Here’s How to Plan at Least One Solo Trip Before Summer Ends

The solo trip, often seen as the ultimate “Eat, Pray, Love” self-discovery quest, can actually be quite the low-key, relaxing reprieve from daily life. No need for a spiritual awakening or journey to find oneself after a crisis — a good solo trip can be a necessary vacation to recharge, eat some good food and see new sites on your own schedule. Single, partnered or happily bestied, a solo trip can be not only a desire, but a needed moment of alone time and self-care.

Trips can be as expensive or as cheap as you need. The first step to booking any solo trip is deciding on how big or small you want to go. Have a smaller budget? A weekend road trip to another town might be ideal. If you have a little more room in your budget, consider exploring a new state, or take it international and explore a solo traveller-friendly country.

Solo travel is not spent well in every location. Some locations are places that are livelier and more fun with other people. If you want to travel internationally, somewhere like Ibiza or Mykonos, notorious party destinations, might not be the best place to go alone. If you’re keeping it stateside, destinations like Las Vegas are better explored with a group. Though there are plenty of places to travel that not only support but are optimal for the solo traveller. The island of Crete in Greece is a great spot for solo travellers, with its historic towns, beautiful beaches and ancient ruins. Calistoga in California is also well known for its hot springs, relaxing spas and wine tasting. Deciding on a location that has activities that support solo exploration and quality time with yourself is essential for making the most of your trip. It’s also critical to decide on a place that is safe for going alone, so take your time with the research phase and see what other travellers have to say before you book.

The next step is to find a weekend to go (or longer if your schedule permits). A quiet weekend towards the end of summer might be ideal for lighter crowds and lower prices. Although you can pick out any dates that suit you — it's really up to your schedule and flexibility. Feeling ambitious? Block out a couple weekends months out from now to make the solo trip a regular, quarterly treat to yourself.

While solo travel is perfect for venturing through new cities and exploring, it might be a smart idea to figure out what activities there are where you’re going in advance. Look up local historical sites, enriching museums and all the best restaurants to eat at, of course. Solo travel means endless flexibility to go at your own pace and where you want, but having a few activities mapped out can spare you unnecessary boredom or time looking up what to do while you are already at your destination.

Being alone means you’ll have a lot more downtime and gaps in socializing. When you are back at your accommodation or out to eat, you might find yourself looking to fill the silence of where another person (or people) usually takes up space. A handy book can be a great way to keep yourself occupied during quieter moments and serve as a table partner during meal time while you eat alone.

Traveling solo can be a rewarding, fulfilling experience but it’s important to ensure your safety while going anywhere alone. At the end of the day, some destinations are less safe than others, and it’s critical that you avoid putting yourself in tricky situations. Letting a few trusted emergency contacts know when you are going and where your bases are covered at all points. Additionally, although the point of a solo trip is much-needed alone time, it is a smart idea to schedule regular check-ins with loved ones to make sure you are doing alright. Traveling alone is exciting, but safety always comes first.