Marco… solo? The lone-traveler’s guide for an independent adventure

Traveling solo is a great way to explore life’s wonders and leads to self-discovery; however, it can be overwhelming to plan your dream trip and not know where to begin. With all the helpful resources out there, you don’t have to go through the booking and planning process alone.

According to TripIt from Concur, one in five individuals are planning a solo trip within the next year – with tour operators, such as Indus, reporting women booking more first-time solo leisure trips than men.

Taking your first solo adventure, especially as a woman, can be daunting – making it important to book trusted hotels and work with companies such as Hera travel that have made it their personal mission to help women travel fearlessly by providing safety guides, vetting and hand selecting hotels and tour companies to make the booking process easier, as well as pairing you with like-minded travelers to connect with before your trip.

Whatever your reason for traveling – whether it be to check off a place on your bucket list or immerse yourself into a new culture – IHG Hotels & Resorts is sharing three lone-traveler-approved destinations to get the inspiration going!

Australia: For the road warrior

With the reopening of Australia, it’s the perfect time to plan your solo getaway. And there’s no better way to check off your Australian bucket-list of natural wonders than to travel up the coast from Sydney to Cairns. While the whole route would take you about 27 hours to complete – there are few places that can match the experience.

Sydney

For starters, Sydney is one of the best destinations for a solo traveler – and the city makes it easy to see some of the best sites (aside from the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, of course!) with the Sydney Attraction Pass. The pass allows you to choose from four of Sydney’s best attractions – such as the Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour or Sydney Eye Tower – at half the cost of a regular ticket. In the heart of it all, Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour is the perfect first stop for solo travelers looking to seamlessly connect with the city. And after a long day of exploring, you can relax by the hotel’s heated pool and sun deck or indulge in one of three delicious dining venues onsite. Or if the beach is more your vibe, head down to Holiday Inn & Suites Sydney Bondi Junction, where the iconic Bondi Beach is just a bus ride away.

Queensland Coast

As you make your way up the Queensland coast, there are four key stops to keep in mind. First up, Hunter Valley to experience Australia’s wine country. voco Kirkton Park Hunter Valley offers the perfect pit stop with 70 acres of picturesque, manicured gardens, rolling countryside views, and the Brokenback Ranges in the distance for you to take it all in while sipping on some bubbly. Next, the Great Barrier Reef to experience the world's largest coral reef system (and to see some cool underwater life). From there, make your way to Fraser Island to experience varied landscapes from sand dunes to rainforest to lakes (but note, the island is only accessible by boat, so you’ll want to book a tour to see the best it has to offer). And lastly, Magnetic Island where you can rent quirky cars (to the likes of a Barbie jeep!) and cruise around the island to explore gorgeous natural scenery.

Once you’ve reached Cairns, you’ll find yourself at the gateway to Northern Australia. From here, you can explore Cape Tribulation known for its beautiful beaches, or the ancient Daintree rain forest blanketed by mangrove forests.

Melbourne

Not quite up for a 2K+ km road trip? Melbourne is just under nine hours from Sydney and one of the most popular things to do is take a drive along the Great Ocean Road – one of Australia’s epic journeys. But before venturing further south, stop by InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto for a truly memorable, authentically local experience. The hotel is housed in a much-loved Melbourne landmark, and the staff’s concierge team can help plan the perfect day before your next jaunt! Need some extra fuel? Stop off at one of the city’s coffee shops to learn why it’s the coffee capital of Australia.

Central America: For the adventure seeker

Zip canopies, jungles, and active volcanoes are a few things that make Central America one big playground for those looking to embark on their next big solo adventure.

Nicaragua

Recognized as one of the safest countries in the Americas due to its approachable, welcoming, and easy to travel community, Nicaragua is a fan favorite among solo globetrotters. For most travelers, Managua (the heart of Nicaragua) serves as the launch pad to the rest of the nation. Not only is the city known for its vibrant dining and nightlife culture, but it’s home to history that you’re unlikely to see anywhere else (we are talking the world’s first reported human footprints!). Whether you’re looking for an affordable stay or an urban oasis retreat, hotels such as Holiday Inn Express Managua and InterContinental Managua at Metrocentro Mall offer accommodations and services that will enable you to have an unforgettable trip.

From there, it’s time to explore Nicaragua’s vast natural attractions. Located roughly 15 minutes away from both hotels is the national Masaya Volcano Park – baptized as “The mouth of hell.” It is here that you can catch a glimpse of molten lava.

Other must-consider activities are volcano boarding on Cerro Negro (yes, you can surf – or slide – down a 728-meter-high active volcano); canyoning in Somoto (you can experience the canyon via tubing, hiking, or even horseback riding); or kayaking around Ometepe Island (where you can break for a swim in a volcanic crater lagoon).

Costa Rica

Neighboring Nicaragua is another popular hotspot – Costa Rica. It’s an ideal destination year-round due to its tropical climate, rainforests, mountains, and palm-fringed beaches. Book your accommodations at InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall in San José, the country’s capital.

More than just a resting spot, San José is also home to a lush coffee plantation in Centra Valley and right outside the city is La Paz Waterfall Gardens where you can spot pumas, jaguars, and toucans amongst cascading waterfalls. There’s also Carara National Park – one of the country’s 28 national parks – just one hour away which is home to three-toed sloths, crocodiles, monkeys and more. Or you can head to the Veragua Rainforest near the coast, where you can enjoy some of the top things to do in Costa Rica, such as flying through the air on a zip line or a canopy gondola ride through the jungle.

Thailand: For the budget-friendly traveler
Bangkok

Thailand has a reputation of being one of the best countries for first-time solo travelers (especially those on a budget). And there’s no better place to kick off the adventure than one of Asia’s most exciting cities – Bangkok. One thing to keep in mind is that Bangkok is incredibly busy. But with a stay at Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road, you can feel relaxed and at home. The hotel has an infinity-edge swimming pool on the 24th floor that offers unrivaled views of the city’s skyline and a retreat away from the bustling city below.

In Bangkok, Khao San Road is one of the best places to explore on your own. It’s home to some of the best bars, clubs, restaurants and shops in town – and you’re likely to meet others that are traveling in Thailand alone too (as it’s long been a haven for foreign backpackers). You can also tack on a day trip to visit Khao Yai National Park – a popular place to spot monkeys and elephants, as well as hike to waterfalls.

Phuket

After spending a couple days in and around the city, you’ll want to head south to Phuket. Phuket is a transport hub to several beaches – with Patpong being the most famous. Holiday Inn Resort Phuket is an oasis in the heart of Patong offering you a convenient stay close to white sandy beaches, world-famous nightlife, shopping markets, and more. Other popular activities are to: take a tour from Phuket to James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay – where you can explore the infamous limestone caves by canoe; ferry to Koh Phi Phi (aka Monkey Island!); or visit an elephant retirement park and get a chance to walk, feed and even bathe these majestic creatures.

Whether you’re a first-time solo traveler or a seasoned independent travel aficionado choosing your next destination, don’t let the unfamiliar keep you from booking your next epic trip. Visit ihg.com and start exploring today.