The legendary travel specialists at global tour operator, Scott Dunn continuously globetrot to maintain their status as the best luxury tour operator in the industry. The organisation is helmed by an influential female leadership team across the globe, with CEO Sonia Davies based in London, Susan Duffy as Executive Vice President based in New York and Bridget Lackie as Senior Vice President Sales & Product in San Diego, supported by a team of incredible travel consultants across UK, US and Singapore offices. In honour of International Women’s Day, Jules Maury, Head of SDP and Conde Nast Top Travel Specialist, Ellen Fraser, Asia Team Leader, and Rachael Mendizabal, Europe Team Leader and Travel + Leisure A-List advisor, share their expert insight on female-friendly solo travel.
The Best Destinations for Solo Travel
Scott Dunn’s #1 piece of advice? Don’t let being solo stop you from taking a bucket list trip. An expedition cruise to Antarctica, an African safari, or active adventure through Latin America are excellent solo travel trips where you’ll often find yourself sharing experiences with other like-minded people.
Solo Safaris
According to Head of Scott Dunn Private, Jules Maury, a solo African safari is one of the most popular trips for solo female travellers. Maury will always recommend a safari, no matter where, “I have often come across single women on safari, and they are always included”, said Maury, “it feels very safe and it’s not somewhere where you never feel lonely, sitting around a big table chatting to everyone after a day of game drives.”
Wellness Escapes
The group consensus is that wellness trips reign supreme for solo female travellers. Some absolute favourites include Lily of the Valley in St Tropez and Six Senses Douro Valley. When travel has a wellness focus, everyone is in their own zone, equally zen and happy to chat in common areas, over dinner and post classes, creating a welcoming community for women to bond and connect over their inspiration for embarking on such a journey.
Active Adventures
Asia Team Leader, Ellen Fraser finds her most active and adventurous bucket list trips are best done solo. “You can go at your own pace and take each step as you’d imagined it without having to cater to anyone else, making the journey as meaningful to you as possible.” Fraser appreciates how these journeys can be as structured or ‘go with the flow’ as one desires. Similarly, Europe Team Leader, Rachael Mendizabal opts for active itineraries on solo trips. Mendizabal says “Spending your days exploring incredible scenery, hiking trails and gazing at magical waterfalls then tucking in for a fabulous dinner before doing it all over again leaves no time for loneliness.” She leans toward Iceland or Slovenia for adventure getaways, stating that Slovenia is rated as the safest destination in Europe for women and third in the world.
All-Inclusive Luxury Lodges
For nervous solo travellers, an all-inclusive luxury lodge offers the utmost safety in some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations. Meals and experiences are usually included, allowing you to participate in everything from sunrise yoga to scenic walks with a small group of guests, plus you won’t need to worry about any unexpected bills at check-out. Ellen Fraser recommends Saffire Freycinet in Tasmania, “where lots of the complimentary experiences are outside of the lodge, such as sampling delicious food and wine at their oyster farm, and all the guides are all incredibly charismatic.”
Travel Expert Tips for Successful Solo Endeavors
“Solo travel is incredibly empowering and rewarding, and by prioritizing preparedness, the experience will be that much more enjoyable.” – Rachel Mendizabal
The Concierge is your best friend
Jules, Ellen and Rachael encourage solo female travellers to lean on the expertise of their hotel’s concierge. Their advice is to ask your hotel concierge to call you a cab or share details of their trusted taxi company to avoid any unreliable drivers or inflated fares. If you’re going out alone on foot, let the concierge know your plan for the day and check if they have any concerns or advice. Asia Specialist, Ellen Fraser says “particularly in busy Asian cities, not all cab companies are reliable and it’s more likely they will try to take advantage of fares when you are traveling alone.”
How to stay safe
According to Jules Maury, “a simple rule of thumb is to always keep your valuables locked in the hotel safe and avoid walking around with your phone in your hand when out and about. Try to plan your route in advance or stop in a cafe to check Google Maps rather than looking at your phone on the street.” Another useful tool that Rachael Mendizabal relies on is to “ask friends or family to ‘track’ your location from their phones for peace of mind.” Finally, Ellen’s top tip is to “remain aware of your surroundings and your belongings. Flashing large notes or expensive jewelry can create unwanted attention in any location.”
Advice for Booking Solo Experiences
Local guided experiences and tours are fabulous as a solo traveller as you have the total attention of your guide, meaning you can focus on exactly what you want to see or learn about. Jules claims “one of the most memorable solo travel experiences was in Egypt when I went to the Valley of Kings and Queens in the heat of the day with my local guide, witnessing the famous tombs of King Seti II and Nefertari in almost total solitude”. A truly surreal occasion that offered her a one-of-a-kind experience. Ellen and Rachael agree that booking a guided tour allows one to get a feel for the destination, touching upon the main highlights and getting a feel for the local vibe. They consider it a key activity when ensuring one is getting the most of their solo trip. Another helpful tip for solo female travellers, Ellen recommends discussing etiquette and cultural customs with your guide to ensure you can navigate the rest of your time in that destination with ease.
Tips for dining alone
Picking the right restaurant for a solo meal is the first challenge, so Jules advises “ask your hotel concierge to make your dinner reservations (they’ll know the fun, buzzy places to eat) and don’t be afraid to ask to move if you’re not happy with your table.” A well-positioned can be great for people-watching or a cozy corner to read – a good book is a must for solo meals. Rachael recommends striking up a conversation with your waiting staff as a great way to chat with a local.
While we acknowledge Scott Dunn’s established female leadership regularly, International Women’s Day is the perfect time to widely celebrate this team of distinguished female travel experts.
