9 Solo Holidays To Book Now

Where: Cruise along the Danube

The Lowdown: If you love golf but don't want the logistics of organising a multi-stop holiday, a luxury river cruise is an unexpectedly chic way to travel solo. Riverside Luxury Cruises’ six-night ‘Tee Off Along the Danube’ itinerary combines championship golf with the ease of slow travel, as you sail through Germany, Austria and Hungary aboard the all-suite Riverside Mozart. Accompanied by an onboard golf professional, you’ll tee off at five prestigious courses, enjoying 18 holes in each destination alongside expert tuition and insider knowledge. Between rounds, expect butler service, gourmet dining and elegant suites, plus memorable cultural experiences, including an exclusive after-hours visit to Vienna's Belvedere Palace with champagne and a private concert. 

The Details: From £4,027 per person, based on six nights, full board. 

Visit Riverside-Cruises.com 

Where: Ecuador & the Galápagos

The Lowdown: For a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, few destinations rival Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands and Latin Routes has created an 11-night itinerary that takes the stress out of exploring one of the world's most extraordinary wildlife destinations.

The journey begins in Quito, where a stay at Casa Gangotena includes the hotel's ‘Live Like A Local’ experience – an authentic introduction to Ecuadorian culture, food and traditions. From there, it's on to the spectacular Mashpi Lodge, which is set within a protected cloud forest and where you’ll enjoy immersive wildlife walks, canopy adventures and conservation experiences with expert naturalists in one of the planet's richest biodiversity hotspots. Before sailing the Galápagos, you’ll get the chance to unwind at the beachfront Finch Bay Hotel, where spa treatments incorporate Palo Santo, the 'Holy Tree' of the Galápagos, used to calm the senses and restore the body. The trip culminates aboard the elegant Isabela II, where hikes, snorkelling and kayaking with expert guides bring the islands' remarkable wildlife to life. With just 20 luxury cabins and no single supplement, this is an exceptional way to tick off one of the world's greatest travel experiences.

The Details: Prices start from £7,999 per person and includes flights, transfers and accommodation as detailed above. 

Visit LatinRoutes.co.uk

Where: France, Italy, Spain & Portugal

The Lowdown: If your perfect holiday revolves around long lunches, local markets and learning from some of the best chefs in the business, Stirred Travel's immersive culinary escapes should be on your radar. Hosted in beautiful heritage properties across Italy, France, Spain and Portugal, these week-long experiences combine hands-on cooking classes with exceptional regional food, vineyard visits, market tours and memorable meals at some of the area's finest restaurants. With just eight to 16 guests, the atmosphere is particularly easy and sociable for guests on their own. 

Founded in 2014, Stirred has hosted culinary weeks with many notable chefs, including Henry Harris (Bouchon Racine), José Pizarro (Pizarro restaurants), Neil Bothwick (The French House), Jeremy Lee (Quo Vadis) and Jake Simpson (Bocca di Lupo) amongst others. Newly released 2027 departures include foodie-focused weeks in Puglia, Andalusia and the Veneto in May, followed by Provence in June.

The Details: Prices start from £4,950 per person for six nights, including accommodation, all tuition, food, wine, drinks, restaurant meals, trips, tours, tastings and airport transfers. 

Visit StirredTravel.com 

Where: The Peloponnese, Greece

The Lowdown: If your idea of a memorable holiday is walking in the footsteps of ancient civilisations, the Peloponnese (the spectacular region that lies at the southern tip of the Greek mainland) should be high on your list. Greece's newly launched Peloponnese Trails have opened up more than 2,000km of routes through one of the country's most fascinating yet under-the-radar regions, linking archaeological treasures, medieval castles and timeless landscapes steeped in mythology.

One of the highlights is the 260km Messinian Trail, which follows the legendary route of King Nestor from Homer's Odyssey. Along the way, walkers pass through traditional stone villages, centuries-old olive groves, important archaeological sites and landmarks including the imposing Methoni Castle and the breathtaking Voidokilia Beach. 

Within easy reach of key access points along the Messinian Trail, Costa Navarino provides the perfect base from which to experience selected sections of the route, with transfers allowing guests to walk between some of its most scenic stages before returning to one of three resorts each evening (we’d opt for Romanos). For solo travellers, the resort's guided Philosophy Walk, led by a professor of Ancient Greek literature, offers an enriching way to delve deeper into the themes of The Odyssey, from heroism and purpose to the enduring idea of Nostos (the journey home). It's an inspiring blend of history, culture and thoughtful conversation, making it ideal for curious travellers who want to immerse themselves in Greece's remarkable past.

The Details: Rates at the beachside Romanos, A Luxury Collection Resort Costa Navarino, starts from 385 Euros per night, including breakfast. 

Visit Costa.Navarino.com

Where: Northumberland

The Lowdown: If you want to get away from it all closer to home, the newly launched Ratcheugh Crag Cottage, a one-bedroom Gothic retreat perched high above the Northumberland countryside beside romantic Ratcheugh Observatory, is a rare find. You’ll have exclusive access to private estate grounds and walking routes that are normally closed to the public, alongside spectacular views stretching from Alnwick Castle to the Farne Islands and the North Sea.

Inside, period details have been combined with understated luxury – there’s an open fire, elegant sash windows and an original Gothic quatrefoil window, while a spiral staircase leads to the bedroom and sweeping views across the landscape. Despite its secluded setting, Alnwick and the Northumberland coast are within easy reach. But with views stretching towards Alnwick, Dunstanburgh and Warkworth Castles, the Farne Islands and the North Sea, you may simply want to stay put.

The Details: Rates start from £905 for three nights or £1,833 for seven nights. 

Visit CrabtreeAndCrabtree.com

Where: South Africa

The Lowdown: Dreaming of a safari but hesitant to go it alone? The Royal Madikwe offers the perfect solution. Set within South Africa's malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, this family-owned lodge hosts a maximum of 17 guests, so rather than feeling like a traditional hotel, it has the relaxed intimacy of a private home, where solo travellers are made to feel part of the family.

Days are shaped around unforgettable wildlife encounters, from expertly guided game drives and walking safaris in search of the Big Five, endangered African wild dogs and cheetah, to slower moments spent unwinding with an Africology spa treatment or simply soaking up the stillness of the bush. Evenings bring memorable dinners beneath a canopy of stars, where stories of the day's sightings are shared around the table. With a philosophy rooted in conservation and community, and a team known for their warmth, laughter and genuine care, solo guests at The Royal Madikwe are never really solo, just wonderfully free and in the very best company. 

The Details: Rates for a suite start from £865 per person per night on a full board basis including two daily game drives and transfers. 

Visit RoyalMadikwe.com