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Determine Your Travel Budget

The first step on the travel planning checklist will be to figure out how much you are able to spend on your vacation. Even by just giving yourself a rough estimate on what that looks like will help you while you’re looking to book your flights and accommodation later.

The last thing you want is for any trip’s total expenses to come as a surprise to you later. What your budget looks like may also help determine where you want to go – For example, some long-haul flights may come as a bigger expense than flights for a destination that is closer to you, or at least on your side of the world.

Take some time to sit down and have a good look at your finances to determine what your disposable income looks like. Or, depending on your situation and what kind of trip you’re looking to take, you may opt to start setting money aside and build a savings for your vacation. Either way, knowing what your budget looks like will help you in the long run before you start to actually plan your trip and book anything. Something I do for myself, is to keep my personal budget in a Google Sheet doc and update it when needed. It’s an easy way to track your monthly income and expenses, and from there you can determine how much you’re able to set aside in savings and spend as disposable (aka, travel funds!).

Check for Flight Deals

I know what you’re probably thinking: Rylie, I don’t even know where I’m going yet. How can I check for flights for a destination I don’t have?

I’m listing this as Step #2 because frankly, finding a great deal on airfare has been the determining factor for most of my travels. Often, your flights will be your biggest travel expense – So finding a great deal here can help you save more for more fun and adventures at your destination!

As a full-time travel agent, I will say that there are a lot of factors that go into determining what airfare prices will look like. Time of year, current events, availability on the plane, etc. So there isn’t necessarily any kind of foolproof method for finding a great deal on flights every single time.

Choose Where You Want to Go

Once you have a good idea of what your travel budget looks like, the next step (and maybe most exciting), is deciding where to go! Maybe you already have created a travel bucket list for yourself, with all your dream destinations included. Or maybe, you found a really awesome deal on airfare that you just can’t pass up, and this is your deciding factor.

If you’re still on the fence and can’t decide, here are a few articles I’ve written on destination ideas to spark some inspiration:

Research Your Destination

Once you know where you’re going, the next step to planning your trip is to research your destination.

Here are a few things to keep in mind during your destination research:

Best times to visit? And what the weather will look like that time of year

What do prices on food, accommodation, and activities look like when you get there?

Where are the best places to eat and shop?

Any holidays or events that may make a destination more crowded / hike up prices

If you’re going international, will you need a visa? Or vaccinations?

Ongoing conflict at your destination / any travel advisories?

Will you need a rental car to get around once you arrive?

For the attractions you want to visit, check for opening hours and any entrance fees / ticket requirements

Getting to the nitty gritty on your destination and researching all the specifics will help you not only feel more prepared for your trip, but also helps you avoid any potential surprises once you arrive.

Determine the Length of Your Trip

After you have researched your destination and have a better idea of what you want to do when you get there, the next step to plan your trip is to determine how long you can travel for.

Determining the length of your trip may be based on several different factors, including your destination, how much time you can take off of work / your day-to-day responsibilities, and your travel budget.

The travel time to and from your destination may also be a factor that helps you figure out the length of your trip. If you are hoping to take a long-haul flight to the other side of the world, you may want to plan for a longer trip of at least a week. Whereas if you want to visit a destination that is close by, you may be able to visit in a weekend or a short trip.

The activities and sightseeing that you want to do at your destination will also help you determine how much time you will need there.

Book Your Flights

So far, you – Have a rough idea of what your travel budget looks like, have chosen a destination, (maybe even found a great deal on your airfare), and know how long you would like to visit. Yay! Now you are ready to book your flights!

If you found your airfare deal using one of the programs I shared earlier, go to the deal outlined there and then find those flights to book directly with the airline. (They will suggest the same thing).

If you weren’t able to find an airfare deal there, that’s okay – I have other options for you.

Use these flight search engines below to scour the web for available flights at any given time:

Skyscanner

Kiwi

You can do the same thing for these sites, where once you find the flights you want, search for those exact flights on the airline’s website and book directly with them. Booking directly with the airline instead of a 3rd party site will make things much easier for you, should you need to make any changes to your reservation (life happens).

Book Your Accommodations

Now that you have your flights booked and your travel dates set, it’s time to check out your accommodation options.

What you should look for in accommodation may depend on both your travel budget and proximity to the activities and sightseeing you may want to do.

Here are the sites I use to search for accommodation:

Hostelworld – For more budget-friendly options and dorm-style shared rooms if you are looking to meet fellow travelers. You may also find private rooms in hostels that price lower than a room at the nearby hotels.

Booking.com – For deals on both hotel chains and local boutique properties. (This is another site where I would search for what is available, and then book your reservation directly with the hotel.)

Airbnb / VRBO – For rental properties. These are great when you want a more authentic experience and feel like you are living like a local in your destination.

Book Your Day Tours & Activities

Now that you have your flights and accommodation squared away, you’re almost done with your itinerary! All that is left to plan your trip is to book your day tours and activities.

Take a further look into the research you did on your destination and reserve any of the tickets and necessities you’ll need for your attractions. You may also want to look into options for a car rental, if you will need a mode of transportation around your destination.

You can also use these sites below to have a look at any available tours or attractions you may have missed in your previous research:

Viator by TripAdvisor – For day tours and activities.

Rentalcars.com – For easy car rentals

Pack

Now that you have everything booked, the next step on the checklist to planning your trip is to pack!

Packing for any vacation can seem like a daunting task, as well. But I promise it doesn’t have to be. While you might be tempted to bring everything with you and overpack your luggage, keep in mind that oftentimes, less is more. (You still have to carry all your luggage around with you on your travels, anyway.)

Remember to stick with the essentials to start. And depending on your destination, research what other essentials you may need while you’re there.

Purchase Travel Insurance

Travel insurance may seem like something you don’t really need, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Travel insurance protects you from the unexpected – Things such as: if your camera gets stolen, you have a medical emergency, your flight is cancelled, or if a family member falls ill and you need to go home early.

Life happens – and life can happen anywhere, so being prepared for any worst-case scenarios by purchasing travel insurance is the best way to protect yourself financially.

Here are a few travel insurance companies that I recommend for you to browse quotes from:

SafetyWing – Offers very affordable plans for budget travelers.

Medjet – Provides additional emergency evacuation coverage, should you need help getting back home in the event of an emergency.

Insure My Trip – Great coverage for cruises and senior travelers.

Insured Nomads – Great for long-term travelers and digital nomads.

Enjoy Your Trip!

That’s it! You’re now ready to head out on your adventure and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Be sure to remember all your important travel documents and IDs, take plenty of photos, and have fun.

Ignore the Myths

The first thing to know about finding a cheap flight is that there is no magic bullet or one secret ninja trick to doing so. There are a lot of myths online about how to find cheap flights. In fact, you’ve probably come across a ton of them on your search to find the best flight deal!

They are all lies. They will lead you astray.

Most websites hire terrible reporters who recycle common and outdated myths. Here are the most common that are 100% not true:

• It is NOT cheaper to buy airfare on a Tuesday (or any other specific day for that matter).
• There is NO evidence that searching incognito leads to cheaper deals.
• There is NO exact date or specific time period in which to book your airfare.
• You can’t predict airline prices and websites that do are basically taking an educated (but probably wrong) guess.

Airlines use advanced computer and pricing algorithms to determine prices and run sales based on the time of the year, passenger demand, weather, major events/festivals, time of day, competitor prices, fuel prices, and much more. Those so-called “tricks” don’t work anymore. The system is too smart. Throw them out. Let them die.

Don’t listen to anyone who tells you otherwise. Anyone who is telling you doesn’t know what they are talking about.

Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates and Times

Airline ticket prices vary greatly depending on the day of the week, time of year, and upcoming holidays, such as Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Thanksgiving, or the Fourth of July. August is a big month for traveling around Europe, and everyone wants to go somewhere warm in the winter or travel when the kids are out of school.

In a nutshell, if you are going to fly when everyone is flying, then your ticket is going to cost more.

The solution is to fly off-season. Search alternative dates so that you can capitalize on the best day. The more rigid your plans, the less likely it will be that you find a deal.

Try to be flexible with your dates. If you are dead-set on visiting Paris, go in the spring or fall when fewer people visit and airfares are cheaper.

But if you want to go in the middle of August? You’re out of luck. Hawaii over Christmas? Good luck! Prices will be at their highest.

Moreover, it’s almost always cheaper to fly during the middle of the week than on a weekend because most people travel on the weekends and airlines hike their prices then. Prices are cheaper if you fly after or on a major holiday. Early-morning or late-night flights are also cheaper because fewer people want to travel then (who wants to wake up early?!). Fridays and Mondays are expensive because that’s when most business travelers fly.

Airlines are not dumb. They know when a festival, holiday, major sports event, or school break is coming up — and they raise prices accordingly.

Be Flexible with Your Destinations

If you can’t be flexible with when you fly, at least be flexible with where you fly. It’s best to be flexible with both, but if you really want to save the most money and get a cheap flight for your trip, you at least need to be flexible with one or the other.

Airline search engines have made it really easy to search the entire world to find the cheapest ticket. You no longer have to search manually, city by city, day by day. Websites like Skyscanner and Google Flights offer explore tools that allow you to put in your home airport and see a map of the world with all the flights on it. This allows you to easily compare multiple destinations without having to brainstorm every possible option. You’ll likely even find some interesting destinations you hadn’t even thought of either!

If you are flexible with where you want to go (i.e., anywhere but home), all you need to do is type “Everywhere” into the search box on Skyscanner or “Anywhere” if you’re using Google Flights.

The truth about airfare is that there’s always a deal to some destination — it might just not be your first choice. However, if you’re flexible about where you want to go, you’ll always get a deal and save a ton of money in the process.

When you are locked into one place at one time, you are stuck with whatever price shows up. Nothing can change that. But when you become flexible, suddenly the entire world opens up to you and you’ll find amazing cheap airfares!

Keep an Eye for Special Deals

Before you start looking for specific flights, make sure you’ve signed up for some newsletters. Joining the mailing list for airlines and last-minute deal websites will give you access to the absolute best deals out there. Sure, 99% of them might not fit your itinerary but keeping your eye on the deals will ensure you don’t miss an amazing opportunity.

More often than not, cheap flights are only available for a limited window (usually 24 hours). If you aren’t always scouring the web for sales, you’ll likely miss out on the best deals.

Additionally, airline newsletters often offer frequent flier bonuses. Those points and miles can add up to free flights and awesome upgrades.

Fly Budget Carriers

Years ago, if you wanted to fly between continents, you were mostly stuck with traditional expensive airlines. That’s no longer true. These days, you can fly most of the way around the world on a budget airline. Sure, they might not be as comfortable and you may need to pay for premium upgrades like checked bags and meals, but they bring the world to your doorstep without breaking the bank.

Budget airlines mainly service short and medium-haul routes. While many budget carriers (notably Norwegian Air) scrapped their long-haul routes during COVID, new ones (like PLAY, Norse Atlantic Airways, and French Bee) have now arisen to take their place.

For now, budget airlines mainly operate regionally so it’s really easy to find a cheap flight, even during this age of higher prices.

Flying budget airlines is a good alternative to flying “the majors” whenever possible. You get fewer perks, but you can save a bundle in price.

Just be sure to watch out for fees. That’s how they make money! Budget airlines often charge fees for checked bags, carry-ons, printing your boarding pass, using a credit card, and anything else they can get away with. Be sure to add up the cost of the ticket AND the fees to make sure that the price is lower than a larger carrier.

You’ll also want to double-check the location of the budget airline’s airport at your intended destination. These airlines often fly in and out of airports that are quite far from the actual city, with limited and expensive transportation options.

Remember Not All Search Engines are Equal

In order to find the best deal, you need to search multiple websites. Many major search sites don’t list budget carriers or obscure foreign carriers because those airlines don’t want to pay a booking commission. Others don’t list booking sites that aren’t in English. And others still only display prices retrieved directly from airlines.

In short, not all flight search websites are created equal and all have their pros and cons.

Since there is no perfect airline search engine, you’ll want to search a few to compare. Even the best have their faults. That said, I have a few favorites I always start with as they tend to consistently show the best results. To me, the best websites to find a cheap flight are the following:

• Skyscanner – The best booking site out there. They have a great user interface (and a great app for mobile)
• Google Flights – Great search engine that lets you see prices for multiple destinations.

Typically, I start all my searches with Skyscanner because it searches all major AND budget airlines, non-English websites, English websites, and everything in between. They vet all the sites they link to as they have strict criteria on who they operate with. It’s one of the most comprehensive booking sites out there and they have the lowest price 99% of the time.

Take Advantage of Student Discounts

If you are a student (or under 26), there are many discounts available to you. You can usually find prices 10-20% off the standard fare. Travel agencies like Flight Centre and Student Universe can help find you a cheap ticket. Don’t overlook them!

Additionally, keep in mind that most student discounts transfer over to airline partners. For example, Lufthansa offers a student discount, which means you can use that discount on partner airlines such as Swiss Airlines and Austrian Airlines. This will allow you to go much further afield while still saving a ton of money.

If you’re not sure which airlines offer discounts (they don’t make this information easy to find), visit their website or call them. Doing a little digging to save 20% (or more) will be worth it!

Mix and Match Airlines

When you book directly with an airline, you’ll only be able to fly that airline and any partner airlines it has. That means your options will be limited when it comes to finding the perfect itinerary or saving the most money.

Usually, that will suffice. However, if you’re chasing greater savings, try booking your tickets on separate airlines. For example, if you’re flying from New York to Paris, you might have a stop in London. Booking both legs as one ticket will be simple, but it likely won’t save you money.

Instead, book your New York to London flight as one ticket and then your London to Paris ticket with another airline. That will allow you to shop around for the best bargain. It’s more work, but the savings (and flexibility) can be worth it.

Use Points and Miles

As soon as you know you want to travel somewhere you should sign up for a travel credit card. Using points and miles is the number one way avid travelers like me earn free flights, travel perks, and free hotel stays. Travel credit cards offer huge welcome bonuses, credit toward rideshares like Uber or Lyft, access to airport lounges, travel insurance, and much more.

Take a journey to the end of the world, Antarctica

Commonly known as the White Continent, Antarctica is one of the most untouched places in the world. It’s a place where you can fully disconnect from the real world, encountering nothing but pristine snow and a surprising amount of wildlife. Its extreme cold, surreal remoteness, and enormous ice structures are what make it an epic challenge.

Being one of the most remote destinations on earth, the best way to access it is aboard a cruise, with options to visit the iconic Drake Passage. This frozen part of the planet is also home to some of the most extraordinary animal species. You can expect to see a variety of seabirds, penguins, seals, as well as migrating whales.

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Mount Kilimanjaro is the ultimate African climbing adventure, and an eight-day hike up the world’s tallest free-standing mountain is perfectly followed by an exhilarating safari through Tanzania‘s Northern Serengeti. Tanzania is the perfect country for adrenaline junkies who are in search of both mind-blowing surroundings and wild animal sightings.

Professional guides, quality equipment, custom-made sleeping and dining tents, thorough training, and plenty of time for acclimatization will help make this daunting trek an achievable goal. The breathtaking sights of sweeping Savannah and lush forest as you ascend are more than worth the effort.

Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru

As one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it’s no surprise that Machu Picchu is one of Peru’s main tourist draws. This Incan city sits on a mountain ridge northwest of Cusco, 2,400 meters above sea level. Tales are told around the world about this ancient Incan wonder, but Machu Picchu is a sight that really needs to be seen in order to be believed. Our expert local guides help to answer your questions around the ancient city, detailing the history, significance, and myths surrounding it.

The classic way to see Machu Picchu is via the infamous Inca Trail. During the four-day walk, expert guides bring the landscape to life with their stories and explain the ancient beliefs of the indigenous Quechuan community. On the trek, walkers will pass archaeological sites, dramatic mountain vistas, and dense cloud forests, before arriving at Machu Picchu to watch an ethereal sunrise.

Dive at the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

One of the great natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is a huge draw for travelers in this picturesque corner of Australia. The awe-inspiring reef is the largest coral reef in the world, and as the largest living structure on the planet, it’s even visible from space.

Home to over 3,000 individual reef systems and an incredible wealth of biodiversity, it’s a paradise for animal lovers with 30 species of cetaceans and more than 1,500 types of fish.

Truly a bucket-list adventure, the Great Barrier Reef is best seen sooner rather than later. The threat to the Great Barrier Reef is so large that climate change is predicted to cause irreversible damage to the reef by 2030. There is hope though, with charities discovering new ways of restoring reefs and working to protect endangered species. Tourism has become far better managed too.

Conquer the peaks of the Himalayas, Nepal

If it’s your first time going on an epic hiking adventure, Nepal is a good option. It is not only home to the mighty mountain range of the Himalayas but it also features a collection of trails fit for all ages and abilities, all of which are guaranteed to thrill.

The Kathmandu Valley Trek is one worthy of anyone’s bucket list. It offers some spectacular mountain views of the Annapurna Range and Mount Everest from afar. In Kathmandu, you can also immerse yourself in the local culture. The region offers a plethora of heritage sites and if luck is on your side, you can even catch a traditional festival.

Need to know: While Nepal’s mountains are serenely beautiful, they can also be dangerous, with altitude also posing a risk to hikers. Always hike with a guide – they’ll be able to keep you safe, as well as share their fascinating knowledge of the country and its peaks.

Summit Mount Fuji in Japan

Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan, and its snowy summit is both an unmistakable symbol of the country and a sacred spot. People have been climbing it for millennia in search of spiritual enlightenment, but you don’t need to be a pilgrim to ascend this picturesque peak.

If you want to climb Mount Fuji, expect a fairly challenging trek. To see the sunrise from the top – an unforgettable experience – you’ll need to go part of the way up on the previous day and spend the night at a mountain hut.

Search for the northern lights in Iceland

There are plenty of adventurous things to do in Iceland, from glacier hikes to scenic road trips. But this particular activity is only possible after dark, when the sky comes alive with the ethereal beauty of the northern lights.

Sleeping under the stars is the best way to fully appreciate the aurora borealis, but that doesn’t mean you have to camp out in the cold. Certain spots in Iceland offer glass-walled igloos and even a glass ‘bubble’ to combine unobscured views of the sky with cosy comfort.

Paddle your way through New Zealand

New Zealand is a dream come true for thrill seekers, with a wide selection of adventure travel activities to get your adrenaline pumping. We’re partial to the ones that involve paddling down the country’s rushing rivers in a raft or exploring its coastline in a sea kayak.

One of our favourite experiences is sea kayaking in Queen Charlotte Sound: a more relaxed adventure that’s accessible for everyone. The full-day trip includes stops for snacks and a picnic lunch, plus the chance to swim and maybe even spot seals.

Cycle through the mountains of Switzerland

If you’re looking for adventure vacation ideas in Europe, allow us to suggest a mountain biking expedition through Switzerland. Although the Alps might call to mind snowier sports, it’s also possible to enjoy their staggering slopes on two wheels.

The valleys around Vevey (near Montreux) are among the most beautiful places in Switzerland and prime spots for cycling. We can arrange a guided trip on electric mountain bikes to help with the steeper ascents, including a stop to sample local products.

Go white water rafting in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is legendary for its adventurous activities, and the Pacuare Reserve is the perfect place to jump in. This remote nature area is home to all kinds of rare wildlife, but it’s also known as a world-class destination for paddling and rafting.

Here you’ll encounter rushing rapids, waterfalls, and pristine rainforest as you glide down the Pacuare River. If you’re still hungry for more, you can also go ziplining through the canopy or canyoning in the jungle.

Explore the canyons of Kazbegi National Park in Georgia

Georgia is one of our newer destinations, and Kazbegi National Park is without a doubt its outdoor adventure capital. We can organize excursions involving hiking and canyoning in the park, which is located right on the border with Russia.

Canyons like Martvili, Okatse, and Dashbashi offer unspoilt beauty and dramatic views. Descend into deep gorges, discover hidden caves, raft down narrow rivers and gaze up at glittering waterfalls. This is definitely among the best things to do in Georgia if you’re into adventure.

See mountain gorillas in Rwanda

The mountains of Rwanda are nothing short of magical, thanks in large part to the magnificent creatures who inhabit them. Head to Volcanoes National Park for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to encounter mountain gorillas in the wild.

Make Wilderness Bisate Lodge your home base for a gorilla trekking adventure, led by expert guides and fully respectful of this endangered species. You’ll join an experienced tracker to seek out gorilla families and observe them in their natural habitat.

Embark on a Sahara safari in Egypt

You might not find elephants and giraffes in Egypt, but you will find the enormous expanse of the Sahara Desert – every bit of it ripe for adventure. Traverse the rolling dunes on a quad bike, in a jeep or even on horseback to see what surprises await.

You might encounter prehistoric whale skeletons at Wadi El Hitan, surreal oases like Siwa, or the glassy surface of Lake Qarun. Whatever treasures you’re hoping to find, a Sahara safari should be high on your list of things to do in Egypt.

Get off the beaten track in Sri Lanka

Despite its small size, Sri Lanka abounds with unique attractions and exciting activities. Active travelers who want to go beyond the tourist track should take on the Pekoe Trail: a 300-kilometre (186-mile) route that winds through the central highlands.

You can select any of the trail’s 22 stages for a shorter adventure. Start in the lovely city of Kandy, where stage one begins, to combine your outdoor exploration with cultural immersion. We also recommend stage seven from Kotagala to Norwood, offering views of lush tea plantations.

Discover the Great Blue Hole in Belize

The Great Blue Hole is one of the world’s premier scuba diving destinations and an immensely impressive natural wonder. This underwater sinkhole is about 300 meters (1,000 feet) across, over 120 meters (400 feet) deep, and around 70 kilometers (43 miles) off the coast of Belize.

The Great Blue Hole is the kind of place every avid diver dreams of going, but it’s just as dangerous as it is legendary – so make sure you’re prepared and properly certified if you want to dive. It’s also possible to snorkel or even take a scenic helicopter ride to see it from above.

Discover the Mountains of Madeira, Portugal

For many people, solo travel is about journeying into the unknown, and there’s still a real feel of adventurous mystery around Madeira – the Portuguese island 600 miles (1000km) off the European mainland with jungles, mountains and big waves; where it’s warm all year round.

Madeira is an adventure playground. As our destination expert Marta Marinelli put it: “I was blown away by its primordial beauty. Think lush mountains, tropical nature, high cliffs and jagged peaks.” While the world is wising up, this stunning spot is still not quite on the mainstream radar, so solo travellers can easily get the feel they’re escaping the hustle and bustle.

I’ve always felt safe while visiting Madeira. The biggest risk to solo travellers is really the mountains and nature themselves, but for a relatively small island, there’s an impressive range of skilled, professional guides working here; from the canyons to the peaks and oceans. The island’s high point, Pico Ruivo, makes for one of the best hikes on Madeira; and there’s a lot to be said for catching your breath with some yoga surrounded by ancient woodland.

Go Wildlife Watching on the Galapagos Islands

If you love wildlife, and want an easy way to meet people while you’re solo travelling, then a visit to the Galapagos Islands seems an obvious choice. There are few more iconic wildlife watching spots on the globe than these famous islands, which once inspired Charles Darwin, and which are home to giant tortoises, reef sharks and blue-footed boobies.

“One of the best ways to see marine wildlife here is through scuba diving,” says local expert Henry Sisa, “but you don’t have to dive to see animals. Walking around, you’ll find lots of animals and if you’re snorkelling, you have a chance to play with some of those animals. Sea lions come around you, and you’ll see lots of penguins. It’s like a paradise here on earth.”

The very nature of a visit to these UNESCO-protected islands, where tourism is regulated, means that you’re also naturally going to end up in scenarios where you can chat to other travellers; whether on boat tours or beaches. Don’t worry, you can still get a slice of silence and tranquillity without much bother, too. It’s tough to hold a conversation with a snorkel in your mouth.

Walk the Albanian Riviera

Albania is rightly gaining a lot of traction as an adventure-friendly spot, and for very good reason. Sitting on the Balkan Peninsula, with Adriatic and Ionian coastlines, crossed by the Albanian Alps, there’s a whole lot to see here – whether on the coast or the mountains. It’s also an incredibly affordable spot, which naturally often plays a big part in choosing a destination for solo travel. Your money goes further here than it may elsewhere.

While the coastal regions are well known as an affordable destination for flop and fry summer holidays, and can get busy during peak season, head to the mountains or out to the hiking trails on the Albanian Riviera in the shoulder season and you’ll often have the lush, delightful scenery all to yourself.

“Come in the off season and there’s fewer people, the prices are lower and the locals are more relaxed, so you get a much more authentic insight,” says local guide Ricardo Fahrig. “You’re going to meet a lot more locals.” The Albanian Riviera hasn’t been heavily developed, Ricardo says. “It’s on the Ionian Sea. Corfu is just 45 minutes across. You have a backdrop of 2000m mountains, high coast, olive groves and plants, and you stay at family-run guest houses.”

Search for the Lost City in Colombia

There’s a real trail community on the hike to Teyuna – an ancient citadel hidden in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains of Colombia, the highest coastal mountain range on earth. The site is better known as Ciudad Perdida, or the Lost City, and it dates back to 800AD.

Unsurprisingly, there aren’t a whole lot of accommodation options in the middle of the rainforest, so you’ll have plenty of chances to socialise with other travellers at the end of each of your hiking days. The beauty of a long-distance trail like this is that it also offers the best of both options when you’re hiking the trail. Chat away to the other walkers in your group, or just take a few hours to yourself, looking out over the remarkably green, layering jungles of Colombia.

On my solo trip here I ended up in a game of 5-aside football versus the Colombian army in the middle of the jungle – and met good friends I’m still in touch with. So who knows what’ll happen. The city of Santa Marta, on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, is a pretty lush place to return to afterwards, as well.

Kayak through Mangroves in Thailand

It’s not just the bustling streets of Bangkok that make Thailand a solo travel institution. Kayaking and canoeing through the waters of the country, from Khao Sok Lake to Ao Phang Nga National Park, is an experience you won’t be forgetting anytime soon. The country is an affordable adventure paradise.

“I love solo travelling in Thailand,” says magazine Deputy Editor Dani Redd. “People are used to tourists, men tend to be very respectful. I feel very safe navigating the country as a single female. Beyond this, the food is unbelievably good, the beaches are gorgeous, and there’s plenty of opportunity for adventure. I recommend visiting Ko Yao Yai, an island near Phuket, to kayak through the mangroves, hike through the rubber plantations, and for the quiet beaches.”

Take on the Guatemala 5 Volcano Challenge

Guatemala is a remarkably beautiful country in Central America – and it’s very affordable too. That’s a key solo travel couplet ticked off right there. More to the point, where else in the world can you go and hike up five different volcanoes in less than 10 days? You can reach the high point of Central America, the 4,220m Tajumulco, on a trip in Guatemala, but the highlight is surely watching the continuously erupting Volcan de Fuego, and seeing the sunrise from Acatenango.

Go Coast to Coast on Costa Rica

Costa Rica has established itself as an ecotourism haven. What that means for soloists is that the locals are incredibly well used to welcoming tourists and that there’s already excellent infrastructure for adventure tourism in place.

What a place to explore, too. Costa Rica is a paradise of lush jungle, mangroves, beautiful rivers and incredible wildlife. There are around half a million species known to live in Costa Rica. That’s about 5% of all species on Earth.

If you’re looking for a particularly special way to see the island, why not cross it?

Journey from one coast of Costa Rica to the other and you’ll be going from one lush coastline to another – through cloud forest, mountain villages and virgin rainforest teeming with wildlife. Head up and over the Continental Divide, enjoy eco-camps on the Pacuare River and discover swimming spots in the rainforest.

Venture off the West Coast of Scotland

I may be biased given that I’ve lived here for over two decades, but Scotland is a country famed for its hospitality and easy to navigate by public transport – two things that make it an excellent solo travel destination. It’s also a country that keeps giving in terms of adventure, from the hills of the Borders to the lochs, bens and glens of the Highlands.

My favourite coastline to explore has always been the west, though. It’s especially rugged and beautiful. The beaches are sublime and the views out to the islands are breathtaking. The kayaking around Arisaig is superb, with views over to the Small Isles of Eigg and Rùm. Venture to the latter and you’ll find an island not often visited, with a terrific mountain ridgeline. Go further north, of course, and you can explore the legendary Isle of Skye, home to some of Scotland’s finest Munros. Keep an eye out for dolphins or minke whales swimming in the water.

Take on the Grande Traversée of Réunion Island

The Grande Traversée of La Réunion is a 14-day walking route which takes you from the north of this far-flung island to the south.

Before we get into the details of it, let’s take a step back for a moment. Réunion Island is a French outpost which sits in the Indian Ocean, 435 miles (700km) off the east coast of Madagascar. It’s a remarkable place, with a diverse landscape.

“Réunion is a small island,” Clement Ailloud told us, a trekking expert on Reunion. “It’s 50 miles (80km) from north to south and 40 miles (64km) west to east, but you have so many incredible landscapes within that – volcanoes, big summits over 3,000m (9,842ft), you have lovely lagoon beaches and the inner city with Hindu temples, churches, mosques. For me, it’s a paradise.”

Walk the Grande Traversée and you’ll see a whole lot of that, from the high volcanoes of Piton des Neiges (the highest point in the Indian Ocean, at 3,070m/10,0072ft) to Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. You’ll walk the ‘cirques’, huge natural amphitheatres, and go from ocean to ocean, where if you’re lucky, you can see breaching humpback whales.

Climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

If solo travel is empowering by nature, then it only gets more so when you chuck one of the world’s great mountains into the mix. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, is one of the seven great summits, and the sense of accomplishment upon reaching the top is enormous.

Now, to decide to travel alone is one thing. To book yourself a guide to take you up a 5,895m mountain is quite another. If the idea piques your interest, you’re our kind of person. This is another of those great treks where you’ll be able to meet people easily by joining a small group, but you will also be able to have solitary time on the trail too. Add on a safari afterwards and there’s no doubt you’ll be remembering this wild adventure for the rest of your life.