Let’s face it. Most guys don’t want to spend two to two and a half weeks sitting on a European tour bus or taking a long ferry boat ride. They want adventure. They want an experience they’ll never forget. They want to meet local people and see different places that they can’t find back home.
Whether it’s a weekend getaway or an extended trip abroad, traveling alone has many benefits: it’s a great way to explore the world around you and learn more about your own strengths and weaknesses.
Solo Travel
While some people might be afraid of going to new places on their own, it can be incredibly rewarding to step out of your comfort zone, get excited about discovering something new, and meet different types of people.
Whether you have been single for a while or just recently broke up with someone, hitting the road on your own can give you a fresh perspective on life. This guide will help you do just that.
If you are looking for adventure but aren’t sure where to go next, here are 8 destinations that will make for an unforgettable solo experience.
For an adventure-focused trip:
- Hike Through the Smoky Mountains
- Scuba Diving in Grand Cayman
- Trekking the Great Wall
- Dude Ranch Weekend
For a leisure-focused trip:
- Sailing Croatia
- Hawaiian Respite
- Raft the Grand Canyon
- West Rim of Antelope Canyon
Now is your time – Adventure Awaits.
7 Tips for Traveling Solo
- Make Safety a Focus. Carry pepper spray or another personal defense device regularly. Be aware of people who try to lure you away from crowds (Often in offers to buy drugs, join an aggressive game of chance, etc). Stay in touch with your family & friends throughout your trip and keep them updated on your itinerary.
- Prioritize Your Health. Check your health insurance coverage and consider purchasing an extension on certain health benefits.
- Consider Joining an Organized Tour for Part of Your Trip. This is a fantastic way to get to know other travelers and is usually more affordable than booking a vacation by yourself. If you’re more of the ‘lone wolf’ type, plan a few activities ahead of time that involve other people to get a feel for the area & culture.
- Meet New People. At the front desk of your hostel or hotel ask for the best places to meet locals. Get on a dating app, update your status to express interest in finding new friends, and have some adventures. Take a city tour when you first get to a new place, it’s an easy way to meet fellow travelers who want to have similar experiences to you.
- Bring a Photo Copy of your Passport. So many good reasons to do this. Other than the obvious reason of having some backup documentation if your passport is stolen, a photo copy is more easily shared with non-government entities such as hotels and travel agencies that may require passport verification.
- Limit Alcohol Consumption. No matter how close you might feel with some of your new travel friends, you are still not much better than strangers. Be friendly, but not too trusting.
- Learn the Local Laws Before Leaving. Some places have unique legislation on specific practices, substance use, or dress/grooming. Its best to understand the types of behaviors or activities that will get you in trouble to prevent any issues with law enforcement.
Unforgettable Experiences
Hike through the Smoky Mountains
Hiking boots and a backpack are not exactly the tools of seduction, but they might catch the eye of the ladies as you hike though the smoky mountains.
There’s a lot of things that you can do in the Smoky Mountains as a single gentlemen.
If you have a car and are willing to drive then there is plenty of hiking trails and waterfalls to see (either Cades Cove, or the Roaring Fork Motor Trail). Both locations are great for hiking and give you an opportunity to see wildlife such as deer and bears, waterfalls, and lush natural vegetation. Both areas are free to drive through, but do have limited parking so its better to visit at less touristy times.
If you enjoy fishing but don’t want to rent any equipment then Little River, which runs through Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Townsend is the perfect place for you! Here you can find plenty of places to sit down and fish for trout and bass. You can purchase a little bait and string for $2 in most gas stations near the river.
Explore the Grand Canyon on a Raft
If you love the solitude of outdoor living and the adventure of whitewater rafting, then this is the trip for you. Discover hidden waterfalls, impressive offshoot canyons, amazing sunsets, and active wildlife that can only be seen as you traverse the emerald green water of the Colorado River.
The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular whitewater rafting destinations in the world and offers all levels of rafting. Using a guided tour is recommended.
There are many great places to stay while on your Grand Canyon vacation, but most people choose a room at the Grand Canyon Inn or one of the other hotels located in this area. These hotels are close enough to all of the attractions and should be convenient for rafting tour companies.
Trek Across the Great Wall of China
You could take a nice day trip for the Great Wall of China, or you could have an immersive, challenging, and educationally enriching experience on the one of the 7 wonders of the world. This trip will take you to the most beautiful sections of the wall, as well as some lesser known parts. You’ll walk along the top of the wall through stunning scenery, learn more about historical construction styles used, visit remote villages, and learn about life in rural China.
Typical treks go through the unrestored Badaling section, the deteriorating Gubeikou section, the well maintained Mutianyu section, and the partially submerged Huanghuacheng section. Hiking the Great Wall is generally not too strenuous, however, there are some tough hikes up steep stairways to reach watchtowers.
While you’re walking on the wall you’ll also be able to enjoy some of China’s amazing food. Local delicacies such as Ma Po Tofu (tofu with spicy sauce), Mapo Doufu (tofu with chili pepper), and Chinese dumplings are enjoyed in restaurants along the route.
Visit the West Rim of Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in the American Southwest. It is located on Navajo land east of Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyon includes two separate, photogenic slot canyon sections, referred to individually as Upper Antelope Canyon or The Crack; and Lower Antelope Canyon or The Corkscrew.
Antelope Canyon was formed by erosion of Navajo Sandstone, primarily due to flash flooding and secondarily due to other sub-aerial processes. Rainwater, especially during monsoon season, runs into the extensive basin above the slot canyon sections, picking up speed and sand as it rushes into the narrow passageways. Over time the passageways eroded away, deepening the corridors and smoothing hard edges in such a way as to form characteristic ‘flowing’ shapes in the rock. Flooding in the canyon still occurs.
The West Rim of Antelope Canyon is the most popular and accessible area of the slot canyons. Tickets are around $35 per person, and you cannot explore it without a guide. The best time to visit Antelope Canyon is between March and October when the weather is warmer.
*Remember there are no facilities or phone reception around Antelope Canyon so you must bring food, water, and extra clothing.
Get Back to Nature on a Dude Ranch
If you’re a single guy, the thought of going on vacation to a dude ranch might not cross your mind. You’re probably thinking that it’s all married couples, families, and kids. But this couldn’t be farther from the truth!
If you love the outdoors and adventure, then a dude ranch is the perfect place for you to go. Most ranches typically have more men than women, so the odds are in your favor! Plus, it is so easy to meet new people at dude ranches due to all of the activities that they have going on. If you can imagine it, they probably have it. From horseback riding and fishing to yoga and massages, there is something for everyone.
Not only will you get to enjoy many traditional ‘western’ activities, but also you can also now go out and explore nature. Some dude ranches are located in places where there are many national parks nearby, so you can go hiking or even rafting with your new friends.
Hawaii is More Than Just Lying on the Beach – Although There is Time for That, Too
You can’t get much closer to the wild in Hawaii than on a visit to the islands’ Big Island. The Big Island’s terrain ranges from snow-capped mountains and black lava deserts to tropical rainforests and sandy beaches. It’s home to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, whose active volcanoes include Kīlauea, the most continuously active volcano in the world.
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park is another must-see — it’s known as the City of Refuge, a place of refuge along the Kona coast that was used in ancient times to protect lawbreakers who escaped their sentence of death.
More than just a pretty face, the Big Island is also home to some of Hawaii’s best dining — if you’re looking for something to do after dinner, there are plenty of bars and lounges in which to enjoy a cocktail or two.
Scuba Dive in Grand Cayman
Breathe the clear, blue Caribbean water and feel the warm rays of the sun on your face. Relax and enjoy adventure as you see incredible marine life while scuba diving in Grand Cayman. Both advanced and novice divers can begin their underwater adventure here with a variety of dive sites to experience.
From the deep blue waters of North Sound to deep coral reefs and walls, you can explore some of the most vibrant sea life in all the Caribbean.
Grand Cayman’s Underwater Marine Park is known for its amazing visibility and is home to several shipwrecks including the famous Kittiwake. Here are just a few other dive sites to check out during your stay:
The Terrain Wall. This wall offers a colorful landscape that includes caves, tunnels and swim-throughs while offering breathtaking views of deep blue waters.·
Little Cayman Beach. If you are looking for some serious wreck diving, this beach is home to many wrecks including the Russian Destroyer, the Wreck Barracuda and the USS Kittiwake.·
The Tower. Located in East End, this dive site features a large tower covered in coral, sponges and other sea creatures that give it a vibrant color.
Sail Around Croatia
Croatia is the destination of choice, when it comes to a sailing adventure. The water is crystal clear, the sailing conditions are easy to navigate, and the country has thousands of islands that can only be accessed by boat.
With more than 2,600 hours of sunshine per year, this trip is a great introduction to sailing and visiting some of Croatia’s most beautiful beaches, islands, and bays.
No trip to Croatia would be complete without stopping in modernized Split, the island of Brac (famously known for its white pebble beach Zlatni Rat), and the historical cities of the Dalmatian Coast such as Trogir, Hvar, and Viz.
On this trip there will be plenty of opportunities to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and relax along the coast.
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