Tag: Charlotte travel

Solo travel is quickly becoming more common, and even preferred, especially for women. 

So much so that Roku Channel recently launched a new series with actress Tracee Ellis Ross titled “Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross,” which has garnered viral attention. The show follows some of Ross’ independent adventures around the world and highlights why this form of travel is her favorite.

As someone who has taken dozens of trips on my own from Charlotte to places all around the world, there’s a certain freedom and power in navigating a place by yourself while also finding things that spark joy along the way. Not to mention, you’re able to take in a destination on your own terms and by your own rules, without friends or travel companions interfering. 

Solo travel is growing

A 2024 study conducted by Future Partners, a tourism market research firm, found that 43% of American travelers find solo travel appealing. Additionally, a 2024 survey referenced in Forbes said that “64% of travelers worldwide are women, while only 36% are men.” It is also estimated that the travel market for women age 50-plus venturing solo will substantially increase from about $245 billion in 2025 to around $519 billion by 2035. 

Like many women, when I first worked up the nerve to take my first solo trip, it scared me. I wasn’t sure if I could navigate a new or foreign place without someone else being there to lean on in the uncomfortable moments, and on a safety level, I was unsure of what to expect as a woman traveling alone and how I would be perceived by others I encountered along the way.

For me, the key was starting with smaller trips to ensure I was comfortable in solitude for multiple days outside the comfort of my home. Once I mastered that feeling of being at peace while alone in a new city, I never looked back. 

Though it’s hard to remember the first solo trip I took, one of my earlier ones was to Los Cabos, Mexico. I booked a cute boutique hotel, Medano Hotel & Spa, just a few blocks from the beach. Although it wasn’t on the main drag, the property was in a well-visited area, and there were still plenty of other guests staying, so I didn’t feel secluded. 

Each day I took the short walk to the hotel’s designated beach area and lounged around with a good book while ordering snacks from the nearby beach club. I even booked a half-day ATV excursion. The great thing about it was the tour operator picked me up directly from my hotel, and there were other travelers in my time slot, so I had buddies to chat with.

Now, this isn’t to say I never travel with friends or loved ones — because I do — but as an only child and self-proclaimed introvert, I find indescribable peace in solitude. Then, when you couple that with exploring a new city, well, you’ll just have to try it for yourself.

Tips for taking on a solo vacation

Beginning your solo adventure is easier than it seems. A few tips:

• Start with destinations closer to Charlotte. This way, if you find that traveling alone isn’t for you, you won’t be too far from home should you want to end your trip early. I love making the short drive up to Asheville. I typically stay in the downtown area, either Kimpton Hotel Arras or AC Hotel Asheville, which are both in close walking distance to eateries, and they are in more populated areas which means more well lit areas and hopefully a bit safer.

• Plan shorter trips in the beginning. Think: weekend getaway, or even a one- or two-night staycation in a nearby city. Work your way up to longer stays. 

• Let friends and loved ones know your plans and itinerary, especially for your hotel, flight and tours/excursions.

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times. This doesn’t mean walk around in fear, but use the same caution you would walking around Charlotte.

• Do your research. Once you know where you want to go, look up blogs, social media recaps and videos of other solo travelers who have visited before you. I personally like to search hashtags on Instagram as a starting point. So, if you’re going to New York City, for example, I would search #nyc or #soloinnyc. If you’re more of an article person, travel outlets like Travel + Leisure or Condé Nast Traveler always have tons of stories on specific destinations and for specific niches like solo or even queer and Black travel.

• Try to book accommodations in popular areas. This way, you never truly feel alone, and an unsafe situation is more unlikely. 

• Look into experiences for solo travelers or even meetups. It’s a great way to meet new friends without the pressure of them being around you the entire time. For example, Virgin Voyages Cruise Line has daily solo cruisers meetups to give lone travelers a chance to find folks to hang with during the sailing. There’s even a Facebook group dedicated to helping single cruisers find buddies ahead of their trips.

Travel groups for solo travelers

In addition to these tips, if you aren’t quite ready to take the training wheels off and go full throttle on traveling alone, there is also the option of joining a travel group. The hosts typically plan the itinerary and open it up to others. The groups are a way to still have that social aspect of travel without the constraints of venturing with folks you know. 

I’ve spoken to women who say that solo travel groups allowed them to meet lifelong friends and, in some instances, their partners. They’ve even booked additional trips simply based off the pleasant experience they had during the first adventure. 

Some groups may have themes like women only/men only, BIPOC travelers or even options for queer travelers. It’s all about your preference. For example, Queer Queens Travel curates experiences for queer women to destinations all around the globe. It encourages you to come solo and make friends, but of course, if you decide to travel with a friend, it’s not frowned upon.