Although the plane ticket might be pricey, once you arrive, you can live like a king on the tightest budget. In Beijing you can eat at a seriously upscale restaurant for around $15. Locals are very welcoming to visitors, and always willing to help you find something — often escorting you there themselves. The markets are enchanting, and the museums are full of everything from classic to funky, modern exhibits.
It’s so common to see someone sitting alone eating al fresco (fresh) outside a Barcelona café. Food is meant to be enjoyed in Spain. Sometimes, that’s best done solo, and everybody gets that. The nightlife is incredible and in Barcelona, people actually dance at clubs instead of standing against the wall, which means plenty of opportunities for someone to grab you and pull you onto the dance floor. Barcelona is home to the Futbol Club Barcelona, so you can catch an exciting football game and not be shy to hug the cute person in the seat next to you when the team scores.
Not only are Brazilians some of the most outgoing people in the world, many say they’re also the most beautiful, so there will be a feast for your eyes everywhere you turn. The city has an immensely popular beach life — you can do just about anything on the beach from dine to dance. Rio De Janeiro is also the setting for some of the most fun celebrations in the world including Carnival and New Years Eve celebrations. The music, costumes, parades and performances can keep you entertained for weeks — and be prepared to have performers pull you into the parade.
Specifically, Munich for Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is like the anti-family, anti-couples event of the world. More than 6 million beer lovers from all over the world travel to the festival, and everybody there wants to swap stories and interact with people from other cultures. There’s nothing like beer to break the boundaries of communication. Wooden benches line the streets and the entire city feels like a giant party.
The city is as exotic, full of adventure and beautiful as it looks in the movie “Romancing the Stone.” It plays host to many famous beauty pageants, which have the city buzzing with energy. The city is called “The Venice of South America” because of the warm atmosphere and stunning architecture, and if you love to shop while you travel, the dollar takes you a long way there.
South Beach is one of the last places on the planet where it’s normal to party at any age, which is great since the city has around 150 nightclubs. The beaches are swarming with gorgeous people. The cuisine is incredible, with many celebrity chefs having flagship restaurants here. The city enjoys warm weather almost all year long, so there’s very little chance of foggy-day blues.
You could spend days exploring the ancient remains and historical architecture of Greece, and you’ll fill up a dozen memory cards on your camera with the incredible landscapes. If you’re a Greek mythology buff, you’ll love visiting the Parthenon, the temples of Athena, Nike and Zeus. Possibly one of the best parts about vacationing in Greece is the food — it’s some of the healthiest in the world.
Juneau already has a solitary vibe, so traveling there solo makes perfect sense. That being said, the locals are friendly, and it’s a unique experience to take in the restaurants, art galleries and bars in this rare climate. You’ll be knocking back drinks with miners, fisherman and real trappers, and you’ll get a peek into a lifestyle you thought only existed in novels.
If you’re a single woman, Rome is the place to go for ample male attention. Your ego will come back nicely stroked. This is another city where it’s perfectly normal to stroll the streets, eat at restaurants, and visit galleries alone. And of course, you can be awestruck by the Colosseum, catacombs, Pantheon and other famous ancient structures.
It’s perfectly normal to grab a pint at a local pub all by yourself here. You won’t be alone long before the locals start cheersing you, and dragging you into their drinking songs. The landscapes are breathtaking, and will inspire plenty of journaling, drawing, or just quiet reflection. The best part for a solo traveler is that, rather than tons of large hotel chains, there are plenty of intimate B & Bs where the owners will gladly give you advice on where to go and what to see.
