Solo holidays

Absolutely not. Solo holidays are a fulfilling, empowering experience. They enable you to indulge your hobbies and get to know yourself better. There's nothing weird about that. Whether you're holidaying in a far-flung country or closer to home, going it alone means you're in total control of how you spend your hard-earned downtime. And don't forget that travelling solo doesn't mean you're alone 24/7. Solo trips are a great way to meet people and make new friends.

Travelling alone means you can tailor your trip to your own personal wants and needs, whether that luxury holidaysOpens in a new window to places like Asia or a golf holidaysOpens in a new window close to home. Solo trips are what you make of them—you get back what you put in. In other words, if you lean into the solo travel experience, you'll have a great time and leave with memories that last a lifetime. It's your chance to take charge of how you spend your time.

From Australia to places further afield, there are plenty of destinations where female solo travellers can relax, reassured by the knowledge that their safety isn't a constant concern. Most locations within Australia are a safe bet, and the same goes for most countries in Europe, so you can indulge in pizza in ItalyOpens in a new window, afternoon tea in London, or tapas in SpainOpens in a new window to your heart's content. Venturing farther afield, friendly Bali is a warm and welcoming country for solo female adventurers. 

The ideal solo holiday is the one that works for you. If you're sporty and like to stay active on holiday, consider picking somewhere with plenty of outdoor activities on offer, like Canada. If you're more after beach holidaysOpens in a new window, somewhere like Gold Coast might be just the ticket. The choice is yours: however you like to spend your time, there are plenty of solo trip ideas to whet your appetite. 

For your first solo trip, think about sticking relatively close to home. A solo weekend getaway to Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane is a manageable way to dip your toe into the waters of solo travel holidays without biting off more than you can chew. It'll also give you the chance to figure out what you like so you can tweak for next time. Before you know it, you'll be a solo travel pro.

With solo holidays spanning everything from a budget weekend away in Melbourne to a week in a luxury hotel in Europe, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of what a solo trip costs. If money's no object, you can blow the budget on fine dining in Sydney, high-end resorts in Canada, or a beachfront stay on Europe's coast. Alternatively, you can keep costs low with a couple of nights in a no-frills hotel in Bali if you're trying to travel solo on a shoestring.

If you'd like to keep costs low for your solo holiday, Expedia's planning tool is just what you need to give you total clarity on your anticipated outlay. Check out all-inclusive holidaysOpens in a new window. Going all-inclusive means that your expenses are clear upfront, since you're not going to be forking out for meals or activities. These types of resorts aren't just for kid-friendlyOpens in a new window or romantic holidaysOpens in a new window—they're perfect for solo travellers as you'll save on eating out. 

When it comes to solo holidays, everything's on the table—from a long weekend in Tasmania to a week or more in Vietnam, you're in charge of how long your solo trip lasts (along with everything else about your adventure). However long you schedule your trip for, you'll doubtless love the freedom that travelling solo gives you, as well as the chance to connect with fellow solo travellers en route.

From strolling the streets of Sydney to hiking the trails of Canada's Rockies, there are endless ways to spend your solo holiday. If you're a fan of high-octane ski holidaysOpens in a new window, skiing in Lake Louise would doubtless be up your alley on your solo trip. If you're looking to take it easy, though, chilling on the beaches of Bali with a good book and a refreshing beverage is a gloriously relaxing way to indulge in a bit of solo self-care. 

Solo holidays and introverts are a match made in heaven: a weekend soaking up the sunshine on your own in Vietnam, a fortnight of travelling around India, or even an extended trip to Europe are all great choices for people with a more introverted nature. When you travel on your own, you don't need to make small talk or interact with other people—unless you want to, of course. As solo holidays are an ideal opportunity for introverts to connect with their hobbies, think about how you like to spend your time and pick your destination accordingly.

If you're considering heading off on a solo holiday, Expedia's here to make your trip easier in every way: easier to plan, easier to book, easier to pay for and even easier to cancel. Use Expedia's straightforward planning to keep an overview of everything you've got in mind, and make the most of the handy search filters to tailor your bookings to your personal preferences. Once you've decided where you want to go on your solo getaway, check out amazing package deals—and if something comes up that means you need to call off your trip, fear not: you can look for holidays with free cancellation.

The best destination for solo holidays depends on your interests. If it's culture you're craving, consider Melbourne for a close-to-home escape, or Europe for a far-flung adventure. In each of these destinations, you'll encounter art galleries, coffee culture and more. When the beach is calling and you want nothing more than to chill out by the pool, the Gold Coast and Bali top the list for the best places for solo travel.

Solo holidays are more than a good idea as they let you design your perfect journey, whether that's sun-bathing around Bali or hiking Tasmania's rugged trails. Going it alone means you can do things on your own terms, set your own schedule and do pretty much what you please. You'll gain a sense of self-confidence, independence and bravery as you explore new cultures, whether that's Italy's sunny piazzas or Vietnam's ancient temples. Plus, you're likely to meet like-minded travellers along the way, which could blossom into lifelong friendships.

Canada consistently ranks among the world's safest countries, with friendly cities like Vancouver and Montreal both a popular choice for safe solo holidays. Closer to home, Australia also promises safe solo adventures, especially if you stay close to major urban centres like Brisbane and Melbourne. Many European countries are also safe for solo travellers and English is widely spoken as a second language throughout the continent's most-visited cities. It's always a good idea to check government advice before travelling to a new destination.

For your first solo holiday, it's a good idea to stay close to home to see how you feel. Being in your home country will certainly take the edge off what can often be a big plunge. Consider a weekend in Perth or Darwin before jetting off overseas. Once you've chosen where to stay, tap your dates and destination into Expedia's search wizard to find some of the best deals for solo travel holidays.

The freedom to explore and tailor your adventure 100% around you—and no one else—is what makes solo travel holidays worth it. Travelling alone can be an eye-opening experience, where you learn about yourself and open your mind to new experiences, be it sleeping under the stars in Canada's Banff or learning French in Paris. Plus, on Expedia, you'll find a range of accommodation suitable for solo travellers that make it financially worth it, too. Don't forget you can also book a wide range of activities and things to do through Expedia, too.

Although it often comes down to your individual tastes, some of the best places to travel alone include cities like Melbourne and Brisbane. Here, you'll enjoy an ideal blend of culture and social activities that help you mingle and meet people. A short drive out of town, you'll find extraordinary nature too, whether that's the Yarra Valley or Great Barrier Reef—ideal for some well-earned me-time. Remember, you can book great car hire deals on Expedia, too.