Solo Travellers
How to Plan a Last-Minute Winter Olympics Trip to Italy
Ski and snow may be far from your mind as you savor the last days of summer, but if you’re thinking of attending the 2026 Winter Olympics in northern Italy come February, there’s no time to waste.
With the right planning, it’s still possible to be a part of the action this winter—where you can hear skis slide across the snow, and the sweet scrape of skates on ice, as over 90 nations compete for medals. But you’ll need to get organized, as events are scheduled to take place in more than a half dozen destinations throughout the region: figure skating will be in Milan, snowboarding in Livigno, and bobsledding in Cortina, for starters. Given that the past two winter Olympics were hosted in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and Beijing, China, athletes and spectators are thrilled to be heading to a more traditional winter sports venue, and one rooted in Olympic lore (Cortina hosted the 1956 Games)—and, there are some exciting storylines to follow, including American skier Lindsey Vonn’s remarkable comeback and the debut of ski mountaineering (a combination of uphill and downhill skiing).
Following the February events, the 2026 Winter Paralympics will kick off on March 6 in the Roman Arena in Verona. The closing ceremony will be held March 15 at the Cortina Curling Stadium, where the new medal event, wheelchair curling mixed doubles, will also take place. Cortina will also host para alpine skiing and para snowboarding, while sled hockey will be showcased in Milan and Val di Fiemme will be the stage for the para biathlon and para Nordic skiing events.
Bouncing between these different games won’t be easy, as some venues are separated by hundreds of miles of winding mountain roads. Expect suggest picking and choosing a couple sports within one geographic area.
If you’re eager to see it all unfold live, we’ll pulled together more tips below. Consider this your cheat sheet to planning a last-minute 2026 Winter Olympics trip.
How to book a hotel for the Olympics
Booking your accommodations should be done strategically, says Katia Brida, a travel designer at Dream Beyond, an agency specializing in the Dolomites. Visitors have multiple options for airports, including the main gateways of Milan’s Malpensa and Venice’s Marco Polo airports, plus smaller hubs in Verona and Treviso. But these tiny mountain towns have limited rooms. Hotels that have set aside rooms from Olympic officials will soon be releasing their remaining inventory, which is likely to be scooped up by September.
“When it comes to accommodation, Milan offers a vast number of options for every budget due to its size,” says Brida. “Cortina, however, is a small mountain town with a limited supply of properties, which naturally drives prices higher.” (Hotel rates in Cortina have tripled over Olympic dates, Brida notes.) “Bormio shares this same characteristic, with limited availability and elevated costs,” she adds. “We strongly suggest considering a stay in the nearby valleys of the Dolomites, such as Alta Badia or Val Gardena, but clients will need to be willing to compromise on the travel time to the Olympic race venues.”
Press Release – South Australian Tourism Commission
In South Australia, solo doesnt mean alone. From the moment you arrive, youre welcomed like a local. Market stallholders at the Adelaide Central Market offer samples and greet you with familiarity, while bartenders pour local wines and share stories …
Solo travel is trending, with a growing number of Kiwis packing their bags and setting off on adventures alone – and South Australia is taking notice. With its blend of world class wine regions and vibrant cultural experiences, the state is fast becoming a top destination for independent travellers. From December 2022 to December 2024 there was nearly a quarter more (24%*) visits from New Zealanders travelling alone.
Katina Vangopoulos, owner of Adelaide based Flamboyance Tours, saw a sharp increase of solo traveller bookings in the 2024-25 year. Her walking tours cover history and culture, food and street art and provide an immersive experience led by locals.
“Solo travel has definitely increased for us. Our Paint and Palate Street Art Tour is the most popular choice among solo travellers, attracting a diverse range of age and gender. We’re seeing more solo female travellers than ever before and walking tours like ours are a safe, social and fun way to connect with other travellers.”
Jay Patel of Another Kind Group, owns three restaurants in Adelaide. “Over the past year, we’ve noticed a significant increase in solo diners across all of our restaurants – Press* Food and Wine, Peel St, and Leigh Street Wine Room. Whether they’re visiting from overseas or interstate, these guests are embracing the solo dining experience with confidence. Many are eager to immerse themselves in South Australian hospitality, often opting for bar seating where they can interact with staff. They appreciate the opportunity to receive personalised food and wine recommendations and are generally open-minded when it comes to their dining choices. In fact, most tend to favour set menus, allowing them to sample a wider variety of dishes. This growing trend is pushing the hospitality industry to tailor its offerings to cater to solo travellers and diners.”
What’s on offer if you are travelling solo
In South Australia, solo doesn’t mean alone. From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed like a local. Market stallholders at the Adelaide Central Market offer samples and greet you with familiarity, while bartenders pour local wines and share stories from behind the bar. It’s easy to feel part of the place, even if you are travelling on your own.
South Australia is also LGBTQIA+ inclusive, with an increasing number of tour operators officially accredited with the Welcome With Pride Program. Accessibility is also a priority, with inclusive tourism experiences that offer comfort and peace of mind throughout your stay.
To help you get started the South Australian Tourism Commission have curated solo travel guides, designed like a local’s handwritten map, full of personal recommendations and hidden gems. The thoughtful resources help you find not just the right places to eat, drink, and explore, but the kind of experiences that fill your cup and linger long after you return home.
Travel tips for solo travellers
For Kiwis keen to experience South Australia on their own terms, it’s now easier than ever to make the journey. Flying into Adelaide is relaxed and straightforward, from there, it’s just 15mins into the CBD, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Air New Zealand offers daily direct flights from Auckland to Adelaide, with a new Christchurch–Adelaide service launching 27 October. Qantas will also begin non-stop flights from Auckland to Adelaide four times a week from 31 October. There’s also a handy guide to solo travel on the South Australia Tourism website.
* Tourism Research Australia, International Visitor Survey December 2024.
Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz
Original url
Tours offer walking tours that are popular with solo
travellers. (Photo/Supplied)
Solo
travel is trending, with a growing number of Kiwis packing
their bags and setting off on adventures alone – and South
Australia is taking notice. With its blend of world class
wine regions and vibrant cultural experiences, the state is
fast becoming a top destination for independent travellers.
From December 2022 to December 2024 there was nearly a
quarter more (24%*) visits from New Zealanders travelling
alone.
Katina Vangopoulos, owner of Adelaide based
Flamboyance Tours, saw a sharp increase of solo traveller
bookings in the 2024-25 year. Her walking tours cover
history and culture, food and street art and provide an
immersive experience led by locals.
“Solo travel has
definitely increased for us. Our Paint and Palate Street Art
Tour is the most popular choice among solo travellers,
attracting a diverse range of age and gender. We’re seeing
more solo female travellers than ever before and walking
tours like ours are a safe, social and fun way to connect
with other travellers.”
Jay Patel of Another Kind
Group, owns three restaurants in Adelaide. “Over the past
year, we’ve noticed a significant increase in solo diners
across all of our restaurants – Press* Food and Wine, Peel
St, and Leigh Street Wine Room. Whether they’re visiting
from overseas or interstate, these guests are embracing the
solo dining experience with confidence. Many are eager to
immerse themselves in South Australian hospitality, often
opting for bar seating where they can interact with staff.
They appreciate the opportunity to receive personalised food
and wine recommendations and are generally open-minded when
it comes to their dining choices. In fact, most tend to
favour set menus, allowing them to sample a wider variety of
dishes. This growing trend is pushing the hospitality
industry to tailor its offerings to cater to solo travellers
and diners.”
travellers often opt to dine at the bar, shown here at the
popular Peel St.
(Photo/Supplied)
What’s on offer
if you are travelling solo
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
In South Australia, solo
doesn’t mean alone. From the moment you arrive, you’re
welcomed like a local. Market stallholders at the Adelaide
Central Market offer samples and greet you with familiarity,
while bartenders pour local wines and share stories from
behind the bar. It’s easy to feel part of the place, even
if you are travelling on your own.
South Australia is
also LGBTQIA+ inclusive, with an increasing number of tour
operators officially accredited with the Welcome With Pride
Program. Accessibility is also a priority, with
inclusive tourism experiences that offer comfort and peace
of mind throughout your stay.
To help you get started
the South Australian Tourism Commission have curated solo
travel guides, designed like a local’s handwritten
map, full of personal recommendations and hidden gems. The
thoughtful resources help you find not just the right places
to eat, drink, and explore, but the kind of experiences that
fill your cup and linger long after you return
home.
Travel tips for solo travellers
For
Kiwis keen to experience South Australia on their own terms,
it’s now easier than ever to make the journey. Flying into
Adelaide is relaxed and straightforward, from there, it’s
just 15mins into the CBD, giving you the freedom to explore
at your own pace.
Air New Zealand
offers daily direct flights from Auckland to Adelaide, with
a new Christchurch–Adelaide service
launching 27 October. Qantas will also
begin non-stop flights from Auckland to Adelaide four times
a week from 31 October. There’s also a handy guide
to solo travel on the South Australia Tourism
website.
* Tourism Research Australia, International
Visitor Survey December
2024.
While Paris has a (deservedly) superb reputation as a summer travel destination, it would be remiss to forgo the rest of France. There’s so much more to this country than the capital city, including, of course, the South of France. Here, travelers will find laid-back beach towns, fields of lavender, glasses of rosé, and tranquil blue Mediterranean views.
There are plenty of ritzy hotels in the South of France, but if you want a more authentic coastal experience (or are feeling spontaneous), we suggest checking out the impressive line-up of Airbnbs in the region. You can find incredible rentals in some of France’s most charming cities, like Cannes and Nice, as well as spots in delightful small towns across the region, like Menton, Grasse, and Cassis. Whether you’re looking for easy beach access or your own French farmhouse, you’re sure to find an Airbnb in this list to suit your style.
Before you begin your search, there are a few things you may want to consider when staying in the area. Some of the places we’ve included below are in remote towns, so it’s recommended to do your due diligence when booking according to your personal needs—some older homes have staircases that are not ADA accessible, you will likely need a rental car to reach spots without reliable public transportation, and if you’re working remotely, know that fast Wi-Fi isn’t always a guarantee. However, many vacation rentals in this region more than make up for it with swimming pools, furnished balconies, and breathtaking views of the sea, mountains, or medieval villages. Read on to find the perfect Airbnb for your vacation along France’s southern coast.
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Our top picks:
We’ve selected these listings based on Superhost status, ratings, amenities, location, decor, editor stays, and previous guest reviews. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Meredith Carey.
Save on your rental with Vrbo coupon codes.
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