{"id":1617,"date":"2025-02-17T13:00:12","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T13:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flytographer.com\/blog\/top-reasons-female-solo-travellers-shouldnt-wait\/"},"modified":"2025-02-17T13:00:12","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T13:00:12","slug":"top-reasons-female-solo-travellers-shouldnt-wait","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flyphotoprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/top-reasons-female-solo-travellers-shouldnt-wait\/","title":{"rendered":"Solo Female Travel Stories: 10 Reasons to Book the Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Don\u2019t Wait to Take the Trip<\/h2>\n

Female solo travel is an incredibly empowering travel experience that many women travellers worldwide have called life-changing. You might be wondering, \u201cHow on earth can I venture alone into a different country while balancing the everyday responsibilities of work, family, and life?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

We asked our community of inspiring solo travellers why they took the plunge into the unknown with a solo trip. Tykesha says, \u201cFor me, travel is life squared.\u201d By placing yourself in an entirely different world than you are used to and experiencing it all alone, a new perspective on life emerges. \ud83c\udf0d <\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you are about to take your first solo trip or your 20th, these top reasons from the inspiring women below will help you discover ways to overcome the fear of the unknown, find yourself, and meet new strangers-turned-friends along the way. No matter which travel destinations are on your bucket list \u2013 Thailand or Costa Rica, South Africa or Iceland, Morocco or New Zealand \u2013 we are here to share 10 amazing stories from travel experts that will inspire a departure from your comfort zone and an arrival to your next solo adventure. \u2708\ufe0f<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Photo: Natalie in Honolulu (photo taken in Prague).<\/strong><\/a> Carol captures memories on a solo adventure to Prague with a Modern Headshot photoshoot.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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1. Be Able to Go Where Your Curiosity Leads You<\/b><\/h2>\n

\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddf1 Melany\u2019s Solo Travel Story in Amsterdam<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cMy husband died 5 years ago. I\u2019m 57 and all my friends have partners. I was tired of waiting for someone to be free or interested in traveling with me. I decided to go alone!  I went to Amsterdam to see tulips and windmills. \ud83c\udf37  I had the best holiday of my life. I couldn\u2019t stop smiling!  To paraphrase Alain de Botton: \u2018Being closely observed by a companion can inhibit our observations of other people. We have to make ourselves seem more normal to fit in and it stifles our curiosity.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Every single day I went where my curiosity led me.<\/strong> I saw centuries-old churches, famous paintings, and, yes, tulips and windmills!  I was filled with joy, and Silvia at Flytographer captured it perfectly. When I\u2019m an old woman in a nursing home, I will look at these photos and remember my bliss.\u201d \u2013 <\/strong><\/span>Melany<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Photo: Flytographer in Amsterdam.<\/strong><\/a> Melany captures memories on her solo adventure to Amsterdam with a photoshoot.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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2. Get Your Travel Mojo Back After Having Kids<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Tykesha\u2019s Solo Travel Story in Paris<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cBefore marriage and children, my life was dedicated to travel and work. I worked for the sole purpose of financing my wanderlust. However, my love for travel is rooted in my fervent desire to learn. With the fragments of new languages and cultures realized, I became a better and deeper version of myself. <\/span>For me, travel is life squared.<\/strong><\/p>\n

My first solo international adventure was from Washington D.C. to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on British Airways. \ud83d\udee9  My flight included two 24-hour layovers in London. My life before children was flexible and unencumbered. <\/span><\/p>\n

After my first child, I believed that it was time to put my passport away and \u2018settle down,\u2019 sacrificing everything in the name of motherhood. During a two-year hiatus, I mourned the loss of the woman I was and the life I\u2019d built before anyone ever called me momma. <\/span><\/p>\n

I realized I couldn\u2019t tell my children to pursue their dreams if I wasn\u2019t willing to do the same. So, I decided to visit Antarctica, my seventh continent. The pristine air, deafening silence, and otherworldly landscape felt more like an intergalactic destination than a trip to the bottom of the world. I returned home altered, determined to experience more of this world \u2026\u201d \ud83c\udf0d  \u2013 <\/strong><\/span>@thewanderlustmomma, <\/a><\/strong>Blogger<\/strong> (<\/em><\/span>Written for British Airways, High Life Magazine<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Photo: Olga in Paris for Flytographer. <\/strong><\/a>Tykesha captures memories in Paris.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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3. Be Open to New Experiences<\/h2>\n

\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf9 Louisa\u2019s Solo Travel Story in Lisbon<\/a><\/h3>\n

\u201cFor the first time, I was travelling to Europe alone. I had some time off and wanted to take full advantage. My favorite memory from the trip was the amazing people I met while eating dinner with a local family and taking a Portuguese cooking class. \ud83c\udf7d  I had so much fun discussing so many different topics and bonding with people around the world. Though I was travelling solo, I hardly felt alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you go to Portugal, be sure not to miss Sintra or Cascais. Definitely try the Pastel de Nata. Don\u2019t miss Zero Zero Pizza or Cafe Brasilera, and definitely get drinks on the rooftop of the Memmo Alfama Hotel.\u201d \u2013 <\/strong><\/span>Louisa<\/strong><\/p>\n

Travel Tip:<\/strong> If doing the research for your trip alone feels like a daunting task, head to our <\/span>travel tips<\/span><\/a> page! Explore by city to find hidden gems and traveller-approved tips from thousands of Flytographer customers around the world. \u270d\ufe0f<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Photo: Claudia in Lisbon for Flytographer.<\/a> <\/strong>Louisa captures memories on a solo trip to Lisbon with a Modern Headshot photoshoot.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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4. Be the Master of Your Own Schedule<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\uddf7 Jana\u2019s Solo Travel Story in Santorini<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cTraveling solo wasn\u2019t a conscious plan. I had travelled with friends and I had travelled with my fianc\u00e9. But when that relationship ended, right when my friends were also starting to have kids and suddenly had little humans at home who rightly needed their time and their love, I had to come up with a different plan! I could either sit at home and wait or I could book a solo trip. Desire to explore won. Today, solo travel is second nature to me. <\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot to love about solo travel.<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. First, you are the master of your own schedule. I can sleep in if I want to or I can get up really early to catch the sunrise, and it\u2019s all entirely up to me. \u2600\ufe0f I love contemporary art and photography, and by travelling on my own, I can pack my itinerary with all the coolest galleries and shows without worrying that my travel partner may not enjoy them as much as I do!<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Second, spending some time on your own gives you an opportunity for reflection. \ud83d\udc95 You can embrace living in the moment and really soak up the atmosphere and the culture around you. I will never forget how happy I felt sitting on a step on a side street somewhere in Mykonos, feeling the warm sun on my nose, listening to the sound of the crashing waves, watching the locals go about their morning. I didn\u2019t have to be anywhere, didn\u2019t have a care in the world, and the moment was pure bliss. <\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Third, you might meet some great people along the way. When I visit a new place I often book a small group tour early on to get my bearings. I did that on my trip to Cape Town and vacation karma was good to me. Not only did I get an amazing one-on-one street art tour of the Mother City, but my tour guide happened to be the founder of the local annual street art festival! If you stay open, good things will happen. \u2728<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Travelling solo can feel scary. But, if you push that initial worry aside, a fantastic window of opportunity opens. So walk through it and start checking things off your bucket list.\u201d \u2013 <\/strong><\/span>Jana<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Photo: Kimon in Santorini for Flytographer.<\/a> <\/strong>Jana captures memories on a solo vacation to Santorini with a Modern Headshot photoshoot.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    5. Shake Up the Routine and Live Obligation-Free<\/h2>\n

    \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf4 Michelle\u2019s Solo Travel Story in Cartagena<\/a><\/h3>\n

    \u201cHave you ever felt the need to pick up your life and shake it out a bit? To lift up the rock and see what\u2019s underneath? I decided this was the year I was ready to strip off my day-to-day routine and go skinny-dipping in the unknown.<\/span><\/p>\n

    I\u2019m a single mom with two busy teenage boys who works full-time outside the home. With close family, friends, and a great job, I have a generally fulfilling life, albeit one that feels like a crazy juggling act at times (hello 21st-century living); however, is it all too easy to fall into a staid pattern week after week, and I felt I\u2019d fallen hard. I was more than ready to stop hitting the snooze button and inject a little more life into my life, so I threw my laptop and camera in a carry-on, left my cozy home in Victoria, Canada, and went off to live in South America for 30 days. \ud83c\udf89<\/span><\/p>\n

    One of the best parts of being outside my normal life was the lack of obligation.<\/strong> I didn\u2019t have to be home at a certain time to cook dinner, run the kids to soccer practice, \u26bd\ufe0f  or even get dressed to go to work. For 30 days, I was able to make decisions just for me, to say \u2018yes\u2019 if I wanted to do something or \u2018no\u2019 if I didn\u2019t, and not have to plan my social time around the family schedule. A revelation! This was such a freeing experience, and the first time I had this opportunity in almost two decades of motherhood. <\/span><\/p>\n

    We all have obligations in life \u2014 to family and friends and coworkers \u2014 but for me, the joy in the temporary suspension of such cannot be overstated. As parents, we love our kids to bits and would do anything for them \u2026 but we all need a little break just for ourselves now and again.\u201d \u2013 <\/strong><\/span>Michelle<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Michelle captures memories on her solo trip to Colombia and meets local photographer, Juan Felipe<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    6. Experience the Joy of Pushing Past Your Comfort Zone<\/h2>\n

    \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\udde9 Erin\u2019s Solo Travel Story in Bali<\/a><\/h3>\n

    What inspired you to take this trip?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cBali has been a bucket list destination for me for so many years. I knew that I wanted to celebrate my birthday in a big way and what better way than with a trip to Bali. I went as a solo traveler and can honestly say that it was one of the most amazing holidays I\u2019ve ever taken. There was a little hesitation about traveling alone but I can honestly say that I wouldn\u2019t change a thing about this trip. I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and I\u2019m so glad that I did. As a surprise birthday gift I was given a Flytographer photoshoot and now I have the most stunning photos to remember this amazing holiday by.\u201d \u2013 Erin<\/strong><\/p>\n

    How was your photoshoot experience?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cFrom start to finish, I had such a great time. Jimie is such an easy person to work with. This shoot was for my birthday and it was my first ever professional photoshoot, as such I was a little nervous. Jimie very quickly put me at ease and we ended up having a good time and many laughs along the way. He made sure to understand exactly what I wanted for this shoot and definitely delivered on that. He easily walked me through all the best spots and took my ideas into consideration as well. I would definitely recommend him if you\u2019re considering having photos taken. Thank you Jimie for a memorable morning.\u201d \u2013 Erin<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Photo: Jimie in Bali for Flytographer.<\/strong> <\/a>Erin captures memories on a solo adventure to Bali with a photoshoot.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    7. Don\u2019t Wait, Just GO!<\/h2>\n

    \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf9 Kristine\u2019s Solo Travel Story in Rome<\/a><\/h3>\n
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    What is your one piece of advice for anyone thinking about travelling solo?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \u201cThere have been so many trips I didn\u2019t take, so many I compromised on, because my friends took too long to get back to me with their time off, or they decided not to join at the last minute, or I didn\u2019t have the right travel partner. I wasted so much time waiting <\/em>on others. I finally decided to prioritize myself and do the trips I wanted to do, when I wanted to do them. I\u2019ve learned to put my itinerary together and then <\/em>invite friends, welcoming them to any portion of the trip that worked for them, but always sticking to achieving my travel goals. My one piece of advice is DON\u2019T WAIT.<\/strong> Don\u2019t wait on your friends. Don\u2019t wait on the perfect partner to come into your life to take that romantic getaway you always dreamt of. Go. Go now. You only get one life and there is too much world to see to sit around waiting on others to get their act together or for the stars to align. Just go!\u201d \u2013 Kristine<\/strong><\/div>\n
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    What has been your favourite solo trip destination and why was it so memorable for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \u201cMy favorite solo destination has been Italy. I had always dreamt of visiting Italy for the first time with a partner. It started to feel like that partner was never coming into my life, so I decided it was time to set that dream aside and just see Italy with friends or by myself. I spent my birthday week with friends in Toscano and then toured Bologna, Milano, and Venezia by myself. It was a beautiful two weeks in the north, full of amazing food, history, and warm people. So when my employer announced we would have Thanksgiving week off from work, I immediately <\/em>booked a week-long solo trip to Roma and decided to treat myself to a photoshoot with Flytographer. I had an amazing time and fell in love with Italy: the landscape, the culture, the people were all so lovely. My time there inspired me to learn Italian. I\u2019m now taking Italian lessons, which is where I met my boyfriend, with whom I\u2019m finally planning that romantic trip (back!) to Italy.\u201d \u2013 Kristine<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Photo: Roberta in Rome for Flytographer.<\/strong><\/a> Kristine captures memories on a solo adventure to Italy with a photoshoot.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    8. Treat Yourself<\/em> With Your Dream Vacation<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \ud83c\udded\ud83c\uddf7 Ebony\u2019s Solo Travel Story in Dubrovnik<\/a><\/h3>\n

    What inspired you to take this trip?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cI have always wanted to visit Croatia! I decided that for my 40th birthday, I would treat myself to this visit this beautiful country and have a photo shoot! My favorite memory of my trip- besides all the kind people and beautiful resort- was having this photoshoot opportunity!\u201d \u2013 Ebony<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Do you have any solo travel tips for Croatia?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cI stayed at the Royal Palm resort- absolutely fabulous with a private balcony and full view of the coast! The Old Town is a must! Also eating at Dubravka 1836 Restaurant. Beautiful views, food, and service!\u201d \u2013 Ebony<\/strong><\/p>\n

    How was your photoshoot experience?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cBo\u017eo was amazing! He was accommodating, professional, and extremely kind! His work os stunning and it truly made my 40th birthday very special. Next time I go back, I will book with Bo\u017eo again!\u201d \u2013 Ebony<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Photo: Bo\u017eo in Dubrovnik for Flytographer.<\/strong><\/a> Ebony captures memories on a solo adventure to Croatia with a photoshoot.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    9. Say YES to Opportunity<\/h2>\n

    \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa Breeana\u2019s Solo Travel Story in Sydney<\/a><\/h3>\n

    What inspired you to take this trip?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cGoing to Australia is a dream many have. When my friend told me she was finally having her wedding I never hesitated in saying YES to the invitation and making a two-week solo trip out of it. Ladies, take the trip! Just go, I promise you\u2019ll never regret it.\u201d \u2013 Breeana<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Do you have any solo travel tips for Sydney?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cWalking along the water, and naturally seeing the Sydney Opera House! Many restaurants you can\u2019t go wrong with and a couple that were amazing were Mr. Wong and Gowings.\u201d \u2013 Breeana<\/strong><\/p>\n

    How was your photoshoot experience?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cI have used three different photographers in three different countries and each photo shoot has been unique and equally amazing. This company really allows you to capture moments you otherwise wouldn\u2019t be able to. I can\u2019t wait for my next trip!\u201d \u2013 Breeana<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Photo: Jeff in Sydney for Flytographer.<\/strong><\/a> Ebony captures memories on a solo adventure to Croatia with a photoshoot.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    10. Enjoy Every Blissful Moment of Your Birthday<\/h2>\n

    \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 Johanny\u2019s Solo Travel Story in Cape Town<\/h3>\n
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    What inspired you to take your first solo trip? How many have you embarked on now?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cI took my first solo trip in my early 20s. I had just finished my English teaching contract in South Korea and I wanted to see a few countries in Asia before returning back to the US. None of my friends\u2019 contracts were up at the same time, and it was pretty hard to take vacation, so I either missed the opportunity to travel or traveled by myself. I decided on the latter! I spent a month traveling around Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, and had the absolute BEST time! Fast forward 10 years and I\u2019ve been to 14 countries solo!\u201d \u2013 Johanny<\/strong><\/p>\n

    What is your one piece of advice for women thinking about travelling solo?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cSolo traveling can look however you\u2019d like it to. Without having to worry about anyone else\u2019s plans, ideas, budgets, likes, dislikes\u2014 it\u2019s the perfect time to allow yourself to do exactly what you want! There\u2019s a lot of shaming out there about what travel should and shouldn\u2019t look like. You might even have a vision in your head when you think of a solo traveler\u2014 maybe a young woman on a mountain with a backpack staying at a hostel. But as I got older, I realized solo travel can look however you want it to. Ready to jump in and do it solo? Do it! Want to go on a trip but not ready to go completely solo? Book a group trip and meet some cool strangers. Want to stay at a hostel? Do it! It\u2019s a great way to save on accommodations and meet people. Feel overwhelmed by the idea of sharing a room with strangers and staying at a hostel? Don\u2019t! Enjoy a nice king bed to yourself at a hotel. Excited to walk around and use public transportation like a local? Do it! Nervous about it? Don\u2019t; use ride shares, or hire a taxi or private driver. Don\u2019t let one picture of a solo traveler dictate if you\u2019re ready to solo travel.\u201d \u2013 Johanny<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    Solo Travel Tips for Cape Town<\/strong><\/h3>\n