulfill—I’ve only been to the mountains once before, at Les 2 Alpes when I was 19. I’ll admit, I’m usually more drawn to warmth, the sea, and islands, but I have this crazy desire to discover this incredible region.

For those of you who’ve been lucky enough to go, could you please share lots of tips so I can make the most of my trip? What clothes should I pack, what local dishes should I try, and what souvenirs should I bring back? Thanks in advance!

Hello fellow travelers,

I’m considering a road trip (rental car) to explore the Canadian Rockies in September 2026, starting in Calgary and ending with about 10 days in Vancouver and the surrounding area. (Two weeks in the Rockies and a little under two weeks in Vancouver and nearby.)

I’d like to say that being a woman traveling alone doesn’t really bother me. That’s not the issue. Being a woman is just how it is, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon, but traveling solo is something I could fix by finding travel companions. However, I had a not-so-great experience in India with two girls who were total strangers at first and turned out to be quite annoying, so I’m a bit put off by the idea now.

My question is simple, assuming I do this trip alone: is it worth sticking *only* to driving? I have **zero** sense of direction—with a map, I’m hopeless. So, is it realistic to think, "With my GPS, I’ll just drive from Calgary to Vancouver and see what I see," since I don’t see myself hiking alone? I’m not easily scared, but I wouldn’t feel confident doing that solo. Unless all the sightseeing is done with a guide (but then, hello, the cost—my budget isn’t exactly overflowing).

What do you all think? Thanks for taking the time to read this. Take care and happy travels. Cheers, Régine

Hi there, My sister and I are planning a little 10-day trip to Morocco. We haven’t decided on a destination yet. We’d like to go at the end of March or beginning of April. We want to be close to a big city but near the sea, in a hotel with a pool and gym. For this first trip to the country, we’d like to mix relaxation, sports activities, and visits to the city and surrounding areas. If you have any suggestions, we’d love to hear them. Thanks in advance.

Hi there, I’m starting to look into traveling to Quebec but mostly up North, so I’m looking for info on boat travel and accommodation options. Just doing some trip planning—I’m traveling solo. Best, Marie

Has anyone got a recommendation for a reliable agency at a reasonable price for a 2-day trip to the Aral Sea from Nukus?

From FES, I’d like to spend a few days in: MEKNES CHEFCHAOUEN TETOUAN and then return to FES. I’m planning this trip in November. Thanks for your tips!

Hello, We’re two senior travelers and would like to spend a good two weeks in Benin next winter. Classic itinerary: North and South. Could you recommend a driver-guide so I can ask for a quote? Many thanks!

Hi, Has anyone recently taken the boat to Casamance from Dakar and could share their experience? From France, is it possible to book online, or do you need to go through an agency? How far in advance? Boarding/disembarking: how does it work? Do we have to check in our luggage and then pick it up on arrival? What’s the vibe like on the boat in the seating area? Has anyone ever stopped over in Carabane? Accommodation options there? Thanks so much if you have any recent info!

Hi everyone, I’m often in transit in Tokyo and I stay at the hotel because Japanese people speak little English and the signs are almost always in Japanese! Any ideas for getting from Narita to a nice park or an onsen? I wanted to try Hokkaido, but apart from renting a car, it’s all trains! Any suggestions for a car with a driver? Or is it too expensive? Small group tours in Hokkaido? I read about the Explorator group’s offer—way too expensive!!! I’ve got a maximum of 8 days. I’d just like a nice Japanese break. Thanks for any tips you can share!

Thanks to everyone!! You’re motivating me even more!! I’m really excited!! A thousand thanks Lau

Hi there! I’m heading to Thailand on February 22, 2025. After Chiang Mai, I’ve got a flight to Krabi, then 3 days in Koh Tao. Is it easy to get from Krabi to Koh Tao? On the island, I haven’t booked any activities—I figured I’d sort things out once I’m there. Anyone got tips for me?! Thanks a bunch, Laurence from Bayonne

Hi there! We’re leaving in early November for a month. Here’s our itinerary: Arrival in Takhmau, then heading to: Kampong Cham Kratie – 2 days Mondolkiri – 3 days Ratanakiri – 3 days Stung Treng – 1 day Siem Reap – 4 days Battambang – 1 day Kampong Chhnang – 3 days Kampot – 2 days Islands (WE’RE HESITATING WHICH ONE?) – 4 DAYS Phnom Penh – 2 days That’s it! 😊 We’re backpacking… and we love spots that aren’t too touristy. If you’ve got any tips, we’re all ears! Thanks

Hi there! I’m 38 and looking for a female travel buddy to explore Colombia this summer. As a travel enthusiast, I’ve been lucky enough to visit many countries and want to keep living this passion. If this project interests you, I’d love to chat!

Absou