Solo Travellers

Fossils, forests and wild orchids: exploring the white cliffs of Denmark | Travel

Published

4 weeks ago

July 8, 2025

As we sauntered along sun-splashed woodland paths, our knowledgable guide Michael started to explain the links between the local geology and flora. The unusually luminous light green leaves of the beech trees? “That’s due to the lack of magnesium in the chalky soil.” The 18 species of wild orchid that grow here? “That’s the high calcium content. You see? Everything is connected.”

That’s a phrase my companion and I kept hearing at Møns Klint on the Danish island of Møn. This four-mile (6km) stretch of chalk cliffs and hills topped by a 700-hectare (1,730-acre) forest was fashioned by huge glaciers during the last ice age, creating a unique landscape. In 2026, a Unesco committee will decide whether Møns Klint (“the cliffs of Møn”) should be awarded world heritage site status, safeguarding it for future generations.

Møns Klint map

Using Interrail passes, we took the train from London to Vordingborg (Møn’s nearest railway station) via the Eurostar, with overnight breaks in Cologne going out and Odense, Denmark’s third-largest city, coming back. There’s an efficient bus service both from Vordingborg station to Møn (over an impressive bridge) and on the island itself but, for maximum flexibility, we hired electric bikes in Stege. About 12 miles from Møns Klint, Stege has been Møn’s main town since early medieval times. Home to impressive ancient ramparts and a bijou museum, it’s a good place to stock up since most of the island’s shops are found on the winding high street.

One wind-and-battery-assisted pedal to Møns Klint later and Michael was taking us about 500 steps down to the beach, the scene of cliff collapses so immense that the spoil sometimes forms peninsulas sticking out a quarter of a mile into the sea. Besides being a cartographer’s nightmare, the slowly dissolving chalk also turns the water by the shore a milky white, giving it a distinctly Mediterranean flavour. Almost every stone we picked up was a 30m-year-old fossil of some sort – Michael identified squid, sea sponges, sea urchins and oysters.

Another day we spent meandering along Klintekongens Rige, the longest of Møns Klint’s nine waymarked footpaths. The nine-mile circular trail sent us up and down and up and down through the forest; into the 18th-century “romantic gardens” of Liselund, where the bass-heavy croaking of glistening frogs contrasted with soprano peacocks; and down to a long stretch of beach for a mini adventure clambering over fallen trees and mounds of tumbled rock while the Baltic Sea lapped almost up to the cliff face.

Paddleboarding with Kesia

When the sun went down we met up with night-time guide Susanne, who walked us into the darkened forest and interpreted the cries of tawny owls and scampering noises in the undergrowth (the owls’ potential dinner). The islands of Møn and Nyord form Scandinavia’s first Dark Sky Park, so we were able to gaze up at a panoply of stars while Susanne made us one of the tastiest gin and tonics we’d ever drunk, with mint from her garden and a wild rose syrup from petals she’d foraged that day.

The next morning, we explored the area’s mountain bike trails with Uffe, a guide, like Michael, from the GeoCenter, the local interpretive museum (where an exhibition on biodiversity is appropriately called “Everything is connected”). Along the way, he pointed out splendid displays of lady orchids and a herd of goats whose grazing improves biodiversity. Then, having barely broken a sweat, we suddenly found ourselves out of the woods and atop Denmark’s eighth-highest peak. Aborrebjerg is a humble 143m high, but still provided us with panoramic views across Møn and the shimmering sea. Later, we took to the water on a paddleboarding tour from the village of Klintholm Havn with Kesia from Møn Surf, appreciating the grandeur of the mighty chalk cliffs from another angle.

At night, we slept in a modern and stylish apartment at the nearby Villa Huno – an eco-build with a living roof and a view over a peaceful lake. We strolled around it one evening, stumbling across a woodpecker guarding the remains of a medieval fort, before enjoying a tasty dinner in Koral, Villa Huno’s summer-only restaurant. After a couple of nights we switched to a well-appointed bell tent next door at Camp Møns Klint. Then, as a base for exploring the island of Møn further, we pedalled west to Ellevilde boutique hotel. New owners Kirstine and Kenneth recently moved down from Copenhagen, leaving their highly regarded Restaurant 56 Degrees. Kenneth’s small plates blew us away – imagine a Danish Ottolenghi – with many ingredients from the garden or neighbouring farms. The sweet pickled onion and rhubarb salad, and the wonderfully crisp herby flat breads that accompanied a gazpacho, will live long in the memory.

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Møns Klint represents a mere sliver of the island of Møn, so we spent our last day exploring its mostly flat countryside on our electric bikes. A cycle path runs parallel to the island’s main road, and all the smaller roads we used were essentially car-free, which made for a very relaxing experience. We raced hares along hedges; marvelled at some wonderfully eccentric medieval frescos in Elmelunde church; bought ceramics from a friendly potter called Jacob; and stopped off at little flea markets in islanders’ front gardens.

Denmark’s smallest museum is on the tiny island of Nyord. Photograph: Suzy Dixon

Crossing the wind-blown bridge on to the tiny island of Nyord (population 35), we watched lapwings at play and visited Denmark’s smallest museum. Not much larger than a telephone kiosk, it is a former lookout shelter that tells the stories of those who guided boats through the perilous straits nearby.

In Nyord’s only village, also Nyord, we dropped into Noorbohandelen for some rum mustard, one of the many flavoured varieties that are a local speciality. We admired their aesthetically satisfying shelves of bottles filled with all manner of colourful spirits made on the premises, before lunching alfresco at their cafe on a correspondingly colourful salad, as swallows tore joyfully about the sky above our heads.

The trip was provided by southzealand-mon.com, with travel provided by Interrail. An Interrail Global Pass for 4 days travel within a month costs £241 adults, £217 seniors, £180 12-27s, 4-11s free with an adult. Villa Huno has apartments from £145 a night. Camp Møns Klint has tent pitches with electricity from £40 a night. Ellevilde boutique hotel has doubles from £119 a night

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Solo Travellers

Why these new tourist taxes may be a good thing

Published

2 hours ago

August 4, 2025

Mizuki Uchiyama

Surveys suggest visitors are ready to contribute – if they know their money will be used well. According to Booking.com’s 2024 Sustainable Travel Report, 75% of global travellers said they wanted to travel more sustainably in the year ahead, and 71% said they hoped to leave the places they visit better than how they found them. A separate 2023 study by Euromonitor found that nearly 80% of visitors were willing to pay at least 10% more for sustainable travel options.

Maho Tanaka, a Japanese advertising professional based in Tokyo who hopes to visit Hawaii in the next year, says she supports the state’s new climate fee. “It depends on how much it is,” she says. “If it were too expensive, especially with the weak yen, it might discourage me. But if it’s just 0.75%, like an extra $3 on a $400 stay, then that seems fine.” While Tanaka doesn’t actively track how such fees are used, she says their overall purpose matters. “If it’s going toward protecting Hawaii’s beaches and forests, then that’s a good thing… It feels [like] a contribution to something important. Hawaii is like one big national park. It makes sense to support it.”

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Solo Travellers

Study: Millennials power APAC solo travel surge, digital channels lead the way

Published

13 hours ago

August 4, 2025

the Editor

Solo travel is no longer a niche. With one in three APAC travellers planning a solo trip in the next 12 months, the trend has become a full-blown movement. Whether driven by a desire for self-discovery, a break from routine, or the simple freedom to go at one’s own pace, solo travellers are reshaping how brands think about engagement, content, and conversion.

Scoot and YouGov’s latest study, “Unpacking the solo travel trend,” explores the mindset of solo travellers across six APAC markets — Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Australia — and what it means for marketers eyeing this growing segment.

The study found that solo travel skews younger, with 45% of respondents aged 18 to 34. Women make up a higher share of solo travellers at 56%, compared to 44% for men. In Singapore, the trend is particularly strong among Millennials, who are turning to solo travel for flexibility, emotional reset, and the opportunity to prioritise mental wellbeing.

Don’t miss: Report: 95% of APAC travellers eager for AI

The top reasons for going solo include the freedom to explore without compromise (50%), personal growth (38%), and the need to escape daily life (35%). One in five travellers also said they travelled solo because they had no one to go with, suggesting an untapped opportunity for community-based travel experiences or group-style solo packages.

Digital channels drive solo travel planning

Digital platforms are central to the solo travel journey. For accommodation, travellers turn first to online travel agency websites, followed by hotel sites and reviews. Most flights are booked directly through airline websites or apps, while OTAs and social platforms play supporting roles.

Social media plays a key role in food and activity discovery. Travellers often consult TikTok and Instagram to plan where to eat and what to do. Family recommendations and online reviews also heavily influence decision-making, underscoring the need for brands to maintain consistent and trusted digital footprints.

The study notes that solo travellers prioritise flexibility, peace of mind, and convenience. Offerings such as all-in-one insurance, rebooking flexibility, and integrated travel bundles help reduce planning friction. For travel marketers, this means going beyond awareness-building to remove practical barriers at each touchpoint.

Presence across channels is no longer optional. From OTA listings and hotel partners to influencer content and review platforms, brands need to be present where consumers already are. The solo travel journey is omnichannel and non-linear. Brands that show up with clarity, utility, and relevance are more likely to drive action.

With solo travel on the rise, brands that recognise the solo traveller as a distinct and valuable audience, rather than a secondary segment, will be better placed to capture loyalty, spend, and share of mind.

“While the findings do not represent the end to group and family travel, the way we travel expresses our individuality and allows for self-discovery. Scoot’s white paper sheds light on the behaviour, motivations, preferences and expectations of an emerging segment of travellers today,” said Agatha Yap, director of marketing, communications and loyalty, Scoot.

“With an extensive network especially in the Asia-Pacific, Scoot is excited to be able to play a role in enabling access to some of the most sought-after and yet-to-be discovered destinations, empowering more travellers, whether solo or group, to explore the world with greater confidence and enthusiasm,” she added.

Adding further context to the evolving travel landscape, Booking.com’s 2025” Global AI sentiment report”, unveiled at its Trust Summit in Singapore, highlighted the growing enthusiasm for AI among APAC travellers. The report, based on insights from over 37,000 consumers globally, found that 95% of APAC travellers are excited about AI’s expanding role in travel, with 82% already familiar with the technology and 93% planning to use AI tools in their future trip planning.

The report also points to a shift in trust, with travellers increasingly valuing AI assistants over traditional influencers or peer recommendations. Moreover, there is a strong interest in AI-driven solutions that support responsible travel such as avoiding crowded tourist spots and encouraging experiences that benefit local communities. This growing integration of AI complements broader travel trends focused on personalisation, convenience, and meaningful experiences, and signals new opportunities for travel brands to engage the tech-savvy solo traveller segment.

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Solo Travellers

The unlikely destination that solo Aussie travellers can’t get enough of

Published

13 hours ago

August 4, 2025

Sofia Geraghty

Aussies are increasingly prioritising trips with the person closest to them, themselves! With solo travel becoming increasingly popular, Scoot, the low-cost arm of Singapore Airlines, has today released findings that shed light on the rising popularity of solo travel across the Asia-Pacific region.

The findings show that there’s one destination, travellers can’t get enough of.

Conducted in partnership with YouGov, the research surveyed over 5,000 people – including 1,017 Australians – to explore the motivations, behaviours and attitudes shaping this growing travel trend.

The insights, captured in Scoot’s inaugural white paper, delve into the demographics of solo travellers, their planning habits, destination choices, and the cultural nuances that influence their journeys—offering a timely look at the modern mindset of the self-guided explorer.

Top Five solo travel wishlist destinations (global) for Australians:

1. Australia (45 per cent) (domestic travel)
2. UK (15 per cent)
3. US (14 per cent)
4. New Zealand (13 per cent)
5. Canada (10 per cent)

With so many Australians boasting family connections in the likes of UK, New Zealand and US, it is also no surprise that visiting friends and family surged to the top of the list as a driver for solo travellers.

To reach all of these destinations, solo travellers continue to prioritise affordable air travel options, with almost two-thirds (62 per cent) opting for economy class and two in five (40 per cent) considering affordability as a top factor when choosing an airline. This underscores the importance of value for those navigating the world on their own.

Solo Travel Emerges as Mainstream Travel Choice

Once seen as a niche pursuit, solo travel in Australia has increasingly become a common lifestyle choice. Eight in 10 (81 per cent) of solo travellers in Australia went on solo trips in the past year, with more than half (54 per cent) undertaking two or more trips. The interest in solo travel is expected to continue, with close to nine in 10 (87 per cent) Australians planning to take a solo trip in the next 12 months.

A large proportion of respondents from Australia (83 per cent) are likely to recommend solo vacations to others. This growing trend is closely tied to broader lifestyle shifts, from increased demands at work and home to a rising emphasis on personal well-being. A total of 56 per cent of solo travellers from Australia cite freedom and flexibility to plan their own itineraries as their primary motivation, while 45 per cent view solo travel as an opportunity to take a break and focus on themselves. Notably, another 44 per cent value the opportunity to pursue activities and hobbies they enjoy.

In Australia, solo getaways have become a modern ritual for self-care and self-discovery. Scoot enables these journeys by connecting Australia to popular Southeast Asian destinations such as Indonesia and Thailand – renowned for their wellness and personal growth experiences. Research also shows solo travellers continue to favour Asia for its affordability and rich experiences.

Scoot’s findings dovetail the rise in mindfulness, health and wellness, highlighting how travel, especially solo travel has evolved from simply being a leisure activity to one that travellers growingly seek for reflection and self-discovery.

“For many Australians, it’s no longer just about ticking off bucket list destinations, it’s about slowing down, reconnecting with yourself, and embracing the destination. This white paper highlights the mindset shift towards solo travel. Australians are embracing solo trips not out of necessity, but out of choice. Whilst we still have amazing journeys with friends and family, solo travel sparks a sense of lone adventure where you can go your own way and choose a unique journey bespoke to you.” Adam Kelly, General Manager, Scoot Australia.

Whether they are setting off for wellness, wanderlust, or a bit of both, Scoot’s extensive network to over 70 destinations, products, and affordable fares allow travellers to explore the world confidently,” he added.

Research and planning are key priorities for solo travellers

While independence may be one of the core appeals, solo travellers in Australia today are far from impulsive. In fact, they are highly intentional in their approach with planning for their trips. Aside from booking flights, the main priorities for half or more of these travellers include accommodation selection (63 per cent), budget management (53 per cent), and safety considerations (45 per cent). They rely heavily on online travel agencies (32 per cent), hotel and airline websites or apps (54 per cent), and recommendations from family and friends (34 per cent) to help them make informed decisions with flight and accommodation bookings.

Japan, Singapore, and Thailand top Asia-Pacific travel wishlist

The white paper also revealed a trend for easy-to-reach APAC hotspots, with the likes of Japan, Singapore and Thailand named as some of the top solo locations for Australians to visit within the Asia-Pacific region.

Top 10 Solo Travel wishlist destinations in APAC for Australians (excluding Australia/domestic travel):

New Zealand
Japan
Singapore
Thailand
China
Vietnam
Malaysia
Indonesia
Philippines
South Korea / India (tie)

These choices indicate a desire for personal connections, vibrant cultures and nature escapes, reflective of the most popular types of solo trips: reconnecting with loved ones, visiting friends and family (55 per cent) beach holidays (39 per cent), culture and history (39 per cent) city breaks (34 per cent), and visting countryside and rural areas (34 per cent). This echoes the cultural shift towards experience-led holidays, where travel is seen as a form of informal education and cultural immersion, especially for those choosing to explore the world solo in pursuit of personal enrichment.

Overall, the white paper reveals a strong preference for destinations in UK, US and New Zealand as the top global destinations that Australian travellers would like to head to on a solo trip in the next 12 months.

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