With the new year right around the corner, it is only natural to plan all the travel we wish to do in the upcoming year. People love to make travel-related New Year resolutions, encouraging themselves to do new things and visit new places. If solo travelling is part of your 2023 bucket list, then we have found some of the best countries in the world you can visit to complete your New Year’s resolutions. From the Netherlands, and Bhutan to Spain, these are some of the safest destinations you can go to for your international solo trip.
Solo travelling is a concept that has been gaining a lot of buzz over the years. The idea of escaping to a foreign land, all on your own is very freeing. Movies like Queen, Wild and Eat, Pray, Love have made us fall in love with the concept of travelling all alone and embarking on a journey of exploration. You can go wherever you want and whenever you want, you don’t need to worry about the wishes of another. As selfish as it may sound, solo travelling is very healing for an individual as it helps one to leave behind the daily responsibilities of life and focus on oneself. However, there are certain things to keep in mind before planning your solo international trip.
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Rules to follow on a solo international trip:
Pack light
Remember, whatever you are packing for the trip, you will have to carry it all on your own. You can’t depend on anyone to help you out with picking up or carrying heavy luggage. At times, you may also have to walk long distances carrying your luggage too! Therefore, it is always best to pack light and only carry essentials on your international trip.
Stay connected
Since you are going to be alone, it is best to stay connected and have a working phone with an internet connection. You’ll need to figure out directions and keep your loved ones updated with your whereabouts, therefore it is very important to stay connected.
Protect your valuables
Passports, money, phone and other valuable documents need to be stored properly and safely when travelling solo. You can’t risk losing your stuff or having it stolen on your solo trip, especially in a foreign country.
Carry essentials
Don’t forget to carry necessities like medicines, documents, money, appropriate clothing and emergency contacts. Having these with you will only make your trip smooth, comfortable and safe.
Plan everything
Don’t keep things open-ended, book your flights and accommodations beforehand so that you are not left stranded. Try to plan as much as you can for your safety and benefit, so that you don’t have to worry about where to head next on your solo international trip, simply enjoy yourself and immerse yourself in the experiences around you.
Arrive during the day
Reaching any destination at night can be intimidating. It can be difficult to figure things out in the dark and it can be a bit unsafe too. It is just better to arrive in the day and have the safety of a crowd.
Make friends
A big part of solo travel is making friends! You are bound to meet fellow solo travellers on your journey, so make sure you get to know them and make bonds and memories you never forget. Don’t shy away from meeting new people and making friends.
Here are 10 of the safest countries for a solo international trip:
A culturally rich country tucked away from the world and hidden in the Himalayas, Bhutan is a wonderland! Famously known as Druk Yul or Land of the Thunder Dragon, Bhutan is a mountainous country that is proud to be one of the first carbon-neutral countries of the world and the leading country in the Gross National Happiness Index. It is a beautiful destination for solo travellers to explore, as you’ll be exposed to so many new experiences by exploring the culture of Bhutan. You can trek to the Tiger’s Rest, explore the Trongsa Dzong to learn about Bhutanese architecture and indulge in Bhutanese cuisine. This is probably the cheapest international trip you can go on from India.
The city-state of Singapore is a mix of cultures, history, modern technology and nature, offering the best of everything! The rich and diverse community of Singapore is what makes it so unique. With English, Malay, Tamil and Mandarin as the official language, Singapore has many cultures co-existing with one another. Singapore is smaller than Delhi, but it is home to the first nocturnal zoo, man-made waterfalls and some of the most beautiful greenery one has ever seen. The nation is a global financial centre, bringing people from all over the world to this tiny island with world-class architecture. Solo travellers have a wonderful time going around Singapore.
While Scotland is a part of the United Kingdom, the country has its own culture and traditions that make it so special. Immerse yourself in the Scottish lifestyle by travelling across the country and visiting all the monuments, natural wonders and historic cities. With six UNESCO World Heritage sites, Scotland has a rich history with many ancient monuments for solo travellers to explore. Relive the adventures of King Arthur by visiting Arthur’s seat, explore the streets of Edinburgh on a haunted tour, or go for a whiskey tasting at one of the Scottish whiskey distilleries. Don’t be afraid to put on a kilt and try your hands at the bagpipe when you are in Scotland!
The Netherlands is an extremely popular destination for solo travellers! Home to Amsterdam, people all around the world specially come to the Netherlands to explore this city. But this country has much more to offer besides the crazy nightlife of Amsterdam. Located in Northwestern Europe, the Netherlands is one of the countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Also known as Holland, it has the United Nations’ International Court Of Justice in the Hague. The Netherlands has played an important part in world history, history buffs will enjoy visiting the iconic monuments like Anne Frank’s house and Van Gogh Museum.
Filled with beautiful palaces and castles, Austria was once a part of the Ottoman Empire and has a lot of architectural beauty. Austrian culture is a representation of its rich and long history! It is also a geographical marvel, with over 62% of the country being part of the Alps. Solo travellers all across the world love to come to this country to enjoy an Austrian escape. Vienna, the capital of the country, has been home to icons like Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. Austria is also a great destination for skiing and other snowy adventures!
One of the most popular destinations in Europe, Spain is an ideal place for people to travel solo as you can meet many solo travellers on your journey! Spanish culture is beautiful, with its delicious Spanish cuisine, salsa dancing and unique architectural style representing the community. Spain has a lot to offer! Enjoy the vibrant Spanish culture by exploring the capital city of Madrid. Experience the football fever in Barcelona. Learn flamenco dancing in the streets of Sevilla. Party across the island of Ibiza. Indulge in authentic paella at its birthplace, Valencia.
Considered one of the best countries in the world, Switzerland is filled with natural beauty. With snow-clad mountain peaks, lush valleys and pristine lakes. Thrill-seekers come to the Swiss country to enjoy adventure sports like skiing, snowboarding, trekking and more. Witness the breathtaking beauty of the Matterhorn’s almost perfect peak. Explore Geneva, the city that is the base for world organisations like WHO, WTO, UN, Red Cross and World Bank. Witness the Swiss lifestyle in the country’s capital Zurich. Or you can also learn about the world-famous Swiss watches, Swiss cheese and Swiss chocolate.
This South American country is known to be the most economically and socially stable in the region, making it a great destination for solo travellers. A fun fact about Chile is that it is the southernmost country in the world. The geography of this country is very unique as it has the headland of Cape Horn! Check out the monolithic statues Moai at Easter Island and learn about the UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the beautiful Marble caves or the Atacama Desert. Chile has many naturally occurring phenomena that one should visit once in their lifetime.
Deutschland has solo travellers coming from all around the world! People flock over to Germany during Oktoberfest to enjoy fine-quality beer and delicious bread. This festival is a big attraction for solo travellers! But Germany has much more to offer. Admire the magnificence of German architecture by strolling around Brandenburg Gate and Cologne Cathedral. Germany has been the centre of world history, playing major roles in WWI and WWII, learn about it firsthand by visiting the Berlin Wall, Reichstag and Dachau Concentration Camp.
Vacationing in the Italian summer has been romanticised in many movies, making it a hot destination for solo travellers! With Rome as its capital, Italy has many beautiful monuments that are worth the visit. Explore the Roman gladiatorial arena Colosseum, the 18th-century sculpted Trevi Fountain, the Roman Church Pantheon, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the canal city of Venice and the beauty of Amalfi coast. Italy has so many beautiful places to explore, making it a heavenly experience for solo travellers.
Hero and feature image credits: Courtesy of Ibrahim Rifath from Unsplash
Related: Thinking Of The Perfect Solo Trip In India? Here’s The Only Guide You Will Need For 2023
Written By
Priyaja Bakshi
Priyaja took her love for reading to the next level by majoring in English and minoring in Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College For Women (DU). She is extremely curious about the world and wishes to visit all the countries once in her life. She identifies as a foodie and loves to spend her free time exploring different cuisine and curating new dishes. ..Read More