Flying alone? No problem. That’s actually one of the biggest trends now. More and more people are ditching their travel companions and opting for the single adventurer’s path. And why shouldn’t they? There’s a whole world waiting for the lone traveler once s/he steps off the plane. In fact, below are the best destinations for those who would want to explore the world on their own. Just bring a map and your common sense and you should be fine.
Costa Rica
If you’re traveling alone, the best place to go to is Costa Rica. This is one of the most popular summer destinations for Americans and travelers from colder countries. Why? The water’s never been warmer, and the eye candies you’ll be seeing at the beach are unmatched anywhere around the globe.
Also known for its affordable lodgings and interesting terrain, you’ll never run out of activities (and money) while you’re in Costa Rica. For the best experience, brave the currents and go rafting at the Reventazon River. Horse lovers can also rent a steed and gallop ride up to the Rincon de la Vieja National Park. They can explore the geysers and the volcano in this area.
Of course, most people who are just looking for some time off will also be perfectly happy just soaking up the sun at one of the Pacific Beaches in this country. Costa Rica is a very tranquil place—as long as you don’t join everyone else during the peak season.
Vietnam
Your grandfathers might not have thought that Vietnam is the best place to go to when you’re traveling alone. However, a lot does happen in a lifetime or two. Today, Vietnam is one of the prime spots for solo travelers who are looking for peace and quiet. What used to be a country torn from war is now an amicable, peaceful place, even for American travelers. The people here are certainly forgiving. This is a land full of optimists.
Among the most enjoyable activities you can do here is cross-country biking. Pedal away and explore the jungles as well as the pristine coastline of Vietnam. You can even choose to lie in the sand for an entire week and not get tired of it. Beach hop to Pho Quoc Island and cleanse your soul by paying your respects at Hue’s pagodas and temples.
If you’re not the spiritual kind, you’ll still be able to appreciate the oriental architecture of these temples which seem untouched by time. Do you want to immerse yourself in the culture? Go to Hanoi and interact with the friendly locals there. You can even join them for an early morning session of Tai Chi by the Hoan Kiem Lake.
Laos
If you’ve been travelling for quite a while now, you must have gone to Laos, because if you haven’t, then you’ve probably been more of a tourist than a traveler. Lone travelers treat that Laos stamp on their passports as a badge of honor. Much like Vietnam was some 20 years ago, Laos used to be this war-ravaged country. Today, it’s the best destination to pick if you’d want to travel back in time and experience Asia when it was still untouched.
Despite being one of the most affected country by the second world war, Laos, by some miracle, managed to keep its culture and its environment intact. It’s among the most pristine countries in Southeast Asia, and it’s the country to go to if you’d like to experience Buddhism.
For starters, we’d suggest you take a riverboat trip down Mekong. Then, go to Ventiane to relax. There are a number of lodges and inns here ready to take you in. Once you’ve slept the jetlag off, educate yourself and visit the historical Luang Prabang. This used to be the seat of royalty.
For the best Laos experience, though, we suggest you ask your travel agency for grassroots lodgings. Here, you’ll be grateful you only have the basic amenities. It’s the best way to get connected with nature.
Malaysia
A few years ago, you would probably not even think of going to Malaysia, unless of course you’re a big backpacker. About fifteen years ago, the country wasn’t as well-developed as it is now. It was a great outdoorsy getaway, though, if you’re looking for a conservative and stable Muslim country with a lot of trees.
How does Malaysia look like, now? It managed to retain its culture and close to untouched environment, but it’s not at all backwards compared to the neighboring countries. Kuala Lumpur today is very different from the Kuala Lumpur some fifteen years ago. Now, you have some of the most sophisticated buildings with the rich Malaysian greenery in the backdrop.
It’s diversity at its finest, and it’s one of the top picks for traveling by your lonesomeness. Visit beach resorts in Feringgi as well, if you’re craving for that tropical sun. Most travelers retain, though, that their best experienced in Malaysia is hiking through its lush, green hills. Visit the Cameron Highlands for its strawberry fields, and maybe even Malacca, to dip into the country’s historical and cultural melting pot.
Sarawak is also a must-see if you’re willing to rough it. Malaysia is one of those countries you’d want to explore from border to border without even noticing that you’re traveling alone. People here are generally friendly as long as you give them the same respect.
Egypt
From lush green to desserts and pyramids, there’s certainly no stopping the traveler who wants to explore the world solo. Egypt is for the history freak who just couldn’t stop reliving the ancient mythology over and over in his head. Egypt has the finest and friendliest people you’ll ever encounter in the Middle East.
It also helps that aside from their rich culture, they have a pretty stable government which keeps tourists safe from unnecessary crossfires. If you’re visiting Egypt for the first time, join the tour. Since you won’t be worrying about a travel companion, you can immerse yourself fully in the tour’s educational spiel.
Even those who hate history would look, in awe, of Egypt’s majestic monuments. Once you reach Cairo, brace yourself and prepare for chaos. There are so many treasures to look at, here, you might not want to leave anymore. A boat trip through the Nile is also in order. These trips usually lead to Luxor which used to be Thebes.
For the more conventional lonely traveler, though, you might want to skip the tours and go straight to Dahab, located at the Sinai Peninsula. Here, you’ll have the best R&R you can possibly imagine.
Call Supreme Clientele Travel for information on vacation packages & tours. (407)413-9578
1 comment:
There are many more to add to the list, but I agree with what was chosen. I lived in Sicily for a while as a teen, and I still dream of it today. Also, the quote about Venice was perfection.
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