By Expedia Local Expert, on January 25, 2017

Best places for solo travel

Solo travel is on the upswing—who says you should spend your vacation negotiating everything from where to eat lunch to which museums to linger in? When you’re traveling alone your itinerary is your own. You are the master of your time, and you’ll have the time of your life. Make new friends along the way, or be a loner and enjoy some introspection while you take a new city by storm. There isn’t one way to become a new local expert. Here are a few of the best places to travel alone in 2017, all of which are packed with intriguing things to do.

Seattle

Just as Dorothy set off bravely to Oz, you can skip your way solo through an Emerald City. In this case, we’re talking about the home to the OG Starbucks: Seattle. This is one of the best places to travel alone not only because of its obsession with caffeine and bevy of coffee shops, but also because it’s easy to get around the compact city center. After your morning trip to Slate Coffee Bar or Broadcast Coffee Roasters, meander through Pike Place Market. Slurp your chowder in a bread bowl as loud as you want: No travel mates means no one to judge you. It’s easy to bop from place to place using the Link Light Rail or ride share services, so exploring Volunteer Park in bohemian Capitol Hill and the shops of the charming Ballard neighborhood is a breeze. Treat yourself to a trip to the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit and bring your camera!

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Bali

If “Eat, Pray, Love” taught you anything, it’s that you don’t need a travel partner to have a transcendent experience in Bali. In fact, the landscape is so breathtaking we’d argue your time will be better without a companion to distract you from it. You might even discover your life’s purpose while deep in solitary meditation. Bali is an island known for rejuvenating spas, unfettered tropical terrain, and delicious food. Spend a day at the Uluwatu Temple staring out at the sweeping sea views and get the white sand of Seminyak beaches lost in your bathing suit. If you want to boost your adrenaline, the list of things to do in Denpasar includes challenging treetop adventures and whitewater rafting.

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You can pick up unique souvenirs at the boutiques along Drury Street in Dublin

Dublin
The people of Dublin are so friendly you don’t need to travel there with friends or family. By the time you return home, you’ll have a slew of new Facebook friends and plans to return the next year. Meanwhile, you’re going on vacation alone for a reason, so be sure to sneak away for quiet moments in the iconic lush Irish landscape. Visit the west coast of Ireland and go on a Cliffs of Moher day tour or enjoy a patch of green right in Dublin by touring the stunning National Botanic Gardens. At the end of the day, hop on a stool at legendary Temple Bar and ask the bartender to tell you a story.

Chicago

You can blow through the Windy City alone and never feel lonely, trust us. The bustling energy of Chicago will keep you company, and your date with a slice of greasy deep-dish pizza will lift your spirits. Linger on the Navy Pier eating cotton candy, spend your latest paycheck on the Magnificent Mile, and cheer from the bleacher seats at Wrigley Field. Like Barack fell in love with Michelle from the South Side of Chi-Town, a helicopter tour of the city will leave cartoon hearts in your eyes. A trip to the lakefront trail in the summer only solidifies that your foray into the Chicago lifestyle is one of the best solo vacations you’ve ever taken.

Copenhagen

Like the famous bronze mermaid suns herself alone on a rock at the Langelinie promenade, you can soak up Copenhagen as a solo traveler. Our tips for traveling alone in the capital of Denmark are pretty simple. Put on your walking shoes, grab a camera, and let your day write itself. Walk along the iconic Nyhavn canal district and its candy-colored houses, and lose track of the time exploring Rosenborg Castle. Dining for one is encouraged in restaurants here, where independent travelers are common. Have a traditional Danish lunch of an open-faced sandwich on rye bread in the heart of the city by yourself—no one will flinch. Burn off your meal with a city bike tour and see places like the Church of Our Saviour and Amalienborg Palace up close.

Where do you love to travel solo?