Prima Solo Travel Awards: The best holidays to take on your own
Thinking of going away alone this year? Need some help finding the right trip? We're thrilled to introduce you to the Prima Solo Travel Awards winners 2025.
We know that when you're travelling solo, choosing the right trip can make all the difference, so we've done the hard work for you and found some of the best trips on the market.
With solo holidays being one of the fastest-growing sectors in travel among women aged 40+, it's little wonder there are so many fabulous options to choose from. Not only do our winners offer trips to some of the most amazing locations in the world, but there are also a huge range of activities on offer too, from cycling, boat and walking tours to yoga, cooking and painting lessons.
So, whether you're looking to relax in the sun, meet like-minded people, learn a new hobby, or embark on a new adventure, our pick of the best solo holidays has something for everyone.
Prima Solo Travel Awards winners for 2025
Best for community tourism: Just You
Why it’s so good for solos: Just You, among the first of the solo-travel operators, was ahead of the curve when it launched 25 years ago. Its collection of worldwide guided holidays has been designed exclusively for solo travellers seeking the company of like-minded people. One of the hallmarks of Just You is its focus on cultural immersion for solos in a friendly environment. And for its Just You Cares project, it works with the nongovernmental organisation Planeterra, ensuring its trips benefit local communities.
Standout features for your money: All holidays include a dedicated holiday director as host, return flights, a twin or double room in four-star hotels, most meals, transfers, transport and porterage. There’s a guaranteed price match if you find an identical holiday that’s cheaper. And you know you are contributing to responsible tourism.
Where to go: New tours for 2025 include Albania Uncovered, Tyrolean Treasures and Wild Borneo, with Kuala Lumpur add-on. A Mexican Adventure tour is always a popular choice, exploring all the way from Mexico City to the beach at Cancun.
Best for empowering yourself and other women: Intrepid
Why it’s so good for solos: Intrepid believes in going solo but not alone. The average Intrepid trip has about 10 people of all ages and backgrounds, and from all over the world. More than half of Intrepid’s bookings are from solo travellers and nearly 70% of those are women. In particular, these are women in midlife who have more free time, fewer responsibilities and are ready for longer adventures. It’s a myth that solo female travellers are single – many have a partner, but their different interests mean they travel separately.
Standout features for your money: Intrepid’s Women’s Expeditions are one of the most popular ranges, with a 51% increase in solo female travellers booking these trips this year. Women’s Expeditions are all-female groups hosted by female guides – they’re about breaking down barriers, fostering discussion and creating immersive experiences for women that are ordinarily off limits on mixed-group departures. More importantly, these trips provide employment for local women and support businesses owned and operated by women.
Where to go: Intrepid offers seven women’s expeditions, but among the most popular are the India: Women’s Expedition and Morocco: Women’s Expedition.
Best for female-led adventures: G Adventures
Why it’s so good for solos: G Adventures has been a champion of solo travel for over 30 years, with more than 50% of its global travellers opting to join a small
group adventure on their own. Last year, it took its solo offering to the next level with the launch of Solo-ish Adventures. Created for those seeking personal growth, connection and safety as they travel, these trips harness the power of community tourism, ensuring local interactions and maximum benefit to local people in terms of money staying in the destination. From age 18, with no upper age limit.
Standout features for your money: Female CEOs (chief experience officers) who are dedicated to creating a safe, fun and empowering environment, dinner parties that help bring the group closer together and pinch-me moments such as kayaking with penguins off Cape Town.
Where to go: Solo-ish features 26 tours in destinations such as Costa Rica, India, Peru, South Africa and Vietnam.
Best for sunseekers: Solos Holidays
Why it’s so good for solos: Solos Holidays offers its Solos Exclusives range of getaways for those seeking independence but with the option to connect with others. These trips bring small groups to stay in family-run hotels such as the Catamaran Hotel, overlooking Falmouth Harbour in Antigua.
Standout features for your money: Along with exclusive accommodation for solos, with no single supplement for either seven or 14 nights, guests have an in-house Solos Tour Leader for support and can choose to explore local life or just relax. Excursions range from exploring Turkey on a Jeep safari to wine tasting in Verona’s vineyards.
Where to go: The Solos Exclusives range features a wide variety of warm destinations for both summer and winter sun, including Greece, Turkey and the Caribbean.
Best for hobbies: Flavours Holidays
Why it’s so good for solos: Flavours Holidays hosts experience-based holidays and champions solo travellers, with no single supplement policy. Trips include painting getaways in the Italian countryside and Pilates retreats in Morocco. This one is popular among the over 50s and there’s a strong focus on interests and hobbies.
Standout features for your money: Everyone gets a spacious double room in a luxury villa, with expert chefs and experienced teachers. Small groups guaranteed and solo travellers will never face extra costs.
Where to go: Flavours Holidays take solos to beautiful settings in Italy, Spain and Morocco. New this year are Explore the Hidden Gem of Umbria and, in response to the increase in demand for wellness holidays, there’s Introducing Nordic Walking: A Refreshing Way to Discover Italy and Spain.
Best for creative getaways: Skyros Holidays
Why it’s so good for solos: In 2024, Skyros celebrated 45 years as the company offering ‘the holiday you can take home with you’. This is the place to look for solo holidays packed with adventure and creativity – often with people who share your interests.
Standout features for your money: Skyros stands out from the crowd by offering the chance to learn or enhance a skill while on holiday, including art, comedy and theatre, dance, health and wellbeing, music and singing, outdoor adventure, watersports, writing retreats and yoga. All feature professional teachers and a nurturing environment, and there is plenty of time to relax and socialise or spend time by yourself, should you wish.
Where to go: The company is named after the Greek island of Skyros, where holidays are hosted at the Skyros Centre and Atsitsa Bay. UK retreats and reunions are held at The Grange on the Isle of Wight, close to Shanklin’s long, sandy beach. These long-weekend breaks are the perfect way for solo travellers to dip their toes in the solo-travel water for the first time. Courses include yoga, writing, photography, art, mindfulness, and music and singing.
Best for book lovers: Friendship Travel
Why it’s so good for solos: Friendship Travel has been a pioneer in solo travel for over 25 years. It specialises in trips that cater to those who are travelling solo for the first time, with each holiday providing a dedicated host and an itinerary that allows guests to spend as much or as little time with the group as they wish. Holidays cover painting, walking, skiing or reading.
Standout features for your money: From painting in Portugal or reading in Egypt to walking in Turkey or skiing in Norway, the packages generally include flights, airport transfers, accommodation, half board, drinks and an onsite tour host, plus extra activities and excursions that will nourish the mind, body and soul. And there’s no single supplement.
Where to go: Friendship Travel launches three new reading holidays this year. Guests can choose from Egypt, Turkey or Portugal, with each trip combining local sites, stunning scenery and literary discussion. In Egypt, guests board the MS Royal Viking for a cruise along the River Nile, visiting historical sites and reading Death On The Nile by Agatha Christie. In Turkey, the reading retreat focuses on Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernières, a novel set in a Turkish village, while in Portugal there are two novels: The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones and Two Nights In Lisbon by Chris Pavone.
Best for Asia: Wendy Wu Tours
Why it’s so good for solos: With over 25 years of expertise, Wendy Wu Tours is a specialist in fully inclusive adventures across China, Japan and throughout Asia. Solo travellers over 40 are at the heart of its touring ethos. Designed with a balance of independence and connection, solo tours offer private rooms as standard and the company of like-minded adventurers. Local guides and immersive experiences ensure safety and comfort, while curated group activities create opportunities for meaningful connections.
Standout features for your money: From private rooms to comprehensive inclusions such as flights, meals and entry fees, these tours offer value for money. Signature experiences include tea ceremonies in Japan, a serene Yangtze River cruise in China and exclusive access to hidden gems such as Zhangjiajie’s otherworldly mountains.
Where to go: Tours include Japan Uncovered, a 17-day journey through Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima, and Wonders of China, a deep dive into Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai.
Best for eco travel: Pura Aventura
Why it’s so good for solos: Pura Aventura has a Travel Positive charter to mitigate the carbon emissions produced by its holidays and is a B Corp company. It has new shared departures on four favourite inn-to-inn walking routes in Spain and Portugal that are perfect for solo travellers who want a little company.
Standout features for your money: New shoulder season departures offer single travellers a more affordable price. Solos have the privacy of a private room with no single supplements and can choose to walk solo by day, then mingle with guests in the evening.
Where to go: Try the mosaic of forests, olive groves and hilltop villages of Portugal’s Alentejo, or head to Spain for the finest sections of the Camino de Santiago.
Best for authentic adventure: Regent Holidays
Why it’s so good for solos: Regent Holidays has eight new solo holidays for 2025 that fill the gap between group holidays and completely independent trips. Adding to its popular escorted group tours, which can include rooms offered with no single supplement, these new tours are aimed at those who would rather travel independently, but seek recommended local guides as well as advice on the best destinations, hotels, restaurants and attractions for solo travel.
Standout features for your money: Solo holidays include a selection of well-chosen experiences that come with the quality and assurances of Regent’s expert, trusted partners in each destination, and always with the enjoyment of the solo traveller at the heart of every decision.
Where to go: The new collection includes Discover Riga & Vilnius, Latvia and Lithuania. There are also two Norway trips – Arctic Winter Break and Havila Short Aurora Voyage, plus Solo Adventures on Sao Miguel in the Azores, Authentic Encounters in the Faroe Islands, a Reykjavik Winter Break in Iceland and an Arctic Aurora Winter Break in Lapland. There is one long-haul option, Discover Laos Independently, with solo experiences such as the morning alms-giving ceremony with a local guide, and join-in activities such as a workshop at The Bamboo Experience.
Best for walking: Macs Adventure
Why it’s so good for solos: Macs Adventure’s self-guided walking and cycling holidays offer solo travellers the freedom to explore at their own pace, without the constraints of groups or guides. Bags are transported from point to point, meaning you can walk or cycle with just a light rucksack and make the most of the day’s route. Equipped with maps, route notes and full navigation via an app, travellers can embrace independence and flexibility.
Standout features for your money: A choice of handpicked properties – usually inns and B&Bs. Flexible departure, luggage transfers each day and breakfast is usually included, with most other meals being flexible.
Where to go: England and Scotland were the top choices for UK solo travellers in 2024. In England, popular routes include the Coast to Coast walk and Hadrian’s Wall, while in Scotland, the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way are always good choices. Alternatively, Portugal is another fantastic option, providing cost-effective travel opportunities, from public transport to dining out.
Best for mature solos: One Traveller
Why it’s so good for solos: This family-run company focuses on mature solo travellers, with a broad range of domestic getaways, European holidays by air and rail, cruises and long-haul adventures. The company also offers One Experience holidays, where the hotel or cruise ship is booked out purely for a group of solo travellers.
Standout features for your money: One Experience holidays are often joined by two tour managers, and guests are treated to an additional complimentary service, such as a pre-holiday dinner with fellow solos before an overnight stay at a quality hotel near an airport or London St Pancras International.
Where to go: New destinations this year are Albania, Marrakech and Lajatico, Tuscany, for the annual summer concert by renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli in his hometown.
Best for Europe and North America touring: Cosmos
Why it’s so good for solos: Cosmos Tours has seen a growing number of solo travellers who crave the freedom to go when they want and where they want in pursuit of new experiences. But with Cosmos, travelling solo doesn’t mean you are travelling on your own. Cosmos handles the planning, logistics and details, plus on-site expert guides backed by more than 50 years of travel expertise across a global support network. Travellers have the flexibility with none of the hassles of planning on your own – just handpicked hotels, must-see sites and much-needed free time.
Standout features for your money: For 2025, Cosmos Tours has a 50% discount on the Solo Supplement price on all Cosmos North America and Europe itineraries for the first five passengers per select departure.
Where to go: Cosmos has a wide range of tours across the world, such as a seven-day tour in Rome, Florence and Venice, and, in North America, a seven-day tour discovering the Highlights of The Canyonlands (including the Grand Canyon), eight days rejuvenating your soul with the Southern Sounds and Elvis tour or how about 10 days in the Heart of the Canadian Rockies?
Best for culture: Peter Sommer Travels
Why it’s so good for solos: All of Peter Sommer’s escorted tours work well for solo travellers who love to experience culture with expert guides and chatting at shared mealtimes. Founder and director Peter reports that he’s often told by solo guests that they meet up for reunions, not just in the UK but all over the world, from Seattle to Melbourne.
Standout features for your money: This company isn’t a budget option, but it does offer a high standard of travel with great expertise. There is a single supplement, but if there are two solo travellers of the same sex, there’s a twin-share option with no supplement.
Where to go: Peter Sommer offers three new tours for 2025, all based around a seven-night cruise aboard a gulet (wooden yacht). Cruising the Coast of Montenegro explores historic and cultural sites from the Adriatic Coast to the Bay of Kotor. Cruising the Cyclades is a week-long voyage exploring archaeology, history, gastronomy and the beauty of these Greek islands. A Gastronomic Gulet Cruise in Turkey is a fabulous experience for foodies who want to get to know the history, culture and cuisine of Turkey. If you are more of a landlubber, but have a keen interest in ancient history, an escorted tour in Sicily, Macedonia and Crete may suit you better.
Best for yoga: The Healthy Holiday Company
Why it’s so good for solos: There’s something about a yoga retreat that can’t fail to make you feel part of something bigger, even if you keep yourself to yourself. The Healthy Holiday Company does what it says on the tin, with group holidays that aim to nourish body and soul. However, if you do seek solitude, this company can guide you to the best destination spa for you, with drop-in yoga classes or a tailor-made yoga programme.
Standout features for your money: This company takes your health needs seriously and will try to find the best holiday for you. Gift cards are available in case you want to encourage family and friends to gift you a healthy getaway.
Where to go: For group retreats, solo travellers head to an idyllic retreat on the outskirts of Marrakech, with breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains. There’s a heated outdoor pool, gym and hammam, and yoga, and fitness classes take place in the glasshouse or grounds. If you fancy an independent approach, with drop-in yoga classes, The Healthy Holiday Company has selected hotels in Andalucia in Spain, Kefalonia in Greece and Koh Samui in Thailand. Or how about a three- night yoga retreat at the Fairmont the Palm in Dubai, focusing on experience yoga, detox yoga or yoga for better sleep?
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