destination ideas Archives - Honest Explorer

Looking for a challenge? After my article on 5 Destinations for the First Time Traveller I decided to write a second one for more adventurous or bolder destinations. These countries would suit a first time traveller who feels quite confident about going it alone or perhaps someone with previous solo experience, looking to push themselves a bit more. I’m not saying these are super hard places to travel to but they may be less touristy or ‘off the beaten track’ or perhaps English might not be as wildly spoken or displayed at train stations, etc. These countries are all fantastic places to visit with varied landscapes and lots of culture.

Peru

Good because: spectacular scenery, cheap, easy transportation

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With every climate from mountains, desert, ocean and rainforests, Peru is a stunning country and the landscapes will truly take your breath away. I found it surprisingly less scary than I had built up in my mind. Many people told me not to go whilst relating all the horror stories they had heard on the news, etc. I never felt unsafe here and found it easy to travel around the country. The bus company Cruz del Sur is fabulous and I would recommend using that over a public bus as they can sometimes drive dangerously. Asking hostel staff which public transport would be safe to use is a good idea. It’s also a cheap place to travel with adventurous foods to try such as guinea pig, if you’re brave enough!

Bolivia

Good because: amazing landscapes, cheap, good hostels

Colourful waters, Laguna Colorada, bolivia — Laguna Colorada, Bolivia

Bolivia is another country with rugged, spectacular and diverse scenery. A popular tour is the 3 day 4×4 tour, over the Bolivian salt flats and surrounding landscape. The salt flats are reason alone to visit here. Bolivia is also slightly cheaper if you’re looking do a rainforest tour, as opposed to neighbouring country Peru. Transport is not quite as good quality as Peru but long bus rides are definitely worth it as the landscape is pretty amazing (plus they’re super cheap). Although they may not have good English, the locals here are very welcoming and there’s some great friendly hostels. It’s always easy to find a travel buddy if wanted.

Tanzania

Good because: incredible wildlife, cultural, friendly locals

with massai women, tanzania — Discovering a different culture in Tanzania

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There is something special about Africa and I’m sure Tanzania will not disappoint. I travelled with a tour group to the Serengeti and then to Zanzibar, with the second part of my trip situated in the capital city of Arusha. This is where I volunteered with children at an orphanage. The safari was incredible, sleeping in a tent under the stars and waking to beautiful sunrises, whilst the volunteering threw me into the local streets and hustle and bustle of the city. It can seem intimidating at first but street sellers are generally just curious and want to chat. If you’re looking for great adventures but also to be thrown into local life, talking with friendly locals, learning how they live, then Tanzania is for you.

India

Good because: energetic, cultural, beautiful attractions

Chatting with local women — Chatting with the local women, India

me outside taj mahal — The Taj Mahal did not disappoint!

I travelled to India with a tour group as I felt more comfortable that way but hear of many women travelling alone there with no problems. It’s a country where as a solo female, it will be best to keep yourself covered and travel during the day but I see no reason why you shouldn’t go alone, it’s just down to how confident you feel. Although sometimes hard to book, the sleeper trains are very good, as well as the English of most locals. There are numerous hostels around so ask other travellers for advice as you go, or make friends and travel together. This country of ‘no rules’ has some beautiful attractions to visit and by simply just soaking up the way of life, you’ll unlikely get bored. India is a crazy, loud, colourful, aromatic, cultural country, that will leave you feeling drained but fulfilled!

Sri Lanka

Good because: yummy food, relaxed, beautiful countryside

storming coming in at Sri Lankan beach — Sri Lankan beach

I would describe Sri Lanka as a mix of India and Thailand, with a calmer feel and friendlier, more relaxed locals than India. Travelling as a woman I would suggest to be careful at night but during the day found it pretty safe. The beaches down South are gorgeous and the rainforest up North is full of tea plantations and cultural dance shows. There are also mountains for day hikes that leave you with stunning views from the top. Food is delicious and transport is prettygood but it’s easier to book a taxi if there is a group of you, as it can sometimes work out cheaper or the same than public transport. Sri Lanka has many things to see from, wildlife, temples, rainforests, mountains, fishing villages and cities. The scenery is pretty magical and with it being a small country, you’ll never have to travel for too long, leaving you more time to soak up the beauty of this place.

Hope you enjoyed reading 5 Adventurous Countries for Solo Female Travel … why not take a look at 5 Reasons Why Every Girl Should Travel Solo

Remember to write all of your adventures down. It’s a great way to connect with yourself whilst on the road, plus amusing reading back several years later! I love this one By Marco Polo. Find it on Amazon UK or Amazon US

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So you’ve decided to take the plunge and go on a fabulous solo adventure? Good for you! There are so many Reasons Why Every Girl Should Travel Solo. To me, any country is open for solo travel but for the first time traveller it can be daunting, so you need to pick the right destination for you. Some people may throw themselves in the deep end or others may want to pick a country closer to home or perhaps a more touristy place if it will make them feel safer. There’s really no right answer- only the right answer for you.

Here are a few suggestions from my experiences. They are based not just on safety but on the easiness of travel, activities to do and how easy it is to meet other people.

Thailand

Good because: safe, easy transport, many other backpackers, cheap

For the first time traveller Thailand is an incredibly easy place to travel. From the jungles and mountains in the North to the stunning beaches in the South, it holds something special wherever you go. Booking trains and buses is simple and information at stations is generally displayed in English. There are pretty good sleeper trains here for a good price and airlines like Air Asia are very cheap too if your short on time.

The locals are friendly and welcoming, always smiling. There are numerous cheap hostels and guesthouses so not hard to make friends with other backpackers as you go. I always find it a very safe place to visit and feel most comfortable travelling alone there. As an added bonus the food is delicious! Pad thai anyone?!

New Zealand

Good because: safe, numerous activities, English speaking, good transportation

The adventure capital of the world?! I’d say! If you’re looking for adventure, Queenstown in the South Island is where you need to be. From skydiving, bungy jumping, zip wires and jet boats, there is so much to do here, you won’t get bored easily. These activities can be pricey so figure out an ‘adventure budget’ before you leave! You could also apply for a work visa and experience living in a new country as well.

NZ is another safe and easy place to travel. Buy a travel pass with intercity and book buses online as you go. It’s a small country so no journey is ever too long if you break it up. Being an English speaking country it’s super easy to plan your trip and the locals are renowned for being friendly and happy to pass on local knowledge. If you are on a cheaper budget then there are walking trails you can do in almost every place that are easy to do alone. Also it’s very easy to meet other people in the hostels if you are looking for some company.

Australia

Good because: many activities, backpacker friendly, English speaking

The land down under has been a backpacker destination for a long time and no doubt there’s a reason why. Popular with the younger crowd this is great for a first destination. You’re not completely throwing yourself in the deep end, as it’s a western country with western food, where you don’t have to ‘cover up’ or learn a new language (assuming you speak English of course). There are many cuisines in bigger towns and it’s very easy to find hostels.

Transport is simple to book with greyhound buses being one of the most popular. With diverse landscapes from the outback to rainforests, to the coast, you can see why this is great for a first solo trip. There are many backpackers on the East coast and Aussies are generally very friendly people and easy to approach if you find yourself lost. It may not be the cheapest place but like New Zealand you can apply for a work visa and make money as you travel.

Bali

Good because: beautiful landscapes, cultural, friendly locals, no long journeys

Ever seen the Julia Roberts movie ‘Eat, Prey, Love’? After watching it myself I was inspired to visit Bali and experience a similar cultural experience. Perfect for a ‘spiritual’ solo getaway. I much preferred the North of the island as it was quieter, less touristy, with lush scenery and incredibly friendly locals.

I found Bali to be a safe place to travel and to chill out by myself, whilst being easy to make friends if I wanted. There are a lot of things to do from the beaches and nightlife down South to the temples, mountains and waterfalls up North. This beautiful country will revitalise and draw you in to the sounds, culture and local way of life. It’s also tiny so you will never drive more than 3 hours to get anywhere! Perfect for the first time traveller!

New York, North America

Good because: good transportation, many things to do, won’t look out of place

Perhaps unexpectedly I found ‘the big apple’ is great to explore alone. At first it was a little nerve racking trying to figure out the subway system with all my bags and everyone walking past in a mad hurry. I needn’t have worried. After buying a 7 day travel card and using the subway a couple of times, I got the hang of it and found the system easy to use.

The locals sometimes appear quite ‘in your face’ and loud but if you ask them for directions, they are happy to help and not as scary as first appearances might suggest! With the many things to do in NYC you won’t look out of place going alone anywhere, even going to dinner or to see a play alone. If you want to make friends to explore the nightlife with then stay in one of the many hostels. There’s so much to do here it might even be better doing it alone- no-one to slow you down! (if you always walk like you’re late for something like me!).

Hope you enjoyed my country tips for the first time traveller, any comments or more suggestions for great first time countries? Then let me know in the comments section below!

If you enjoyed this you may also like: First Time Travelling Alone? Your Questions Answered.

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