The Joys of Travelling Solo

From the bright lights of Manhattan to the islands of Greece and the markets of Thailand, more and more women are discovering the pleasure of travelling solo.

Blame it on the Eat Pray Love effect if you will, but women on voyages of discovery are learning to leave their fears at home and be open to a new world. In addition to holiday snaps, you’ll come home with the confidence to know you can go it alone.

Girls’ Getaway
There’s a special bond that forms when girlfriends travel together, and there’s no reason to miss out on a girls’ getaway if you’re travelling alone. Women of all ages and skill levels will enjoy Broulee Surf School’s yoga and surfing retreats in NSW and globally (visit www.brouleesurfschool.com.au).
Or why not try a women’s group trip to anywhere from the Arctic Circle to India to the Czech Republic? Just visit www.inspiredtravel.com.au.

Get Cruising
Ladies, take to the high seas
for adventure and romance! Cruising is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the travel industry because it’s an excellent way to see the world in a short space of time and all meals are included. Best of all for single travellers, you can choose to be alone or mingle as much as you like.
For a taster of cruise appeal, check
out Captain Cook Cruises’ two-night Sydney Weekender cruise (www.captaincook.com.au). And for cruise converts, a sail around the Caribbean or the Mediterranean will be unforgettable. The Star Clippers’ small-ship experience – less than 200 passengers – is intimate and relaxed. Visit www.starclippers.com.

Take An Expedition
Fascinated by penguins? Want to brush up on your photography skills? Can’t find a friend to travel with you? No worries. Courses and retreats are a great option. Aurora Expeditions offers expedition cruising to Antarctica (visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au). Study French in the morning and enjoy a cultural outing each afternoon while living like a local in this two-week program (www.frenchtravel.com). Or brush up on your photography skills with a two-day instructional course run by Focus 10 in picturesque locations around Australia (visit www.focus10.com.au).