There are moments when the wisest course is to chart your own path and travel in your own good time. The art of travelling alone lies in setting off on your own terms, venturing beyond the common and conventional routes for unforgettable moments. For travellers who choose to go it alone yet keep every comfort, the world reveals itself in a different light. Safety is integral, with no concession on luxury, so each experience is made to fit one’s exact preferences.
Solo travel, now gaining momentum, was recognised by industry leaders at the Forbes Travel Guide Summit. The trend is cited as a defining movement with cruises and hotels responding by introducing curated offerings such as dedicated solo staterooms and tailored excursions, reflecting a wider shift towards journeys designed to welcome the solitary traveller.
Across continents, certain places stand out for their ability to pair solitude with refinement, each offering a world to be explored at your own pace. Selected for their proven safety, distinguished luxury infrastructure, and ability to deliver bespoke experiences for the solo traveller, these destinations are underpinned by insights from highly respected travel guides.
Kyoto, Japan
In Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, luxury rests upon centuries-old foundations. This is a city of historic temples, serene gardens, and refined culture. Exquisite ryokans such as Hoshinoya Kyoto, The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, and Gion Hatanaka offer private open-air onsens, Michelin-starred kaiseki dining, and service steeped in omotenashi – the Japanese art of wholehearted hospitality. Days might be spent in contemplative tea ceremonies, walking under the vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari, or enjoying seasonal temple illuminations and private cherry blossom viewings. Kyoto offers safety, civility, and the rare gift of unhurried time, making it an ideal choice for the solo traveller in search of quiet enrichment.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai has the highest density of five-star hotels in the world (ahead of London and Paris), offering an unmatched choice for luxury-minded visitors. The city is now boasting over 20 Michelin-starred restaurants and is recognised as the safest city in the world for solo travellers. Though luxury might be in architectural icons like the Burj Khalifa or the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, the real magic of the experience lies in the ability to curate privacy within a cosmopolitan setting. One morning might begin with a private yoga session on a secluded beach at sunrise; another, with an early-access visit to the Museum of the Future or a sunrise hot-air balloon ride. Hotels offer suites with butler service, rooftop infinity pools, and sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf. Past the city’s confines, private desert safaris reveal the stillness of the dunes, ending with starlit dinners in Bedouin-inspired encampments. Dining alone offers an endless array of choices, from discreet chef’s tables in Michelin-starred kitchens to waterfront terraces along Dubai Marina.
Florence, Italy
The Renaissance city of Florence is a melange of cultural riches and genteel luxury. From the marble perfection of Michelangelo’s David at the Galleria dell’Accademia to the masterworks of Botticelli and Caravaggio at the Uffizi, the streets of Florence are an open-air museum. Designer boutiques on Via de’ Tornabuoni, frescoed chapels such as the Brancacci, and intimate enotecas await the solo visitor, each offering moments of personal connection to the city’s artistry. Here, the experience could start with sipping an espresso on Piazza della Signoria, enjoying a private after-hours tour of the Vasari Corridor, or retreating to the refined comfort of the Four Seasons Firenze with its eleven-acre private garden.
Santorini, Greece
In Santorini, the joy starts in the slow unfolding of volcanic cliffs, blue domes, and the quiet whitewashed landscapes. The caldera (volcanic crater) lies at your feet – from a private terrace at Canaves Oia Suites or Grace Hotel – its waters shifting from silver to sapphire as the day turns. The hours might pass between the stillness of a plunge pool, a tasting of Assyrtiko at Estate Argyros, or a wander through the Bronze Age ruins of Akrotiri. For the solo tourist, it’s an easy dance between leisure and discovery – to watch the sun go down in Oia with no company but the island itself, and feel that the view has been kept just for you.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali, known as the “Island of the Gods”, blends emerald rice terraces, volcanic peaks, and black-sand shores. The culture there is inseparable from its ceremonial life and artistic creativity, which is represented in temple offerings, sculpture, and weaving, among other forms. For those journeying solo, a sunrise meditation at the clifftop Uluwatu Temple, followed by a private yoga session in the forests of Ubud, can be an inspiring way to begin the day. Art lovers can explore the Blanco Renaissance Museum or the traditional craft villages of Celuk and Mas, each devoted to a particular artisanal tradition.
Aman Villas at Nusa Dua, Capella Ubud, or the Four Seasons Resort at Sayan feature suites and villas that are open onto private pools or framed by jungle or ocean views. Wellness programmes drawing on Balinese healing practices are there to bring your body, mind, and spirit into gentle accord. The island’s dining is replete with options, from tasting menus at Locavore to beachfront seafood in Jimbaran, often prepared from the day’s catch. Evenings may bring a solitary walk along Seminyak Beach at sunset, or an invitation to witness a kecak fire dance beneath the stars.
Machu Picchu, Peru
High in the Andes, the journey to Machu Picchu is a pilgrimage of luxury and wonder. Travellers can journey aboard the Belmond Hiram Bingham – all polished wood, brass fittings, and white-linen dining – to arrive at the citadel’s terraces at dawn, ahead of the crowds. Private guides tailor the visit to individual interests, be it tracing the Temple of the Sun’s stonework or following lesser-known trails around Huayna Picchu. In the Sacred Valley, lodges such as Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba or Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado provide comfort within the hush of the high Andes, their terraces overlook patchwork fields and the Urubamba River. Here, it is about ancient stones and modern indulgence that offer the solo traveller both adventure and quiet reflection.
Bergen, Norway
Once your eyes fall on Bergen, its charm takes hold, and you can’t help but want to see more. The harbour with its shimmering, silvery water is surrounded by seven hills, and the city leans gently towards the sea. Along Bryggen, the UNESCO-listed Hanseatic wharf, colour-washed timber warehouses keep watch over centuries of trade and tide. For solo voyagers, there is quiet pleasure in wandering the old, cobblestone streets early in the morning before the day gathers pace, or maybe riding the Fløibanen to Mount Fløyen for a panoramic view that runs from tiled rooftops to the far edge of the North Sea.
From Bergen, the great fjords call. A cruise along Sognefjord – the longest and deepest in Norway – reveals a landscape of sheer cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, as well as the calm waters that mirror the sky. Those with a taste for quiet adventure might kayak along Nærøyfjord, cycle through the Hardanger region’s fruit orchards in blossom, or hike the trail to Trolltunga. Evenings in Bergen are best spent in its intimate seafood restaurants, where the catch is often brought in that morning by boats moored just steps away. And for those seeking refined comfort, the Opus XVI – a family-run luxury hotel set in a historic building once owned by composer Edvard Grieg’s family – offers elegant suites, fine dining, and a discreet sense of place.
Queenstown, New Zealand
If you are ready to cross continents in search of truly exceptional experiences, Queenstown, New Zealand, offers an intoxicating mix of scenery and sophistication. Ranked the third safest destination in the country for solo travellers, it is a great haven for peace of mind. Here, snow-capped mountains sweep down to the mirrored surface of Lake Wakatipu for an unforgettable heli-skiing experience over untouched slopes. Another way to spend the day is aboard a private yacht gliding across the lake, followed by a wine tour through Central Otago’s celebrated vineyards, with languid afternoons at exclusive spas and evenings crowned by fireside fine dining. The luxury extends well beyond the adventures. Eichardt’s Private Hotel, a historic landmark on the waterfront, offers elegantly appointed suites with sweeping lake views, while Matakauri Lodge, just a short drive away, surrounds you with contemporary alpine style, an award-winning spa, and some of New Zealand’s finest dining.
Conclusion
These destinations embody a shift in luxury travel away from ostentation and more into intentional experiences. Increasingly, travellers are seeking places that favour privacy, with 63% now having lesser-known destinations on their to-travel list. Each of these destinations, from Dubai to Queenstown, combines safety, cultural richness, and freedom to chart a course entirely one’s own, with every journey becoming an indelible memory.
