Latest news with #solotravel
TTG
a day ago
- TTG
‘As a new agent, I didn't know the value in escorted touring – but this trip changed my mind'
My fam trip with Travelsphere and Just You was incredibly beneficial and has significantly enhanced my understanding of touring holidays, both for couples and for solo travellers. Being quite new to travel, I didn't feel I had a great knowledge of this holiday type, and so, having the opportunity to experience one of these tours first-hand was truly eye-opening. It allowed me to appreciate the sheer amount of value in touring, from the expertly designed itineraries to the knowledgeable, friendly tour manager and guide who made every destination come alive. Kirstie, our tour manager, stayed in the hotel with us and was with the group throughout. Ivan, our local guide, was so passionate about his country and this really did shine through. I genuinely believed that what he did not know about the country was not worth knowing. The standard of accommodation was consistently high; we stayed at the AX Odycy in Qawra. The hotel had a central location and a lovely adult-only rooftop pool that guests could experience during their free days. Every logistical detail was taken care of, which ensured a smooth, stress-free journey – something that many clients are looking for. One of the standout aspects of the trip was witnessing how both brands meet the needs of their respective audiences. Travelsphere offers a warm and welcoming group experience that's ideal for couples and friends travelling together, while Just You focuses exclusively on solo travellers, creating an environment that feels inclusive, sociable, and empowering. As a group, we were given information advising us of some differences between the two brands, for example Just You guests are guaranteed a room for sole occupancy and should they prefer to dine as part of a group, then there is always that option. There was a real sense of community on the tour, which contributed to a genuinely enjoyable experience. Everyone had the opportunity to connect and enjoy the destinations together, yet there was also room for personal time and space when needed. There were many highlights across the five days, visiting Valletta, the Blue Grotto and Mdina, but I particularly enjoyed our time on Gozo – it has the perfect blend of natural beauty, history and charm. The food also made a good impression – the famous pea pasties, or pastizzi tal pizelli, were very tasty, as were the traditional farmhouse lunches, where we learnt about Malta's rich olive oil heritage and how they make traditional Maltese cheese. The programme also included a folklore dinner show, which featured local performers who told the story of Maltese history through dance. There was a little audience participation too, where some of us were chosen to join them on the dance floor.
TTG
2 days ago
- TTG
10 reasons to send your female solo travellers to Abu Dhabi
Click here to explore our Abu Dhabi Selling Guide The vibrant capital of the UAE is made up of three distinct regions – Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafra – each offering a unique blend of rich culture, stunning nature and endless fun. It's the perfect place for women looking for an inspiring journey. Here are 10 reasons why Abu Dhabi stands out as the ultimate solo travel hotspot for women: 1. Safety first Abu Dhabi has ranked first on the world's safest cities list in 2025 (based on the Numbeo Safety Index) – the ninth consecutive year it has topped the list. Women can feel secure across the emirate, from bustling city markets to serene beaches. 2. Seamless connectivity and flexibility Getting to Abu Dhabi is a breeze for international travellers, with robust flight connectivity through the state-of-the-art Zayed International airport. Once they arrive, visitors don't need to worry about getting around. With efficient public transportation, taxis and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem, women can navigate the emirate with ease. For solo adventurers, this flexibility means they can craft their own itinerary without worrying about logistics. 3. Diverse experiences From cultural landmarks to thrilling adventures, Abu Dhabi offers something for everyone – and visitors won't have a moment to miss having a travel buddy with them. They can dive into history at the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, experience adrenaline-pumping action at Ferrari World or relax on the pristine sands of Saadiyat Island. Whether seeking art and culture, outdoor adventure or tranquillity in nature, Abu Dhabi delivers a wide range of experiences tailored to every traveller's taste.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
I've solo-travelled to over 30 countries but there's one place I'd NEVER return to alone
A lone female traveller who says she loves exploring the world solo has revealed the one place that she felt 'genuinely unsafe and uncomfortable'. Posting on Reddit, the woman in her thirties said she had followed a recommendation to visit the Caribbean island from her pilates teacher, who had told her the destination was safe for women exploring on their own. She says she also did her own research on safety issues in Jamaica for females travelling solo and was reassured by the lack of negative reports. Her initial experiences were good too, she revealed, after she checked into a family-run guest house. However, her time on the popular holiday island started to go downhill when she hired a private driver to take her to tourist spots Martha Brae and Blue Hole. She tells Reddit, the driver appeared fixated with her sex life and whether she would have children. She wrote: 'He was really gross and kept asking me about my sex life and kept insisting that I needed to have children ASAP.' Her interactions with locals only got worse, the woman shared, saying that when she arrived at the Blue Hole, a deep cave located in the country's mountainous inland, she 'couldn't walk one foot without some perv telling me I'm hot or whatever.' Her guide, she claims, also made 'specific comments about my body'. And while visiting Jamaica's famous beach, Montego Bay, she said she was followed at one point and suffered numerous cat calls, saying: 'It was so scary to know he was watching and following me. I really don't recommend Jamaica solo.' The woman also says she witness homophobic language during her trip. Many agreed in the reaction to the post this month that the island is beautiful to visit but not always a safe environment for women. One wrote: 'Honestly Jamaica is not female friendly. I would never go back unless escorted by a man, but even then it's not worth the trouble.' A male contributor shared his own experiences on the forum, saying: 'My wife and I had a personal driver hired by the boutique hotel we stayed at. 'He was a local and knew everyone and basically kept every weirdo away from us, I tipped him extremely well. I would not recommend a single woman travel in that country.' Another added: 'I went as a group twice. There will not be a third visit. It is sad because it's a beautiful place with killer food. I don't scare easily and I have taken more risks than I should've in my life. But it did not feel safe.' One woman, a huge fan of the country, said: 'I love Jamaica and have been there 8 to 9 times (resorts, backpacking, the whole 9)... with my husband and I don't think I would ever go alone unless it was an airport shuttle to a resort and back.' Current FCO advice to the country warns of incidents of sexual assault and rape against tourists and visitors, issuing the warning: Take care when using dating apps in Jamaica, especially those used by the LGBT+ community. 'Criminals have used apps to lure victims to meet in a public place but later assault and rob them.' The country remains the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean and attracts more than 4 million visitors annually thanks to its beautiful beaches, rum production and iconic figures, including Bob Marley, Usain Bolt and James Bond writer Ian Fleming. Last month, a solo travel content creator shared her honest views on where she feels unsafe as a woman – and one of her picks is a hugely popular European destination. Savanna Crowell, who runs the @solowithsav Tiktok account, describes herself as 'your go-to solo travel girlie'. In a recent video that has been viewed almost 500,000 times, the New York-based traveller revealed three places where she didn't feel safe. Her first red-flagged destination is France – the world's most visited country, with 102 million international tourists arriving in 2024. She told her 54,000 followers she'd 'had a few uncomfortable situations in the country', facing problems in a number of locations. 'On my first solo trip to Paris, I almost got scammed by the 'petition scammers' at the Louvre,' she said. Petition scammers often pose as charity workers or petitioners who might speak to tourists about worthy causes – before putting pressure on them to hand over money. 'When I tried to get out of it they became very aggressive… thankfully I was able to get out of it because there were a lot of other people around me. Savanna also had issues in Nice, a beautiful city on the French Riviera. While she was walking along a street by herself, a man 'popped out of the bush with a pointy stick in his hand'. Savanna goes on to say he 'started chasing me down the road, ended up throwing the stick at me and laughing'. Despite the popularity of France, a number of other holidaymakers in the comments section voiced their unhappy experiences in the country. 'Facts! A man followed me into the girls' restroom in Paris and there is a section of Nice super unsafe for women,' wrote Alexandra Priscilla.
Travel Weekly
6 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Solos introduces women-only tours
Tour operator Solos has launched women-only itineraries this week with plans to unveil more tours soon. The itineraries will be led by women and include experiences with women-focused nonprofits, advocacy groups, businesses and artists. Solo said it created the itineraries after seeing a demand for solo travel from women ages 50 and up. The tours will not have a single supplement fee. The tours follow a trend toward women-only or women-focused tours, especially those with a solo component. The "Women-only India- The Golden Triangle & Rajasthan" itinerary will explore India's Golden Triangle, Jodhpur and Udaipur on a 12-night tour. It includes sunrise yoga at the Taj Mahal, a safari to the Bishnoi Villages and a visit to Sheroes Hangout, an initiative operated by women who have survived acid attacks. Participants will also ride through Jaipur in a rickshaw through Access Development Services, which trains low-income women to become drivers. Travelers on the 12-night "Women-only Morocco: Medinas, Mountains & Coast" itinerary will visit Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakesh and Essaouira. They will meet with women entrepreneurs in Fes and artisans in Essaouira, and they will visit with Berber women in the Atlas Mountains. They will also visit a rural women's cooperative that produces embroidery, pottery and argan oil. The 10-night "Women-only Greece: Ancient Wonders & Island Hopping" itinerary will take travelers to the archaeological highlights of Athens, the Cycladic islands and historic sites like Mycenae, Epidaurus and Olympia. Travelers will take a pottery class led by a woman at her Paros studio. "These unique experiences allow travelers to interact directly with women's groups in destinations across the globe and to give back to local women's initiatives," said Kendra Guild, the vice president of North America for Solos.
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Travel + Leisure
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
Tracee Ellis Ross Reveals Her Surprising Plane 'Game'—and Why She Never Eats on a Flight
Tracee Ellis Ross describes herself as a 'child of the world'—and the description fits. She's held a passport since birth, accompanied her mother on global work trips, and once called glamorous locales like Rome home. Now, she's generously sharing a few of her hard-earned travel insights. "Travel's just a regular part of my life," Ross shared at the Travel + Leisure 2025 World's Best Summit in New York City. "Being on an airplane is regular for me." As Ross shared, on her global journeys with family, living in Paris and later in Switzerland for school, she "really learned how to find home inside myself,' adding that travel 'allowed me to see the similarities between human beings no matter where we are.' All those trips around the globe have served her well, especially now as she kicks off her new Roku original series, "Solo, Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross." According to Ross, who stars and executive produces the show, this is the culmination of decades of solo travel, which began with her first solo trip at age 25, which she says, completely reshaped her world view. 'Something clicked. I'm responsible for my own happiness,' Ross shared in an exclusive clip from the show. 'So much of what solo traveling is, is about not waiting for something in order to experience my life.' Though Ross is also honest that the way she travels isn't in some willy-nilly fashion. For her, it's all about the tight schedule. 'I am not the adventurer, solo traveler. That is not what I go traveling to do,' she said, adding that she prefers calm, beauty, and lots of structure. 'Every day is filled with military precision in order for me to do the many things that I have on my plate … so the luxury of being is really what travel is about for me.' Ross also said she knows herself well enough never to pack light and always be prepared for whatever happens on the road. 'I pack for beauty and disaster,' Ross admitted. 'I have the medical kit, and then I have all the choices of clothes depending on whom I might encounter.' And while she may dream of romantic run-ins and has the impeccable clothing to match, she doesn't leave logistics to chance, ensuring her bag is also filled with practical items, too. 'Bring your wipes, guys … bring your own pillow, bring your medical kit,' she said. 'Wipe that bathroom sink down, wipe off that remote.' While you're more likely to run into Ross on a plane than you are terra firma, just know you'll never catch her chowing down on whatever they're serving for lunch at 35,000 feet. 'I do not eat on the plane,' she said flatly. 'You flush the toilet, it goes, everything comes everywhere. I noticed during the pandemic, I'm like, they prepare your food next to the toilet. Get outta here.' Instead, she's starting to pack her food, or, "I'll just starve on the plane." The one thing she will do, however, is chug as much water as possible. 'I play a game with myself on the plane: how much water can I drink?' she joked, adding, "You do not want to sit next to me." As for jet lag? She's never heard of it. 'I don't believe in jet lag,' Ross said. 'My body is where it is. When I arrive at a location, I love a bath, it settles my body … and then I like to sit outside and allow this part of my body to face the sun.' Beyond the routines and travel hacks, Ross's message about travel is clear: it's all about choosing yourself. 'The show for me is really about not waiting to live your life,' Ross said. Now, the only thing we need to wait for is the first episode to drop on July 25.
