If you’ve never travelled solo before, a really good way of gaining the courage to go it alone is to book a holiday doing something that you love. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook French cuisine, dance Cuban Salsa or you just need a boot camp to get you in shape for a wedding you need to attend. That’s where these unique experiences come in.
Not only do you get to learn a new skill or do something that you really enjoy but you’ll get to be in a group with other like-minded people too. Plus someone else arranges everything for you, so all you need to do is take a flight and turn up at your destination to be looked after. A great way of travelling solo.
Maybe you’ve solo travelled before and are looking for a unique experience to give your trip that added edge? Here’s something different for your next solo travels…
Fitness
Fitness Adventure Travel
Having personally met Rob, the Founder, I can vouch for his passion for fitness. If you’ve ever wanted to come back from a trip slimmer and fitter than when you left, take a Fitness Adventure holiday. Get fit in Marrakech, Costa Rica, Thailand or if you’re feeling really adventurous – climb Mount Kilimanjaro with a lovely group of people in tow. I love this concept!
Bear Grylls Survival Academy
So this isn’t for everyone because it is intensive but if spending 5 days in Scotland, Bear Grylls-style is on your bucket list, go for it. Not only do you learn life-saving survival skills but also how to be an effective team member. Courses are limited to 10 participants.
Dancing Holidays
For me this is the perfect holiday, learning to dance and visiting a new country at the same time. Whether you want to salsa in Cuba, jive in Austria, or tango in Granada, (if you can’t make it all the way to Argentina) they have all types of dancing. So you can go holiday, learn to dance and meet others women who love to dance too. A winning combination.
Yoga Trekking
If you love yoga and you love trekking, this is the perfect combination for exploring the Himalayas on a trip to Nepal. You don’t have to go all the way to the top of Everest either as they offer one day yoga tours for those on a tighter schedule.
Chi Kung Retreats
You may not have heard of it but Chi Kung is an ancient healing art which uses gentle movements to change and increase your energy levels. After spending 3 days at this Chi Kung retreat in Italy I left feeling calmer, happier and well rested. If you’re looking for something different to yoga and pilates retreats, I definitely recommend Chi Kung.
Pilates Holidays
If a pilates retreat is more your thing then join a Pilates holiday in Italy. Choose from various places in Italy such as Tuscany, Sicily, Puglia, or the Amalfi Coast. If you are new to pilates, they also offer beginner retreats. There is no single supplement, you can learn how to cook Italian style and you also get wine included. The full Italian experience!.
Adventure
Extreme Tornado Tours
Okay so this isn’t for everyone and if you don’t like bad weather then it’s definitely not for you. But if you like tornados, this is a unique chance to accompany a veteran storm chaser and get close to some of the most powerful forces of Mother Nature. Tours last between 7 to 10 days and you get a t-shirt at the end to prove that you survived.
Fly in a fighter jet!
If you’ve ever wanted to fly a jet fighter, you can now make your dreams come true, even if you’ve never flown any type of plane before. But be prepared to hold on tight as you perform loop manoeuvres with your flight instructor guiding you along the way. Flights operate in Europe, Asia and the USA.
Kayak the Nile
Instead of sailing down the Nile why not kayak it instead? Kayak the Nile offers whitewater rafting along the world’s longest river (not all of it obviously) but on a full day trip in Uganda. There’s flat water kayaking and stand up paddle boarding if you prefer to experience the milder side of the water.
Cultural
Art Safaris
See the world and paint as you go. Art safaris are a unique concept with painting tours all over the world. Paint azure skies in Crete, the skyline in New York or butterflies and bears in Slovenia. There are also UK workshops to practice your watercolours or sketching.
Singing Holidays & Retreats
Sing your way to a holiday on a singing retreat and learn how to sing in stunning locations in Barbados, New York and the UK. Not only will you find yourself empowered but you’ll also have fun, and meet new people all with the same interest as you. The retreats are for people of all levels. Perfect if you enjoy singing on holiday.
On Location Tours
Okay, so this isn't really cultural and is more of a celebrity tour but if you’ve ever wanted to see the city locations of your favourite American television series then one of these tours could be right up your street. From The Real Housewives of New York City to Sex in the City, you can experience New York City or Boston through the eyes of a TV star.
Food & Drink
Food is such an important part of travelling the world, sampling different cuisine whether it’s accompanied by a good wine or just local street food, every country has their own dishes to offer.
Trip Feast
Trip Feast was born with the aim of helping you discover and learn the secrets of the world’s best cuisines. They offer culinary tours to the world’s tastiest destinations including India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Morocco.
Gascony Cookery School
French food is one of the world’s finest cuisine and the Gascony Cookery School offers a cooking holiday with a difference. Located in Gramont, a historical quaint village, you’ll learn how to cook dishes in classic French style whether you are an absolute beginner or a master chef.
Cooking Holidays in Italy
Pizza, pasta and great coffee. Where better to go on a cooking holiday than Italy. Flavours Holidays are great for solo travellers. There is no single supplement and each group is a small size plus you can read stories from others to help make your mind up. Courses are from 4 days to a week in regions such as Tuscany, Puglia, Sicily, Amalfi, and the beautifully classic Venice.
Culinary Vacations
This site is really easy to search and covers cooking holidays all over the world such as Italy, Vietnam, USA, Spain and France. It’s a bit like a mini Trip Advisor and works as a search engine for cooking holidays, listing reviews to help you decide which trip to take.
Scotlands Malt Whisky Trail
Named as the only malt whisky trail in the world, these unique experience will take you on a journey through Scottish distilleries to places such as the home of Glenfiddich. A whisky lover’s dream.
Wildlife
Become a Game Ranger in Africa
If you’ve ever fancied yourself as a game ranger, this holiday has to be for you. In an intense 2 week programme you’ll gain an introduction into the wildlife in the Kruger area in Africa covering topics such as ecology, tracking and wildlife behaviour.
Tiger Tours
Known as the national symbol of India, tigers are now vulnerable to extinction. Taking a tiger safari is a responsible way of seeing these amazing cats in the wild and an ethical alternative to tiger temples (which are known to drug the cats). Responsible Travel list a number of tiger tours in India as well as a tiger safari travel guide to answer all your questions about tiger spotting.
Wildlife Holidays
Wildlife Worldwide know a think or two about seeing people on wildlife holidays. They have won a number of awards and only work with local operators and guides for wildlife viewing in countries from Africa to Alaska. They offer small group travel with fixed departures.
History
Battlefields Tours
Not everyone’s cup of tea, but for those who are interested in war history, Leger Holidays offer battlefield tours to the D-Day Landings in Normandy, Waterloo Battlefields and Menin Gate in Ypres, and more. Their style is more of a coach holiday with accommodation and breakfast included, and packages start from 4 days.
Holidays in Historic Buildings
The Landmark Trust offers short breaks in restored historical buildings. Stay a few nights in a castle in Wales, the Duke of Windsor’s former residence in France or a historical gem in Belgium. You’ll find historic buildings throughout the UK and Europe.
Humanitarian
Relief Riders International
I love this humanitarian travel company. If you want to combine your holiday with humanitarian work, Relief Riders gives you the opportunity to ride horseback through remote areas whilst providing humanitarian aid to local people. Join relief rides in the Andes/Amazon, Pushkar, and Rajasthan.
Capsule Hotels
Fancy staying in a concept hotel? Originally from Japan, pod hotels are cool, funky and unique…
Beijing – Jiang Tai Art Hotel
I stayed at this place during my visit to China. As well as sleeping in the ‘honeycomb residence,’ I received a free night pack with my very own pyjamas for the night. There is the option of staying in a room with a window but you simply have to try out the wooden pod. It’s an experience!
Seoul – Metro Spa Cabin & Sauna
South Korean’s love their spas and Metro Spa Cabin & Sauna has three saunas, all with unique properties. You can stay overnight in your own wooden cabin, absorbing the healing properties and the scent of eucalyptus. Each small cabin is made of a special wood which enhances peace and wellbeing and helped build a healthy heart. Read my experience here…
Netherlands – Capsule Hotel
Once an oil rig survival pod, these UFO looking capsules are now hotel suites. From the basic to a James Bond-style pod, you’ll find this funky concept in the Netherlands.
Stay in a Yotel
What is a Yotel? A very cool, small but smart hotel located inside an airport. Not only do they offer a first class experience at an affordable price (and free tea and coffee) but you can just book a cabin for a minimum of 4 hours if you have a layover at the airport. Originally just in London airports, they have now expanded their collection to Paris, Amsterdam, and New York. I can’t wait to stay in one!
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Hello,
I am the owner and founder of a new tour company on the beautiful Caribbean island St. Vincent and the Grenadines. When I discovered your site I thought how amazing as it everything I am trying to build for my community but centred in the Caribbean and specifically in SVG. Our tours are designed as a starter kit for the aspiring solo traveller, we have everything prepared for the first step. The tours include a 7 days homestay with a local family so that women can experience the lifestyle authentically. A local buddy or friend is paired with the traveller based on age and interest and most of all the tours include hands on workshops such as cooking and African drums which is traditional for the island. Our goal is to encourage more women to travel solo and to ensure that your first experience is amazing make SVG your first stop. We give tips and advise as a follow up to equip our clients to plan their next trip efficiently and effectively.