Let’s face it, planning and coordinating with a bunch of co-travelers just because it is ‘unsafe’ to travel alone could be a real pain. More often than not you end up giving in to other people’s itineraries instead of fulfilling your travel fantasies. Not anymore. We suggest six destinations that you can totally plan a trip to even while travelling solo. They’re safe, fun and oh-so-unusual!
Thimphu, Bhutan
Hospitality runs deep in the lush green veins of this country. And that makes it a totally traveler-friendly zone. All you need to do is sign up with a local travel guide and he will take care of all the arrangement of travel and stay. Hands on travellers can request an advance itinerary to get an idea of the kind of sightseeing and stay that is involved.
In Thimphu, the places to see are the government office, the golden Buddha Dordenma, the ThimphuChorten or memorial for warriors. Prayer wheels and butter lamps will be a standard through all these places.
Bhutan practices restrictive tourism to conserve the wild and natural flavour of the country. Being a small country, handling hordes of tourists going all over the place also gets a bit tricky. So Bhutanese have clearly marked spaces where tourists are allowed.
“We want all travellers to feel safe in Bhutan, women included,” says tour-operator Ajay Lama from Thimphu, “that’s why we have certain rules in place. Like, for getting a permit to Bhutan a woman traveller should always register through a guide. It is only so that we know someone in our country is looking out for her.”
Reykajavik, Iceland
The capital city located on the coastline of Iceland is well known for its adventurous options and vibrant nightlife. Best part being that most points are within walking distance of each other in this beautiful city set by a volcano. But for those wanting to experience the local transport can opt for a bus pass that will take you around the around the city.
The city is privy to some striking activities. When here, take a dip in the Blue Lagoon, spot whales around Flaxafoi Bay or land at the spot where the Game of Thrones was shot.
Dublin, Ireland
If Irish culture is on your list to explore, Dublin is the place you should be in. It has plenty of options ranging from diners to boarders, exquisite tea shops and parks for a solo woman traveller. But then again, as a solo traveller be thorough with your research so that you are totally prepared for the trip.
Deemed as the best literary city by UNESCO, you can follow in the footsteps of George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde and James Joyce on one of the famous walking tours that trail throughout the city, especially by the banks of Portobello canal.
Marrakech, Morocco
This buzzing city in the midst of Morrocco will make you forget some of the charming markets you’ve been to. In Marakech, walking through markets is not a necessity but a must-do to find the pulse of the city. Invest in a good footwear when here so you can ditch the expensive taxis and explore the points on foot that are close by. And many are! Dress modestly especially while visiting a mosque.
An oasis in the middle of the market built by artist Jacques Majorelle offers respite from the chaos. It has Azure blue mosaic and bright yellow tiles, shades of palms and exotic flora, beautiful birds andfountains. Spend leisurely moments here to let the vibe of this arid city seep into your nerves.
Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
This one is a pleasant Apatani village in Arunachal Pradesh where the native culture still bonds closely with nature. Here you will get to see how innovatively locals interweave natural resources into their daily chores. It is a quaint hill station and safe for solo women travellers. More so because of the progressive status of women practised here. It has 66 per cent literacy rate, while the national literacy rate is 59.5 per cent. Facial tattoos and piercings add to the quirkiness of this place.
Ziro is replete with nature walks, treks that take you into the tropical forests flourishing with distinctive flora and fauna that you have never seen before. For the adventurous, you can walk through forests and climb the green Himalayas of the east or opt to take a short elephant ride through the cover to catch a glimpse of this ‘wild’ destination.
Music lovers should plan the trip during the Ziro festival when this quaint hill station comes alive with rock bands from all over the world, along with folk art shows and camping stints.
McLeodganj
Buddhism robustly swirls around this hill station, which is the seat of Dalai Lama. So coming across crowds of monks moving up and down this town in Himachal Pradesh is a very common sight. Follow in the footsteps of this crowd once and reach Tsug la Khang, or Dalai Lama’s temple. Every morning, the temple walls echo with prayers of monk after which you are served sweet porridge garnished with dates.
Right at the square of McLeodganj is the Nowrojee General store owned by a Parsi family and has been in business since 1860. This store has preserved some yesteryear knick-knacks that you can leisurely go through on a lazy afternoon.
McLeodganj as a destination has a very easy feel, and with something to do for every kind of traveller. Bhagsunath temple, St John Church in the Wilderness, Triund Trek, Kangra Art Museum, Dip TseChok Ling Monatery are some of the well-known attractions tourists flock to.
“It’s a perfect place to take a break. I have been here for over 10 days, loitering around and observing people. I find something new to do everyday here,” says Mansi Shah, a 26-year-old CA from Mumbai who took off on a whim to McLeodganj to spend a month in this hill station. She has now enrolled for a meditation course.
The world is now opening up for women to explore and experiment with various activities. So where would you want to be off to on your next vacation?
Article by Latika Payak!