29/12/2020
First time Solo Travellers? Not to worry, there are lots of destinations for the first timers-
When I was deciding to travel solo, I was very nervous, to go or not to go. Being an introvert it was even more difficult. Talking to strangers and living with them for days, these thoughts used to bring a chill down my spine. I kept going back and forth on my decision, from deciding to go, to planning to go and then to actually going. And finally I decided to take the leap! The hardest part was making the decision to go. And trust me, once you overcome that everything else will fall into place. I found my stride and I enjoyed it so much that I laughed at how scared I was at the thought.
Travelling alone is a gift. It has the power to transform you fundamentally. You are presented with daily opportunities to learn and grow and as a result youâll discover just as much about yourself as you will about the world.
Since it can be overwhelming deciding where to go for your first time Iâve compiled a list of destinations I loved, and Iâm sure you will love it too:
Thailand â Thailand is without a doubt one of the best solo travel destinations in the world. The land of smiles is first on my list â itâs the perfect spot to âtest the water.â Affordable, easy to travel, friendly and very good connectivity as Bangkok is well connected by multiple flights from destinations across the globe. The chaotic charm of Bangkok, the laid back hippy vibes of Chiang Mai and the paradise like islands are just some of the things that pull you in. And, the insane nightlife, incredible food and world class hostels donât hurt either! I recommend starting in Bangkok or Chiang Mai up north. There are so many activities like cooking courses, temples, elephant rides and many more. Then head south to any of the gorgeous and pristine beaches. More exotic ones (Phi Phi Islands, Koh Phangan) or the popular ones (Phuket,Krabi). Koh Phanganâs full moon party is every bit as wild as you might expect. You have been warned !
Japan â One of the cleanest, safest, most polite and most organised countries Iâve ever visited. No one stares, no one questions if or why youâre alone and its normal to see women eating or on public transportation alone. Eating alone has always been intimidating to me, so Japan helped me get over it as eating alone is a norm here and hence itâs an awesome place to practice the art of dining alone as well. In Japan you can opt for the capsule hotel, which is very similar to a hostel. If you need some rest from the glitzy city of Tokyo, you can take a bullet train to Kyoto, where youâll find plethora of shrines, gardens and temples. But remember one thing, no matter where on the island your Japanese travels take you, be sure to visit during the spring time to see the gorgeous cherry blossom in bloom.
Bali, Indonesia â Bali is a welcoming, friendly place and a top destination for solo travellers. In Bali youâre going to find a whole lot of other travellers â some like-minded some not so much to meet and mingle with. There are tons of incredible hostels to stay in, and a huge selection of adventures to have for yourself on this Indonesian island. And to top it all, Bali is safe to travel alone too. With its elaborate temples, white sandy beaches, some of the worldâs best coral reefs, waterfalls, retreats and yoga community that rivals all others, Bali combines leisure and adventure impeccably. Whether its catching waves with a surfing lesson, exploring rice terraces on the outskirts of Ubud before getting your inner eat pray love on with a spot of yoga and meditation- this trip will change you. Bali, is the island where you come to get back in touch with who you are as a human being. The island boasts of the best sunsets and sunrises, enough to captivate and entice you into never leaving this place. The easiest, most comfortable, most affordable island to get around ever! Most adventures on this island are 1 or 2 hours away from any given point.
Jordan â Jordan is a stunning country to explore. It is a safe, touristic destination that welcomes all types of travellers. For first time solo travellers I would however recommend a group tour. Being a male dominated country, the women that you encounter on the streets cover their head with a scarf or veil. So my suggestions is to dress modestly and respect the culture to experience this mystical country.
Its main attraction âPetraâ famously known at the âRose Cityâ because of its stunning architecture carved out in pink sandstone attracts hoards of visitors each year. Today, Petra is among the Seven Wonders of the World. After visiting Petra you can travel to Wadi Rum desert which is around 2.5 hours by road. The red creamy dunes, basalt and sandstone mountains make Wadi Rum a truly magical destination. Sleeping in the Bedouin tents, star gazing in the middle of nowhere is an experience you will never forget. Wadi Rum is one of my favourite places on Earth and Jordanâs iconic destination. The Dead Sea, bordered by Israel is the lowest point on earth at 400 metres below sea level and you simply have to experience floating in the Dead Sea. Going solo to this world renowned spa is no problem as everyone is happy and smothering themselves with mud packs.
Jordan has an added advantage of not being crowded, and if you like history, biblical sites, pampering and ancient ruins, itâs a great place to go.
Rishikesh, India â Rishikesh situated in the Himalayan foothills beside the Holy River Ganges, is a holy town famous for its iconic aartis offered to the Ganges and is also a paradise for adventure seekers. Rishikesh is a popular destination in India, a safe place to be at and an ideal one for the women solo travellers. The locals here are respectful and mindful of the many tourists they receive throughout the year.
Rishikesh is popular for its white water rafting and offers a long list of adventure activities including bungee jumping, mountain biking, trekking, ziplining and camping.
Yoga in Rishikesh is a must-to-do-thing. Known as the yoga capital of the globe, Rishikesh is home to many world-famous yoga schools and meditation centres. Whether you are totally new to yoga or looking for a teacher training course, you must explore yoga in Rishikesh. Rishikesh has a lot of ashrams given its spiritual supremacy. Most ashrams offer free yoga classes morning and evening, conduct meditation sessions, workshops and lectures on philosophy and spirituality. Though spirituality comes from within, being at the ashrams is very enchanting and calming. The tranquil vibe is perfect to soothe both your mind and body.
Café culture in Rishikesh is relatively new, but it has caught up well and really quickly. Being a sacred place, Rishikesh offers the most hygienic and pure vegetarian food serving a variety of cuisines. Rishikesh is a traveling treat that offers diverse experiences, all in the middle of the breath-taking Himalayas.