Have you tried it and fallen in love with solo travel ? You can get away from the hassles of everyday life, not have to worry about how to accommodate travel partners, and simply head to an unfamiliar environment to quietly enjoy a trip all your own. If you’ve read the solo travel short-haul guide and feel that short trips no longer satisfy you, don’t worry — travel experts have heard everyone’s thoughts, and this time we’re here to tell you which countries are also perfect for solo travel, making you so happy you won’t want to go home.
United Kingdom
The UK is a great choice for those trying long-haul solo travel for the first time, as it not only has a convenient transportation system, but also almost no language barrier (accents may vary). There are many different routes you can take when traveling in the UK: spend the whole day exploring museums, wander around various universities to enjoy the relaxed campus atmosphere and maybe even make new friends, or take trains to hop between cities. The beauty of traveling solo is that you can tailor your trip entirely to your own preferences.
London
An 18th-century British writer, Samuel·Johnson, once said: “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” London is a place full of life — countless museums and shopping centers mean you’ll never be at a loss for things to do. The only thing you might worry about is not wanting to leave after your trip ends. In addition, many people worry that the UK’s high rainfall might disrupt their plans, especially since the phrase “foggy London” adds to those concerns. However, London is located in the southern part of the UK and actually has slightly lower rainfall than other UK cities, giving you a better chance of enjoying good weather.
★Recommended Attractions:Big Ben,London Eye,Tower of London,Buckingham Palace,British Museum,River Thames,Houses of Parliament
Austria
Although German is the official language of Austria, many who have visited say that communicating in English is no problem—sometimes even elderly locals can converse in English. Austrians are also known to be very kind and polite. The urban areas of Austria offer various transportation options such as trains, subways, trams, and buses, making getting around very convenient. Beyond Vienna, the capital of music, Austria boasts many beautiful landscapes, delicious cuisine, and of course, fantastic chocolate!
Vienna
The capital of Austria—Vienna—is located beside the Danube River, Europe’s second-largest river. Although it covers less than 0.5%of Austria’s total land area,
it is home to over a quarter of the country’s population. When it comes to Vienna, music is naturally a highlight—many musical greats such as Beethoven and Mozart once lived here, and it is also home to the Vienna State Opera, one of Europe’s three premier opera houses. That’s why Vienna is also known as the World Capital of Music. In addition, the Hofburg Palace, once inhabited by Empress Elisabeth, and the colorful Hundertwasser House are also in Vienna. Art lovers can take this trip to relax and soak in the culture.★ Recommended Attractions:Schönbrunn Palace (Schönbrunn) St. Stephen’s CathedralHofburg PalaceVienna State OperaHundertwasser House .SalzburgAustrian Salzburg Attractions: Salzburg CathedralSalzburg is not only Austria’s fourth-largest city and the birthplace of Mozart, but also the filming location and setting of the movie "The Sound of Music." The streets of Salzburg are filled with many Baroque-style buildings and boast abundant natural landscapes. In addition, as the gateway to the Alps, Salzburg is also a very famous winter ski resort in Europe.
★ Recommended Attractions:
Salzburg Cathedral
Mirabell GardenAustriaAttractions]Besides musical prodigies Mozart and Haydn, here are more Austrian highlights you should knowNetherlandsIf you’re visiting Europe for the first time and are worried about language barriers, consider the Netherlands first—it’s said that the English proficiency of the Dutch is among the best in non-English-speaking countries!,Mirabell Garden
AustriaAttractions]Beyond child prodigies Mozart and Haydn, here's more about Austria you should know
Netherlands
If you're worried about language barriers on your first trip to Europe, consider the Netherlands first — the English proficiency of the Dutch is said to be the best among non-English-speaking countries.Most travelers' imagination of the Netherlands probably includes images of kids wearing traditional Dutch hats, cycling alongside fields of tulips, and windmills slowly turning — scenes that are leisurely and idyllic. But the Netherlands is definitely more than that. Fromcolorful houses lining the streets of the city to the cheerful smiles of the Dutch people, there's always something to lift your spirits.The city is filled with brightly colored houses, and from the cheerful smiles of the Dutch to everything in between, it’s absolutely impossible not to feel uplifted at all times.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and is also known as the "Venice of the North." According to a ranking survey by The Economist, Amsterdam was named 2017 the safest city in Europe for that year and also has the highest density of museums in the world. Not only is it home to a wealth of unique museums, but its natural beauty is equally remarkable. The annual flower season always attracts many visitors, and at night you can sit on a boat cruising through the canals, watching the sunset set while the golden light reflects off the slowly turning windmills.
Quick tip:If you’re traveling solo in Amsterdam, it’s recommendednot to go aloneto bars that are open only at night or to the red-light district for safety reasons.
★ Recommended Attractions:Amsterdam Canals,Glass-bottom Canal Boat Tours,Amsterdam Royal Palace
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands. In 2001 , it was selected as the European Capital of Culture. Aside from cycling along the breezy banks of the Kinderdijk windmills in the suburbs, the city center also boasts many unique attractions, such as the cool Cube Houses and the uniquely designed Rotterdam Centraal Station. Most notably, Markthal the market 2015? was named one of the best tourist attractions in the world by Time magazine in the year after its opening. With so much delicious food, you’d be missing out if you didn’t indulge.
Quick Tip:Amsterdam and Rotterdam are not far apart — just about an hour by train — so it’s recommended to visit both cities in one trip.
★ Recommended Attractions:KinderdijkWindmills,Cubic Houses,MARKTHAL Indoor Food Court
Iceland
Iceland has been ranked the safest country in the world for many years in a row TOP.1, and was the first country to have a female president, making it relatively very women-friendly. As a result, Iceland has long been considered an ideal destination for solo female travel. But what’s truly captivating are Iceland’s abundant natural resources — glaciers, volcanoes, the Northern Lights — you name it. Want to experience the dreamlike scenes from The Dreamers? Iceland is the perfect place to go.
Reykjavik
Compared to the countries mentioned above, transportation in Iceland is a bit less convenient. However, staying in the capital, Reykjavik, can be quite reassuring as there are still public transport options such as buses. With some prior planning, you can still visit all the sights you want. Of course, for those who can drive, I’d highly recommend a self-drive tour — it offers even more flexibility and choices.
★ Recommended Attractions:Blue Lagoon,HveragerðiHallgrímskirkja Church,Svartifoss Waterfall,Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Travel in Iceland]The Land of Fire and Ice – a must-visit in a lifetime, a country where the aurora and volcanoes coexist
New Zealand
New Zealand is second only to Iceland,2017 in the Global Peace Index (GPI), ranking as the second safest country in the world. Like Iceland, it’s a great destination for solo travel. Moreover, New Zealand boasts magnificent natural landscapes including glaciers and mountains. It also has adorable flocks of sheep and countless outdoor activities. When traveling solo, you can freely choose which activities to take part in, so if you want to enjoy the sunshine outdoors and connect with nature, come to New Zealand.
Queenstown
Located on New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown features a wealth of stunning natural scenery — icebergs, canyons, lakes, the works. In addition to enjoying the views, it also offers extreme activities beloved by adventure travelers — the Skyline Gondola, bungee jumping, skiing, canyon swinging, paragliding, and more. When traveling solo, you can try a few or go all out — after all, that’s the beauty of solo travel: you can do whatever you want.
★ Recommended Attractions:Lake Wakatipu,Milford Sound,Lake Tekapo
Auckland
Auckland was the former capital of New Zealand. Although the capital was moved to Wellington in1865, Auckland remains one of the most developed regions in New Zealand today. Compared to the natural landscapes of the South Island, the North Island boasts more cultural and historical attractions. For example, the Sky Tower — the tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere — as well as the Harbour Bridge and the Auckland War Memorial Museum, are all located in Auckland.
★ Recommended Attractions:Sky Tower,Harbour Bridge
CPGreat group deal alert!
In recent years, solo travel has become increasingly popular. Travelers can arrange their itineraries more freely, and we’ve also found that when there are flight promotions, solo travel has a clear advantage — you just need to confirm your own schedule and book right away, without having to consult others’ opinions. It’s fast, it saves time, and if you’re still on the fence, don’t worry — just join the solo travel trend~
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