You’ve dreamed of seeing the world on your terms…

No schedules, no compromises, just you and the thrill of new horizons.

Imagine waking up in a place where possibilities stretch as far as the ocean. 

Picture feeling free, inspired, and completely yourself. 

It’s about how those places awaken something deep within you: courage, curiosity, and joy and so much more.

Solo travel is so much more than visiting places…

It’s about how these places make you FEEL!

🔆 Empowered

🔆 Inspired

🔆 Liberated

🔆 Excited

🔆 Free

…

I’ve chosen these unforgettable destinations so that you get to experience your first solo trip safely, with confidence and wrap you in experiences that leave you forever changed.

Now remember this is just to whet your appetite 😄🤗👏

Woo hoo, let's look at the “Starter List”

New Zealand - The South Island... Diverse and Compact

Now I have strong bias for you to focus your visit on the South Island.

Yes, that is where I was born and lived but I’m recommending it for the following reasons:

✅ You will have the opportunity to visit the diversity of what the country has to offer from beautiful sandy beaches to pounding coastlines with crashing waves…

✅ To fjords and mountain towns that make you think you’ve been transported to a mini Norway and Switzerland…

✅ And the energy and vibe of the best small cities that are both quintessentially British with a decidedly modern new world energy.

So close your eyes and breathe in the crisp, pine-scented air of New Zealand. 

Picture yourself cruising through the dazzling fjords of Milford Sound…

Walking the long sandy beaches of the Nelson and Tasman area to...

The cosmopolitan vibe of Christchurch with its plentiful restaurants along the Avon River to a leisurely ride on the Avon river being punted by your guide in traditional dress.

Friendly locals welcome you with a warmth that feels like home, ensuring you’re never truly alone…

You’re left with a sense of awe and peace as the stunning scenery wraps you in a cloak of the familiar and the new and world of possibilities!

Brisbane & The Sunshine Coast, Australia - Where City Meets Sea

So another favourite of the South Pacific is Australia and I’m being very specific here in recommending Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast...

Not to be confused with the Gold Coast.

Brisbane is like a big - little city meaning it has everything a large city has but you don’t feel like you are in a big city.

First off Brisbane is geographically a very pretty city filled with beaches, parks, easy walking and cycling trails and much more.

But equally Brisbane is a really cultural hub in terms of the art galleries and museums. 

With the city set on the river there is a great downtown vibe that is relaxing and easy to move around as a solo women over 50.

Can you see yourself sipping an iced latte at a riverside cafe or taking an early morning or evening stroll along the many waterfront areas of the city?...

The answer is HECK YES!!!

Bottom line I just love the laid-back energy of this city.

Now just a short drive away, is the Sunshine Coast which greets you with rolling surf, white-sand beaches to vistas galore...

And added to that a number of seaside towns but in particular the town of Noosa.

Check it out here...

https://www.visitnoosa.com.au/

Stroll local artisan markets, hike in the Glass House Mountains, or simply sink your toes into the soft, warm sand.

Added to all of this is the laid back Australian hospitality that you will find though your travels.

While you know you are in a different country many things feel very familiar.

And last but not least…

Energized by the perfect balance of city adventure and coastal and inland tranquility.

Maui, Hawaii - Beach, Beauty and Solo Bliss

If you live in North America Maui is a great “first solo trip” destination. 

I’ll keep it short and sweet here because I have loads more details in my blog “Maui Moments: From Beach Bliss to Adventure Awaits”

https://www.raewyncrist.com/blog/b/women-travel-over-50-Maui-Perfect-First-Solo-Trip

But in a nutshell its ideal because you can make your tip as adventurous as you want or…

On the other end of the spectrum you can literally settle into your place to stay and not move from the beach 🏖️ or pool 🏊 or…

You can combine a bit of both.

Maui and its people are geared to visitors of any kind. So being a solo traveler is just a “non topic”.

And what I love about Maui is it isn’t just beaches and swimming pools. There are some wonderful surprises when you visit “upcountry”.

So close your eyes and smell the ocean and hear the sound of the waves gently lapping the shore as you squish your toes in the sand of any one of Maui’s stunning beaches.

Watch the sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā or cruise the winding Road to Hana, discovering hidden waterfalls along the way. 

Savor a beachfront dinner as the setting sun paints the sky in shades of orange and pink, leaving you breathless.

You can help but leave Maui feeling rejuvenated by the natural beauty and embraced by the spirit of ‘Aloha.’

Bangkok, Thailand - Where Crazy and Calm Coexist

If you’re ready to jump in with a more adventurous and stretching you out of your comfort level then this is a great city.

I know so many women think of traveling to a European city first but I would strongly urge you to consider Asia and particularly Thailand and its wonderful city of Bangkok.

I feel so comfortable traveling their solo that I keep returning and I’ve even put together a destination guide… here it is:

https://www.raewyncrist.com/asia

If have felt very safe when visiting Bangkok and if you love a combination of things to see and do and experience both old and new culture then Bangkok is definitely for you.

Let’s start with the intoxicating scent of street food mingles with incense drifting from golden temples. 

If you remotely love food you will love the variety of food in Bangkok and the remarkable affordability as well.

Bangkok is a sensory symphony of dazzling colors, ancient traditions, and vibrant street life.

🌟 Wander through the sprawling Chatuchak Market or…

🌟 Or take a serene boat ride along the Chao Phraya River, or…

🌟 Find peace in the clam of the gardens of the Grand Palace

🌟 Shop to you drop at any of the amazing "out of this world" malls (hint they are so much more than a shopping experience)

🌟 Take a Tuk Tuk night food tour (the city comes alive at night because its cooler)

Bangkok delivers multiple trips and experiences all in one…

Every moment is a story 📖 waiting to unfold.

This truly is a city where you will experience constant discovery and this almost inextricable magic.

The Thai people are the most gracious, humble and welcoming people I have come across.

And to experience the deep rich culture of this city with its history but also very modern side is truly a gift!

Canada - Abundant beauty combined with Canadian "nice"

I can’t not complete this blog without including my adopted country Canada.

Where to start…

First off for our US readers at the time I’m writing this blog the exchange rate is incredibly good for American travelers coming to Canada.

💰💰💰Your dollar goes so much further 1 x USD  = 1.43 CAD!!!

This means great value for that travel budget and that 4 or 5 star trip is totally within your reach.

Think $280 - $450 USD per night in the summer for a 4 star hotel in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

So a retreat to the Canadian Rockies including Banff and Lake Louise is a no brainer solo trip. 

Jaw dropping views, wonderful walks, hikes and cycling, a little shopping and top it off with a treat to a spa.

And yes, the water really is that colour at the right time of year!

Another Western Canadian destination is Vancouver. If you’re looking for a city vibe with a great outdoor vibe this is it.

You can spend all your time in Vancouver and/or use it as a jumping off point to see some equally stunning places nearby including Whistler and taking the ferry across to Vancouver Island and checking out the beautiful harbour city of Victoria.

Now if you want an Eastern Canadian experience hands down I would recommend Nova Scotia. 

Yes, I have a bias because we lived there for a few years. 

If you love to be by the ocean and have a more historical feel…

Think staying in cute Victorian B&B’s and Inns. Meandering from town to town checking out great artisans, antiquing, fresh seafood and some wineries to boot. 

And the hospitality of Canadians in the Atlantic provinces is second to none.

Wrapping Up...

I've deliberately curated this "starter list" for first time solo destinations based on the following:

✴️ You can make your trip as short or as long as you like

✴️ You can start off easily with an English speaking country or...

✴️ If you really want to step out have a completely different experience i.e., Bangkok

✴️ All of these destinations are both "traveler friendly" and welcoming to women who travel

✴️ They are all budget friendly based on the experience you want to have from budget conscious to splurging on a 4-5 star experience

✴️ And... lets not forget they are all stunning in their own right.

So yes, you are spoilt for choice so...

Happy Travels!

Interested in more, check out my YouTube Channel

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Female Travelers Over 50 By Raewyn Crist: @FemaleTravelers50Plus

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So cheers to wheels up to winging your way to your long dreamed of destination.