Most travel is done with family and friends, but there are always moments when you want to travel alone. Every solo traveler has their own reasons. It could be the mundane and stressful life, unsatisfactory relationships or career, or simply a challenge to oneself and satisfy a longing for a particular city. These desires urge you to set off.
Today I'd like to recommend a few destinations that are perfect for solo travel. These are destinations where you can enjoy freedom while also encountering small challenges and surprises. You definitely shouldn't miss them.

Gem 1: Tokyo, Japan

When it comes to your first solo trip, many people might suggest Tokyo, as it's considered one of the safest cities in the world. Tokyo boasts excellent safety, a well-developed subway system, and a diverse and delicious food selection, allowing you to explore the city without feeling guilty.
Interestingly, Tokyo is practically a city designed for solo travelers. From the ubiquitous capsule hotels, solitary ramen shops, and cafes to subway stations, the space is designed to accommodate a large population, ensuring each person is assigned a perfectly single-person spot. Here, you can maintain just the right distance from others and easily enjoy the freedom of being alone. Tokyo is a city brimming with cultural and artistic activity, offering numerous museums, art galleries, performing arts venues, and traditional cultural experiences such as tea ceremonies and kimono rentals. Of course, you can also visit in spring to admire the cherry blossoms.
  • Recommended attractions: Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Kabukicho, Yoyogi Park, Ueno Park, Tokyo Disneyland, Meiji Shrine, Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studios Tokyo, Shibuya, Senso-ji Temple.
  • Recommended food: Ramen, yakiniku (grilled meat), sashimi, eel rice, sushi, seafood donburi (rice bowl), sukiyaki, dorayaki.

Gem 2: Mestia, Georgia

In contrast to Japan, Mestia offers more natural scenery, making it a great choice for adventure and hiking enthusiasts. This less-known city is located in northwestern Georgia and is quite remote, even some locals may not have visited it. Snow-capped mountains can be seen year-round, and the ski resorts are of excellent quality, making it a must-visit for skiing enthusiasts.
Besides its beautiful natural scenery, Mestia also boasts centuries-old castle ruins and Georgia's oldest village, attracting many hikers. Hiking in the Transcaucasian Mountains near Mestia, on a clear day, offers breathtaking views of ancient snow-capped mountains and glaciers, and breathtaking autumn colors stretching to the horizon. The ridgeline route before reaching Ushuguri is particularly stunning, truly offering the experience of hiking on the top of the world.
  • Recommended attractions: Ushba Mountain, Swann Towers, Cross Viewpoint, Mestia History and Ethnography Museum, Mestia Ski Resort, Ushguli.
  • Recommended food: Khinkali, cheese pie, wine, nut and juice lollipops, fried cornbread.

Gem 3: Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia, located on the Anatolian Plateau, is known as "the most moon-like place on Earth" due to its unique karst landscape and is also famous as a filming location for the movie Star Wars.
It's also one of the world's best destinations for hot air ballooning. Taking a hot air balloon ride at sunrise offers breathtaking views of this magical land. However, be sure to allow plenty of time, as hot air balloon flights are not available every day and depend on wind speed. For hiking enthusiasts, Göreme National Park is a great place to explore, featuring many famous valleys such as Love Valley, Pigeon Valley, and Rose Valley, all with stunning scenery. In the evening, you can stay in a cave hotel in Göreme, offering amazing views of the entire town.
Cappadocia is also a highly recommended hiking destination. This unique landscape, formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, boasts pristine and magnificent natural scenery. Deep rocky valleys with crisscrossing ravines and undulating terrain create a feeling of stepping into another world. This place also holds much of Turkey's history: underground cities, cave churches, traces of ancient civilizations... Walking through it feels like stepping back in time.
  • Recommended attractions: Uchisar Castle, Valley of Love, Göreme Open Air Museum, Çavuşin Village, Paşabe Fairy Chimneys, Difrit Canyon, Derinkuyü Underground City, Avanos Pottery Town, Three Beauties Chimneys.
  • Recommended food: Grilled meat, pizza, tortillas, wheat berry salad, rice wrapped in grape leaves, eggplant stuffed vegetables, beef stew in a clay pot, beans cooked in a clay pot, stuffed papaya.

Gem 4: Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is a very familiar city in Thailand, a bustling international metropolis. It boasts supposedly the most affordable upscale hotels, traditional Thai massage, endless markets and department stores, countless restaurants and night markets, and rooftop bars. But traveling to Bangkok alone? Have you ever considered it? Book a luxury trip for yourself! Prices are surprisingly affordable, allowing you to explore magnificent temples and vibrant markets, indulge in delicious Thai cuisine, and have a fulfilling and satisfying solo adventure!
  • Recommended Attractions: Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Chatuchak Market, Riverside Night Market, King Power Mahanakorn Viewpoint, Siam Paragon, Floating Market, Sky Bar, Golden Dome Cabaret Show.
  • Recommended Food: Mango Sticky Rice, Tom Yum Goong, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Volcano Ribs, Green Papaya Salad, Curry Crab, Banana Pancakes, Thai Milk Tea, Coconut Ice Cream.

Gem 5: Java, Indonesia

Perhaps 90% of people visiting Indonesia head straight to Bali, a very popular honeymoon destination. But in my opinion, the true heart of Indonesia lies on Java, an island that encompasses everything. The economic center of Jakarta, the historical and cultural capital of Yogyakarta, and the stunningly beautiful Surabaya are all located here. From Jakarta, you can easily travel east to see pagodas, trek through rainforests, climb volcanoes, and explore islands…
It also boasts two World Heritage Sites: Borobudur and Prambanan. Borobudur, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest Buddhist architectural complex, is considered one of the "Four Wonders of the Ancient East," alongside the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, and Angkor Wat. If you crave tranquility or want to immerse yourself in a unique culture and landscape, this is the place for you.
  • Recommended attractions: Anye Beach, Tusmibadi Center, Gucci Hot Springs, Sigandhu Beach, Goling Benin, Simpang Lima Monument, Bromope Nangaggan Mountain Viewpoint.
  • Recommended food: Satay skewers, Gado Gado, Fried chicken rice, Turmeric rice, Padang beef, Clarke Trout, Tempeh.

Gem 6: Uluru, Australia

Uluru is a place where you can find peace and quiet. It's also very safe and suitable for experiencing the mystery and grandeur of nature alone. The name "Uluru" comes from the local Aboriginal people and roughly means "meeting place." It boasts the world's largest monolith, standing 348 meters high and 3000 meters long. It's considered the heart of Australia, the center of the world, and listed by National Geographic as one of the 50 places you must visit at least once in your lifetime.
When you stand before this pristine, mysterious, and time-worn giant rock, awe, emotion, and a sense of insignificance are insufficient to describe the overwhelming feeling. Hiking is highly recommended here, the "Valley of the Winds" hike in Kata Tjuta is highly recommended, as it's also the inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki's film of the same name. If you're a fan of the film or Miyazaki himself, this is an absolute must-see. Following the trails into the depths of the canyon feels like entering another mysterious and thrilling world.
  • Recommended attractions: Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta, Field of Light, Wintjiri Wiru light show.
  • Recommended dining: The Sounds of Silence Stargazing Dinner, Tariwiru Stargazing Dinner, Desert Dawn Breakfast, Anguri Barbecue.

Gem 7: Da Nang, Vietnam

If you're planning a solo trip to Vietnam, consider Da Nang in the relatively safe central region. It's a city perfect for relaxation and contemplation; you'll quickly feel its unique healing power. Here, everything feels just right: the perfect crowds, the perfect weather, the perfect tranquility, and the perfect sense of self. Because you're not overly scrutinized, you maintain a certain pace of life. You'll find a delightful coffee shop, enjoy a delicious bowl of Vietnamese pho, and then stroll through the ancient town or along the beach to create lasting memories.
  • Recommended attractions: Hoi An Ancient Town, Da Nang Cathedral, My Khe Beach, Han Giang Market, Ba Na Hills, My Son Sanctuary, Cham Island.
  • Recommended foods: Beef pho, Vietnamese spring rolls, Cao Lou noodles, Ba Yang pancakes, Balan baguette, Da Jie grilled rice paper, Ba Qiao chicken sticky rice, cupcakes, and leaf-wrapped rice cakes.

Many people feel that traveling alone is lonely, while traveling with someone is romantic. So, waiting for that special someone, they constantly postpone saying hi to the world. Instead of wasting time waiting, enrich your life with travel. Perhaps the one you're waiting for is also on their way, waiting for you. Traveling to unfamiliar places alone, meeting strangers, eating local delicacies, and exploring local culture and customs will make life more interesting. The best part of traveling alone is that each city tells you something different.