IT SEEMED A FAIRY TALE GONE WRONG. I’d schlepped my bags for more than 30 hours of flights and layovers across the globe, only to arrive at the Maldives at midnight. “How can this possibly be worth it?” I mumbled, as I stumbled onto a boat, the only passenger. I’d come to mend a broken heart in Eat Pray Love mode. But in the darkness I doubted myself. If this was paradise, it was too dark to see. The stars glittered in the night sky, a briny scent filled the air, and the water made whispering sounds as we lurched into the purple infinity of night. It was that gentle murmur that finally brought tears to my eyes. The loneliness seemed unbearable. Why had I come solo to one of the most romantic places on Earth?
Things got a bit worse in the morning, when I boarded a yacht-like, floating hotel with just 10 suites. It takes intrepid guests out for three to seven days at sea on scheduled jaunts between two Four Seasons properties, each located at diverse points amid the Maldives’ vast, 1,800-island archipelago. As the vessel meanders through the Indian Ocean, it stops at the captain’s whim so guests can picnic on uninhabited islands, snorkel with a pod of dolphins or just watch a sunset take over a sky as enlivened as an artist’s canvas. Sounds perfect, right? But when I boarded the boat and met the other guests, my resolve faltered. I wouldn’t be alone — it was worse: I’d be sailing for three days with four honeymoon couples. It didn’t seem the most prudent place for a person trying to recover from a breakup. The challenge was real. As we left the shore to sail toward the horizon, my fellow guests stood at the bow, their bodies entwined, rapt looks on their faces, Champagne flutes aloft. Alone, in the most beautiful place on the planet, I started to sob.
What happened next surprised me. The trip turned out to be healing and blissful. I mark it as one of the best weeks of my life. Without a traveling companion, I bonded with the crew — not to mention some of the honeymooners. Even though I didn’t want to be a charity case, I became the person everybody wanted to make sure had a good time. Without the distractions of a vacation buddy, I focused on myself, doing exactly what I wanted to do — no compromising. I let myself take “safe” risks — like night snorkeling with the marine biologist — that in- stilled a sense of courage. Perhaps best of all, I spent quality alone time with myself. From the deck of the Explorer, the sea vistas took on a curative quality. I felt a kind of spiritual detox take place. Pain and anguish dissipated; joy took hold. A powerful inner spirit reignited. As I returned home, I marveled at the results. I stood up straighter; was less teary-eyed; and felt confident, capable and recharged. Vacationing alone was like a gym for the soul.
Travel outfitters, hoteliers and travel agents the world over note an upswing in solo female travel. “Women are traveling more. And they’re doing it alone — on their terms. In many ways, this movement is changing the landscape of travel,” said Michaela Murray, head of marketing, Hacker Paradise, whose company organizes global remote work trips for location-independent professionals, complete with built-in crews. “We’re seeing an uptick in the amount of female-focused travel solutions out there, from female-only accommodations to the rise of female travel forums online,” she said. Indeed, research shows that besides work travel, women journey to check off a bucket-list destination, learn a new skill, celebrate a notable date or seek some kind of transformation or renewal. Making it easier, scores of hotels, destinations and travel companies offer female-only experiences, trips and retreats. Since females now helm many aspects of the travel industry as well, from fly fishing companies to yoga studios and including cooking schools, hotels and spas, there’s a fluid natural support system in a multitude of global locations. This provides more opportunities than ever before for women travelers to step outside their comfort zone in accessible, encouraging environments.
Leading global guiding company Trafalgar recently conducted a survey targeting women travelers. The research concluded that after a solo trip, women felt “on top of the world,” empowered and motivated to take on the challenges of their real lives. “Women feel they can accomplish anything after an epic trip,” said Melissa DaSilva, Trafalgar’s president. She further reveals that, according to the survey, a majority of women believe travel makes them stronger (73 percent), more independent (73 percent) and more inspired (69 percent). Of those canvassed, 86 percent were not afraid to explore, despite what might be happening in the world around them. “Adventure travel attracts most of our solo female globetrotters,” said DaSilva. “It outweighs luxury by 20 percent.” From Trafalgar’s itineraries, DaSilva suggests intrepid women sign up for the Trailblazer, an eight-day trip which explores the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell.
Ready to go? Here are a few more to consider:

PHOTO: © THE HOME RANCH
Colorado, known for its active denizens and stellar terrain, has long been a resource for women in search of transformation and adventure through travel. In fact, Chicks Climbing and Skiing has had a stake in female travel for two decades. Its programs, located in Colorado and Wyoming and led by women for women, include instruction in edgier pursuits, from ice climbing to avalanche rescue training. In Boulder, “no dudes, no attitude” serves as the motto for Sacred Rides, owned by a female former pro mountain and cyclocross racer. Its bespoke overnight trips and game- changing Ladies Day Out rides ensure adrenaline rushes. For trekkers, Aspen Alpine Guides takes women hikers to the heights on backcountry peak climbs with its Leave the Boys Behind program. On a more Zen note, The Home Ranch, an affiliate of Relais & Châteaux, offers a Yoga & Horses retreat several times a year for women interested in improving their equestrian skills via a mind/body connection with their equine mounts.
In more far-flung parts of the world, follow the example set by Judi Wineland and her daughters, Erica and Nicole, who operate AdventureWomen, a nearly four-decade-young travel company for female sightseers. Its off-the-beaten-path options redefine girls’ getaways with itineraries to less-trammeled spots such as Oman, Antarctica and India.
For gastronomes, Access Culinary Trips introduces its first women-only tours to Morocco, Peru and Tuscany in 2020. Planned to immerse culinary fans safely and intimately into communities, the jaunts ethically seek to empower local women in each country as well. Besides taking guests to iconic sights, the tours show firsthand the perspective of being female in these countries as well as exploring culture through cuisine. In Tuscany travelers cook with a female chef in her home in Cortona, and in Morocco they’ll visit a women’s Argan cooperative.
Out Adventures, with its high-end, small-group tours, long catered to gay men. But in 2020 it launches its new lesbian tour offerings, starting with a trip to Peru and a small luxury cruise to Croatia. Journeys encompass a lesbian host, female tour guide, visits to lesbian-owned businesses, and activities that support women-owned businesses.
Read This Next
Tour a Newly Rebuilt Christchurch
February 2020
Feb 11, 2020Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 30, 2023A New Type of Art Experience: Rotterdam’s Depot Boijman’s Van Beuningen Opens
A little more a year ago, Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, designed by architectural firm MVRDV, opened to the public in Rotterdam. At Depot, everything revolves around the interaction between the visitors and more than 151,000 works stored in various areas of the unique building.
Sponsored Content
Share Your Travel Preferences with Global Traveler in a Short Survey & Win
Learning more about our readers’ travel habits and preferences ensures Global Traveler delivers the content you desire. As the travel industry has adapted and changed over the last few years, it’s more important than ever to connect. To best meet your short- and long-term travel content needs, please help us!
Daily
Mar 29, 20234 Spring Hotel Openings
With the start of spring, travelers have their choice of new design-centric boutique properties opening in the coming months. Check out these properties for travel inspiration.
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 29, 2023Elk Cove Inn & Spa Review
Mendocino County is a self-contained universe of effortless, California-centric joy enveloped within the Redwood Forest National and State Parks, the rocky Pacific Coast and several prime wine production areas like Anderson Valley. If Highway 1 and Route 128 are the ribbons holding this package together, Elk Cove Inn & Spa can be considered the bow. Mendocino Coast’s first vacation destination, established in 1968, is an ideal 16-room gateway to the destination.
eFlyer News
Mar 29, 2023YOTEL to Open YOTELPAD London Stratford in Late 2023
YOTEL recently announced plans to open YOTELPAD London Stratford at the end of this year, making it the seventh YOTEL property in the United Kingdom and third in London, joining YOTEL London City and YOTEL London Shoreditch. YOTEL currently features properties in the United States and United Kingdom, with hotels in Boston, New York, San Francisco and, more recently, Washington, D.C.
Last-Minute Spring Deals from SIXT
eFlyer Deals
Mar 29, 2023Daily
Mar 29, 2023Get in the Spirit for the Coronation with These 4 Red Savannah Itineraries
This May, London celebrates as King Charles III will officially be crowned in the coronation. To help travelers get into the royal spirit, Red Savannah recently introduced a variety of itineraries and destinations in the United Kingdom, including the homes of monarchs and historical figures, castles and gardens.
Sponsored Content
Enter to Win $500 and Get Six Months’ Free Access to the New GT App
Now through May 8, sign up for a free six-month trial of the Global Traveler app and be automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 gift card of your choice for Amazon, Apple or American Express.
Daily
Mar 29, 2023Set Sail on a California River Cruise with American Cruise Lines
Love small-ship cruising and the California coast? You’re in luck: American Cruise Lines offers an eight-day San Francisco Bay excursion, taking in some of the best wine country in the United States. The itinerary for American Jazz — one of 10 new riverboats in American Cruise Lines fleet — includes ports in San Francisco, Stockton, Sacramento and Vallejo. Sailing time takes in San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay and the Napa and San Joaquin rivers. American Jazz reaches the California Coast following a repositioning journey from Mississippi, including a transit through the Panama Canal.
ShareThis