Singles’ Day, which falls on November 11 (a.k.a. “Double 11”), is a holiday that doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves. The celebration started in China and has become one of the country’s most popular shopping days, now four times larger than Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Whether you’re coupled up or celebrating being single, there’s no better time to see the world on one of our specially designed Solo Tours—or to join any of our more than 200 trips as a solo traveler. Whichever way you choose to go, you might just find a new travel buddy on tour.
Traveling solo gives you the freedom to explore and plan at your own pace. But being on your own doesn’t have to mean being alone; activities on these tours are designed to help solo travelers bond with each other. Plus, you’ll have 24/7 support from our team throughout your travels, so you’ll never be truly alone. (And did we mention that the cost of a private room is included in the prices of our Solo Tours?)
“As a solo traveler, I was worried about going to Thailand by myself. I couldn’t have been more wrong!” said solo traveler Cathie after one of our Thailand tours.“I felt totally included and one of the group right away—and I felt very safe.”
Whether you want an Eat, Pray, Love moment in Italy or to trek the largest open volcano in the world in Costa Rica, here are 10 of our top solo-friendly tours that highlight the best of the world’s solo travel destinations.
For awe-inspiring architecture:
Venice, Florence & Rome
Whether it’s your first or fifth trip to Italy, we promise you one thing: No two visits will ever be the same. This past year, Italy was one of the most popular destinations on the globe—and among our favorite trips for singles. How do you blend the best of Venice’s Gothic palaces and glassblowing traditions, Florence’s marble-clad cathedrals, and Rome’s 2,000-year history? On our nine-day A Week in Italy: Venice, Florence & Rome tour, your Tour Director will guide you and your fellow travelers through the best these three classic cities have to offer. You’ll dine on Tuscan specialties at a local restaurant in Florence after a day spent strolling the 13th-century Ponte Vecchio bridge, and you’ll explore the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore: the Duomo, the world’s third-largest church.
In your spare time, you won’t have to search too far for mouthwatering Italian fare. While you’re in Rome, you can learn to make pasta from a pro during an optional hands-on cooking class. And if you can’t fathom the thought of your trip ending so soon, fear not: The two-night extension to the Sorrento Peninsula offers a glimpse into a whole other side of Italy. You’ll take in jewel-colored villas along the Amalfi Coast, explore the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii, and enjoy an optional excursion to the glitzy island of Capri—where everyone from Roman emperors to Sophia Loren has vacationed.
For a tranquil and rejuvenating trip:
Costa Rica
Looking for a place where you can disconnect from the world while still connecting with other solo travelers? It’s tough to top the wealth of natural beauty of a paradise like Costa Rica. Volcanoes? The country sports the largest open volcano in the world, which towers nearly 9,000 feet tall. Beaches? Surfers and sunbathers flock to the Guanacaste coast. Hiking trails? Costa Rica has tons of those, too, on paths skirting the Pacific Ocean that overlook cliffs and sea caves. On our Costa Rica for Solo Travelers: Volcanoes, Jungles & Beaches tour, howler monkeys and yellow-throated toucans in Manuel Antonio National Park provide a natural soundtrack that will lull you into meditation.
You’ll also have the chance to give back to Mother Nature in a hands-on way by participating in a reforestation project in Playa Palo Seco, one of the largest mangrove ecosystems in Central America. Have a Jungle Book moment touring the Tárcoles River—a haven for American crocodiles, iguanas, lizards, and monkeys—or take in rainforest views from above on an optional ziplining excursion. And if you want to spot wildlife of another variety, go sailing and snorkeling along the unspoiled Guanacaste coast and keep an eye out for humpback whales and dolphins in the distance.
For gorgeous castles and countryside:
Scottish Highlands, Aberdeen & Edinburgh
An ideal destination for some of the best solo trips in Europe, Scotland is the perfect blend of calm countryside, vibrant cities, castle-dotted hillsides, and, of course, whisky—the national drink. Crisscross the nation with your fellow solo travelers, passing through the Scottish Highlands’ winding lochs and medieval ruins before setting off along the Malt Whisky Trail. On your way to Aberdeen, nicknamed the “Granite City” after its gray stone buildings, stop by a distillery to sip some of Scotland’s best pours in the Speyside region. Besides whisky, nothing helps solo travelers bond quicker than a bagpipe lesson. You’ll have the chance to hear a few tunes before trying it out yourself while in Edinburgh. On our Scotland for Solo Travelers: Highlands, Aberdeen, & Edinburgh tour, free evenings and days are sprinkled throughout, so you can sightsee on your own, book a castle-hopping excursion in the Highlands, or visit the town of Stirling and the castle where Mary Stuart was crowned Queen of Scots.
For history lovers:
Turkey
One of our favorite destinations for singles, Turkey is a captivating blend of modern skylines, Ottoman domes, ancient Greek cities, and hilltop villages that hover over the Aegean Sea. History is one of the highlights here: You’ll tour cities like Troy—made infamous by Homer’s *Iliad—*and visit the Hippodrome, the social center of ancient Constantinople. But this country that spans two continents offers solo travelers more than palaces and thousand-year-old cathedrals like the Hagia Sophia—although those are certainly draws.
Our extensive, 15-day Grand Tour of Turkey is one of our favorite singles trips for 2024. You’ll have a chance to explore cities like Istanbul solo or with a group, shop with a local guide at open-air markets in Kadiköy, or hike through valleys in the cave villages scattered throughout Cappadocia. Traveling with a group means you’ll see a different side of coastal cities like Antalya (home to ruins like the triumphal arch of Hadrian’s Gate) and explore spa towns that may not have been on your radar. One example: hot spring-filled Pamukkale, which dates back to Roman times.
For a cultural immersion:
Havana, Trinidad & Cienfuegos
Cuba is one of the rare places in the world that has remained preserved like a time capsule. Its rich history is on display everywhere, from Havana’s historic buildings and 1950s-era relics to the island’s cocktail of choice—the mojito—which you’ll sip at the landmark Hotel Nacional when you book our 10-day Cuba People & Culture: Havana, Trinidad & Cienfuegos trip. What makes this tour of Cuba a top choice for singles trips in 2024 is that it’ll have you mixing and mingling not just with your fellow travelers, but with locals, too. Want some examples? You’ll learn how to play dominoes with a local champ and watch musicians perform songs inspired by one of the island’s hit groups, Buena Vista Social Club.
On this journey for the senses, you’ll be exposed to different parts of Cuban culture. In the district of Guanabacoa, an Afro-Cuban hub in Havana, you’ll sample traditional cuisine and listen to Afro-Cuban music while tasting aguardiente liquor. While local guides lead the way on tours through the frozen-in-time town of Trinidad and the bayside city of Cienfuegos, you won’t feel like your hand is being held the entire time: You’ll have plenty of opportunities to chat with local shop owners and artisans, snorkel around coral reefs, and experience a taste of daily life in Cuba before an optional three-night extension to the western stretch of the island.
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For unparalleled scenery:
Sweden, Norway & Denmark
Explore a trio of Scandinavian cities and regions with your fellow travelers as you’re guided through the must-sees of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. This 10-day tour is one of the best trips for singles because it blends Scandinavia’s design-savvy cities, like Stockholm and Copenhagen, with the unparalleled beauty of Norway’s fjords.
Get your bearings in Sweden’s capital while touring town with a local expert, then spend a day solo. Consider exploring Stockholm’s 14 islands and the cobbled streets of the old town, Gamla Stan. Then, fly to Norway, where you and your tourmates will stroll through Bergen’s historic sites—like the medieval-style Fantoft Stave Church and the Crayola-colored Bryggen harbor district—before hopping on a scenic train to Voss. Cruise through the dramatic cliffs and narrow waterways along the country’s famous fjords, u-shaped valleys carved by glaciers over 2.5 million years. The trip ends in the Danish capital of Copenhagen, where another local guide will show you the city’s top sights: places like the 16th-century, Renaissance-style Rosenborg Castle and the Little Mermaid statue. If you’re not ready to end your stay in the Nordic countries just yet, tack on a three-night extension to Iceland. You’ll celebrate Singles’ Day in true style, soaking in the iconic Blue Lagoon and trekking to the Golden Circle’s glacier-fed waterfalls.
For the natural explorer:
Melbourne, Queensland Coast & Sydney
One of the best parts about solo travel is not having to compromise. If you want to experience a mix of cities, nature, adventure, and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Australia is your place. Soak up Melbourne’s booming restaurant scene and coffee culture, taste local favorites with your Tour Director at Queen Victoria Market, and tack on an optional excursion to vineyards just outside the city. Cross the country, and the landscape shifts completely as you enter coastal Townsville in Queensland—your gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. On our Australia for Solo Travelers: Melbourne, Queensland Coast & Sydney tour, you’ll have a day entirely on your own to explore the city’s beachside promenade (known as The Strand) or to snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system in the world.
The island-hopping starts once you reach the Whitsunday Coast’s coral gardens and secluded beaches. A local Indigenous guide will lead you through an ancient Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony to cleanse and ward off bad spirits before entering the lands, which include a 74-island archipelago surrounded by aquamarine waters. Cross off a few other must-sees, like the Noose Everglades (a.k.a. the “River of Mirrors”), and the UNESCO-listed island of K’gari, made entirely of sand. The last stop is the one you’ve probably heard about most: Sydney. After your Tour Director guides you around its highlights, like the Sydney Opera House and the waterside district of Darling Harbour, you can set off and explore solo or with a friend you’ve made while on tour.
For a budget-friendly option:
Bangkok, Chiang Mai & the Thai Islands
On our 14-day Grand Tour of Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Phuket, you’ll feel Thailand’s vibrant energy from the moment you land. This is a country of contrasts, where age-old temples brush up against local markets and where the regional cuisine is equal parts sweet and spicy. Throughout your trip, you’ll come across local fishing villages that date back thousands of years, night markets outside ancient city walls, and forest-covered islands so beautiful that they’ve served as backdrops in famous films, like The Man with the Golden Gun.
On this 14-day tour of Thailand, you’ll cruise along Bangkok’s canals, or klongs, on a speedboat and a converted rice barge, and take a long-tail boat to floating markets. En route to Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand, you’ll hop around some of the region’s most iconic sites, like Wat Rong Khun—the striking White Temple. After a day of solo touring in town, your Tour Director will show you one of the best night markets in the country, Chiang Mai Night Market, where you’ll have time to shop and taste local street food. Later on, you’ll canoe around the sea caves dotting Koh Talu Island with local paddlers leading the way, or spend a free day beach-hopping around the tropical Phi Phi Islands, stopping to snorkel in some of the country’s clearest water.
For a bucket list adventure:
Reykjavik
If you’re looking for a last-minute trip this fall or winter, our six-day Iceland: Reykjavik & the Northern Lights tour is an easy option for Singles’ Day celebrations that won’t require you to take too many vacation days. The landscape here is the definition of otherworldly: Nicknamed “The Land of Fire and Ice,” Iceland is chock full of black-sand beaches, volcanoes, glaciers, and geothermal spas. Using Reykjavik as your base, you’ll join your tourmates in admiring “the greenest city on earth” from the Perlan Observation Deck, which shows off 360-degree views of the country’s capital. Then, join your Tour Director for a look at modern City Hall and Old Town Center. Just an hour out of town, you’ll go aurora-seeking, searching for the dancing northern lights that flash across the night sky in shades of violet and neon green.
During free time, soak in the Blue Lagoon and take in views of the surrounding lava field. Or, book a more active excursion, descending into one of Iceland’s longest lava tubes, venturing through a 5,200-year-old cave lined with ice sculptures in winter. Days four and five are all about experiencing the country’s natural beauty, traveling to waterfalls and geothermal areas lining the Golden Circle. You’ll end the trip on the South Coast, home to Europe’s largest glacier, some of Iceland’s most stunning waterfalls, and charming small towns. (A tip: Try the langoustine, a local favorite that’s often prepared as a soup, burger, or with garlic butter.)
For gorgeous islands and open-air museums:
Athens, Mykonos & Santorini
You don’t have to wait for a milestone to finally take a bucket list trip—Singles’ Day is reason enough. Greece is one of the best places for solo travelers to visit; the ancient capital of Athens is practically an open-air museum that’s easy to explore on your own. On our A Week in Greece: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini tour, meet your fellow tourmates during a welcome dinner in the city before joining a locally guided sightseeing tour. You’ll visit the Acropolis, Old Royal Palace, Temple of Zeus, Arch of Hadrian, and Syntagma Square. When you have time on your own, stroll the winding cobbled streets of village-like Plaka, listening to street performers playing below the Acropolis and its ancient temples—or tack on our optional Food of Athens Walking Tour through the neighborhood of Psyrri, sampling freshly made loukoumades (honey-soaked, donut-like balls) as well as Greek liqueurs like ouzo and mastiha.
Two of the most famous islands in Greece, Mykonos and Santorini, are often thought of as honeymoon hotspots. But on our A Week in Greece: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini tour, you’ll see why these islands are made just as much for nature and wine lovers as they are for couples. While on Santorini, you’ll have plenty of time on your own for optional excursions, like a caldera catamaran cruise or a sommelier-led tasting at a local winery. As for Mykonos, take your pick of ways to spend your free day: Boat over to the nearby island of Delos (one of the most sacred sanctuaries in the country), bask at a beach club, or shop and snap photos of the windmills in Mykonos Town.
Ready for an adventure in honor of Singles’ Day? Check out our solo-friendly tours.
