Planning a solo trip? Heres a guide to safe and fun solo adventures. Use these tips to plan the perfect holiday.

Solo travel is an incredible way to experience the world on your own terms. It offers the freedom to explore the destination at your own pace, immerse yourself in different cultures, and discover yourself. But travelling alone also comes with challenges. While it can be daunting to do it all by yourself, with a little planning and preparation, solo travel can be a truly rewarding experience. Here are some key tips for solo travellers to stay safe, have fun, and make the most of their adventure.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your solo adventure:

1. Choose Your Destination Wisely

• Safety First: Prioritize safety by choosing destinations with a good reputation for traveller safety. Research the local customs, laws, and potential risks.
• Language Barrier: Consider your language skills. If you’re not fluent in the local language, choose a destination where English is widely spoken or where you can easily find English-speaking locals.
• Solo Traveler-Friendly Destinations: Countries like Thailand, Iceland, and New Zealand are known for their friendly locals and breathtaking landscapes, making them ideal for solo travellers.

2. Plan Your Itinerary

• Research: Thoroughly research your destination, including transportation options, accommodation, and popular attractions.
• Book Accommodations in Advance: Book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak seasons.
• Pack Light: Pack a versatile wardrobe that can be mixed and matched.
• Stay Connected: Purchase a local SIM card or international roaming plan to stay connected with friends and family.

3. Stay Safe and Secure

• Inform Loved Ones: Share your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member and check in regularly.
• Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, trust your gut and remove yourself from the situation.
• Blend In: Dress modestly and avoid flashy jewellery or expensive gadgets.
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Pay attention to your surroundings and be cautious, especially at night.
• Learn Basic Phrases: Knowing a few basic phrases in the local language can be helpful.

4. Embrace the Experience

• Join Group Tours: Group tours can be a great way to meet other travellers and explore new places.
• Stay in Hostels: Hostels are a budget-friendly option and offer opportunities to socialize with other travellers.
• Eat Local Food: Try local cuisine to immerse yourself in the culture.
• Capture Memories: Take plenty of photos and videos to document your journey.
• Journaling: Keep a journal to record your experiences and reflect on your journey.

5. Be Flexible and Open-Minded

• Embrace the Unexpected: Be open to spontaneous adventures and unexpected detours.
• Adapt to Change: Be flexible and adaptable to changing plans.
• Embrace Solitude: Solo travel can be a great opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth.

By following these tips, you can embark on a fulfilling and unforgettable solo travel adventure. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the journey.

Scotland’s culture-packed cities tempt visitors with their streets full of history and atmosphere, but it’s the nation’s wild and beautiful countryside that truly captures the heart of everyone who spends time here.

Classic Scottish landscapes of lochs, glens and mountains begin right on the limits of Edinburgh, Glasgow and other major cities, meaning you can switch from the speed of city life to a romantic road trip in no time at all.

Scottish roads are generally well-maintained, and driving is a great way to get off the beaten track and escape the crowds that flock to the most famous sights. En route, you can stop off in charming country pubs, drop into ruined castles and ancient kirks (churches), wander on windswept beaches and find solace in silent glens far from the maddening crowds.

These five road trip itineraries take in the epic grandeur of Skye, culture-packed Edinburgh and the whisky distilleries of Speyside, amongst other classic Scottish experiences. Along the way, you’ll pass rolling farmland, heather-burnished hillsides, ruined castles and eerie lochs, as the stories of Scotland unfold right in front of you.

1. An Isle of Skye driving loop

Best for making family memories
Fort William–Fort William; 310 miles; allow 4 days

So long as you’re not after guaranteed sunshine, Skye has it all. This atmospheric island off the west coast is a riot of craggy peaks, towering sea stacks and waterlogged shorelines, famed for its Gaelic culture and vibrant food scene. This round-trip route from Fort William allows you to take the bridge to the island in one direction (passing the grand Eilean Donan Castle en route), and return to the mainland via the ferry to Mallaig.

Once you’re on the island, a classic counterclockwise loop starts with a visit to Skye’s largest town, Portree, with its pretty harbor, before roaming over the volcanic cliffs of the Trotternish Peninsula. Next, the Duirinish Peninsula offers wild hiking country and some excellent restaurants, while the jagged ridges of the Cuillin Hills are a destination in themselves for hikers and photographers.

In between, there are castles, almost Caribbean-looking beaches and some of Britain’s best wild swimming spots, plus side trips by ferry to the surrounding Small Isles, which offer great bird-watching, particularly in spring and autumn.

2. North Coast 500

Best for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure
Inverness Castle–Inverness Castle; 516 miles; allow 7 days

Scotland’s wild northern coastline is the star of the country’s most famous driving route. The North Coast 500 begins and ends in Inverness, the likable capital of the Highlands, making a giant loop around the north end of Scotland along the deeply indented coast.

If you follow the route counterclockwise (saving the best scenery till last), you’ll head past the moors and sandy beaches of the east coast before hitting John O’Groats and nearby Dunnet Head – mainland Britain’s northernmost point. The north coast has a windswept beauty that gets increasingly rugged as you continue west past bogs, cliffs and crofting villages. The views as you head down the loch-strewn west coast are perhaps Britain’s finest, with sweeping vistas of mountains and islands.

Taking the route at a more leisurely pace will give you the chance to seek out fine local foodstuffs such as venison, smoked fish and craft beer, while activities such as sea kayaking on the west coast or scrambling up the lonely peaks of Assynt are a great way to throw yourself into Northern Scotland’s epic landscapes.

Planning tip: When planning a road trip in Scotland, be aware that many places to stay on popular routes, such as the North Coast 500, will only accept bookings for two or more nights in the summer peak season. Book accommodations well ahead of time.

3. North East 250

Best for whisky distillery touring
Spittal of Glenshee–Spittal of Glenshee; 257 miles; allow 4 days

Northeast Scotland is famous for its whisky distilleries, Braemar (the home of the Highland Games) and Balmoral Castle (the Scottish home of the British Royal Family) – so yes, it’s as Scottish as it gets. The North East 250, a route inspired by the success of the North Coast 500, takes in these big-ticket attractions, but also shines a light on an often-overlooked region of photogenic glens, farmland and wave-lashed shorelines.

The village of Spittal of Glenshee (a popular winter skiing base) is a good starting point and is easily accessible from Edinburgh and Dundee. Taking the route clockwise, you’ll head through the Cairngorms National Park, the biggest national park in Britain, which includes some of the UK’s highest peaks and offers phenomenal hiking opportunities.

The North East 250 then cuts through Speyside before hitting the Moray Firth coastline and the oil-rich city of Aberdeen. It’s a route lined with castles, beaches, small villages and historic estates; stop along the way to sample local delicacies such as Cullen skink (a thick, warming fish soup) and sweet, peaty whiskies.

Local tip: Do your research when choosing which whisky distilleries to tour – if you try to hit them all, you’ll be here for months. Balvenie in Dufftown is a good choice; its small-group tours visit one of Scotland’s last remaining malting floors.

4. Borders Historic Route

Best for a short route through moorlands
Carlisle–Edinburgh; 97 miles; allow one day

There may be more famous road trips than this easy itinerary that follows the A7 north from the English border past Hawick and Galashiels to Edinburgh, but this route is packed with delights to engage both body and spirit. This rolling landscape of villages and farmlands was once a battlefield for cross-border raids, and it finishes at Edinburgh’s hulking castle.

The area’s industrial history is showcased by educational centers celebrating tweed, tartan and glasswork, as well as an interesting mining museum. The landscape provides opportunities for varied activities – anglers can cast flies in the hope of snagging salmon along the Tweed’s wooded banks, while mountain bikers can hit the trails at Glentress and Innerleithen.

Ruined abbeys and author Walter Scott’s fabulous country house, Abbotsford, are more cerebral highlights, although the undulating moorlands of the Scottish Borders are arguably the star of the show.

5. Clyde Sea Lochs and the Argyll Coast

Best for mountains and lochs
Glasgow–Fort William; 240 miles; allow 3 days

Visitors to Scotland are often surprised by how close the country’s most populous city is to the rugged terrain of the Highlands. Glasgow’s high culture and lively pubs are worth an overnight on any trip to the region, but don’t stay up too late – you’ll want to be clear of the suburbs by mid-morning to see the hills turn to mountains and lochs eat into an increasingly rugged coastline.

This route winds north and west, taking in the popular walking country of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. En route, you can enjoy majestic views, excellent seafood, ancient standing stones, historic towns, kayaking on the lochs and whale-watching offshore.

But the biggest hitters come at the end: Glencoe has aching natural beauty and a tragic backstory of Highland betrayal, while Fort William is the striking point for ascents of 4413ft up Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest peak – a challenging climb of seven to eight hours from the visitors center.

Tips for driving in Scotland

Note that while some of the road trips follow major “M” or “A” roads, others rely on smaller roads for long stretches. These are often tight and hedge-lined, with few places to overtake, and they can be blocked by snow in winter.

The police in Scotland take speeding and drunk driving seriously, so stay below the limits. Petrol stations can be widely spaced in the Highlands and on the islands – fill up whenever you get the chance.

Be ready to take your time, pausing for a day or two to explore the local area at each overnight stop. Our route durations assume you’ll be taking diversions to see more of the region and making regular stopovers, so the distances provided are not direct between the start and end points.

Travel has long been touted as a way to broaden horizons, challenge perspectives, and rejuvenate the spirit. It can also have a profoundly positive impact on mental health. The mental health benefits of travel are undeniable.

Mental health is top of mind of late, so let’s explore all the ways travel can give you a mental health boost.

The 7 mental health benefits of travel

Research shared by the World Travel & Tourism Council shares the following 7 ways travel can positively impact mental health:

1. Gives you a break from stress

Travel serves as a powerful antidote to stress, giving one a chance to escape daily pressures and dive into new experiences. Exploring unfamiliar environments and cultures can significantly boost mood and outlook on life. By providing a mental and physical break from everyday stressors, travel allows individuals to return home feeling refreshed with new perspectives.

2. Fresh environments stimulate the brain

Engaging with different cultures and environments stimulates the brain, which in turn enhances cognitive flexibility. This increased mental agility allows for more creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Exposure to diverse perspectives and ways of life can inspire new ideas and approaches.

3. Broadened horizons give you an energy high

Contrary to the misconception that time away from work hinders productivity, travel can actually boost energy levels and work performance. The rejuvenation experienced during a trip often translates into increased motivation and efficiency upon return. This renewed vigour can, in fact, lead to improved focus and productivity in various aspects of life.

4. New perspectives encourage empathy and understanding

Travel provides unique opportunities to connect with people from different backgrounds, which builds empathy and broadens one’s worldview. These interactions can help reduce biases, increase tolerance, and develop a more nuanced understanding of global issues. The result is often a more compassionate and open-minded approach to life and relationships.

5. Getting physical outdoors connects you to nature

Many travel experiences involve increased physical activity, such as walking tours, hiking, or trying new sports. This boost in exercise, often coupled with exposure to natural environments, can have significant positive effects on mental health. Engaging with nature and scenic landscapes has been shown to increase overall well-being.

6. Overcoming travel challenges can boost self-confidence

Navigating new environments, overcoming language barriers, and solving travel-related challenges can greatly enhance your self-confidence. Accomplishing personal travel goals, whether it’s visiting a long-dreamed-of destination or trying an adventurous activity, provides a sense of achievement that can positively impact overall self-esteem.

7. Travelling with loved ones nurtures relationships

Travelling with loved ones can deepen bonds and create shared memories that last a lifetime. These experiences fullfill the human need for love and belonging, as identified in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Additionally, solo travellers often form meaningful connections with fellow travellers or locals, expanding their social network and fostering a sense of global community.

By incorporating these benefits into your lifestyle through regular travel, you can significantly contribute to your mental well-being. Whether it’s a short weekend getaway or an extended international adventure, the positive impact of travel on mental health is clear.

The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building globally, offers various experiences like At the Top and At the Top SKY. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Dubai’s skyline from the observation decks.

The Burj Khalifa is one of the most wondrous architectural marvels of modern engineering! Standing proudly as the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa is an experience like no other. If you’re planning your first trip to Burj Khalifa, here’s a complete guide to help you make the most of your visit and make your experience a memory:

Book tickets online: First thing first! Advance booking is suggested to avoid long queues and secure your preferred time slot. Tickets can be purchased online through the official website or various authorized ticketing platforms.

Consider off-peak hours: Plan your visit during off-peak hours, such as early morning or late evening, to enjoy shorter wait times and amazing views during sunrise or sunset.

Select the experience carefully: Burj Khalifa offers myriad experiences, including At the Top, At the Top SKY, and At the Top Sunrise. Choose the experience that best suits your preferences and budget, whether it’s a standard visit to the observation decks or a premium experience with exclusive perks.

Things to remember:

Dress: While there is no strict dress code, it’s advisable to dress modestly. Comfortable footwear is recommended, especially if you plan to explore the observation decks.

Arrive early: Arrive at the Burj Khalifa well in advance of your scheduled time to allow for security checks and ticket redemption. This ensures a perfect experience and ample time to explore the attractions.

Carry your camera: Don’t forget to bring your camera or smartphone to capture the awe-inspiring views from the top of Burj Khalifa. Photography enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities to snap stunning photos of Dubai’s skyline and landmarks.

Exploring Burj Khalifa:

Elevator thrill: Prepare for a thrilling ride as you ascend to the observation decks in the high-speed elevators. Enjoy panoramic views of the city unfolding before your eyes as you ascend to dizzying heights.

At the Top: Step out onto the observation decks located on levels 124 and 125, where you’ll be greeted by breathtaking views of Dubai’s skyline, desert landscapes, and azure waters. Take your time to soak in the sights and marvel at the architectural wonders below.

At the Top SKY (Optional): For an unparalleled experience, upgrade to At the Top SKY and access the exclusive observation deck on the 148th floor.

Visit at sunset: Witness the city of Dubai transform as the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the skyline. Sunset offers some of the most breathtaking views from Burj Khalifa and creates a magical ambiance for your visit.

If you follow these simple tips and suggestions, you’ll make the most of your Burj Khalifa visit and create memories to last a lifetime in the heart of Dubai’s skyline!