Solo Travel Companies are taking guided trips at record rates, with companies like Exodus offering a range of lone-traveler-focused packages. Other companies offer passion-based trips, such as Frui’s Italy cooking vacation or photography or painting retreats.
Others are dropping single supplements, helping solos find roommates and promoting itineraries that appeal to them. Read on for the best travel companies that cater to solos.
1. Exodus
The company offers guided tours and treks around the world, as well as a range of other travel products. Exodus is based in Denver, Colorado, and is an employee-owned business. Its mission is to offer travelers an opportunity to explore the world, learn about other cultures and discover a deeper understanding of themselves.
The book of Exodus tells the story of the Israelites’ departure from Egypt under Moses’ leadership, a fulfillment of God’s covenant promise to Abraham that his descendants would be freed from slavery and establish themselves as a theocratic nation in their Promised Land. It also illustrates Scripture’s unified message of redemption from slavery to sin through Christ.
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2. Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel specialises in small group adventures, which means fewer people on the tour so you can get to know your fellow travellers and explore more of each destination. They also offer a range of themed tours, including cycling, walking and trekking, food, family, polar, retreats and sailing.
They believe the best people to show you around a country are the locals themselves. Their group leaders live in the places they visit and know every backstreet bar, hidden gallery and secret beach. They’re also committed to responsible travel and work with a variety of non-government organisations on projects that contribute to health care, education, child welfare and wildlife conservation.
All Intrepid tours include meals, accommodation and transport (except flights), plus a local leader to help you get under the skin of your destination. You can also add on a short break or expedition for more time exploring. They recommend that all travelers purchase travel insurance to cover themselves against the unexpected.
3. Overseas Adventure Travel
Overseas Adventure Travel (often shortened to OAT) is a leading small-group and solo tour company for travelers 50 and over. The Boston-based company offers a wide range of tours on all continents, with group sizes ranging from 10-16 travelers for land tours to 20-24 for river cruises and small-ship adventures.
In addition to a robust selection of itineraries, OAT is renowned for its focus on solo guests, with most of the company’s tours offering no additional single supplements. OAT also offers women-exclusive departures on many of its itineraries and focuses on accommodations that prioritize authenticity over amenities.
OAT’s Trip Experience Leaders are a key component of the company’s overall service, and they offer logistical support as well as insight into a destination that brings it to life. The company’s tour packages include four options for air travel: Land Only, Standard Air, Contract Air and Published Air.
5. Archaeo Adventures
Archaeology has been at the core of Peter Sommer Travels since its very beginnings. They started with the very first archaeological land tour in 1996 and then created the very first archaeological gulet cruise in 1997—and they have been leading tours to fascinating historical destinations ever since. Explore ruins, excavations, and more on these archaeological adventure trips.
Fred – archaeology adventures for kids. Knowledge radio plays that score with atmospheric sounds, lovingly designed artwork and exciting archaeological themes.
8. Norwegian Cruise Line
For those on a budget, Norwegian offers plenty of included-in-fare choices for dining and entertainment. But those with money to burn will find that the line is a leader in innovative experiences at sea.
Its latest ships feature state-of-the-art theaters as big as Broadway’s and big-name productions to match. You’ll also find a seemingly endless array of restaurants, bars and nightspots.
NCL is heralded for introducing the trend of solo cabins at sea. They’re located on many of its newer ships and clustered around an exclusive studio lounge where passengers meet for daily happy hour gatherings.
NCL is an innovator that has pushed the boundaries of cruise travel for over 49 years. The line’s Freestyle Cruising philosophy allows travelers the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation. They sail worldwide, including year-round voyages to Hawaii.
9. Charity Group Tours
Charity Group Tours (formerly Omaze) and Charity Buzz both offer a variety of travel experiences that are geared toward solo travelers. Trips tend to skew younger, with participants ages 25-39, and a balanced number of “gal and guy spots,” as well as non-binary people. G Adventures also offers a variety of trips for solo travelers, and its Local Living and Wellness tours are specifically designed to keep costs down.
Another option is World Expeditions, which has a Thoughtful Travel Charter to guide it in its operations. For instance, it aims to leave communities and places better than they found them and only offers small groups of 16 or less. One of its top trips is summiting Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route. Other trips include exploring the Piedmont and Tuscany on a culinary trip.
