{"id":221754,"date":"2025-06-28T16:25:15","date_gmt":"2025-06-28T16:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/221754\/"},"modified":"2025-06-28T16:25:15","modified_gmt":"2025-06-28T16:25:15","slug":"im-a-solo-traveller-who-has-been-to-60-countries-these-are-the-places-you-must-visit-and-the-very-popular-destinations-to-skip-including-the-region-ill-never-go-back-to-emily-luxton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/221754\/","title":{"rendered":"I’m a solo traveller who has been to 60 countries. These are the places you MUST visit and the very popular destinations to skip – including the region I’ll never go back to: EMILY LUXTON"},"content":{"rendered":"

Boarding a flight to Bangkok back in 2016 \u2013 the beginning of my first ever solo trip \u2013 I remember thinking: I don\u2019t think I can do this. Arriving in the hectic, humid city to a cacophony of voices screaming \u2018TAXI!\u2019 wasn\u2019t much comfort, either.<\/p>\n

But I was there for a reason. A few months previously I had split from my boyfriend, realising we wanted different things (him to settle down, me to see the world). After a good few weeks vegetating on the couch, it was my younger brother who finally gave me the courage to take the plunge and head out travelling \u2013 all on my own.<\/p>\n

Sixty countries and a successful travel blog later, I\u2019ve never looked back.<\/p>\n

Here are some of my favourite spots, ones to avoid \u2013 and my top tips to master the art of solo travelling.<\/p>\n

Sowing the seeds<\/p>\n

This wasn\u2019t my first foray into backpacking. The previous year, my ex-boyfriend and I had spent five months exploring South America together. It was this trip that had really given me the travelling bug \u2013 and driven us apart.<\/p>\n

If I wanted to travel, I would have to do so alone. But this was 2016 and solo travelling \u2013 particularly for women \u2013 wasn\u2019t having the moment it is now.<\/p>\n

Google searches for \u2018solo female travel\u2019 have increased by 1,000 per cent in the past decade, according to the BBC, with nearly 40 per cent of women planning a solo trip this year. Back then, though, women were reminded constantly of how dangerous solo travelling can be.<\/p>\n

\"Emily <\/p>\n

Emily Luxton has travelled to more than 60 countries and has a successful travel blog<\/p>\n

Follow your nose<\/p>\n

While I\u2019d recommend properly doing your research to any traveller, one of the benefits of going alone is the freedom you\u2019re afforded.<\/p>\n

In fact, some of the best experiences I\u2019ve had are because I\u2019ve followed my gut instincts. It was this mentality that led me to spend three weeks in India during that first trip \u2013 despite it being a country I\u2019d previously imagined being far too chaotic to enjoy properly.<\/p>\n

After meeting a fellow backpacker en route to India from Thailand, I discovered that relaxed \u2013 and relaxing \u2013 Goa, in the south, was far from the teeming Delhi I\u2019d imagined. I\u2019ve been back to India twice since, to Jaipur and Udaipur, each time charmed.<\/p>\n

Keep your wits about you<\/p>\n

Naturally, different countries require varying degrees of security. I\u2019ve never felt safer than I did in South Korea, where you can leave your phone lying around without worry, and the seamless public transport is your friend.<\/p>\n

On the flip side, I had more than my share of unwanted male attention while seeing the pyramids in Egypt.<\/p>\n

Based on that experience, I\u2019m unlikely to ever travel solo to countries in the Middle East, where it is already harder to live as a woman.<\/p>\n

\"Emily <\/p>\n

Emily discovered that Goa, in south India, was far from the teeming Delhi she had imagined<\/p>\n

Hairy moments<\/p>\n

Inevitably, though, even my best-laid plans have come up short every now and then. On a trip to Costa Rica, I was staying in a jungle lodge in the middle of nowhere and had made no preparations for my transport back to civilisation.<\/p>\n

The following morning, when there was no way of calling a taxi or any buses to be seen, I ended up having to trek back through the jungle on my own and then hitchhike to town \u2013 something I would never usually do alone.<\/p>\n

Luckily, a kind American couple scooped me up \u2013 scolding me for my lack of foresight. I learnt a serious lesson about proper preparation.<\/p>\n

Best of the bunch<\/p>\n

Taking necessary precautions \u2013 not travelling alone at night, wearing your bag on your front when necessary \u2013 has allowed me to explore countries generally considered \u2018dangerous\u2019.<\/p>\n

Before I first went to Mexico, I remember my dad imploring me not to go, convinced I would be kidnapped by a cartel. And sure, there are parts of Mexico I\u2019d avoid as a woman on my own. But my experience of the country as a female solo traveller, time and time again (I\u2019ve visited seven times now), has been overwhelmingly positive.<\/p>\n

In fact, if I had to choose one of the 60 countries that I\u2019ve visited, I\u2019d probably crown Mexico my favourite. I\u2019ve been endlessly enthralled by the delicious food, vibrant culture and dedication to enjoying life.<\/p>\n

\"On <\/p>\n

On a trip to Costa Rica, she stayed in a jungle lodge in the middle of nowhere and found herself in a hairy situation after failing to make preparations for her transport back to civilisation<\/p>\n

City escape\u00a0<\/p>\n

Inevitably, though, not all of my trips have been quite so successful. I was very disappointed by Los Angeles \u2013 which I had imagined to be supremely cool, tinged with Hollywood glamour. In reality you have to drive everywhere, which is a pain, and I found the city boring.<\/p>\n

I prefer only spending a handful of days in cities. For me, mountains, beaches and outdoorsy activities are a more interesting way to get to know a place.<\/p>\n

Making connections<\/p>\n

Encounters are one of the best parts of travelling. It\u2019s a cliche, of course, but meeting people from totally different backgrounds, who often challenge your world view, is a huge part of why I travel.<\/p>\n

And being crammed together on 16-hour bus rides through the wilderness provides an opportunity to connect on a deeper level.<\/p>\n

You skip the small talk and really get to know people.<\/p>\n

\"It <\/p>\n

It gets a bad rep, but I\u2019ve always found Mexico warm and welcoming. The food is amazing, plus it\u2019s easy to meet people, Emily says<\/p>\n

Riding the hobby horse<\/p>\n

Even for someone relatively shy like me, making friends while travelling is almost unavoidable \u2013 which was particularly so when I was younger and staying in hostels more often.<\/p>\n

As I\u2019ve started to value my sleep a little more, and my budget has loosened, I\u2019ve found that doing activities wherever you are is a great alternative way to socialise.<\/p>\n

On a recent trip to Rome, I spent the afternoon learning how to make pasta \u2013 something I\u2019d never done before.<\/p>\n

I not only met other pasta lovers, but learnt more about Italian culture than I did on any one of my three trips to the famous Colosseum.<\/p>\n

Home for the summer<\/p>\n

These days, as my business and profile as a travel blogger have become more established, I\u2019m enjoying slowing down a little and exploring more of the UK.<\/p>\n

Despite my wanderlust, I am something of a homebody at heart and cherish being with my family in Dorchester, my home town in Dorset.<\/p>\n

Travelling around the UK has sparked its own problems, though. When I\u2019m abroad, I rarely feel self-conscious dining alone anymore and find I can blend in relatively easily, giving the impression (I hope) of a mysterious traveller from a far-flung place.<\/p>\n

For whatever reason, I have felt more watched, even judged, when dining alone in the UK.<\/p>\n

It reminds me to return to my old principles: when solo meals start to feel uncomfortable or daunting, I arm myself with a book or a pen and paper and resume my enigmatic traveller persona.<\/p>\n

To future solo travellers<\/p>\n

If anybody reading this is considering embarking on their own solo trip, my only advice would be \u2013 as my own brother told me nearly a decade ago \u2013 just do it. This goes especially for women, all of whom I believe should have the experience of travelling solo at least once in their lives.<\/p>\n

And that doesn\u2019t have to mean hardcore backpacking either; a group tour is a great way to ease yourself in. All you have to do is turn up, be friendly and enjoy yourself.<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, if you head out solo travelling and discover you can\u2019t stand it, nothing\u2019s stopping you from booking the next flight home.<\/p>\n

\"Emily <\/p>\n

Emily says that South Korea was one of the safest countries she has ever visited, and while the language barrier was sometimes an issue, people were happy to help<\/p>\n

Emily’s best and worst destinations
Best\u00a0<\/p>\n

Merida, Mexico: It gets a bad rep, but I\u2019ve always found Mexico warm and welcoming. The food is amazing, plus it\u2019s easy to meet people.<\/p>\n

Seoul, South Korea: One of the safest countries I\u2019ve ever visited. The language barrier was an issue at times but so many people were happy to help out.<\/p>\n

Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand: The tourism infrastructure is much better here than other parts of South East Asia. There are also lots of hostels to meet people, plus fun tours and activities.<\/p>\n

Kyoto, Japan: As with South Korea, I felt very safe here. There are lots of female-only guesthouses too, which made me a lot more comfortable.<\/p>\n

Alberta, Canada: The perfect destination for a solo road trip. The roads are mostly straight and the landscapes are epic.<\/p>\n

Murcia, Spain: Smaller Spanish cities are ideal for exploring on foot or by bike for a solo city break. There are plenty of hostels, too, so it\u2019s easy to make friends.<\/p>\n

Worst<\/p>\n

Cairo, Egypt: While I enjoyed travelling solo in the country, I think the capital might be overwhelming for a lot of solo travellers \u2013 particularly if you\u2019re new to the game.<\/p>\n

Marrakech, Morocco: It\u2019s beautiful here, but it can be a little intense if travelling alone.<\/p>\n

St Lucia: As with most Caribbean destinations, it\u2019s mainly all-inclusives here, so there wasn\u2019t much of a solo traveller vibe \u2013 it felt like more of a \u2018honeymoon\u2019 place.<\/p>\n

Berlin, Germany: I felt a bit lonely travelling solo here \u2013 presumably as it\u2019s so much about the famous nightlife.<\/p>\n

Havana, Cuba: A touch run down and quite a tricky place to travel to. My first couple of days here were solo and I hated it, then a friend joined and I had a good time \u2013 which says a lot.<\/p>\n