Date of publication 15/04/2018
Yes, I’ve been lucky enough to travel in every possible way: as a couple, with friends, in groups for work… In fact, I’ve always believed that a big part of a trip’s success depends on the company, on choosing well who you share flights, beaches, and experiences with.
And yet, even though at first it didn’t make much sense to me, I’ve grown more and more inclined to travel alone. To stay open to all kinds of experiences, to talk to more people, to connect more deeply with the destination and its cultures. To make my own decisions, choose my own path, change every plan without having to check with anyone, and enjoy every detail offered by Iberostar hotels while indulging in whatever I feel like.
If there’s one thing I can say about this experience, it’s that traveling solo is also an effective and deeply rewarding way to travel. For all these reasons, I consider myself a strong advocate of solo travel:
I AM THE BOSS
Traveling alone comes with advantages from the very beginning. For better or worse, I’m in charge here: I make all the decisions, I get things wrong, I get things right (and of course, I take responsibility for both). I decide the dates, whether I prefer February or August, three weeks in a row or five short trips; beach, mountains, or a mix of both.
Then there’s the budget, a constant source of debate in group trips, which I adjust entirely to my own preferences, often on a whim: grabbing a sandwich for lunch and dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant; flying low-cost and staying in an incredible hotel; getting around by bike and then taking a helicopter ride over the city…
And so what? Who gets to have an opinion? Better yet, who gets to complain? No one. (Unless I suddenly turn into Mrs. Doubtfire or Jack Lemmon in Some Like It Hot and split my personality.) And if along the way I decide to cancel everything at the last minute and do the exact opposite of what I had planned? What happens then? Nothing. After all, I’m the boss here.
IT’S THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE A DESTINATION
Traveling alone is the essence of travel itself. It’s the ideal way to get to know a city or a country, to blend in with locals and other travelers, and to end up in unexpected places without quite knowing how. On an excursion, at a group dinner, in a laundromat… wherever you least expect it. When you travel solo, you feel far more open to letting life surprise you and to embracing those moments without overthinking them.
I WORK ON MY “AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT”
Traveling alone becomes a kind of training ground to work on what we might call “areas for improvement.” As a confessed hyperactive person, I test my patience by choosing a train over a plane, giving myself time to read or listen to music without checking the clock. I improve my (terrible) sense of direction by getting lost again and again, even with a map in hand, and in the process I often discover places I hadn’t planned on. I also push myself to make decisions quickly, without overthinking them.
Whether it feels intimidating or simply unfamiliar, I’ve seen remarkable transformations in solo travelers: people who were once fearful letting loose after a week on the road; shy individuals who couldn’t bring themselves to eat alone and end up enjoying it, even inviting someone to join them; and chronic latecomers who turn into perfectly punctual travelers after missing a train or two.
I LEARN LANGUAGES
No books, no academies, no free apps. Traveling alone is the most effective way to learn languages. And I'm not talking about the language camps I attended as a kid, where I'd inevitably end up hanging out with other kids from back home. I mean full immersion, learning through trial and error: asking for directions, booking a hotel, bargaining at a market, or approaching someone interesting (which brings me to the next point)… All you really need is the confidence to communicate. You can worry about perfect grammar and a flawless accent later.
I DON’T REALLY TRAVEL ALONE
That said, and despite all the reasons why I love traveling solo, if I’m being completely honest, I’ve never taken an entire trip alone. Yes, I’ve often set off with just my backpack or suitcase and myself, but within a few days, in a bar, a cooking class, on the beach, or in a museum… I’ve always met other solo travelers. They’re everywhere. And with them, I’ve shared part of the journey. Hours, days, or weeks. As far as we’ve gone. As far as we’ve wanted to. Because those of us who travel solo know this is how it works. And that’s exactly why it works.
MY NEXT SOLO TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
Like any true solo traveler, I always have a half-packed suitcase and a growing list of places I want to go. These are a few I’m most excited about right now, and I already know which hotel I’ll be staying at in each one.
Marrakech, a sensory adventure
Iberostar Waves Club Palmeraie Marrakech was one of the first hotels I saved when I started looking into options for solo travelers: a pool, all-inclusive, and the chance to switch off completely after a full day getting lost in the souks, hidden courtyards, and the rhythm of the medina (literally, just like I mentioned earlier). Marrakech pulls you in from the moment you arrive, and it’s exactly the kind of beautifully chaotic place where I enjoy traveling alone the most.
HAZLO REALIDADMiami: sun, beach, and total freedom
A strong contender for a hotel with a pool in Miami? I’d go with Iberostar Waves Berkeley Shore. It’s right in South Beach, just steps from the ocean, with a rooftop pool and everything you need nearby so you barely have to move around. Beach mornings, afternoons exploring Wynwood’s art scene, and dinner alone without anyone batting an eye. That’s how I picture Miami, and why it’s been on my solo travel list for a while.
Crete, the island that has it all
History, crystal-clear coves, and a cuisine that alone would justify the trip. Crete brings together everything I enjoy most when traveling solo, with no rush and no one hurrying me along to the next stop. Looking for a beachfront hotel, I came across Iberostar Selection Creta Marine, with direct access to three coves, several pools, and an all-inclusive option. The kind of place where you can spend the morning between swims and the afternoon discovering a tucked-away taverna, with no plan other than whatever feels right in the moment.
Montenegro, the Adriatic still waiting to be discovered
It’s not on everyone’s radar yet, and that’s exactly why Montenegro appeals to me: mountains that seem to fall straight into the sea and that feeling of discovering something before everyone else does. Iberostar Selection Montenegro is set to open in 2026, with direct access to a private cove, a pool, and an all-inclusive option. I already have it marked as one of those hotels for solo travelers that combines beach, spa, and total disconnection along the Adriatic coast.
Cádiz, Andalusia beyond the usual guides
Endless beaches, a pace of life that invites you to forget the clock, and beach bars where sitting alone feels completely natural. Cádiz often gets overshadowed by other parts of Andalusia, and that’s precisely what draws me to it. Iberostar Selection Andalucía Playa, with its pool, a 36-hole golf course designed by Severiano Ballesteros, and the Cataria restaurant (awarded a Repsol Sun and recommended by the Michelin Guide), is one of those places where it’s easy to fill your days between a round of golf and a great meal without ever missing the company.
Tunisia, equal parts flavor and coastline
Looking for a beachfront hotel in Tunisia? In Hammamet, Iberostar Waves Averroes sits right on the shore, with a pool and all-inclusive option. Between the spa’s hammam and the medina just a short walk away, it’s easy to feel accompanied without actually being so. Ancient history, markets where you can wander without a map, and miles of Mediterranean coastline. That combination is exactly what makes Tunisia so appealing for a solo trip.
Lanzarote, volcanoes and the Atlantic
Lanzarote has that distinct edge I’m always looking for when I travel alone: volcanic landscapes, golden beaches, and the unmistakable architecture of César Manrique, carefully considered down to the last detail. Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park is built in the shape of traditional volcanic “zocos” designed by Manrique himself, and it’s earned a reputation as a great hotel for solo travelers thanks to its spa hammam and its proximity to windsurfing, paddleboarding, and diving spots. With Timanfaya National Park less than half an hour away, it’s one of those places where nature and disconnection come together effortlessly, without needing to go far.
