Travelling Solo
Now that the world is opening up again, people are eager to make up for lost time – even if that means going on holiday alone.
Escorted tour company Explore says more than half of travellers on their small group trips are typically travelling on their own, with 2022 bookings for solo travellers up 27 per cent on the same period in 2019. Cox & Kings report a similar uptick: over a third of bookings made in January (36 per cent) were solo tours.
Whether you’re a lone traveller seeking company or a practical way to explore, here’s how to make the most of great group tours.
BEST FOR… ADVENTURERS
Determined to make up for lost time, travellers are booking bigger breaks for longer. One to try if you have the budget is a 39-day Central Asia: Five Stans Adventure. Following the Silk Road and crossing off the five countries ending in stan, from Kazakhstan to Turkmenistan, it includes a few off-beat experiences such as a visit to the Cosmodrome spaceport where Russian astronauts launch from, a visit to the desert city of Ashgabat, and camping next to the Door to Hell – the eternally burning gas crater of Darvaza, lit since 1971.
How: From €7,925 per person all inclusive for travel date starting August through September, visit intrepidtravel.com
BEST FOR… NATURE LOVERS
An African safari provides an opportunity to see a variety of wildlife – but holidays are too often too pricey for one. A favourite with honeymooners, Botswana has a reputation for being especially expensive.
But Kwara Lodge in the Okavango Delta– a prime wildlife viewing area – offers affordable packages for lone travellers.
For five months of the year (November through to March) Kwara and its two sister camps (Lagoon and Lebala) are run with zero single supplements. During this low season period, the landscape is green, birds are in abundance, and rainstorms clear dust from the sky – making it a great time for photographers.
How: 11-day stay from €5,635 per person with a guaranteed single room and all activities, excluding flights, visit reefandrainforest.co.uk
BEST FOR… SUSTAINABLE TRAVELLERS
Taking the train is not only a nostalgic way to travel, it’s better for the environment too. Now it’s possible to save the planet – and a few pennies – by booking a train holiday. As Ireland has no train connection to the UK or France, you’ll have to travel by ferry or plane to start in London if you want to follow the classic Orient Express itinerary.
Part of travel agents Explore’s new collection of London2 rail journeys, the 15-day escorted London to Istanbul rail adventure travels through French countryside and Italian cities, before continuing to the Balkans and finally crossing into Asia Minor. Pass through narrow-gauge railways, sample rural Serbian wineries and cover nine countries in two weeks.
How: From €2,680 per person including a 50 per cent discount on single rooms from €519 to €258.99, excluding flights, visit explore.co.uk
BEST FOR… WOMEN
A chaotic mix of fascinating culture, bright colours and exotic foods, India is a mesmerising country – but can be a headache to navigate. The challenges and rewards are captured in the cult film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which forms the basis of a holiday offered by Wild Frontiers.
Fellow females (and males too) can follow in Judi Dench’s footsteps, with the reassurance of a group and tour guide on an 11-day trip through Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
Based on themes and locations featured in the film, the trip includes a stay at Ravla Khempur, a 17th Century palace once famous for its Marwari horses, which provided the inspiration for the film’s title hotel.
How: From €2,573 per person sharing with a same gender traveller, excluding flights, visit wildfrontierstravel.com
BEST FOR…CRUISERS
A floating hotel where life is easy and views change daily, cruises are an excellent way to visit multiple destinations without any upheaval. River cruises are especially relaxing and often popular with more mature solo travellers.
Abbey Travel has a handful of itineraries to choose from, including seven-day all inclusive deals along the Rhine, Danube or Garonne rivers. For €1,899 per person you can cruise around Venice and Northern Italy too.
How: From €1,299 per person for the Brilliant Bordeaux river cruise in April to €3,299 for the Classic Christmas Markets cruise in Germany in December, visit abbeytravel.ie
BEST FOR… HISTORY FANS
Peru contains some of South America’s greatest archaeological treasures, including the world class wonder, Machu Pichu. It can be tricky to persuade partners and friends to travel on niche holidays – especially those with long haul price tags – so a group tour is often the most affordable and practical to book.
Cox & Kings offers a nine-night Treasures of Peru tour, starting in foodie hot spot Lima and continuing to former Inca citadel Cuzco, followed by a scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. High rise Lake Titicaca also features on the itinerary, where there’s a chance to share lunch with a local family.
How: From €3,097 per person from April to October, excluding flights, visit coxandkings.co.uk