507 articles tagged with solo travel
The Netherlands may be renowned for its flat landscapes and endless horizons, but as someone who finds solace in elevation, I've discovered that the Dutch terrain holds subtle surprises worth exploring. Having grown up gazing at Osaka's surrounding mountains, I've...
The scent hit me first—a complex symphony of dried herbs, rosewater, and ancient stone warmed by the spring sun. Standing in a quiet courtyard away from Shiraz's main tourist arteries, I felt that familiar tingle of discovery that keeps drawing...
At 64, I've discovered that some of life's most rewarding journeys begin when we venture beyond our comfort zones. After decades of directing travelers at Hawaiian Airlines and settling into my Scottish retirement, Madagascar called to me with its unique...
When I first visited Cape Town three years ago, I was expecting beautiful scenery and maybe a few decent hikes. What I *wasn't* prepared for was how this South African city would completely redefine my understanding of adventure travel. Between...
The humid air hit me like a warm embrace as I stepped off the plane in Guayaquil. Ecuador's largest city and bustling port isn't usually the first stop on most travelers' itineraries—many rush straight to the Galápagos or Quito—but this...
As a research scientist accustomed to methodical observation, I've found few environments that reward careful attention quite like Brazil's Pantanal. This vast wetland ecosystem—the world's largest tropical wetland area—presents a fascinating laboratory for solo travelers seeking authentic wildlife encounters without...
The air hangs thick with humidity as I step off the small aircraft onto the tarmac of Bata International Airport. This coastal city—Equatorial Guinea's largest yet remarkably untouristed—feels worlds away from the gleaming skyscrapers of Malabo, the country's island capital....
When most people think of Williston, North Dakota, images of oil rigs and boom-town economics come to mind. But after analyzing three years of tourism data and spending a fascinating summer weekend there, I discovered a city with remarkable hidden...
The first time I ventured to Sudbury, Ontario, I expected little more than a quick stopover en route to Lake Superior. What I discovered instead was a fascinating industrial landscape that has undergone one of North America's most remarkable environmental...
The limestone karsts of Yangshuo rise from the mist like ancient sentinels, their reflections dancing on the surface of the Li River as the morning sun breaks through the clouds. Getting around this breathtaking corner of rural China might seem...
There's something quite magical about discovering a destination that hasn't yet been overrun by tourism. Suffolk, Virginia—a mere whisper in travel circles—captured my heart last autumn when I was seeking respite from Brisbane's growing summer heat. As someone who has...
The speedboat cut through the muddy waters of the Essequibo River like a machete through jungle vines, spraying my weathered face with a fine mist that felt refreshing after three days of equatorial heat. At 62, I've learned that the...
There's something uniquely liberating about exploring a city that sits at the junction of urban sophistication and wild natural beauty. Denver—the Mile High City—exemplifies this perfect balance. As someone who typically finds herself documenting biodiversity patterns in remote locations, switching...
As someone who typically plans educational family adventures, I recently found myself with a rare opportunity: a solo trip to Mendoza, Argentina's famed wine region. The prospect both thrilled and intimidated me. Would wine country be awkward to navigate alone?...
There is something about the vastness of the desert that speaks directly to the soul. As someone who has spent two decades documenting traditional ecological knowledge across the world's arid landscapes, from Morocco to Mongolia, I believed I understood desert...