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Header image courtesy of Ishan seefromthesky (via Unsplash)
Whether you’re travelling with family, friends or with a partner, chances are, you’re going to have a conversation or two about your holiday agenda. No matter how close you are to your travel partner, you are bound to have different priorities and holiday hit-lists. So, if you’re heading to your dream destination, why not go it alone? Whoever said one was the loneliest number clearly never travelled alone. These are our top picks for holidays for one, around the region.
This quiet corner of Ko Chang was once accessible only by foot, though in recent years and with a sprinkling of new hotels and resorts, the beach is lonely in no more. From Bangkok, travellers can reach Ko Chang by plane, car, bus or ferry. From hiking trails to waterfalls to the beach itself, the area is a nature lover’s paradise. While it may not be the perfect place to spend a week if it’s solitude you’re after, the island does make for a beach break to remember.
Bali is a tropical island paradise that has long been part of the well-trodden tourist path. If you’re travelling alone for the first time, then somewhere with more than its fair share of like-minded tourists may help to put you at ease. With a whole host of accommodation ranging from luxury hotels to hostels, and activities ranging from hanging ten at surfer’s paradise Canggu to a yoga retreat high up in the hills of the Ubud region, there’s something for everybody.
A three hour (traffic permitting) drive from the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, Pai is a backpacker’s paradise. The small town is surrounded by rolling green hills, boasts stunning natural formations, from the Canyon to the Land Split to its many and varied nearby caves. It’s also home to its fair share of yoga schools, organic cafes and restaurants, and more. If you’re looking to reconnect with nature and Eat, Pray, Love your way around the region, there’s no better place to start. Just start soon, as the secret is well and truly out, and tourist numbers are rising rapidly.
Flying from Taipei to Hong Kong, you’ll seldom see an empty seat, and for good reason – this is the world’s most popular route, with a flight taking off every 18 minutes, on average. In less than two hours, you can immerse yourself in the city’s street food culture, night markets and more. With so much to see and do, on a weekend city break you would be forgiven for forgetting you weren’t keeping company. Go at your own pace and see the sights and sounds of one of Hong Kong’s favourite cities.
Angkor Wat aside, the city of Siem Reap and its cultural offerings are alive and well. From temple trekking to boutique shopping, artistic endeavours and a day well spent in one of its many sanctuary spas, the city itself is small and easily walkable. It’s also a popular choice among solo travellers, owing to its neighbourhood feel and safe atmosphere. When you’re not making your way through one of the many Wats and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this is one of the quieter cities in the region to experience, particularly outside of the peak travel months.
In need of a little Seoul-searching? This sprawling metropolis is the perfect place to go get lost in. From K-pop to KBBQ to KTV, immerse yourself in the very best of Korean culture in the nation’s capital city. Sip on some Soju, make new friends on your travels and explore the mix of ancient and contemporary architecture, performances, and more on offer year-round.
Following a brief and bitterly cold stint in Scotland, Amanda returned to Hong Kong—a place she’s called home for over 18 years—to begin her career as a writer. She can often be found getting lost somewhere very familiar, planning her next holiday, and enjoying a cup (or three) of good, strong coffee.
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