In this post, you've seen the dreamy photos of the Maldives for thirty years and never once pictured yourself in them. This post is about why, who made that rule, and what those islands are actually like when you're not on a honeymoon. Somewhere along the way, you crossed the Maldives off your list. Not out loud. Nobody sat you down and said those islands aren't for you. You just saw enough brochures. A couple on a swing. A couple at a candlelit dinner on the sand. A couple h

Summary The world is built two by two, and solo women in midlife notice it most in the small things: tables for two, the set menu "for sharing," the head-tilted "table for one?" A common pattern reported by solo travellers is being treated as a threat by other women on couple-heavy group tours. It says nothing about you and everything about a story someone else is carrying. The discomfort of travelling solo in a couples' world is real, but it isn't a verdict on you. None of i

Thats not a wine, this is a wine!

Quick summary In 2017, I co-created the International Toilet Tourism Awards with my then-business partner, Carolyn Childs, at MyTravelResearch. The premise was simple. After two decades of researching what travellers actually want, we kept hitting the same finding from every market segment we studied: a clean, safe, well-designed toilet matters more than almost anyone in travel and tourism wants to admit. The awards were our way of saying what everyone thinks out loud. Yester

Summary: The world is a bit wobbly at the moment. If you've been sitting on a trip you've been dreaming about for years, it's tempting to wait until things settle down. Here's the thing — they may not settle. Not the way we're used to. This is a piece about travelling through uncertain times, what to actually think about (travel insurance, weather patterns and a few honest trade-offs), and why regret is a far bigger risk than uncertainty. I had coffee with a friend last w

Summary Solo travel is usually triggered by life changes, not spontaneous wanderlust It’s less about seeing places and more about reconnecting with yourself and who you were meant to be The first trip often feels uncertain, but becomes a turning point Freedom, space, and independence are the real drivers This is a long-term behavioural shift, not a passing trend Most women don’t become solo travellers because they’re brave. They become solo travellers because something in the

The dry river bed of The Darling River. Look at how massive the root of the tree is. For 15 years at Qantas, I thought I knew what made a destination remarkable. I worked in sales, marketing, then market research. I analysed routes. I ran global brand studies and customer satisfaction surveys. My job was literally to understand why people travel. And I thought I had a pretty good idea. Then I spent a few weeks driving through western New South Wales. And realised I’d been lo

The most anxious time in solo travel is your 'homeless state'. Arriving in another country.

Summary Most women did not travel solo to feel brave. They travelled to feel steady again. The first solo trip mattered emotionally more than any destination choice. Familiar places, light structure, and optional connection reduced anxiety. Preparation mattered more than confidence. The biggest change happened quietly, after they came home. Who this article is really about This article is based on patterns we see again and again among divorced women who choose to travel alone

Solo Travel Later in Life. Image iStock Photo. Summary Many women I come across quietly wonder if they’re too old to travel solo, not because they can’t , but because they feel the world has a timestamp on personal adventure. Our research and authentic traveller voices suggest this isn’t about age at all. It’s about clarity, choice, freedom, and finally listening to that persistent inner voice. Key points: It’s never too late to start travelling solo Women are increasingly

For most women over 50, solo travel doesn’t begin with a dramatic declaration or a fearless leap, as many self-help gurus or healing social media influencers will have you believe. It begins quietly. With a thought that keeps returning. With a trip they didn’t take because no one else could. With the realisation that waiting has become heavier than going. This guide brings together what women over 50 actually tell us about travelling solo - the fears, the relief, the practica

For years, solo travellers have been told to watch out for the dreaded “single supplement.”It sounds unfair, doesn’t it? Like you’re being penalised just for travelling on your own. But here’s the truth: there’s technically no such thing as a solo supplement. It’s not a punishment. It’s just the cost of the room. Let’s unpack what “no single supplement” really means, what to look out for, and how to find travel options that are genuinely solo-friendly. Summary The “single sup

There’s a myth that solo travellers are fearless. They aren’t. They feel the same butterflies you do. The only difference is that they start. This isn’t about being brave. It’s about taking one honest step toward the life you want. And I say that not as a motivational quote, but as someone who’s spent more than two decades listening to travellers, especially women, talk about what holds them back and what finally tips them forward. You’ve handled hard conversations, school ru

I love these vending machines in Japan. Credit Alex Mesmer. Unsplash. I was recently invited to a sales briefing with the Japan Airlines (JAL) team - a rare chance to hear directly from the airline reps about what’s new for the winter and ski season. It was a reminder of why Japan Airlines continues to stand out for travellers who value space, comfort, and genuine hospitality in the sky. Japan is one of the most in-demand destinations right now. Between ski holidays, cultur

Window bench at one of my favourite Melbourne cafes - The Quarter, Degraves Street. The short version Dining alone isn't lonely. Once you've done it a few times, it becomes one of the best parts of travelling solo. Start with breakfast. It's the most forgiving meal of the day, and the best way to watch a city wake up. Window benches, hotel club lounges, and hotel lobbies are the three places that make eating alone feel easy. A buffet breakfast is a solo traveller's secret wea

If you’ve ever seen a TripADeal package and felt that little jolt, “Wait, how is it that cheap?” this one’s for you. TripADeal can...

Yesterday, I had one of those moments where work, memory, and future plans collided beautifully. I was invited by my friend Rachel...

We both met on our Intrepid tour as solo travellers.

PONANT is our top pick for a Solo Cruise Luxury travel for solo travellers needn't come with a solo supplement penalty. Quick Summary: Why PONANT Works for Solo Travellers No Single Supplement on Hundreds of Sailings Worldwide Small cruising where the staff can get to know you: 32–245 guests max Cruises depart from all over the world French brand means French feel to everything. Ooo la la Expedition-Level Adventure with Comfort Built-In Solo events on the cruise so you meet o

Travel safety tips for solo travel. The real story. Summary The thing that catches solo travellers off guard isn't the dark alley. It's a stranger at the dinner table, a comment in the airport, a flasher on the underground. Real moments, from real women. Safety isn't fear. It's a sharper relationship with your own instincts. The travel industry talks about price. The research says it's safety. After 20 years of interviewing solo female travellers, I can tell you the gap is w