The rise of the female solo traveller: here’s why you should go it alone!

Women have been exploring for hundreds of years but there is still a stigma surrounding female solo travel, with uncertainty around safety and wellbeing. But to celebrate International Women’s Day, we want to highlight how travel plays such an important role in female empowerment today.

Solo travel has almost become a right of passage for millennials today, but no matter what age you are, going it alone can be a truly liberating experience. Take inspiration from some of the world’s famous female adventurers such as Amelia Earhart who was the first woman to fly across both the Atlantic and the Pacific, or Gertrude Belle who was a British archaeologist who explored the Middle East, Asia and Europe to produce books that are still studied today.  

Questions and doubts from family, friends and even from yourself can often arise. Is it safe? Won’t you get lonely? What if something goes wrong? And these are all genuine concerns, but these fears should not be enough to stop you from going on an adventure. The benefits far outweigh those worries, and as long as you remain respectful of different cultures and aware of your environment, there are plenty of ways you can ensure you stay safe while travelling alone as a woman.

Travelling alone really helps you understand your true values and what really matters in the world. It teaches you that you don’t need luxuries or technology, all you need is your courage and curiosity to go and see the world. Freedom is something we often take for granted, so cherish it and travel often.

One company breaking the mould and supporting a safer way of travelling for women is G Adventures. Operating in 120 countries around the world and offering approximately 800 different trips to choose from, they are currently the leading tour operator for solo travel.

Solo travelling doesn’t have to mean backpacking, so if that’s not for you, don’t think you can’t go and see all the world has to offer. G adventures is all about providing authentic cultural experiences wherever you go, and this can be in the form of backpacking, local living, wellness retreats, activity holidays or even cruises.

So pack your bags because it’s time for an International women’s adventure! If you’re not sure whether solo travel is for you, here’s just a few reasons that are sure to ignite your wanderlust.

Travelling solo is a great way to broaden your horizons and make new friends. The people you meet when travelling are people that you may never come across in your daily life. You’ll meet people from all over the world of different ages and nationalities, all with a different story.

This is a great way to learn about other parts of the world, how different people live, and to learn more about yourself, too. If you’re worried about mingling with other travellers, G Adventures tours are a great option for you.  You’ll be in a group of other solo travellers, so you’ll instantly have something in common. These tours can often include hostel accommodation where there is always a sense of community, and group activities and some meals are usually included, too.

Have you always wanted to learn to surf? Or perhaps you’d like to try your hand at scuba diving? Travelling gives you the opportunity to try a whole range of activities that you may not think to do at home. From Thai cooking classes in South East Asia to teaching English as a foreign language in Spain, the list is endless. Whether you want to better yourself or give back to a local community, there are plenty things you can choose to do.

If you’re into health, fitness or wellness, something like a yoga retreat gives you the opportunity to explore a new destination while taking part in something you love. G Adventures give you several inclusive and optional activities you can take part in, so all you have to do is speak to your guide and they will recommend some fun things for you to do. This is balanced out with plenty of free time that still allows you to go off and explore on your own, so you get that real solo experience.

Travelling alone as a woman, it is inevitable you may feel nervous about your safety. But don’t let this stop you venturing off the beaten track as this is where you’ll discover the real culture of a destination.

Whether you want to explore a bustling city, go hiking up a mountain or trekking through the jungle, you can do so with the comfort of a local G Adventures guide by your side. All of their guides are experts in the local area, so they can give you the best tips and advice on where to go and what to do. 

Going on holiday is also the perfect time to take a digital detox, as you’ll find you won’t be able to use your phone 24/7. This is a great opportunity to really take in your surroundings and appreciate what the world has to offer. Rather than looking down at your phone all the time, you can look up and take in the beautiful architecture, the breath-taking scenery, and chat to the locals!

International Women’s Day is all about female empowerment and travelling certainly gives you that sense of freedom we all need sometimes.  

So ladies, don’t hold back because you’re scared you’ll feel lonely, or scared you won’t feel safe. The world has so much to offer and you’ll learn so much about yourself on your journey. There will be times when you miss those back home, but when you return nothing will have changed, except you.

You will have knowledge of different cultures, you’ll have made new friends, tried new foods, learned new skills, made amazing memories and most importantly, you’ll feel proud of yourself.

Happy International Women’s Day!

Ready for your solo adventure? Check out some of the great offers from G Adventures and Just You on our website and get in touch with your Personal Travel Expert to start planning.