For women who travel solo, every journey is an act of courage and self-discovery. From navigating unfamiliar cities to embracing life on the road, these stories celebrate the freedom and empowerment of exploring the world alone.
SICILIY
By Jeanette Ceja
The first of my many solo trips began as a US college student in Sicily, Italy. Growing up, I was introduced to major Italian cities through travel shows and movies, but I didn’t know much about Italy’s biggest island. I chose Sicily because I wanted to travel somewhere that no-one I knew had travelled to before.
On this first solo trip I had to trust my daily decisions. I discovered my strengths – and the unknown – while becoming more confident along the way.
Until Sicily, all my travels had been family trips to visit relatives in Mexico. My first international trip beyond Mexico was a family holiday to Europe. It had always been my grandmother’s dream to visit the Vatican. My mum contacted her travel agent and had the trip moved forward. On the day our tour stopped at the Vatican, my grandmother got off the bus, pulled out a rosary, and started crying. My family and I teared up watching her dream become reality.
It was on this trip that I started my first travel journal. Fast-forward to the summer of 2006, and I was a college student studying journalism. I registered for a summer study-abroad trip to Syracuse, Sicily.
Once I landed in Sicily, I settled into my new home. I believe that learning a language is one of the best parts of travelling.
As I was single on this trip, I was open to going on dates. Despite the odds, I met a nice Italian guy. However, we didn’t last very long. With all its adventures and misadventures, this journey helped me start to enjoy my own company.
Now, as I write this from France, I am having a full-circle moment. Since that first trip to Sicily, I have travelled to 60 countries.
My most memorable moment was hiking Mt Etna. Everywhere we hiked had breathtaking views. Hiking an active volcano was a challenge, but once it was over, I felt accomplished and proud.
MONGOLIA
By Fabienne Fong Yan
‘There will be no romantic trip’, I thought, flipping to the page of my passport with my nearly expired Mongolian visa. The person I was supposed to meet there had cancelled our plans, leaving me with a choice: abandon the trip or fly solo.
As I sat reflecting, my phone chimed – a message: “Since you’ve turned down all the classic group trips, I have one last offer. I know two locals planning their final Taiga journey to visit the reindeer herders in one week. If you can be in Ulaanbaatar by then, they will take you. Interested?”
On 3 October, at sunset, I arrived in Ulaanbaatar to temperatures nearing 0°C – a stark contrast to the tropical climate of Reunion Island, my homeland. My guide Aminaa asked: “How do you feel about spirituality, cold temperatures, and remote nature?” I was ready, though unprepared.
My friend described the upcoming journey to Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur (the Great White Lake) as a deep dive into Mongolian culture. Aminaa and her husband, Khuyagaa, wouldn’t normally take more tourists, but since they were accompanying another visitor to meet a shaman, they could offer one extra seat. That was enough to make me sign up.
At our hostel, I met Ellen, my travel companion. She was here to learn more about shamanism. Casually, she asked if I possessed psychic abilities. I shook my head.
My understanding was limited, shaped only by fantasy novels. I had been travelling solo for almost five years, but as I explained my presence in Mongolia was mere chance, it dawned on me this journey might be more intriguing than anticipated.
After 48 hours of driving, we arrived at Tsagaan Nuur, welcomed by Aminaa’s cousin, Tsendmaa. For our first dinner, she served horsemeat, explaining it is eaten in winter to raise body heat. That night, the temperature plunged below -10°C, but I didn’t feel cold, wrapped in my polar-grade sleeping bag.
The next morning we travelled further to meet Erdene and his wife Tuvshin. I enjoyed listening to conversations in their wooden cabin, the hearth crackling as Tuvshin prepared milk tea. Our hosts invited us to share a special meal: hot-stone mutton. As we set off to collect stones from the riverbed, everything felt new, like a first-time experience.
The real thrill was still to come: meeting the Tsaatan reindeer herders. To reach their campsite, the only transport options were by horse or reindeer. “The number-one rule is to not make any sudden moves,” Aminaa warned. I was given an experienced horse, and as we navigated forests and riverbeds, my confidence grew.
The trek lasted four to five hours. As we neared the camp, a rider emerged, mounted on a tall reindeer with huge antlers. My heart skipped a beat. Following him, we reached the valley where the Tsaatan lived. Young reindeer rubbed their antlers against us, and as the sun set, adult reindeer returned, bathed in golden light. I had never felt more privileged.
That night, Ellen and I shared a sleeping bag in the teepee, bonding quickly. On our last night, I was invited to witness a shamanic ceremony held for Ellen. The experience felt like stepping into another world. Before leaving, I rode a reindeer and looked so elated that everyone joked about marrying me off to a herder!
The ride back was silent, absorbed in the colours of the land. I watched the distant mountain range and felt thankful – from a supposed travel romance that never materialised to an intimate experience with one of the most spiritual peoples in the world.
SOLO TRAVEL IN YOUR PRIME
By Meri Murphy
I travelled solo at age 29, and again at age 65. At age 29 I explored Europe for 10 months until my money ran out. Life’s realities intervened with 40 responsible years as a clinical psychologist, 21 dedicated years as a parent, and
10 years as a wife. Knowing finances and time were the keys to my travel freedom, day one of retirement became my departure date. Seven extraordinary, self-indulgent years as a ‘retired nomad’ ensued, culminating in a miracle.
With my departure date in mind, I organised my financial planning accordingly. I changed jobs and moved so I could afford to buy a house. Needing to be fit for travel motivated me to be active. As my departure date drew closer, I sold my house. My fantasy was that I’d travel FOREVER, or at least as long as I wanted.
Five days after my earliest possible retirement date, I was on a plane to Istanbul. I stayed in hostels for their advantages: economy, a place to cook, and meeting other travellers. I organised my planning by continent: the Middle East first, Africa second, and Southeast Asia third.
Initially I cut my retirement-travel teeth in the Middle East. I used public transport because it’s inexpensive and reliable. Eventually, I arrived in a country in Asia where roads ran out, and the main artery was a river. I had landed in Bangkok. After checking out the area, I pointed myself toward Laos.
Laos was special. The scenery was fabulous, and it was packed with surprises, including elephants! Safe, inexpensive, and friendly.
Three and a half years later, I met Doug on a bus to Tallinn. Given how much I love meeting strangers, I proceeded to have one of my ‘six-minute relationships’ – so named because that’s about how long you talk to someone on a ski lift. Knowing you’ll never see them again, you can say whatever outrageous – or true – thing you want. That this chance meeting evolved into a permanent relationship is the miracle.
Seven years later, now happily living in New Zealand with Doug, I can only say the miracle continues.
Preparation for retirement freedom
1 Plan your finances
When my daughter left home, I sought the highest paying job I could find. I had a location list of ‘must haves’ (reasonable housing costs) and ‘negotiables’ (a pretty city). I saved every penny while still having fun during my 10 years in Spokane, Washington.
2 Keep your body fit
Staying active was my insurance policy for retirement, feeding my passion to see and move around the world.
3 Make the digital world your friend
At 65, I was intimidated by technology. My daughter set up my Retired Nomad blog. Youngsters I met in dorms tutored me on Facebook and other platforms, giving me a record of my travels.
4 Practise being alone
I started at 22, believing I wouldn’t marry but wanting to do many things. My first solo-travel session was in a restaurant booth in West Hartford, Connecticut, ordering a hot fudge sundae.
For more solo-travel inspiration, pick up a copy of Women Travel Solo by Lonely Planet, $35.99 RRP. Contact shop.lonelyplanet.com
This article was originally published under the title Her World Awaits in Issue 41 – Her World Awaits. You can purchase previous issues and enjoy more enchanting content here.
