In this week’s Solo Travel Talk, a podcast that focuses on solo travel, Astrid revealed four destinations that she plans to visit in 2019 and why each one should be on your solo travel bucket list.
1. India
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
I must say, I was fairly surprised by this one. I have dreamt of visiting India for years, but the idea of visiting such a large, densely populated country is a bit intimidating. How do you know where to begin?
Astrid plans to embark on a magnificent luxury train tour of Northern India that hits all the best cultural, historical and awe-inspiring locations in Rajasthan. Normally, Astrid shies away from pre-organized travel tours, due to their frequently canned, touristy nature; however, Rajasthan’s Palace on Wheels sounds like anything but your average tourist trap.
The Palace on Wheels allows solo travelers to experience Northern India in a very safe, and luxurious way. The 8-day, 7-night trip is also incredibly convenient and efficient. It eliminates the stress of driving or flying from point A to point B, which can be very difficult in a country like India, and the need to pack and un- pack while constantly on the move. Astrid plans to set off on this excursion in late February, 2019. This should be an ideal time to visit Rajasthan, as the weather will be comfortably cool and dry.
2. Japan
Photo by Manuel Cosentino on Unsplash
In May 2019, Astrid will be headed off to Japan where she will be partaking in a tour through Cox and Kings, a travel company similar to Abercrombie and Kent that offers customizable, solo luxury trips. This tour will take Astrid from Mt. Fuji to the ancient city of Nara to Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, and much more.
Like India, it is a good idea to take a tour of Japan, but for a different reason. Japan can be quite expensive, and a tour is likely to eliminate the costs associated with the slower pace of solo travel. Cox and Kings takes care of all the logistics including transportation and informational guides. This type of solo tour is done well, and is sure to “make the solo travel experience comfortable, interesting and exciting” as Astrid put it.
3. The South Pacific/Oceania
This is a big one. As someone who has experienced the incredibly long flight from the United States to Australia, I can say that the less time you have to spend on a plane, the better. Astrid plans to reach Australia by boat. And by boat, I mean cruise ship. Princes Cruise Line offers a 26- day cruise that begins in San Francisco and hits a number of dreamy Polynesian islands along the way including Hawaii, Bora Bora and Tahiti. It also makes a couple of stops in New Zealand before ending in Sydney.
The benefit of reaching the other side of the world via cruise ship is you get to relax during your extra long journey, it is cost efficient, and safe. Not to mention, you get to experience a lot of truly incredible places along the way. Astrid intends to extend this trip to include a visit to Melbourne, which is a very solo-traveler friendly city, and boasts an extensive list of can’t-miss galleries, museums, vineyards, and so much more.
4. Israel - Holy Land Tour
Astrid’s final 2019 trip will be one that I feel is high on many people’s bucket lists, but unfortunately, is one many people never get around to taking. Astrid mentioned in her podcast how she felt called to visit the Holy Land, and hopes to get in touch with her personal spirituality while also learning the history of this part of the world beyond the scope of Christianity.
This Holy Land trip, like the others listed in this post, will be a guided tour. It will begin in Cairo and end in Tel Aviv. Expert religious guides will surely make this trip come to life in a way that simply couldn’t be achieved by visiting these places entirely solo.
Participating in a guided tour will also allow the solo traveler to meet other like-minded people on this trip, and perhaps make new friends and lasting connections. Astrid plans to take this journey around Christmastime, which only adds to the powerful spirituality of this place.
Guided Tours and Cruises as a Solo Travel Option
While guided tours are not always the best solo travel option, Astrid chose to highlight how guided trips can help make certain dream destinations much more doable for the solo traveler. I hope that if any of these places have crossed your mind as a potential travel destination, you consider the possibility of visiting these destinations, and perhaps even taking one of these tours to make your trip planning a bit easier.
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Author: Madeline Freret
Madeline joined the Astrid Solo Travel Advisor team as a Content and Digital Marketing Manager in 2018. She believes that traveling is an essential aspect of life that allows you to see yourself, other people, places and things in a new light. She is passionate about trying new things, having a curious mind and seeking joy wherever she goes. To read more about her and each one of our Solo Travel Advisors, head over to the About page!
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