The Top 9 Destinations for Women Traveling Alone in 2022

A Hard Place to Leave: Stories from a Restless Life (Travelers' Tales) by best-selling author Marcia DeSanctis is a dazzling new book that celebrates the joys of travel, particularly solo female travel. Long periods of solitude in which one explores a new environment, learns a new language, and becomes acclimated to a new culture have been found to have a restorative effect. Being alone helps me become a more refined person. ”

The rise in female solo travel can be directly attributed to this attitude. Within the past three years, the number of women-only travel agencies has increased by 230%, and the number of online searches for "female solo travel" has increased by 62%, as reported by relevant industry professionals. ”

This travelogue book is a compilation of essays covering 18 countries and their incredible experiences. However, as DeSanctis explains, travel doesn't necessitate going through seven time zones. Waterbury, Connecticut, a post-industrial city about fifteen miles from DeSanctis's home, is the setting for one of the essays. Keep your eyes open, because you never know when you might stumble upon a miracle, even in the most ordinary of places. ”

Writer Marcia DeSanctis of "A Hard Place to Leave" lives in Cap Ferrat, France.

A. Marcia DeSanctis

A Hard Place to Leave is a must-read for any woman who travels, and for women in general, because it is both inspiring and beautifully written. It'll remind you how much travel changes you and make you want to go further afield. For DeSanctis, "no trip is ever just a trip; it is a way to detach from what is familiar (and sometimes what is difficult) and find clarity and meaning."

Additionally, the book will demonstrate how visiting new places can inspire you to improve your personality. DeSanctis argues that women are "incredibly present in all aspects of our lives and the lives of the people we love," because they "tend to spend their time taking care of other people, nurturing, building a home, being a daughter, friend, or girlfriend." "Taking a trip by yourself is a very assertive statement that says, 'I am taking care of myself now.'" The freedom of being somewhere where no one needs me—and where I, in turn, need only myself—is a welcome relief from the frequent demands on my time and energy. ”

Novel "A Hard Place to Leave: Stories from a Restless Life" front cover. "

The Experiences of Travelers

DeSanctis worked as a broadcast news producer for two decades before transitioning to travel writing later in life; she is also the author of the New York Times bestseller 100 Places in France Every Woman Should Go. She explains that she fell into travel writing. I submitted an essay about a woman I met in Moscow 30 years ago who still haunts me to the Best Women's Travel Writing anthology. As a result of its acceptance and subsequent award, I found myself suddenly in the position of travel writer. A Hard Place to Leave tells the story of the woman who changed DeSanctis's life and the other remarkable people she has met on her travels. "I have traveled the world and witnessed incredible acts of creativity and innovation by people. That's why she says, "In this sense, the world is quite united." Especially for women and children, the sick, the marginalized, the victims, and the poorest of the poor, I have seen devotion and hard work in the name of sustainability and the future of humanity from Senegal to Montana, Denmark to Peru. The global community's dedication to bettering people's lives one project at a time should give us all hope. ”

Check out the rest of the article for DeSanctis's favorite places and suggestions for women traveling alone.

Photograph of Marcia DeSanctis at Peru's Machu Picchu

It was written by Marcia DeSanctis.

Advice for Women Traveling Alone

"I like paring down to the basics," DeSanctis says, "and that not just means choosing three T-shirts out of the twenty I own to take away on a trip, but also means whittling life down to myself, my wits, and my agency." "I often forget how capable I am of taking care of myself, and I'm often surprised when I do. I enjoy the feeling of freedom and autonomy that comes with being able to move around unnoticed in an unfamiliar environment. ”

Solution: "As a world traveler, I have learned to adapt." The truth is that I am a much more relaxed person when I am traveling, and that this trend has been strengthening recently. In general, air travel has become a brutal industry. After waiting in line for hours to get through security, "the seats are so small, the food is so meager, and the bathrooms are so appalling," says DeSanctis. "Yet, I keep on keeping on and take it all in stride." I'm all set with my essential oils, blanket, book, and lip balm, and all I have to do is close my eyes and think about how wonderful the hotel bed will feel and how delicious the coffee will be. No matter how bad it gets, you always make it there in one piece—grinny, giddy, rumpled, germy, and filthy. ”

When in Doubt, Just Ask: "We generally believe that being alone is frightening. However, DeSanctis disagrees, claiming, "When I'm by myself, I really have my wits about me." "And if I get lost, I stop and ask a pretty lady for help." ”

As for where to lay your head at night, DeSanctis says, "I prefer hotels rather than private residences—I like saying 'Good evening' to the person behind the desk.

DeSanctis recommends that travelers "always take notes when traveling." Don't throw away napkins, write down what you see out of the corner of your eye, and add a flower from your garden to your journal. My diaries have been the inspiration for some of my stories. Who knows, maybe one day you'll reflect on your own travels and how they've shaped you by penning a book. ”

Where Women Should Go When Traveling Alone

With a view of the cityscape of Singapore

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To a woman traveling alone, Singapore is the best destination.

Singapore has both the fairy dust of dazzling modernity and the magic of a rich and interesting past. Orchard Road, Chinatown, and Little India, to name a few, are all very easy and safe to get around in. Go to Maxwell Food Center for some of the best chicken rice in town and wash it down with some of the best watermelon juice around. After a strenuous hike in Singapore's extraordinary Mount Faber Park, head to the top of Marina Bay Sands' CÉ LA VI for a drink and a breathtaking panorama of the city, the Singapore Strait, and the South China Sea.

Posing for a yoga shot in the region around Rishikesh, India

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Among the Best Destinations for Women Traveling Alone in the World is the Indian City of Rishikesh

Located in the north along the Ganges, this city bills itself as the "Yoga capital of the world," and the riverbanks are dotted with ashrams and other forms of spiritual retreat, including the one made famous by the Beatles' 1968 visit. Nevertheless, you don't have to be a yogini to enjoy this exciting metropolis. With three bridges spanning the river, the area is easily accessible on foot, and the scenery only improves the further you walk. Kiran Ugrajiya at Shri Sai Handicrafts makes gorgeous bags out of vintage textiles; the black lentil curry with finger millet bread at Jal Jalebi was the tastiest I ever ate, and outside of town, find comfort and repose at one of these two stunning resorts: Ananda in the Himalayas and Taj Rishikesh

Author Marcia DeSanctis's northern Iceland setting for "A Hard Place to Leave"

Margarita DeSanctis

Reykjavik, Iceland Is the Best City for Women to Travel Alone

Iceland's small size makes it easy to travel around on your own, but the island's popularity also means that it can get crowded in popular tourist spots, so you'll never be lonely unless you actively seek it. You can walk from the towering Hallgrimskirkja to the hip Grandagardur neighborhood in less than an hour in Reykjavik. Tides, the chic, blonde-wood restaurant at Reykjavik's new five-star Edition, serves up some of the best lamb and salmon you've ever tasted, and the cinnamon rolls at Brau & Co. are some of the best you'll ever eat. The brand new geothermal day spa, Sky Lagoon, can be found in the heart of town. It is simple and clean, with a view of the Atlantic Ocean that serves as a constant reminder of Iceland's isolated beauty.

Marcia DeSanctis relaxing on Texas's Hancock Hill in Alpine

DeSanctis, Marcia

Marfa, Texas is a great destination for women traveling alone.

The trip from El Paso's airport to Prada Marfa in nearby Valentine, Texas takes three hours, but it goes by quickly thanks to the desert landscape. The Chinati Foundation, which was founded by the renowned sculptor Donald Judd, is where the artist is best known for his concrete works, but Marfa is more than just an art destination. You can get some fresh air, eat delicious food, explore beautiful landscapes, and shop until you drop. You can get everything you need, from Marvis toothpaste to locally roasted pecans, at The Get Go, and then have breakfast at The Sentinel while reading the newspaper of the same name. Para Llevar serves delicious wood-fired pizza and delicious sandwiches. Hiking in the nearby Davis Mountains or Hancock Hill in Alpine is a great way to beat the heat in the late afternoon (just make sure to let the park ranger know that you will be venturing out without any assistance, and they will be very appreciative).

Krakow, Poland Sightseeing Located in the historic district, this is Cloth Hall.

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Kraków, Poland is the best city in Europe for women to travel alone.

How often do you daydream about waking up in the middle of Europe, surrounded by soaring medieval towers and the ringing of church bells? Perhaps this Eastern Polish city of cobblestones and medieval architecture is Krakow. There is no end to the number of times you can cross the Vistula River and head toward the old city and Rynek Gówny, where you can indulge in hot chocolate as thick as pudding at Café Noworolski. Kasimierz, the former Jewish quarter and site of unspeakable human tragedy during the Holocaust, is now home to Hamsa, an incredible and incredibly cheap Israeli restaurant. Both the H15 Palace and The Bonerowski Palace, two of the city's most beautiful hotels, are well worth the splurge.

Central Ouro Preto, Brazil

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Ouro Preto, Brazil is a great destination for women traveling alone.

This town is a true gem, and it is only two hours away from Belo Horizonte's international airport. The state of Minas Gerais is known for its well-preserved cathedrals that shine with 24-karat embellishments and bear the scars of Brazil's troubled Gold Rush and colonial past. The up-and-down tempo of the city's streets is energizing. Locally mined imperial topaz and tourmaline can be purchased loose at the town's central market or the family-run jeweler Ita Gemas. The Solar da Rosário, located in the heart of the city, features expansive views from its windows and a breakfast buffet with at least a dozen varieties of cake.

Off the coast of Cassis, France, Marcia DeSanctis

Dr. Marcia DeSanctis

Best Destination for Women Traveling Alone: Cassis, France

About nine years ago, I went on an epic solo trip across France in pursuit of research for a book I was writing at the time. It was a little out of the ordinary to travel without a companion in the country most closely associated with love, but it was also strangely perfect. Cassis, a small village on the Mediterranean coast, is one of my favorite places to relax because of its breathtaking beauty and the striking presence of Cap Canaille. Place Baragnon hosts a Provençal market twice a week; it's a colorful mix of locally made ceramics, striped foutas towels, and cuts of Spanish ham that smells like figs and ripe berries. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride through the picturesque calanques made of white chalk, and cap off the day with a glass of locally produced rosé on the terrace of Hôtel Les Rôches Blanches. It's like waking up in a dream with all that sunshine and sea breeze.

Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park is home to the endangered mountain gorilla.

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Rwanda Is a Great Destination for Women Traveling Alone

The United States Department of State has ranked Rwanda as the sixth safest country in the world for solo travelers and the safest country in Africa. From the bustling Kimironko market in Kigali's city center to the lushly glamorous bar at Bisate Lodge near Volcanoes National Park, the country of Rwanda brims with history, wildlife, and an easygoing, welcoming vibe. When you go to see the legendary mountain gorillas, park rangers will put you in a small group with a guide (who will also happily take your picture while you're there). Rwanda also has world’s highest percentage of women in government of anywhere in world, and you might find yourself in conversation with one of them, at the outdoor Fusion restaurant at The Retreat in Kigali—Josh and Alissa Ruxin’s hotter-than-hot hotel and restaurant, with the most innovative and delicious menu in town

Herbert Park, Dublin, Ireland, under a canopy of cherry trees

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Dublin, Ireland is a great destination for women traveling alone.

Trinity College Library, the Museum of Literature, and the Book of Kells are just a few of the must-see attractions in this city filled with easygoing locals and impressive architecture. As a woman on her own, the sensation of Dublin is a mix of glitz, poetry, and pure happiness. The Lord Mayor's Lounge in the Shelbourne Hotel is the best place in Dublin to enjoy high tea, where you can look out over St. Stephen's Green while nibbling on Victoria sponge cake with raspberry icing. The Green at St. Stephen It would be a shame to miss Avoca on nearby Grafton St., where you can buy Irish-made cosmetics, linens, and sweaters.

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