Where Do Solo Travelers Go… and Where Don’t They?

Solo travel is having a moment — but where should you actually go if you’re traveling alone? And are there destinations you should save for later?

There’s something incredibly freeing about traveling alone.

You choose the destination. You choose the itinerary. You decide when to wake up, where to eat, whether you want to spend six hours wandering through a museum or none.

But then comes the inevitable question:

Where should I actually go?

And perhaps even more importantly:

Where shouldn’t I go?

For the latest episode of The Travel Brats Podcast, we sat down with someone who knows a thing or two about getting out into the world. Clarissa Cappelletti has visited 58 countries, lived in four countries, speaks three languages, and works as the Regional Manager for English-speaking travel coordinators at WeRoad, a group-travel company specializing in trips for solo travelers.

And her biggest piece of advice for people thinking about their first solo trip?

Just trip it.

From a Tiny Swiss Village to 58 Countries

Clarissa’s love of travel started in a place that couldn’t be much smaller.

She grew up in a Swiss village with just 87 people, and rather than letting her world stay small, her parents encouraged her to experience as much of it as possible from an early age.

Her first major international travel experience came at 14, when she traveled across California with her dad on a road trip from NorCal to SoCal.

That trip changed her… for good.

It was her first time leaving Europe and her first experience getting on a big plane to explore somewhere completely different.

As Clarissa put it, once you start traveling, you tend to want to travel even more.

Eventually, she would live in Switzerland, Italy, the United States, and the United Kingdom — including studying at UC Berkeley and spending time in Washington and Miami.

Interestingly, the country that surprised her most wasn’t somewhere exotic.

It was the UK.

Clarissa originally moved to London primarily for career opportunities. She hadn’t particularly fallen in love with London as a tourist, especially compared with places like Rome.

But after living there, building a career and putting down roots, her perspective changed.

Sometimes the place you love visiting isn’t the place you would love living — and sometimes it’s the exact opposite.

That’s an important travel lesson in itself.

How Solo Travel Entered the Picture

Solo travel wasn’t always part of Clarissa’s story.

It came later, in her late 20s, when she found herself becoming the only single person in her friendship group.

The trips with friends started getting shorter because longer vacations were increasingly being planned around partners.

Clarissa still wanted to see the world.

So she decided to go anyway.

Alone.

That eventually led her to a WeRoad trip in Costa Rica — and ultimately into her career working with solo travelers.

And this is one of the biggest misconceptions about solo travel:

You don’t necessarily have to travel completely alone.

You can travel independently while joining a group. You can meet other solo travelers. You can book organized experiences. Or you can simply start with a weekend somewhere nearby.

Solo travel doesn’t have to mean spending two weeks completely by yourself.

Clarissa’s Favorite Countries

When you’ve visited 58 countries, asking someone to choose their favorites is basically asking them to choose a favorite child.

Still, we made Clarissa do it.

🇨🇴 Colombia: The Unexpected Favorite

Colombia was one of the destinations that exceeded Clarissa’s expectations the most.

She particularly loved the Lost City Trek, a five-day jungle trek with no internet connection and very little connection to the outside world.

There were rivers to swim in, jungle camps to sleep in, and plenty of card games with fellow trekkers.

But what really stood out wasn’t just the scenery.

It was the people.

Clarissa found Colombians incredibly welcoming and appreciated how enthusiastic people were when she attempted to speak Spanish.

It’s a reminder that sometimes the best part of a destination isn’t the attraction you’ve traveled thousands of miles to see.

It’s the people you meet along the way.

🇳🇵 Nepal: Mountains, Culture & Connection

For someone who loves mountains and active travel, Nepal was almost destined to make Clarissa’s list.

She trekked at around 4,000 meters of elevation while surrounded by the Himalayas and experienced the Everest Base Camp region.

But once again, it wasn’t only the landscape that made the trip special.

She loved learning about the culture and experiencing the care and knowledge of the people accompanying her.

From altitude concerns to traditional remedies and food, the experience became much more than simply hiking through spectacular scenery.

🇮🇹 Italy: History Wins

For history, Clarissa gives the crown to Italy.

And honestly, it’s hard to argue.

From Rome and Florence to Tuscany and beyond, Italy offers an almost ridiculous amount of history packed into one country.

Ancient Rome, Renaissance art, medieval towns, archaeological sites, architecture, food, and regional cultures all make Italy a destination where you could return repeatedly and still find something new.

The Best Countries for Active Travel

If your idea of a vacation involves sitting beside a pool for seven straight days, Clarissa may not be your travel twin.

She loves active travel — especially hiking and mountains.

Her recommendations include:

Nepal — for mountains and trekking.

Switzerland — another obvious mountain favorite, thanks in part to her childhood there.

Mexico — for a wide range of activities.

South Africa — an underrated choice for active travelers, with hiking around Cape Town, water sports, and safari opportunities.

And there’s another factor worth considering:

Your destination doesn’t have to be expensive to be adventurous.

Clarissa points out that Switzerland and the Nordic countries can be expensive, while destinations in the Balkans — including Slovenia and Montenegro — can offer spectacular mountain experiences for significantly less.

Latin America can also offer more affordable active travel experiences, although prices vary considerably by destination.

The Destination That Challenged Her: Japan

Here’s where things get interesting.

Clarissa chose Japan as the destination that challenged her the most.

Not because it was bad.

Rather, because it didn’t completely match her expectations.

She visited at the beginning of 2020, shortly before COVID dramatically changed the world, and found certain aspects of Japanese culture particularly difficult to adjust to.

Tokyo was one example.

Despite being one of the world’s biggest cities, she found it remarkably quiet — especially compared with what she expected from such a massive metropolis.

She even caught herself whispering because she felt like her normal speaking voice was too loud.

And there’s an important caveat:

She wants to go back.

Her experience happened at a very unusual moment in history, and she wonders whether that influenced her perception of the destination.

That’s another great travel lesson: a disappointing or challenging trip doesn’t necessarily mean a destination isn’t worth visiting.

Sometimes you need a second trip.

Is Solo Travel Actually Lonely?

This might be the biggest question surrounding solo travel.

And Clarissa’s answer is nuanced.

Yes, you can feel lonely while traveling alone.

But you can also feel lonely while surrounded by people.

The difference is that solo travel can create more opportunities to actually connect.

When you’re traveling with friends or a partner, it’s incredibly easy to stay inside your existing social bubble.

When you’re alone, you’re much more likely to talk to the person sitting next to you, ask a local for a recommendation, join a group activity or strike up a conversation with another traveler.

Clarissa describes solo travel in one word:

Discovery.

And that discovery isn’t limited to places.

It’s also about discovering people, cultures, experiences — and sometimes yourself.

The Biggest Fear About Solo Travel?

According to Clarissa, one of the biggest fears is wondering:

“Will I actually meet anyone?”

“Will the people be nice?”

“Will I feel lonely?”

“Will I regret going?”

Her answer?

Have the fear — and do it anyway.

Travel tends to make people more open.

Even Clarissa says she’s friendlier when traveling because she’s not rushing from point A to point B the way she might be at home.

And when everyone around you is traveling, there’s an automatic common ground.

You already have something to talk about.

You’re traveling. They’re traveling. That’s enough.

Safety Still Matters — But Don’t Let Fear Run Your Trip

Clarissa isn’t suggesting travelers throw caution out the window.

Safety matters.

Research your destination. Learn which areas to avoid. Understand local customs. Think about which activities are appropriate to do alone and which might be better with a group.

But she also points out something important:

Negative news sells.

Constant exposure to scary headlines can make the world feel much more dangerous than it actually is.

The answer isn’t to ignore safety.

It’s to educate yourself rather than scare yourself.

Do your research, prepare appropriately, and find a way to experience the destination safely.

Are You Too Old for Solo Travel?

Absolutely not.

That’s Clarissa’s answer.

And we’re very much here for it.

She says she sees a lot of social media content suggesting that people in their 30s are somehow “old.”

Her response?

We’re not.

There is no magical travel expiration date that arrives when you turn 30.

You might change the way you travel as you get older. Maybe you want a nicer hotel. Maybe you’re less interested in staying out until 4 a.m. Maybe you have different priorities.

But that doesn’t mean adventure has an age limit.

You can visit South Africa.

You can explore New Zealand.

You can hike.

You can join a group trip.

You can travel solo.

You can start traveling at 30, 40, 50, 60, or beyond.

The important thing is finding the destination and style of travel that works for you.

The Biggest Mistake First-Time Solo Travelers Make

Clarissa actually identifies two.

1. Waiting too long

People spend months debating whether they should take the trip.

Her advice?

Just do it. “Just trip it”

The sooner you take that first trip, the sooner you may discover that you actually love solo travel.

2. Overthinking the destination

First-time solo travelers can get stuck trying to identify the perfect destination.

But Clarissa’s philosophy is simple:

The world is beautiful. Pick one.

You don’t have to see everything on your first trip.

There will always be another vacation.

Where Should First-Time Solo Travelers Go?

This was obviously one of our favorite parts of the conversation.

Clarissa recommends starting small and close to home.

For travelers in the United States, she points toward Latin America as an especially solo-travel-friendly region, highlighting infrastructure, culture, and welcoming populations.

For European travelers, she recommends something as simple as taking a weekend trip to another nearby European city.

The point isn’t necessarily the destination.

It’s building confidence.

Think:

Weekend trip → short international trip → longer solo trip → bigger adventure.

You don’t have to go from zero to Everest Base Camp.

Don’t Let a Destination’s Reputation Decide for You

One of Clarissa’s favorite examples?

The Maldives.

The Maldives has a reputation for being a couples’ destination.

Honeymoons.

Anniversaries.

Romantic getaways.

But why should that mean solo travelers can’t go?

Clarissa’s answer:

Go with a group of strangers.

You can snorkel, scuba dive, explore the islands, and experience the destination while meeting other travelers.

The same principle applies to destinations that are marketed primarily toward couples, families, or bachelorette parties.

Just because a destination is marketed toward a certain type of traveler doesn’t mean you’re prohibited from going.

Where Should First-Time Solo Travelers Wait?

Rather than naming a long list of “bad” destinations, Clarissa focuses on one major consideration:

Language barriers.

Some destinations are simply easier when you already have some travel experience.

If you’re not comfortable navigating unfamiliar environments yet, consider starting somewhere where you speak the language or where English is widely understood.

Places where communication is more challenging aren’t necessarily off-limits.

They just require more preparation.

Download a translator.

Learn a few basic phrases.

Know how you’ll communicate.

And understand that the extra challenge is part of the adventure.

Don’t Be Afraid of Latin America

If there’s one region Clarissa wants travelers to reconsider, it’s Latin America.

The region can sometimes get a reputation for being dangerous, but Clarissa believes travelers shouldn’t let that reputation stop them from exploring it.

Her advice is the same as anywhere else:

Do your research.

Understand the specific destination you’re visiting, rather than painting an entire country or region with one broad brush.

Colombia, Mexico, and other destinations throughout Latin America can offer incredible food, culture, nature, adventure, and — perhaps most importantly for solo travelers — opportunities for human connection.

What Makes a Trip Truly Memorable?

Here’s perhaps our favorite answer from the entire interview.

When asked what makes a destination stand out, Clarissa didn’t say beaches.

She didn’t say luxury hotels.

She didn’t say bucket-list attractions.

She said:

The memories you make.

She told us a hilarious story from a WeRoad trip in Jordan.

During a canyoning adventure, one of the women in the group revealed that she couldn’t swim.

So Clarissa stayed attached to her throughout the activity.

Then they went under a waterfall.

And the woman lost her wig.

Nobody in the group even knew she was wearing one.

Suddenly, ten strangers were searching the water for a missing wig!

They found it, but the story became a running joke throughout the rest of the trip.

And that’s the point.

Clarissa obviously remembers places like Petra.

But what really sticks with her is the ridiculous moment when ten strangers became friends because they were searching for a wig in a river.

Sometimes the thing you remember most from a trip is the thing that wasn’t in the itinerary.

Are Hidden Gems Dead?

Not quite.

But they’re definitely harder to keep hidden.

Clarissa believes every country still has hidden gems.

The problem?

They don’t stay hidden for long.

Social media can take a relatively unknown destination and turn it into a must-visit hotspot almost overnight.

She uses Albania as an example. A few years ago, it was frequently described as a hidden gem. Now, popular areas can become extremely crowded during peak summer travel.

But that doesn’t mean hidden gems have disappeared forever.

It means the travel cycle keeps moving.

One destination becomes popular.

Another emerges.

Eventually, the first destination may become quieter again.

So instead of obsessing over finding the world’s last secret destination, maybe we should focus on finding experiences that feel meaningful to us.

Clarissa’s Travel Wishlist

After 58 countries, you’d think the bucket list might be getting shorter.

Apparently not.

Clarissa says the more she travels, the longer her list becomes.

At the top:

• 🇲🇳 Mongolia
• 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
• 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan
• 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan
• 🇨🇦 Canada
• 🇳🇿 New Zealand
• 🇦🇷 Patagonia, Argentina

And we definitely approve of this list.

So… Where Should You Go, Solo?

Our biggest takeaway from talking with Clarissa isn’t that there’s one perfect solo destination.

It’s that solo travel is less about finding the perfect place and more about finding the confidence to go.

Start close to home.

Take the weekend trip.

Choose somewhere where you’ll feel comfortable.

Do your research.

Know your safety considerations.

Learn a few words of the local language.

And then…

Just trip it.

Because you don’t need to wait for the perfect travel companion.

You don’t need to wait until you’re 21.

You don’t need to wait until you’re 30.

You don’t need to wait until you have everything figured out.

The world is still out there waiting.

And there’s a pretty good chance that once you take that first solo trip, you’ll start wondering where you’re going next.

🎧 Listen to the Full Episode

Want the full conversation with Clarissa Cappelletti?

Listen to the latest episode of The Travel Brats Podcast, Where Do Solo Travelers Go… and Where Don’t They?

We talk about solo travel fears, traveling in your 30s, safety, hidden gems, favorite destinations, active travel, Colombia, Nepal, Japan, the Maldives, Latin America, and why “Just Trip It” might be the best travel advice we’ve heard all year.

And yes, there’s a lost-wig-in-Jordan story.

You’ll just have to listen to hear how that one happened.