Vacation Alone: Solo Walking Vacations Can Be The Best Way To Go

For a single person planning a fun vacation, it can be a hard step to do it all alone, but solo walking vacations can be a rewarding and exciting way to go. While you might be going on vacation alone, you end up seeing the world and making new friends and building relationships along the way.

People often say that by walking around your vacation destination, you see and experience much more than driving or flying from place to place, and it definitely does appear to be the case.

The options are endless, too, with so many places to choose from when deciding on solo walking vacations and they can be fun any time of the year.

Some #Travel & #Vacation: Walking by michelelaf Namaste pic.twitter.com/SoVBL4Rg19

— Pure Unfoldment Inc (@PureUnfoldment) January 3, 2016

In a recent article in the National, the journalist concerned went on a vacation alone a while back and found it refreshing not to be tied to other people’s schedules and plans.

She quoted the experience of walking into a restaurant and asking for a “table for one, please” and how she always ended up in a conversation with other solo travelers from all over the world, some of whom have become permanent friends, if only by correspondence, as she coins the old phrase “pen pals.” While she doesn’t specifically name a location, she was touring Europe alone and reportedly loved it.

So, why hold back from enjoying a great vacation because your friends can’t take leave from work, or because you’ve recently broken up with the boyfriend or girlfriend? The possibilities are endless.

There are several travel companies online who will make all the necessary arrangements for you, booking various solo walking vacations in different parts of the world and leaving you to simply relax and have fun. You also enjoy the security of being in a group, despite starting off solo.

A blog by Walks Worldwide talks along the same theme as mentioned in the National, saying that while you might start off traveling alone, you will meet so many other solo travelers from around the globe, as well as couples and groups of friends on the tour.

The following are just a few examples of places to experience the best in solo walking vacations among nature, history, and so much more.

Imagine traveling to Armenia and walking the famed Silk Road and beyond. Hike above the dramatic gorges and canyons to the south summit of Armenia’s highest peak, Mt. Aragats. Along the way, meet nomads and enjoy their traditional food and hospitality. Then explore the ancient monasteries in the area before taking a stroll next to the beautiful Lake Sevan.

Take a walk through amazing Morocco and explore the Atlas Mountains on an ancient Berber caravan route, taking in the stark landscapes, canyons, and lush valleys and exploring the tiny villages along the way.

While on the hike, visit the magnificent Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified town well known from the movies, including Gladiator and The Prince of Persia, before heading back to stunning Marrakech with its endlessly fascinating souks and the well-known Jemaa el-Fna square.

The colors, history, and traditions of exotic Morocco make for a real adventure, something to regale the grandkids with in later years.

For a rather more challenging hike, travel to Tanzania and hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro. There are several routes to choose from, including the popular Marangu and Machame routes, while the Rongai route from the north is considered by some to be the most beautiful way to get to the summit.

Pass through forests and African farmland before heading up into an Alpine zone with amazing views, then head across the lunar desert of the Saddler before heading up to the crater’s rim and a celebration up at the very summit of Kilimanjaro.

There are many more great locations to choose from, including the green hills of northern Spain, the wine-producing areas of Catalonia, the French Alps, or the Peak District of England (pictured top). You could even participate in a Game of Thrones location tour if you are a fan.

Whatever you choose, a solo walking vacation can be a fulfilling and exciting journey. You might start off alone, but there are plenty of fellow travelers to meet up with along the way.

[Photo via Flickr by Tim Collins/CC BY-SA 2.0]