Single traveller, countless options

Solo travel – especially among women – is on the rise, so even if you’re by yourself, you’re in good company. And with so many places to see, the possibilities are endless! Start your adventure with these tips.

When Cheryl Miles talks about having a ‘Bill-free week’, she’s not referring to pesky phone or utility bills. As much as she adores Bill, her husband of 38 years, Miles also loves her two or three annual travel jaunts without him – her latest being a week-long yoga and juicing retreat in Bali.

Like many women, Miles says the driver behind these holidays is twofold. For one thing, Bill is happy to play golf and follow his beloved Carlton Football Club while she catches up on all her exotic travel dreams. For another, she feels she’s done a great job raising four children and now it’s her time to indulge. “Freedom and that sense of independence are liberating,” she says.

The 63-year-old, semiretired school principal from central Victoria is not alone. A growing trend sees women choosing to go it alone when travelling. Women decide to go solo for many reasons – sometimes because they’ve recently become widowed or divorced, and sometimes because they are just feeling more confident in themselves and draw a strong sense of empowerment from the adventure.

So if you’re about to embark on some alone travel time, you’re certainly not alone! Here are some travel notes to help you along your way:

Stay connected, stay safe

Being able to post or tweet a brief note or photo to loved ones courtesy of the various social media channels – such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – is one recent change to the travel landscape that Miles and other travel commentators are attributing to the increased sense of safety for women.

Peruse and choose

A simple Google search will provide you with a wealth of exciting travel options, from cooking-school holidays to volunteering abroad. Cruising has seen a recent resurgence in popularity, and websites like NRMA’s Living Well Navigator offers a diverse range of singles-only cruises, which Miles can attest to. “Being able to stop in to multiple ports, keep up my daily gym workouts and meet some fabulous new people my age was the highlight of my cruise around the Pacific last year,” she says.

Favourite forays

While cruises are ever-popular with single travellers, in recent years, there’s been a significant shift towards spa-based holidays. Another emerging trend is rail travel for solo travellers, which is a spectacular way to enjoy your journey, especially in Europe. Whether it’s Champagne or camping you prefer, the choices are out there. Among them are a bike and barge adventure in the Loire Valley, a safari in South Africa and a trek along the Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory.

And a final insight from new globetrotter Miles: “You may find a very sweet role reversal with your kids… They now demand text messages from me while I travel, which brings back memories of me demanding the same in their late teenage years!”

Are you a solo traveller? What’s your favourite travelling memory? And what advice would you share with those planning to travel on their own in the future?

    This article has been sponsored by NRMA’s Living Well Navigator.  

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