Trending This Year: YOLO Solo Adventures

Trending 2026

This Valentine's month, while you’re being inundated with “the most romantic destinations for couples” or “the best hotels for romantic getaways,”, I’m here to remind you that you don’t need a travel companion to have a great trip—traveling alone can be the ultimate form of self-love. 


Recently, more travelers have embraced a now-or-never mindset rather than waiting for the perfect partner, group, or time to take their dream trips. And the travel industry (and I) have taken note. Traveling solo no longer means paying more or settling for less. 


Here are some of my favorite brands and destinations for solo travel. 


Solo travel not for you? Share the love, and forward this email to someone who might appreciate the inspiration. 


Built-in community

All-inclusive group trips are especially appealing to solo travelers, offering the security of group travel with the freedom to explore independently. Many travelers love the balance: structured logistics, expert guides, and the option to connect…or not.

One of my favorite active travel companies, Backroads, has seen solo bookings climb steadily over the past two years. They recently launched a Solo Room Savings program with reduced private room fees on select departures.


Designed for solo travelers

A few partners go even further by designing trips specifically for solo travelers:

  • G Adventures offers “Solo-ish” trips to destinations like the Galápagos, Cambodia, New Zealand, and beyond. The trips are exclusively for solo travelers and led entirely by women. Fun fact: nearly 70% of their solo travelers are women.
  • Solos is a U.K.-based company for travelers age 50+. They recently expanded into North America with worldwide itineraries and no single supplements. 
  • Flash Pack caters to solo travelers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.


Bucket-list adventures

Luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent is another great partner of mine for those who travel with intention (think photography, history, wildlife). They have long offered reduced single supplements on small-group African safaris, and recently they expanded the savings to another bucket-list trip: Antarctica voyages.


Cruising

Cruise lines are rethinking their traditional “single supplement.”

  • Virgin Voyages offers stylish single staterooms on their adults-only ships with no compromises on design or experience.
  • Riviera Travel has solo-only river cruises, and even more exciting, they recently announced their first-ever river cruise ship designed exclusively for solo travelers. It’s set to launch in Europe in 2027. 
  • Other cruise lines offer reduced or eliminated single supplements. Let’s chat about Crystal Cruises, Ponant, and Tauck (which has also extended these savings to many land tours).


If you want help finding the right solo experience for your style, comfort level, and bucket list, I’m here to help.


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