Why this solo group trip in Portugal changed how I travel forever

The Herald Scotland

2 days ago

"The reason I chose solo (travel) was because where I live, it's seasonal and all the people that I hang around with leave during the summer and there's no one there," John O'hea told USA TODAY. "I wanted to meet a bunch of new people and get exposed to different viewpoints, different ideas ... and I haven't been disappointed."
My first meal in Portugal in late July, I sat next to Sydni from California, and we quickly latched on to each other. At least for me, Sydni was homebase - and I'd like to think I was that for her as well - as we explored connections with the rest of the group.
It only took one train ride together to get to know half the group. The fact that we were all solo travelers made it so everyone was open to each other and the experience of exploring a new country.
It was my first time traveling with G Adventures in their new program "Solo-ish." While the concept is simple - a group of solo travelers sharing an itinerary and sometimes a room - taking the plunge of booking seemed to be the biggest hurdle for most. (Myself included.)
"This was my first time ever traveling solo, and what made it very enticing was the fact that it was solo-ish. So, although I was leaving and arriving alone - I was very nervous to join a group and see if I was going to feel included," Natalyn Hibbs said. "I would say, take that leap and join. It's very rewarding and the people that you meet - coming from all different areas - make it a really cool experience, and there's so much you get back from it."
We visited six locations (Lisbon, Cascais, Belem, Nazare, Amarante and Porto), giving the group a good taste of what makes them unique. At each stop, we had a planned activity that ranged from nature hikes to city food tours to sightseeing via boat.
Solo travel is an increasingly popular choice, with "alone" being now the third most common choice for travel companionship, according to a Booking.com January survey of 32,106 respondents across 32 countries and territories. Around 21% of global respondents and 29% of U.S. respondents reported that they took a solo trip in 2024. Among those who traveled solo, the freedom to create their itinerary was a key motivator for 38% of global respondents and 30% of Americans. Time for personal reflection and meeting people upon arrival were also strong motivations.
"I think with solo travel in general, the first point is that it does seem to be more people are wanting to do it," David Stone, Global Head of Sales at Unforgettable Travel Company, told USA TODAY. "And I think that the stigma that may have been attached to solo travel is almost disappearing now, which is really great."
What to expect from a solo group trip
You won't be alone, don't worry. (Unless you want to be.)
Our Portugal itinerary was packed with activities that allowed us to experience so much of the country, but every day had some allotted downtime for everyone to do their own thing if they so wished.
During our first night, after a walking food tour of Lisbon, half the group decided to keep going and try different pasteis de nata (traditional Portuguese pastry), while the other half took the bus back to the hotel. The next day, during our visit to Cascais and Belem, the group dispersed to whatever appealed the most (views, or hikes), but because we were all solo travelers in a group, you always had someone ready to share a view with you or split a ridiculously large almond pastry.
The Chief Experience Officers (CEOs), as G Adventures calls their guides, were there not only as shepherds of the group, but also to serve as experts on the area, often recommending where to eat or what to do on our own based on our interests.
I do actually remember one of the restaurants (Adega Machado, check them out if you're in Lisbon) because we heard some of the most beautiful live music mere feet from our table, with voices from Isabel Noronha to Pedro Moutinho to Filipa Vieira all in one night. Our G Adventures guide coordinated the experience, and I'm so glad she did because I wouldn't have known otherwise to do that.
Solo travel can often place the onus of a copious amount of research on the traveler, but working with a local as our CEO made it so we knew where to go for authentic experiences, avoiding tourist traps, and highlighting important cultural idiosyncrasies we would have otherwise overlooked.
Do you look like a tour group when you all walk together? Yes, absolutely. But you need to get over that fear of judgment. From your clothes to the way you do your hair, to your accent, you'll always be a tourist outside of your home - and that's OK. Being a tourist isn't inherently frowned upon; being a bad tourist is. Having a local guide with us, being respectful of the places we visited, and spending our money with locally owned businesses is all we need to do as responsible travelers.
Are you ready for a solo trip?
Probably not. I don't think anyone is ever ready to put themselves in uncomfortable positions. It's not in our nature to make ourselves vulnerable. But that's where growth happens. Those uncomfortable moments you handle by yourself are the ones that truly reveal who you truly are.
"I think doing like the solo-solo travel where you're not with a group, you're not on a tour, that is definitely intimidating and very challenging, and can be very lonely," Pavel Orel, another guest, said. "This trip is like the perfect balance where there's a lot of the structure that's built in, there's a lot of the community that is already here, and there's enough freedom to do whatever."
I consider myself introverted, and this trip was the first time I didn't feel exhausted after talking to people for hours on end. It's an experience quite unlike any other. I'm not saying I will only do solo group trips from now on, but there's something to be said about touching base with yourself in a new environment surrounded by travelers looking to do the same.
"I haven't done a group trip in a while, and most of the group trips I did, I feel like most of the people were pretty immature. And I feel like this trip had people who really know themselves, they feel secure in themselves, and that makes it a safe environment to go deeper into more real stuff. (Compared to what) you would otherwise do surface level when you just meet someone over dinner or something," Rachel Rosenbaum said.
Visiting a new destination with other solo travelers from different countries, backgrounds, ages, and fields only enhances the experience. I walked away from Portugal with an appreciation for the country's relaxed culture, as well as the turns of phrase from South Africans, the kindness of Canadians, the thoughtfulness of Brits, the resilience of Russians, and the tenacity of Americans on the trip with me. I wouldn't have gotten any of that by myself.
The reporter on this story received access from G Adventures. USA TODAY maintains editorial control.
Josh Rivera is USA TODAY's Senior Consumer Travel Editor. You can reach him at [e-mail]