Tag: Solo travel

Traveling solo from Charlotte? Here are 5 of my favorite destinations

As a native Charlottean with a deep passion for travel, I’ve come to realize how lucky we are to have so many flight options — many direct — in our backyard.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport may not always get the same praise as other hubs around the world, but it is truly a gold mine for avid solo adventurers like me who appreciate being able to reach a destination quickly. We’re also perfectly situated on the East Coast, which makes for great road tripping, as well.

When it comes to solo travel in general, it’s my way to recharge and explore at my own pace. It also leaves room for me to meet new friends along the way. I often return from my trips renewed and ready to tackle whatever is in front of me with confidence.

Ready to experience that for yourself? Whether you prefer driving or taking a flight from CLT, there’s something for everyone. From a weekend getaway to Charleston to relaxing in the Caribbean breeze of St. Thomas, here are five destinations perfect for a solo trip out of Charlotte.

DeAnna Taylor on a vacation bike ride. DeAnna Taylor CharlotteFive

For the beginner: A weekend road trip to Charleston

Located only 180 miles away, or about 3.5 hours by car, Charleston, South Carolina, is the perfect option for the beginner Charlotte-based solo traveler. With many walkable neighborhoods, award-winning restaurants and nearby Folly Beach, there are an array of things to do and see, no matter your interests. It’s also perfect for a quick weekend getaway or a few nights in general.

Where to stay: I loved my solo stay at The Palmetto Hotel in 2024. And many Charlotte content creators have raved about The Ansonborough. Both properties are in walking distance to the iconic Rainbow Row, the Charleston City Market and plenty of restaurants.

Rainbow Row in Charleston, South Carolina. Joshua Boucher jboucher@thestate.com

What to do: Spend your morning going on a leisurely stroll through the Charleston City Market, which is filled with dozens of local artisans. If you visit during the season, book a dolphin tour with a local operator like Flipper Finders. Check out the latest exhibits at the International African American Museum, and at night, take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city. Of course, no trip to Charleston is complete without indulging in some of the region’s best restaurants.

For the ‘more bang for your buck’ traveler: An adults-only cruise

Cruises are a great way to meet new friends while technically still being solo. Sometimes you just need conversation during dinner after a day of being alone, and that’s OK. Virgin Voyages has been a favorite cruise line of mine for years, mainly due to its “no kids allowed policy.”

With your booking, you get access to all the ship’s sit-down dining experiences like Gunbae, a fun Korean BBQ restaurant complete with games during your meal. Not to mention, there’s a spa on-board, nightly (and daytime) entertainment and pools, as well as the cruise’s stops at varying international ports.

The spa on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady. DeAnna Taylor CharlotteFive

You can choose from an array of destinations that span from Florida and the Caribbean all the way to Greece and more. And with so many nonstop options leaving from Charlotte Douglas International Airport these days, you can get to your departing port city pretty easily.

For the foodie: Eat your way through New Orleans

In just under two hours, you can fly direct from the Queen City to New Orleans for a few days of foodie heaven. NOLA was one of those trips that spoke to my love for great cuisine and love for live music. Luckily, there are daily flight options across multiple airlines, so all you have to do is find the dates that work best for your schedule.

DeAnna Taylor travels through New Orleans. DeAnna Taylor CharlotteFive

Where to stay: Kimpton Hotel Fontenot turned out to be perfect for my visit a few years back. It’s situated in the downtown area and is a short Uber ride or walk to many of the city’s hotspots. If you’re wanting a more luxe stay, consider The Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans.

A New Orleans dinner spread. DeAnna Taylor CharlotteFive

What to do: Outside of restaurant hopping, I suggest planning your visit around one of the many annual food-centered events, like the Fried Chicken Festival. This way you can sample a smorgasbord of dishes in one place. Other things to do: Vue Orleans, an interactive experience that chronicles some of the local history; listen to live music at Café Negril; visit one of the many unique galleries, such as Studio BE.

An exhibit at Studio BE in New Orleans. DeAnna Taylor CharlotteFive

For the beach lover: Soak up Caribbean rays in St. Thomas

No passport? No problem. You can still soak up Caribbean rays on the sands of beautiful St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands in less than four hours. With plenty of daily nonstop flights out of CLT each day, your breezy days in solitude can happen quicker than you can imagine

Where to stay: In the past, I have enjoyed stays at Margaritaville Vacation Club – St. Thomas, The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas — when I wanted to splurge — and at The Hideaway at Hull Bay, a quaint property nestled on a 2-acre farm just steps from the beach.

The beach at Margaritaville Vacation Club – St. Thomas. DeAnna Taylor CharlotteFive

What to do: You will need to rent a car or hire a taxi to get around. But once that’s settled, I suggest dinner at Blue 11 and The Easterly. Reserve a day pass to Lovango Private Island Resort and Beach Club, check out the lively Coki Beach and, if time allows, spend a day over on St. John.

DeAnna Taylor strolls Coki Beach in St. Thomas. Courtesy of DeAnna Taylor CharlotteFive

For the experienced solo traveler: A weeklong Euro trip

This is one of the most underrated solo adventures around in my opinion, but being able to navigate not just one foreign country but a few in the span of a week is definitely next level.

I’ve been lucky to snag flight deals out of Charlotte for as low as $295 to Paris. From there, I hopped to London, Amsterdam and Budapest before returning to Paris to fly back home. It’s not as hard as it sounds, as long as you do some planning.

Row homes in Amsterdam. DeAnna Taylor CharlotteFive

Pro tip: Start with the departing flight to Europe that works for your budget. Once you have that locked in, you can begin mapping out nearby countries and cities that are accessible either by train or a short flight or two. Once in Europe, intercontinental flights tend to be fairly inexpensive. It will all just depend on the time of year and season.

The rooftop view from the Canopy Hilton Paris. DeAnna Taylor CharlotteFive

When it comes to hotels, if you’re up for it, booking a private room in a hostel can save you a few bucks as a solo traveler while also giving you the option to meet other single buddies, too. As far as things to do, the possibilities are endless.

DeAnna Taylor outside the Louvre in Paris. DeAnna Taylor CharlotteFive

Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

DeAnna Taylor

The Charlotte Observer

DeAnna Taylor is a NC attorney turned travel blogger and writer. She writes for Travel Noire, XONecole, CharlotteFive, and a few others. She is a native of Charlotte and loves highlighting the city whenever she can. You can find her on social media at: @brokeandabroadlife.

DeAnna Taylor

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January 1, 2026
Traveling solo? A Charlotte expert offers tips for women just starting out
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.

CharlotteFive’s DeAnna Taylor in the El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico. Courtesy of DeAnna Taylor CharlotteFive

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.

Writer DeAnna Taylor on a trip to Mexico. DeAnna Taylor CharlotteFive

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.

DeAnna Taylor strolls through Mykonos. Courtesy of DeAnna Taylor

Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

DeAnna Taylor

The Charlotte Observer

DeAnna Taylor is a NC attorney turned travel blogger and writer. She writes for Travel Noire, XONecole, CharlotteFive, and a few others. She is a native of Charlotte and loves highlighting the city whenever she can. You can find her on social media at: @brokeandabroadlife.
DeAnna Taylor

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October 2, 2025
This Is the Leadership Trick That Even Top CEOs Swear By | Entrepreneur
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Most leaders travel alone for business. But how many leaders have intentionally taken a true solo vacation? No family, no work, no obligations. Just you, alone, facing your inner world and expanding your leadership potential.

I recently did exactly that, spending two weeks solo in Peru and Ecuador. The impact was profound, reshaping how I approach leadership, decision-making and strategic thinking at StoneAge, the employee-owned company I run. Here’s why I believe every leader should take a solo vacation and how doing so will make you more effective and impactful.

Solitude creates strategic clarity

Leadership is fundamentally about making clear decisions. But how can you make smart, strategic choices if meetings, emails and daily demands constantly clutter your mind?

Hal Gregersen wrote in a recent Harvard Business Review article, “Cultivating silence increases your chances of encountering novel ideas and information and discerning weak signals.” When you take a solo vacation, you find yourself sitting in silence, often with room to think and ideate. Bill Gates credits his famous twice-yearly “think weeks,” which are periods of intense solitude and reflection, with inspiring some of Microsoft’s most groundbreaking innovations.

During my solo adventure, without work emails or meetings, I finally had the mental space to outline my next book, clarify my vision for StoneAge and develop new leadership frameworks. The solitude sharpened my strategic clarity and renewed my focus in ways impossible to achieve amid daily distractions.

Related: How Taking Solo Retreats Away from Work Benefits You and Your Business

Breaking routine enhances cognitive flexibility

Routine is comfortable, but comfort rarely breeds innovation. Leaders often underestimate how rigid routines stifle creative thinking and limit growth.

According to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, exposure to novel and diverse experiences enhances cognitive flexibility — a crucial skill for innovative and agile leadership. During my solo trip, navigating unfamiliar places, cultures and languages forced my brain out of autopilot mode, dramatically enhancing my creative problem-solving abilities. I returned home able to view business challenges more clearly and approach them with fresh, innovative perspectives.

Being alone strengthens self-leadership and emotional resilience

As leaders, our external effectiveness hinges on internal strength. Self-leadership — how effectively we manage our emotions, behaviors and decisions — is the cornerstone of successful leadership.

Traveling solo tests and develops self-leadership. When a canceled flight threatened my meticulously planned itinerary, I had to trust my instincts, solve problems quickly and stay emotionally regulated. I leaned into discomfort, managing loneliness and vulnerability without distractions. Each challenge enhanced my self-trust, emotional intelligence and resilience, qualities directly beneficial to leading my team through uncertainty and stress.

Presence creates authentic connection

Presence is a leader’s greatest currency. Yet, constant connectivity ironically often leaves us disconnected from those around us.

My solo trip forced me to be present in the moment. Without phone service, I engaged fully with strangers on trains, at restaurants, in markets and had deep, authentic conversations. Each interaction reminded me of the power of presence in building genuine connections. Practicing authentic presence with strangers strengthened my ability to be more fully present with my team at StoneAge, creating deeper trust, empathy and effectiveness as a leader.

Stillness generates breakthrough ideas

We’ve glorified hustle culture, but true leadership insights rarely come from constant activity. Instead, they arise from stillness and quiet reflection.

During my trip, moments of boredom and solitude gave rise to some of my most innovative ideas. Research supports this; cognitive scientists have found that boredom and stillness are crucial for creativity and innovative thinking. Leaders who embrace quiet moments cultivate deeper, more impactful insights.

How leaders can maximize a solo vacation for strategic advantage
1. Choose a destination that challenges you: Go somewhere that is culturally, physically or spiritually challenging. Stretching yourself boosts your cognitive flexibility and innovation capabilities.
2. Fully disconnect from work: No emails, no meetings. Disconnecting entirely allows your brain to relax, fostering deeper strategic insights.
3. Schedule intentional reflection: Allocate time specifically for journaling, meditation and quiet reflection. Structured reflection cultivates strategic clarity and emotional awareness.
4. Engage with strangers to build presence: Talk to people you meet. Engaging authentically with strangers develops your emotional intelligence, presence and interpersonal skills.
5. Observe and reflect on your inner experiences: Notice when you feel lonely, bored or uncomfortable. Reflecting on these feelings enhances self-leadership, emotional resilience and decision-making skills.
Related: How to Start (and Run) a 7-Figure Business While Traveling the World

Final leadership insights:
- Solitude isn’t a luxury; it’s a strategic leadership advantage.
- Breaking routine fuels innovation and creative thinking.
- Effective leadership starts with deep self-awareness and emotional resilience.
- Authentic presence strengthens your connections with your team.
- True leadership breakthroughs come from stillness and reflection, not relentless hustle.
I returned from my solo trip not only refreshed but fundamentally changed. The clarity, confidence and creativity I gained now directly enhance how I lead StoneAge and engage with my employees. A solo vacation isn’t just good for your soul; it’s a strategic imperative for effective, innovative leadership.

Book your solo trip. Your team, your company and your future self will thank you.
Most leaders travel alone for business. But how many leaders have intentionally taken a true solo vacation? No family, no work, no obligations. Just you, alone, facing your inner world and expanding your leadership potential.

I recently did exactly that, spending two weeks solo in Peru and Ecuador. The impact was profound, reshaping how I approach leadership, decision-making and strategic thinking at StoneAge, the employee-owned company I run. Here’s why I believe every leader should take a solo vacation and how doing so will make you more effective and impactful.

Solitude creates strategic clarity

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Kerry Siggins

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September 8, 2025