Article: Alone, Not Lonely: Discovering the World (and Yourself) One Trip at a Time.
Why Solo Travel Might Be Your Greatest Luxury
Solo travel isn’t about bravery or boldness. It is about something far more refined: choice.
Let’s be clear from the outset. Solo travel does not demand a radical reinvention of character. You need not become someone who enjoys communal yoga at sunrise or pretend to relish sharing a minibus with twelve strangers and a cooler full of tepid sandwiches. This, thankfully, is not that kind of story.
Inspired by Craig David, and the Power of Going Alone
Watching Craig David currently writing music on a solo trip to the Maldives feels oddly familiar.
Here he is, currently (January 2026) revisiting old hits, creating new ones, and reminding us why we fell in love with solo travel in the first place.
Now, while I am no songwriter or pop star, I do love to write, for work, for pleasure.
And for reasons I’ve never quite been able to rationalise, the Maldives has always been my most creative source of inspiration. Words flow there. Ideas settle. Inspiration arrives effortlessly.
The Maldives has a way of grounding me, recharging me, and reminding me of who I am.
Solo travel does that too. It clears the noise.
A Confession from a Seasoned Solo Traveller
I’ll let you in on a secret. I’ve probably travelled more on my own than with anyone else. From the Seychelles to San Francisco, Hong Kong to Mauritius, Sardinia to Miami, Ibiza to Dubai - I’ve logged more miles as a party of one than as part of any travel tribe. I’ve travelled solo as a single woman, as a happily married woman, and countless times on professional assignments.
And I honestly consider solo travel one of the greatest luxuries of my life.
Real-Time Insight from Brooke Caine: Solo Travel At Its Best
Brooke is a travel industry professional who has worked at senior level for Audley Travel and STA Travel, so let’s just say she knows her stuff. She’s also one of the nicest people you could meet. Brook is currently on a solo mega-trip across South America and Asia.
Her journey has already taken her through Panama, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Cambodia, all as a solo traveller.
From Cambodia, Brooke told me:
“I love the freedom to travel in a style that suits me and work at my pace! If I don’t feel like doing something, I don’t. And if I want to eat dinner at 10pm I can! It’s very liberating as a woman and I’m so grateful to see these amazing places in such peace.”
Brooke’s words perfectly echo what I’ve always believed: solo travel isn’t about isolation, it’s about autonomy, choice, and the joy of seeing the world on your own terms.
Why Solo Travel Is Not About Reinvention
Solo travel is often framed as the domain of the heartbroken, the brave, or the spiritually searching. For me, it has never been about reinvention. It is about presence. Autonomy. Indulgence. It is about knowing what you love and not waiting for someone else to want it too.
The Luxury of Choice
Travelling alone means setting your own rhythm. Your own agenda. Your own mood.
Want to linger on the beach for hours? Do it.
Book a spa treatment on a whim? No discussion required.
Choose a beachfront suite, your cocktail mixed precisely to taste, and the soft rustle of palms over polite conversation? Entirely yours.
The idea that solo travellers must be endlessly sociable or on a quest for self-discovery is wildly misplaced. I already know who I am. I love exceptional hotels, ocean views, and the unbridled luxury of deciding my day without compromise. I don’t need a trip to tell me that!
Solo Doesn’t Mean Silent
Travelling alone doesn’t mean withdrawing from the world. Quite the opposite. People are often more open when you’re on your own.
There is an art to fleeting connection:
a conversation with a bartender about the day’s catch
a local guide sharing their favourite hidden beach
a knowing smile exchanged from the next sun lounger
You engage when you want. You retreat when you don’t. That balance is exquisite.
The Lessons of Solo Travel
Let’s be honest, solo travel isn’t always glossy.
I once headed to Alcatraz Island in San Francisco without telling a soul. No phone signal. No shared itinerary. Sitting on that boat, surrounded by strangers, I realised how easily independence tips into whoops!, if you’re not prepared.
Bangkok taught me another lesson when a taxi driver, irritated that I only had large notes to pay him, stopped mid-journey and left me on a highway.
Sardinia delivered its own reminder when I left my wallet in a taxi late one night, the moment I realised has stayed with me forever.
Each moment was humbling, and let’s say educational.
Solo travel doesn’t require paranoia, but it does reward preparation.
Freedom, With a Safety Net
Over time, I’ve developed my non-negotiables:
· Always carry a spare, fully charged phone
· Share plans with someone, hotel staff or a trusted contact
· Use the hotel safe to store valuables including your passport
· Keep emergency cash or a spare card separate
· Trust your instincts without apology
Dining Alone: A Reality Check
Dining solo unsettles people far more than it should. I don’t understand why. I often go to lunch on my own, even when in the UK. I really enjoy that alone time.
And yes, you may be offered a magazine at dinner, something that never happens when you’re with others. I find it mildly irritating, and faintly hilarious, in equal measure.
Lean into it. These moments become the stories.
Escaping the ‘Solo Tax’
The single supplement is outdated, but it still lingers. Fortunately, many luxury resorts now actively welcome solo travellers, offering villas, suites, and experiences designed for independent guests.
Working with a specialist who understands solo luxury travel often unlocks upgrades, added value, and amenities that quietly erase the so-called “solo tax”.
My Most Memorable Solo Stays
Favourite Luxury Beach Hotels for Solo Travellers:
These properties consistently deliver indulgence without awkwardness:
· Carlisle Bay, Antigua – Effortless Caribbean elegance
· Huvafen Fushi, Maldives – Underwater spa, private pools, utter serenity
· One&Only Royal Mirage – Calm, chic, perfectly placed
· Denis Island, Seychelles – A private island that feels like home
· JW Marriott Mauritius – Glamour, spa excellence, and exceptional dining
Why Solo Travel Truly Is the Ultimate Luxury
Solo travel is not about being alone. It is about freedom.
It is the ability to wake up and decide (without consultation) whether today is for snorkelling, spa rituals, or simply watching the tide roll in from a sun lounger.
Inspired by Craig David’s Maldivian escape, and backed up by Brooke’s solo mega trip, I’m reminded that creativity, clarity and confidence often arrive when we give ourselves space.
Let’s start planning your solo trip to paradise - email hello@loveofbeaches.com
Closing thought: Sometimes, the very best company you can keep is your own.
Happy Travelling!
Amanda
