Everyone needs a time to get away for a bit and find themselves, whether it be through serene beaches and drinking fresh coconut milk or having a night out on the town in the refreshing cultural night life. If you're like me and have an enormous passion to travel, then these eleven destinations will get your bags packed in no time.
1. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is known to be one of the safest
capital cities in Europe. Not only that, but the country has a sort of welcoming cultural attitude known as
Hygge (pronounced "Hooga"), which means coziness; an environment of warmth and hospitality. There's no need to be afraid in this welcoming and low-crime nation.
2. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
According to TripAdvisor, Amsterdam is one of the 25 safest cities in the world. It boasts an incredible and vibrant night life, and is rife with museums like the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum. Amsterdam is the perfect place to go as a solo traveler, with its homey cafés and multitudes of markets--in fact, it contains the world's only floating flower market!
3. Santiago, Chile
Santiago, Chile is regularly ranked as one of the safest large cities in South America. Much like Amsterdam, it has a vibrant street life and contains museums like
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes that'll make you forget that you're even alone. While enjoying the wonderful Chilean lifestyle, make sure to spend a day at Cerro San Cristóbal, the city's largest park. It contains a zoo, botanical gardens, and the Terraza Bellavista, which provides stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains.
4. Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong is the perfect destination for an urban adventure. With a nice and unique combination of China's rich history and modern influences from the West, you'll devour their tasty treats. And luckily, Hong Kong is quite easy to navigate, compared to other Asian destinations, because of the abundant English signage and friendly locals who are mostly bilingual.
5. Hangzhou, China
Known as "heaven on Earth" by Chinese authors, Hangzhou is the picturesque city you won't want to miss. The ancient capital was the setting for countless folklore and poems: West Lake, a landmark named after
a legendary beauty in ancient China, presents breath-taking sunset views that will calm your senses.
6. Boracay, Phillipines
This tranquil destination will feed all the peace-hungry travelers with the white sands, crystal clear waves, and magnificent sunsets that Boracay has to offer. The locals are also super friendly, considering Filipinos are constantly ranked as some of the happiest people in the world. But if you're looking to get your groove on, join the locals in the epic party scene. Party the night away, and then wake up to the relaxing sounds of the ocean waves.
7. Verona, Italy
This Shakespearean city provides incredible romance. While on your way to visiting Juliet's balcony, your senses will be delighted with the plethora of flowers that pour throughout the city. You may be
traveling alone, but who said you couldn't fall in love with yourself?
8. Sedona, Arizona
For all of us outdoorsy, mountain lovers, Sedona is the perfect place to enjoy the wonders of nature. With an enchanting red rock landscape and plenty of outdoor activities, anyone can find peace in this Arizona beauty.
9. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh resembles a painting come to life with its wondrous architecture and rainy days. Make sure to bring your rain boots, as you will encounter the charming Royal Mile and Princes Street, where Old Town meets New Town. We always knew the U.K. loved to drink away the days, but did you know Edinburgh is home to The Fringe Festival? It is full of fun and happiness as it invites a month of music, dance, and theatre.
Oahu is the most ideal location for anyone looking to take a break from the city life. It is sunny almost everyday, and has plenty of space to chill on the beach. The locals are laid back and friendly, only making the experience more inviting. Although it may be a pricey flight out there, the hotels are cheap due to the competition in hospitality.
11. Quepos, Costa Rica
Costa Ricans are some of the nicest people around, since most of them do live by the "
pura vida" mentality. Quepos is ample with
coffee farms, volcanoes, and hot springs that are perfect for exploring solo. Also be sure to check out one of the last-remaining "natural zoos" in the world, Manuel Antonio National Park.
So don't be afraid to travel solo! It's a wonderful opportunity to explore different cultures, especially in these welcoming environments.
