All Things Travel Podcast
Listen in each week with Creating Magic Vacations Travel Advisors and destination experts Ryan and Julie.
He is your travel professor, teaching you everything you need to know to have a magical vacation. She is a Disney-loving, Maryland mom of 3 and a specialist in family travel.
Whether they're discussing incredible destinations, top vacation tips, or sharing personal stories…it’s always All Things Travel.
All Things Travel Podcast
Solo Travel: Top Tips, Destinations & Why You Should Try It!
Ever considered traveling solo? Whether you're craving adventure, self-discovery, or just want to experience a destination at your own pace, solo travel offers incredible benefits! In this episode, we’ll discuss:
✅ Why Solo Travel? The perks of freedom, flexibility & personal growth.
✅ Top Solo Travel Destinations – U.S. & international spots perfect for solo explorers.
✅ Solo Travel Tips – Safety, budgeting, and making the most of your journey.
✅ Navigating Accommodations & Tours – Finding the best solo-friendly experiences.
📍 Listener Spotlight: A special shoutout to Perth, Australia—home to the adorable Quokka and beautiful Rottnest Island! 🦘
💡 Thinking of planning your own solo adventure? We can help! Visit AllThingsTravelPodcast.com to start planning your dream trip.
🎧 Tune in now & embrace the adventure of solo travel!
#SoloTravel #TravelTips #AdventureAwaits #AllThingsTravel
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Hello and welcome to all things travel. While we often discuss travel for couples, families, and groups on this show, solo travel is on the rise and for a good reason. There are so many options for solo travelers and today we'll discuss considerations, locations, and tips for your next solo travel vacation.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Listen in with travel advisors and destination experts Ryan and Julie. is your travel professor teaching you everything you need to know to have a magical vacation I am a Disney loving Maryland mom of three and a specialist in family travel. Whether we're discussing incredible destinations, top vacation tips, or sharing personal stories, it's always all things travel.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Alright Julie, let's talk about solo travel. Have you ever done it?
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:I've left my family by myself, but I'm usually meeting up with a friend. So not, completely by myself. No.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:I have done a bit of solo travel. In fact, in a month or so i'm going to be traveling to europe by myself I will be meeting up with folks when i'm there But a lot of my trip is going to be solo even though i'm going to be on a river cruise. I am not traveling with anybody So that'll be my next solo experience. growing up as an only child, I'm kind of used to alone time. That doesn't really bother me.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:I mean, alone time sounds really lovely, but I am like, I'm like a little bit of like a nervous traveler, so I don't know that I would love flying and all the logistics by myself. I don't know that I could do that.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Well, we're going to talk about some benefits here in a second that I think may sway you a little bit. But first, I want to remind folks, if you did not listen to last week's show, speaking of flying, we talked all about the different entry requirements and ID requirements and passport renewals. So all that nitty gritty that you need to know to make sure that your next trip to Europe or your next flight is all taken care of. Julie, you talk about. Traveling by yourself, but one of the benefits of solo travel. First and foremost is you have complete freedom so you can travel at your own pace. There's no compromises. yes, you may be a nervous traveler, but you can do it however you want.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:I can eat whatever I want at the airport. I can do whatever I want on the plane.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:The second benefit is personal growth, right? you're doing something that's kind of stretching you a little bit. You're building confidence and independence. Again, maybe there's some problem solving skills with trying to figure out what to do. As long as you're safe, I think that's an awesome benefit for solo travel.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Yeah, that's a good point.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:I think this also allows you to have deeper cultural immersion because it is easier to connect with locals and embrace new experiences if you're the one calling the shots, right? If you're really interested in a certain type of thing or a certain, type of food or maybe seeing a certain type of the city, you can allow yourself the time and energy to be able to do that.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:True, if you're by yourself and you want to have an experience, it's up to you to have the experience, you have to immerse yourself
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Yep, absolutely. So, the last benefit for solo travel, and what do we talk about a problem with multi generational travel or group travel being?
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Planning?
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Planning. Everybody's gotta say, everybody's got an opinion, but what's the benefit of solo travel? Whose opinion matters?
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Just yours.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Just yours,
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:any different from when you regularly travel, Ryan?
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:not when I regularly travel, but when others regularly travel, you can have brunch on the day that you want to have brunch. You can stay out late this night. You can go to bed early if you want to, when it comes to planning and budgeting, you really decide where you want to put the money, where you want to put the time and resources and focus on what you want to get out of the vacation. I love that aspect of solo travel. however, we do want to think about some considerations, Julie, when we're planning this type of trip. What is the first one? And I bet it's going to be an obvious one.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Safety. And honestly, this is one that I was hoping we were going to mention So a couple of key things. First, as always, stay aware of your surroundings. Keep your eyes open. don't have your nose down in your phone or a book be cautious if you're in an unfamiliar area, especially at night. So, like, to me, it's 1 thing to say, I'm going to travel solo to Disney because I know where everything is like the back of my hands, but it's another to say, I'm going to travel solo to Jamaica where I'm, not as well traveled
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:you're going to have to know where you can be, where you can't be.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Right. Another is to share your itinerary, which is something we do anyways when we travel, let someone close to you know your plans and have a plan in place of when you're going to check in with each other In a very unfortunate event that you miss a check in, they may know, to find another way to reach you. trust your instincts. If something feels off, remove yourself from that situation. There's a lot of safety equipment and devices that you can carry on you, and a lot of these things have been You know, a little more popular, especially in the female population
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Yep.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:that you can carry with you, even just something as simple as a doorstop to keep in your room and things like that. I've seen a lot of new tech Gadgets pop up that can keep you safe
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Yeah, absolutely. And I think that's a great idea for anybody, but definitely be aware of what you need to keep yourself safe. The second consideration is budgeting. So maybe look for solo friendly accommodations, maybe hostels with private rooms, smaller boutique hotels. Airbnb's can be budget friendly. You just want to keep in mind those extra fees, but you're looking for stuff that doesn't have that single supplement i'm even working with a group of women right now that want to do a river cruise but they all want their own cabins. They want to travel As solo passengers even though they're group of friends and so finding the right river cruise line for them has become really important
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Let's just back up a second and explain single supplement So single supplement, which this was something that was confusing to me when I first got into the travel industry as well that's why I think a lot of people might not know what that is a lot of times we price out a trip for clients, think of like a cruise or an all inclusive vacation and you think, well, if I just have one person, it'll be cheaper,
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Yes
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Sometimes it's honestly more expensive. You're paying at least the price of two guests. the reason for that is that the cruise line is counting on having two people in that room where the resort is counting on having two people in that room. So you're having to pay a single supplement, which means that your room is not going to be half the price of somebody who's paying for two.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:I will tell you from working with single travelers, that can be a challenge to find the right fit. The next one is using public transportation. taxis, ride shares can add up quickly. So instead, maybe learn the local metro, bus, or bike rental options. I love using the subway in cities. Obviously, we want to have that safety mindset but those can be really budget friendly for solo travelers. And then this last one I really like, Dine Smart. opting for local markets, food halls, or dining at lunch. you tend to have cheaper options, when it comes to budgeting. But also two, maybe if you have that stigma or nervousness to dine by yourself in a restaurant, lunch tends to be a friendlier time to do that, if you will.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:so the next thing to consider is the social aspects of it. consider joining a group tour or classes while you're on the trip. It could be something like a walking tour, cooking classes, or any adventurous excursion But an easy way to be in a group with other travelers, to allow you to interact with others on your trip. You can also consider staying in a social accommodation, something like a hostel, a co living space, or a hotel that has a communal area. That could be a great way to meet some people while you're traveling in your destination. There's also some travel friendly apps that can help connect you with other travelers or locals. like Meetup, Eat With, or Solo Traveler.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:And the last area is packing and logistics. when you think about how you're going to pack and what you're going to take with you, know that since you're going by yourself, you're in charge of everything. maybe packing light with a carry on or a backpack, making sure that you have everything that you need as far as a power bank and all that kind of stuff you're in charge of. yourself when you travel, which is really good because you're not having to take things for other people, but you're also don't have anybody else to rely on during that travel time. So Julie, next we're going to talk about some good solo traveler locations around the world. I'm really excited to talk about some of these. But first, I want to talk about where in the world does all things travel. And a really cool one popped up this week when I looked at new locations. And that was Perth, Australia.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Ooh, that's a fun one.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:And so what I found in Perth was Rottnest Island. Rottnest Island is a must visit destination when in Perth. Located just a short ferry trip from Perth, the island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, as well as the famous, adorable Quokka. Do you know what a quokka is? So this marsupial, so, so a few years ago, there was this Instagram craze of this smiling animal. Do you remember what I'm talking about? And they would say it was the happiest animal in the world because it had this big grin on its face. That's a quokka. And I would be so excited to go hang out with the quokkas. They are not scared of humans. They like to hang out with you. I think that'd be a lot of fun.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Can you spell this animal?
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:it is Q U O K K A, Quokka.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:then.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Alright, so hey, Perth, we are so excited that you are listening to us all the way from Australia. I would love to send you a little thank you gift that you can show off to your Quokka friends for being featured on today's show. So do us a favor, you can email Julie or myself, or you can, go to allthingstravelpodcast. com and click on the contact us because I want to send you a little thank you gift
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:That was a fun one.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:All right, julie So best solo travel destinations first I want to talk about u. s destinations And then you're going to share some international destinations with us. So looking at the united states first is asheville North Carolina. It is great for nature lovers. It has an artsy culture and it also has a lot of breweries and public places where solo travelers would really be able to connect if they'd want to do that with other folks. You've got Portland, Oregon. quirky, foodie friendly. It's very easy to navigate. It's a fun city to explore. This next one has been on my list for a while and I can't really explain why. Every time I see pictures of it, it just looks amazing. that's Santa Fe, New Mexico. If you are an art lover, it has such a unique culture and it has a really relaxed vibe that I think solo travelers could really dig in and see a lot. and be able to plan the trip exactly how they want.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Alright, next up.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Alright, this next one you know is close to my heart. I absolutely love this city, and that is Chicago, Illinois. And why do we talk about this for solo travelers? One, it's very economical for a large city. It's walkable. It has tons of museums and it has really good public transportation. So I think Chicago is a good fit. And then lastly is San Diego, California. It's laid back. There's beachy vibes. There's plenty of activities for as active and relaxed as you want to be. I think A solo traveler would really dig San Diego. All right, but internationally, there's some good choices here, Julie. What are some of them?
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Okay, so I don't know how many of these I would be comfortable going solo
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Oh my gosh, all these sound amazing to me.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Okay, well, I mean, I'd like to go, I just don't think I'd like to go solo. But if
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:it. Okay.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:let's go through them. The first one is Kyoto, Japan. it is safe. It is solo friendly. It has great public transportation and a lot of cultural experiences. I do think that this would be a great destination for traveling solo. I just think I'd want to share it with someone.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:All right.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:The next up is Lisbon over in Portugal. It's really welcoming. It's a little more affordable than other destinations, and it's also really walkable. This could also be, a great way to go and see a couple other places in Europe just because it's easy to get around from there.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Why not add it to a Doro river cruise?
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:That's what I was thinking of cruise. we're going to have Ryan pop in and pronounce this one for me.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Oh, come on, Julie. It's Reykjavik, Iceland.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Reykjavik.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Yes,
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:So it's one of the safest places and it's really great for outdoor adventures. I also think that when you see a lot of pictures come out of Iceland, there's always a crowd of people doing those fun outdoor adventures. it could be a great place to meet people. Then we have Amsterdam over in the Netherlands. It's really bike friendly, it's easy to do solo exploration, and it's another great kickoff point for those river cruises.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:it is an absolutely beautiful city and saying that it's bike friendly is like the most underwhelming statement of the year. It is bike insane, and if you are not watching yourself in the bike lanes, you will get run over and. They love their bikes All right, what's the last one, Julie?
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Bangkok, Thailand. the great thing about going here is that it is more budget friendly. It's really vibrant. it just makes it a great destination. But there's also a lot of solo travelers. as you're exploring around the city, you're not the only one traveling solo.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:All right, so to sum up the ideas here today, top five solo travel tips. One, start small. If you're new to solo travel, try a weekend trip first. Don't feel like you have to do that, multi city trip or that international trip. Stay connected. Have an international phone plan and use Wi Fi apps to check in with folks and also know where you are when it comes to maps, confirmations, all that good stuff. Number three, join group tours and activities. It's a great way to meet people, but also maintain independence. If you meet people you want to continue having some time with, that's great. If not, when the tour is over, you can be on your way. Number four, trust your gut. If something feels off, it's time to leave the situation. And number five, embrace the experience. Solo travel can be rewarding. You can lean into the freedom and the spontaneity to really do what you want to do. And one thing I will add, Julie, with that trust your gut is, I have been to a lot of places in North America and Europe, and I have not been to a place where people are not willing to help. If they can tell that you're concerned, if they can tell that you are unsure as a tourist, There are very few places where people will not step in and help you out, whether it's somebody from a shop, whether it's somebody even on the street, if you're asking directions, we're all in this together. And I think that's a real sense of, comfort when it comes to being a solo traveler.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Well, and two, I think that goes so much with just being aware of your surroundings, right? Just staying in public areas, you won't even get into that situation
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:So, to wrap this up, have I convinced you? Would you like to do a solo trip?
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:I just like, because we're just in such different
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Times in our lives,
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:Yes. Like I would just miss my family, but I got it. I get, I get it. And, but I do want to like, just clarify one thing about solo travel. Doesn't mean you have to be completely by yourself the whole time. It just means you are potentially getting there by yourself, right? It could be you're going on a tour.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Yes.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:you didn't go there with people.
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:Absolutely.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:to wander a city by
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:No. No. No. Absolutely. Absolutely.
j_1_02-23-2025_191646:want to plan a trip to an amazing destination, but don't know how to get started as your travel advisors We work with you to create a customized itinerary For your vacation and take the stress of planning away so you can focus on the fun and creating memories can reach out to us at all things travel podcast comm and click contact us or plan your next trip
ryan_1_02-23-2025_191646:We look forward to talking to you next week on All Things Travel when we talk about choosing the right ship and stateroom for that next cruise vacation.
