Author: bella2
Date: 05/03/2006, 07:39 pm
I need your help...below are the prerequisites for travel...any opinions/advice are desired...Thank you in advance!

1) Solo...so safety.
2) Need to destress.
3) Love the outdoors.
4) Ideal day...being active, or else sitting at the pool/beach/lake reading and taking it all in.
5) Ideal evening...much like the day sitting on the patio overlooking a body of water definitely a glass of wine. Dining out is fine but nothing stuffy...casual and friendly.

Does not matter what part of the country...or another country works for me as well.

Am I asking too much?!?!?

I popped over here briefly from the Africa forum, so I am biased.

I suggest Zambia!

1) Safety...I've gone to Zambia alone twice and with a reputable agent it is very safe. In fact, if you are doing nature-safari type activites, then solo travel in Africa is easier than going solo most other places.

2) Destress. Nothing to do but observe nature and relax. Away from it all, include stress.

3) Except while in your tent or lodge you are always outdoors. Late June-Sept you can expect almost no rain.

4) Being active--walking safaris, canoe safaris, driving safaris, night drives. You can visit and stay in a local village. Some of the luxury tented camps and lodges have pools that you can lounge next to midday and read.

5) The body of water will likely be the Zambezi River, the Luangwa River, the Lunga River, or the Mwaleshi River. Beautiful sunsets and all sorts of animals crossing. Dining is very casual. No heels or beaded hand bags for sure. The food is outstanding. While there may not be patio, dining is open air and you can retire to the campfire for your glass of wine.

You are certainly not asking too much, but you might not have thought to ask about Zambia. I'm going back in 2008.

Good luck in your quest.

Switzerland. My choice would be Locarno, but anywhere else would work as well. You can hike, bike, relax, explore castles, dine lakeside.

How about Hawaii? While it's often considered a honeymoon or family destination, it's great for solo trips as well and should meet your criteria.

There's a choice of islands that emphasize different criteria. Any of the islands should be safe, and offer a balace between outdoors and civilized amenities. If you don't want to drive, go to Oahu-- you can get to most places on the island using an extensive bus system. Waikiki is crowded and kitschy, but strangely enjoyable; and a bus ride will get you to scenic beaches that are much less crowded and as good as you'd find on any of the other islands.

You'd need a rental car on any of the other islands. Kauai is greener and more "tropical." Maui has more diverse scenery, though the built-up resort areas can be crowded. The Big Island is a continent in miniature, with the most diversity of all (but driving distances can be tiring if you're solo). If you truly want to get away from it all, try Molokai-- it's rural, relatively undeveloped, and lacking in nightlife (which can either be good or bad). You can rent a condo away from the most crowded areas of any of these islands, enjoy more privacy, and have the option of preparing your own meals if you don't feel like dining solo on Saturday night. I don't think you can go wrong.

(Disclosure: I'm taking a solo trip to Maui in about two weeks.)

Bella2

Post when you decide on your destination or upon your return.

AUSTRALIA!!!!! Greatest place in the world.

I've been to both Kenya and Hawaii in the past year on my own. Both would suit your requirements completely. I highly recommend the island of Kauai! Hiking in the morning, beach in the afternoon and drinks with dinner.

I don't know what part of the country you live in, but I'd fly to Cancun, and head to Punta Soliman. It's a peaceful bay about 1-1/2 hours south of Cancun. All private residences...you can rent a beach casita and lounge the day away. You are about 10 minutes north of Tulum to visit the ruins there or at Coba. It's so peaceful there..check out www.locogringo.com for a map of the Yucatan and places to stay..There's a great little place called Oscar Y Lalos at the end of the road at Punta Soliman..great fajitas for about $8..and if you are an animal lover like me, the beach dogs will be your faithful companions for walks along the beach..no hotels..only private residences..totally heaven!!

Ghana, West Africa...was there alone 2003/2004 2004/2005...female and had no problems. Great country...Great people. Happy Travels!

I've also heard that Zambia is great,too...haven't been there, but know people who have. Happy Travels!

So, Bella2, where ya goin?

You might consider Costa Rica. I lived there for almost four months and will always love the country. (Would have prefered to stay longer.) In summary, I found people to be friendly and open; transportation to be convenient and reliable; cost to be mostly very reasonable; political situation stable; and the land itself is.....well, amazing. Breathtaking beaches, enchanting and lush rainforest, cloud forest, and tropical forest. So much wildlife and opportunity for adventure. It's such a stimulating place to experience.

My suggestions are the lakes district and the Cotswolds of England. I admit that driving in the lakes district was stressful, but getting out to hike was wonderful. If you go in September-October, the kids will be back in school and most of the other tourists will have left already. Another point in England's favor: you can drink the water.

Travel in the fall after schools start is a must. Try Umpqua National Forest in SW Oregon. Redwood forests in Humboldt County in far northern California. I took road trip from Portland to the Benbow Inn in Garberville, CA. Most of the time there was no cell phone service, which was fine with me. It's far enough north that you don't get any of the San Fran or LA attitudes. In the fall, most of the beaches were empty and the I had most of the forest hikes to myself.

How about Ottawa, Ontario?

1) Solo...so safety. - extremely safe. When I went for the first time in 2003, by August there had only been 6 murders. Even in the touristy area downtown, it's not too crowded and very safe.
2) Need to destress. - Ottawa has a very laid back, take your time attitude. With the local parks (Vincent Massey, Experimental Gardens, etc.), there is time to just sit back and enjoy. Or take a stroll along the Ottawa River Parkway or the Rideau Canal.
3) Love the outdoors. - again, Vincent Massey Park, Experimental Gardens, Ottawa River Parkway.. plus Hogs Back Falls and Mooney Bay. You can also hop across the river and go to Gatineau Park. Or take a drive along Highway 7 towards Perth and stop at one of the many lakes and rivers (including the Mississippi ).
4) Ideal day...being active, or else sitting at the pool/beach/lake reading and taking it all in. - there's shopping (The Bay, etc.), siteseeing (Parliament, museums, etc.), outdoor activities (biking, hiking, boating, etc.), and just finding a quite place (which is surprisingly easy) and reading a good book.
5) Ideal evening...much like the day sitting on the patio overlooking a body of water definitely a glass of wine. Dining out is fine but nothing stuffy...casual and friendly. - lots of choices for dining. I will often grab a Harvey's veggie burger (the absolute best veggie burger EVER) and head out to the park, canal or river and eat it while enjoying the scenery.

Ottawa is also very easy to navigate, not overly expensive (even the tourist spots are reasonable), and in August the weather usually runs in the 80's. You may get a summer storm, but they rarely last more than a few hours. There's also lots of great music - check out Rasputins (great food too).

Hi Bella,

How about New Zealand? I have visited almost every major part of NZ in the past five years. Did six trips, minimum of 18 days per trip.

Safety is not an issue. Most houses and B&Bs in the smaller towns don't even lock their doors during the day or at night. I went on day hikes, walked around at night and felt perfectly safe.

Plenty of opportunities to de-stress and enjoy the outdoors here. You can go to the extremes by participating in adventure sports (bungee jumping, white-water rafting, cave rafting, zorbing, jet-boating) or go easy (hiking, cycling in the wine country, taking cruises to see penguins, whales etc). Lots of rivers, lakes and seashore in NZ for you to just relax and enjoy the sunrise/sunset and anytime in between.

Everybody is casual in NZ, even in the up-market restaurants.

I cannot recommend NZ enough. But of course, depending on where you're living, it might take a really looooong flight to reach Auckland or Christchurch.

Happy traveling!

Reccomend south of Italy. I'm going with a very small tour(sept 16 to 25), single and mix and it's very affordable.Perfect for single and not. It will be so much fun...if you need info let me know posting a reply.

why does the solo branch attract so much advertising?

They must read "solo traveler" as "desperate traveler".

hey that would be a good name for a new branch at Fodor's forum! The Desperate Traveler