Solo, Not Sorry: Why Travelling Alone (with a Bunch of Strangers) Might Just Be the Best Damn Thing You Ever Do

Ladies. Let’s talk solo travel.

You know the one. The glossy Instagrammed fantasy where you’re gracefully sipping wine on a terrace in Tuscany while journalling about your inner growth, or standing atop Machu Picchu at sunrise like a goddess reborn.

Sounds dreamy. But let’s cut the crap for a second.

The truth? Travelling solo can be intimidating. It can be weird. And let’s be honest, sometimes it’s downright lonely.

That’s where small group tours come in — and no, they’re not just for awkward gap year kids or overly enthusiastic middle-aged bird watchers in matching fleeces. They’re for women like you: smart, independent, and not here to waste your precious annual leave faffing around on Google Maps trying to find a half-decent pad thai in Chiang Mai.

Solo Travel: Empowering AF (But Also, Kinda Scary)

Let’s address the obvious: solo travel is a bold move. It says, “I can handle my own sht, thank you very much.”* And yes, there’s a delicious sense of freedom that comes with booking a one-way flight and telling no one your return date.

But here’s the unfiltered version: solo doesn’t mean you have to be alone all the bloody time.

According to The Adventure People’s Solo Traveller hub, more and more of us — especially women — are chucking the rulebook, ditching the waiting game (No Karen, I’m not waiting another year for you to finally renew your passport) and choosing to travel solo. The result? Confidence like you’ve never known. Friendships you’d never expect. And a story or two you’ll definitely leave out of the family group chat.

Why Small Group Tours Are Your Secret Weapon

Contrary to popular belief, signing up for a group trip as a solo female traveller isn’t waving a white flag. It’s a power move.

You’re still independent. You’re still doing this for you. But you’re also being smart. Because joining a small group tour means:

• No more decision fatigue. Itineraries? Sorted. Transport? Handled. Dodgy hostels with questionable sheets? Avoided.

• Safety in numbers. Whether it’s navigating Delhi belly or dodging pickpockets in Rome, having a crew makes it 1,000 times less stressful.

• Instant friends. Not forced “let’s braid each other’s hair and cry under the stars” stuff (unless that’s your vibe). Just real, interesting people who also said “sod it” and booked the trip.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t about turning up and being herded around like sheep. The Adventure People specialise in small group trips with maximum freedom — think exploring Vietnam’s backstreets with a local guide and having time to do your own thing (like that cooking class you found on TikTok).

For the Women Who’ve Been Told It’s Too Risky

Ah yes. The unsolicited advice from people who’ve never left their postcode.

“You’re going alone? As a woman? Isn’t that… dangerous?”

Let’s all take a collective eye-roll, shall we?

Of course, safety matters. But risk shouldn’t equal restriction. And that’s the beauty of joining a group trip. You’re not just safer — you’re supported.

The Solo Travel for Women page absolutely nails it: these tours are curated with female travellers in mind. Think handpicked accommodation, expert local guides who know the terrain (and the best hidden bars), and fellow women who get it.

Travelling solo doesn’t mean stepping into the unknown with zero backup. It means choosing adventure on your own terms — with a network built in.

What It’s Really Like on a Group Tour (From Someone Who Was Skeptical as Hell)

Let me paint you a picture.

You arrive in Morocco. It’s hot. You’re sweaty. And slightly panicked that you’ve just agreed to share a van with twelve strangers for ten days.

But by day three? You’re swapping dry shampoo hacks with your roommate, sharing snacks with that hilarious Aussie couple, and feeling like you’ve known these people for years. Someone helps you haggle for a rug. Someone else distracts you while you cry-laugh over your first camel ride. And when you’re sat under a Saharan sky, sipping mint tea and talking about everything from feminism to food poisoning? That’s when it clicks.

This is what solo travel should feel like: free, fearless, and deeply connected.

Spoiler: You Still Get “Me Time”

Worried about being trapped in group activities 24/7? Don’t be.

One of the biggest myths about group tours is that you have to be “on” all the time. But the best ones — like those from The Adventure People — are designed to give you balance. You’ll hike to a waterfall with your crew in the morning, then spend the afternoon journalling in a hammock with zero interruptions.

It’s the best of both worlds: freedom and structure. Community and solitude. Wild adventure and peace and quiet.

You Deserve to Do This (No Permission Required)

Let’s get real. As women, we’re constantly told to wait. For the right time. The right person. The right deal.

But what if you are the right person? And the time is now?

Solo travel, especially when done in a group, is one of the biggest acts of self-love you can commit to. It says: I’m worth this. I want to see the world. And I’m not going to let other people’s limitations define mine.

You don’t need permission. You don’t need a boyfriend. You don’t even need to be particularly brave. You just need a suitcase, an open mind, and a willingness to say “yes” to yourself.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not About the Destination — It’s About the Damn Journey

Look, you might start your trip with a full itinerary, colour-coded packing cubes, and a vague sense of panic. But you’ll end it with sandy shoes, new mates, and a story that starts with “I just decided to go…”

And when your friends back home say, “You’re so brave — I could never do that,” you’ll just smile. Because you know something they don’t.

Solo travel doesn’t have to be alone. In fact, it’s better when it’s not.

Ready to book that trip and find your people? Check out The Adventure People’s Solo Travel Hub and Solo Travel for Women and start rewriting your story.

You don’t need a reason. You don’t need a plan. You just need to go.

And you’ve got this.