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Here are the best destinations for solo travelers

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A solo getaway offers the ideal opportunity to immerse oneself in the authentic culture, history, and expression of a particular destination. There are no limits to where inspiration may take you, nor should there be. Whether it’s a Michelin-starred meal or an adrenaline-inducing adventure, with some planning and expert advice, your next solo journey can reach new heights.  

A walk on the Wilde side in Dublin

There may be no better combination than a pint and a good book—and no better destination to imbibe in said lager and literature than Oscar Wilde’s birthplace, Dublin, Ireland. Art and cultural historian Dr. Andrew Lear, a scholar of Wilde’s work, suggests a hotel with historical significance. “I highly recommend The Shelbourne, where Oscar Wilde stayed when on a speaking tour in Dublin,” says Lear.

Leave room in your suitcase for your literary conquests, whether they be budget-friendly used copies from Chapters Bookshop or one-of-a-kind finds at Ulysses Rare Books. Take your book to a pub with a snug (a private room or alcove), like those found at The Waterloo, featuring natural light and people-watching on Baggot Street. For an afternoon adventure, Lear suggests riding the local DART train along Dublin Bay to Dalkey (20 minutes) to visit the tower where much of James Joyce’s Ulysses takes place. 

Big dreams fulfilled on Petit St. Vincent

If the idea of an all-inclusive resort sounds appealing but the throngs of guests not so much, consider a respite to the private island of Petit St. Vincent, located 40 miles south of St. Vincent. Getting there is an adventure, including a private flight from Barbados to Union Island and a boat transfer. The 115-acre island features secluded one- and two-bedroom cottages dotted throughout the grounds where visitors can get lost in the sound of gentle waves undulating toward the coastline.

Solo travelers can experience the turquoise water and coral reefs that surround Petit St. Vincent Resort, located on the southernmost private island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Photograph by Rory Doyle

Mini Mokes are the only motorized transportation used across the island of Petit St. Vincent.

Photograph by Rory Doyle

The Petit St. Vincent Resort’s main dining room sits atop a tiny hill overlooking the water.

Photograph by Rory Doyle

Alfresco Balinese-inspired spa treatments, yoga, and complimentary snorkeling gear make filling the day a breeze. For those seeking more adventure, utilize the on-site dive center or book a sailing adventure to a nearby island like Tobago Cays. Declared an official wildlife reserve in 2006, the marine park is a snorkeler’s dream, featuring a bounty of tropical fish, sea turtles, and coral reefs.  

Scuba diving instructors provide training to resort guests before diving at the reefs near Petit St. Vincent Resort in the Grenadines.

Photograph by Rory Doyle

(Related: Six things travel teaches you.)

Hygge hunting in Copenhagen

If “hygge”—the elusive Danish definition of well-being—is your idea of an enticing getaway, Copenhagen ranks high for its thoughtful aesthetic and design. Denmark’s capital is the ideal locale to spend an afternoon coffeehouse-hopping with a stack of design magazines or wandering along Jægersborggade, a small residential street that’s evolved into a cultural hub with art galleries, wine bars, and a seasonal flea market. 

Nobody knows this better than Nikoline Dyrup Carlsen, architect and founder partner of the Copenhagen-based cross-disciplinary design and architecture studio SPACON & X, whose projects include two-starred Michelin restaurant AOC and contemporary Nordic brewery Folk Kombucha. “My personal hot spot in Copenhagen is Hart Bakery in Mærsehuset, Holmen,” says Carlsen. “I absolutely love this old maritime, red-stained house by the water! [It] has terraces on both sides, making it well-fitted for all times of day.”

Based in Copenhagen, The FRAMA Studio Store features its multi-disciplinary brand that encompasses furniture, lifestyle objects, self-care, and fragrances that encourage mindful living. With an emphasis on natural materials and uncompromising quality, FRAMA’s work celebrates craftsmanship, resulting in a timeless and honest aesthetic.

Photograph courtesy FRAMA

Solo travelers can also visit the HAY House flagship store located in the heart of Copenhagen.  The design brand, HAY creates high-quality furniture, lighting, and accessories that are long-lasting and affordable, in collaboration with the best designers from around the world.

Photograph courtesy HAY

She can also spend hours at HAY House’s flagship store on Østergade. After checking out the top-floor showroom, Carlsen recommends visiting the roof terrace overlooking the city for peaceful contemplation. To bring a bit of hygge home, she visits the FRAMA Studio Store  “as frequently as possible” to discover the latest Danish design.

Where to grab a mellow meal in New Orleans

Bourbon Street isn’t exactly the quiet respite most travelers think of when considering a solo escape. Still, the Crescent City offers plenty of hidden gems that pay tribute to its culturally rich cuisine and cocktail culture. Cane and Table, located a few blocks east of bustling Jackson Square, offers historically inspired rum-centric drinks like the Hurricane & Table prepared with homemade Fassionola fruit syrup or a spicy Bloody Mary topped with a pile of vinegary chowchow.

At Cane & Table, Chef Alfredo Nogueira and staff serve up rum-based cocktails and seasonal menu items inspired by Caribbean flavors with Cuban influences. His culinary style fuses traditional Cuban cooking with the culinary traditions common to chefs in New Orleans.

Photograph by Randy Schmidt, Cane and Table

For a refined dining setting that pays homage to the city’s historic taverns, Jewel of the South’s seasonal menu reimagines pub food where a solo traveler could slink into a cozy corner. (Leave the book at home as the dim lighting and potent cocktails make for better people-watching.) 

Check into Blackbird Hotel for a serene night’s sleep just steps from the Garden District’s Magazine Street. This hotel offers 13 uniquely designed rooms, whether you’re looking for bright and airy or a deeply saturated enclave with the rustle of oak leaves outside your window.

(Related: 6 of the world’s most remote destinations to test your inner adventurer.)

Rail routes and Māori magic on New Zealand’s South Island

Ernest White II, executive producer and host of FLY BROTHER, has traveled to 70 countries—most of them solo—but his expedition to New Zealand’s South Island only fortified his belief that “every single human being simply wants to be seen, empowered, and loved.”

Traveling by rail offers solo adventure-seekers the opportunity to reach Aotearoa—the Indigenous Māori name for New Zealand. White recommends two one-day excursions: the Coastal Pacific train from the Marlborough wine region to Christchurch or the Tranzalpine trainthat bisects the island from Christchurch in the east to Greymouth on the wild West Coast.

Solo travelers looking to connect with local cultures have plenty of opportunities with Māori family-owned businesses like Whale Watch Kaikoura or a day with Te Rua & Sons Pounamu Tours to explore the West Coast and perhaps to find a pounamu keepsake, a jade-like stone indigenous to the region. Also in the West, White recommends Te Waonui Forest Retreat near Franz Josef Glacier for easy access to forest hikes or a thrilling helicopter ride to the glacier. 

Street eats and city views in Mexico City

In Mexico City, Jen Tenzer, a travel specialist focusing on solo travel, found a new friend through Airbnb Experiences, where local guide Ricardo Lopez Nacif took her on a tour of his favorite taco spots, followed by a Lucha Libre match and late-night salsa dancing. “If I had joined Ricardo’s tour with friends, we likely would have ended his wonderful tour and gone about our day independently,” says Tenzer. “Instead, because I was alone, I was open to the possibility of a surprising new experience.”

For a stunning stay with views and easy access to the city’s historic center, consider Zócalo Central. In a bustling locale like Mexico City, Tenzer believes balance is key. “It’s important to plan at least one key activity each day so that your solo trip doesn’t become too lonely, curled up alone in your hotel room,” she says. Tenzer also suggests registering your trip with the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). 

For more solo-worthy discoveries, solo travelers should consider visiting MODO, a boutique museum collection of over 140,000 objects and ephemera dating back centuries, located in the Roma neighborhood. 

A self-guided walk through ancient Japan

Travel to Japan has surged recently, fueled by an increased interest in winter sports and strong yen currency conversion. While hubs like Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka have plenty to offer, solo travelers may find a multi-day walking expedition more aligned with their crowd tolerance. 

Walk Japan, which has been leading small group (maximum 12) and self-guided tours for more than 30 years, saw a 27 percent increase in solo travelers in 2024 compared to the previous year. Wayfarer self-guided tours provide logistical and route support for five- to seven-day journeys.

Longer walks like the Nakasendo Way, an 11-day journey along the ancient trade route from Kyoto to Edo (modern-day Tokyo), include stopovers in small postal towns at ryokans, which are traditional Japanese inns. Specialized, bilingual guides take the pressure off of navigating unfamiliar territory while facilitating an authentic cultural immersion.

(Related: Is the cruise industry ready for the rise in solo travel?)

Matthew Wexler is an award-winning editor and writer. He is a member of the New York Travel Writers Association and a contributing editor at GayCities. His work has appeared in Hemispheres, Passport Magazine, Travel Weekly, and ShermansTravel. Follow him at @wexlerwrites





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Clueless Fans, You Can Now Book a Cher Horowitz–Themed Suite in Beverly Hills

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It’s been 30 years since Cher Horowitz’s colorful life and even more colorful fashion sense debuted in the film Clueless. And though she claimed to have a “way normal life for a teenager” (as if!), her onscreen adventures and style proved otherwise. I can’t be the only one who wishes they had the opportunity to step into Cher’s shoes (both literally and figuratively), or try out her virtual closet and extensive wardrobe. Luckily, that dream can now become a reality. To commemorate the film’s fashion-forward legacy, the chic L’Ermitage Beverly Hills hotel has partnered with Paramount, Bloomingdale’s, and Clueless costume designer Mona May to unveil The Clueless Suite. The bright, pastel-splashed 750-square-foot space would certainly earn two snaps from Cher. Inside, you’ll find a large bed decked out in pastel pink and adorned with fluffy pillows, a spacious living area with a full-size couch and access to a private balcony, and playful odes to the film—including a yellow plaid accent wall inspired by Cher’s first-day-of-school look, a neon sign with Cher’s famous quote “Carpe diem! Okay?”, fuzzy pens, and Liechtenstein-style pop art. You’ll also have access to a white Jeep Wrangler, bringing you one step closer to “rolling with the homies” through Beverly Hills.

The L’Ermitage Beverly Hills pays homage to the film’s fashion-forward legacy throughout the suite.

Colleen O’Brien

The nostalgic stay wouldn’t be complete without a walk-in closet.

Colleen O’Brien

And for the pièce de résistance—and the thing most of us have wished was real since the film’s 1995 debut—the suite’s walk-in closet serves as a fashionable portal to Cher Horowitz’s iconic style. It’s draped with rotating fashion pieces from Bloomingdale’s, which were curated by Mona May with in-house stylists. You’ll be asked to fill out a pre-arrival style quiz to personalize recommended outfits, all of which are available to shop via QR code. Guests also get a free membership to Fitted, the official virtual Clueless closet app of the anniversary campaign, as well as a $100 Bloomingdale’s gift card, a VIP in-store styling appointment with Bloomingdale’s stylists, and a Dior Beauty glam session. Bookable from July 12 through September 1, the Clueless Suite starts at $1,995 per night with a two-night minimum. Reservations can be made on the L’Ermitage Beverly Hills website.

If you’re unable to book the Clueless suite, don’t lose all hope. L’Ermitage guests can also opt for “The Cher’mitage Experience,” a signature add-on available with any suite stay that includes Clueless-themed turn-down treats, a Polaroid camera, movie streaming, and a complimentary sunset toast at the hotel’s new rooftop lounge, Poza.


Guests can also book the “The Cher’mitage Experience” for a chance to eat Clueless-themed treat.

Colleen O’Brien

More Clueless-inspired hotels and rentals

Nostalgic Joshua Tree two-bedroom



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‘Treated Like Threat’: Indian Solo Traveller’s Note On Passport Discrimination | Viral News

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Treated with suspicion, more than planning his trips, he claimed he was forced to spend hours proving his identity to the airport authorities and assuring them of his return.

His Indian passport was looked at with suspicion. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

A 22-year-old vlogger and solo traveller grabbed the internet’s attention, as he detailed the ordeals faced while carrying an Indian passport. Jayant Sharma, who goes by ‘jaystravelblog’ on Instagram, revealed his travelling struggles and how he was subjected to greater scrutiny than other foreign travellers. “The ugly side of travel I had to come across as an Indian passport holder who loves travelling,” he captioned the post, which highlighted the disrespect faced by many Indian travellers.

Treated with suspicion, more than planning his trips, Sharma claimed he was forced to spend hours proving his identity to the airport authorities and assuring them of his return. He wrote in his viral post, “It’s in a fact that I’ve had to justify why I deserve a 7-day trip. That I’ve spent more time convincing embassies I’ll ‘come back’ than planning where I’ll go. That a border control officer, with a 3-second glance, can make me feel like a threat — before I’ve even said a word.”

“It’s not in the guidebooks. Not on the reels. Not in the sunsets, the flights, or the airport lounges. It’s in the stares. The silence,” wrote the vlogger, underlining how it is not all hunky-dory for solo Indian travellers as it may seem.

Like Sharma, many Indians are subjected to excess scrutiny on arrival in another country. The vlogger said the immigration refuses to be a checkpoint and becomes a scary place, where Indian passport holders are bombarded with questions and are observed more closely by the security personnel, made to feel as if they have committed a crime.

“No one says it, but I know: They don’t always see a traveller. They see a risk. A potential overstayer. A brown skin man with a passport is trying to pass through. And what hurts most is… we know this. We prepare for it. We dress a certain way. Speak softer. Carry more documents. Plan escape routes through countries that are “easier”. We smile too much — not out of joy, but out of fear of being misunderstood,” wrote Sharma.

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    It seems that for young solo travellers, the real headache is not choosing where to go but proving that they will come back. Sharma’s post touched many other Indian travellers, who related to his struggles and felt sorry that he was subjected to such treatment repeatedly. “This is such a needed post! Thank you for writing this. As a fellow travel enthusiast, this hits hard,” commented one user under the post.

    Another one added, “Definitely true. Deep topic, pros and cons, but one part is certainly true: no one deserves to be treated that way and questioned because of where they come from.”

    A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.

    News18’s viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!
    News viral ‘Treated Like Threat’: Indian Solo Traveller’s Note On Passport Discrimination



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    Where the wild things are: how to immerse your kids in the great outdoors this summer | Family holidays

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    ‘Aliens!” The call came loud and shrill from the trees as I scanned the foliage for the unmistakable shape of my four-year-old son. For a moment, nothing stirred. The beams of light from the sun spotlit a nearby clump of bracken so intensely it reminded me of the torches Mulder and Scully used in The X Files.

    Then, a rustle came from up ahead. “Quick! I found them,” he yelled before disappearing into a clearing between the pines. I walked on, to find, in front of us, the curved edges and spherical lines of a UFO, coloured so dark it nearly blended into the shadows. It was, of course, a metal sculpture representing the alien vessel said to have landed here over 40 years ago. On top of it stood my son.

    Even before I managed to take a decent picture, he wanted to run on again. “We’ve got to find number four now,” he declared.

    We were in Suffolk’s Rendlesham Forest, a 15-mile drive from Ipswich, walking a free UFO trail, based on the sighting of unexplained flying objects by US military officers based here in 1980. Loving to follow a trail of any kind over several hours – but especially one where he can tick off numbers, so he knows there is an end (handily, this one culminates in a playground) – he walked, ran and skipped the three miles, while I enjoyed spending time outside with him.

    When it comes to the summer holidays, it can feel as if we are doing a countdown. Of the 13 weeks most children get off school each year, six are lumped together over the summer, making July and August feel like a stretch of endless time. Not only can it be a nightmare, due to the juggle of childcare and work, but keeping kids entertained and – crucially – active rather than sat in front of screens can be expensive. So many activities cost a fortune. But there is another way. And it is completely free. And that is the outdoors.

    The UFO-themed walk was on Forestry England land, which is one of the first places to turn during the holidays. From interactive app-based trails that allow you to take videos of your child pretending to be a dragon complete with AI wings, to crafting missions where you work together to find natural items on the woodland floor to make the face of the Gruffalo, they are an inexpensive way to immerse yourself in nature.

    On the UFO trail, a free leaflet at the start guided us around the trees where I could tell the story of the key sites. My son was so enamoured of the map and tale that the next morning at breakfast he asked me to read it again while he followed the map with his finger and remembered our adventure.

    Phoebe Smith and her son with Maggie Hambling’s scallop shell on Aldeburgh beach.

    But an outdoor adventure doesn’t have to be deep in the forest, where maps are required. The next day, we headed to Thorpeness, home to the much-photographed House in the Clouds, a former water tower that was disguised as a red and black clapboard house in 1923. Our mission was to find a way to get a good photograph of it. We followed a footpath up a hill, past quirkily painted weatherboarded houses which were popular after the first world war. While I was in awe of the house we had come to see, my little one found it way more exciting to discover the windmill opposite (bought by the creator of the House in the Clouds to help pump the water).

    Adjacent to Thorpeness is the town of Aldeburgh, where we spent hours on the shingle beach filling buckets with “magic stones”, chasing the waves, paddling in the North Sea and taking shelter under Maggi Hambling’s giant scallop shell sculpture when rain fell. The day was rounded off with a hearty helping of fish and chips from Aldeburgh Fish and Chips, owned by the same family since 1967. Weeks on, my son still talks about this day as one of the best in his life.

    Beaches are always a winner when trying to convince kids that nature is cool. On a previous trip, I took my boy to New Quay in Ceredigion, west Wales (one of a few places that lay claim to being the inspiration for the characters and town in Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood). We didn’t set foot indoors for an entire day. When the tide was out, we set up a beach “base camp” with some shade under a giant parasol, then proceeded to bury each other in the sand. Then we looked for jellyfish washed up on the shore (a great opportunity to teach him about them), went rock pooling in the shallows (we found crabs, limpets, anemones and periwinkles) and built an elaborate fortified river, hewn from the silt using our buckets and spades.

    As the temperature rose, we swam in the sea and, just before the end of the day, we were treated to a spectacle of the resident bottlenose dolphins putting on an impromptu performance at dusk. None of this cost a penny. Yet we’d shared some of the best quality time I’ve experienced – bonding over the natural world, revelling in getting sand between our toes, and shivering in the cool waters of the Irish Sea.

    An e-bike adventure on the Isle of Mull

    For something that feels like a bigger trip to my son, I try to involve a train. A couple of summers ago, we took the fast train to Scotland, then caught the ferry to the Isle of Mull as foot passengers. There, I hired an e-bike with a child seat and trailer, and we stopped off to wild camp near a loch. He helped me put up the tent, I cooked our dinner on a stove and we bonded over a shared love of marshmallows.

    We stayed up watching the sunset, despite it being way past his bedtime. “I love the sun so much,” he told me as we saw the sky turn purple. “I don’t want to go to sleep.” He did, thankfully, nod off under a sky full of stars, with not a mention of Bluey, Peppa Pig or any of the other characters he usually demands entertain him. On one of the last days, we woke before dawn. I packed a chocolate croissant in my bag and we climbed the nearest hill to watch the sun rise. He still talks about it and asks when we will do it again.

    One of my most memorable trips with him was paddleboarding on the river near our house. I packed a picnic and we paddled to an island, where we sat and watched the birds, while he asked what each one was called and demanded we collect some of their lost feathers to take home, in the hope we might one day be able to make a cape that allowed us to fly back here.

    Memories like this are priceless. I know, given his age, he probably won’t remember everything we do, but I hope going into the wild places will instil in him a knowledge that the natural world is a wondrous place and the backdrop to some of our happiest times together. For me, it helps to remember that when it comes to the holidays, instead of counting the days, I need instead to make the days count.

    Phoebe Smith is the author of Wayfarer and the 2025 recipient of the Royal Geographical Society’s Ness award for promotion of accessible adventure, particularly to women and those from underprivileged communities



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