solo cruising
Earlier this year, Google saw record-breaking interest in solo travel, recording a staggering 1.6 million searches in January alone. More and more of us are craving that crisp-blank-page feeling that comes with exploring by ourselves. Sometimes, being somewhere new can almost feel like being someone new. Linger over lunch. Take the scenic route, even if it adds an hour. Join the tour you know your friends would never sign up for. Simply put, have it entirely your way.
To celebrate our independent members, we've created Solo September to highlight insider tips, inspiring stories, and solo-friendly companies. We hope this guide inspires you to visit that country you've always dreamed of. For more solo travel deals, click here.
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Become the main character
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September
Solo touring
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Mercury Holidays x Travelzoo
Travelzoo members can save £200 per person with Mercury Holidays using our promo code TZT200.
If you'd like to find out more about escorted tours for solo travellers, Mercury Holidays will also be hosting a free webinar dedicated to solo travel at 1pm on Wednesday 16 September, 2026.
You'll hear real stories from past solo guests, get a first look at some of the standout destinations for 2027, and pick up expert advice from Mercury Holidays' Head of Product.
Plus, stick around for a live Q&A to get personalised tips. To sign up for the free webinar, click here.
The solo travel boom
Mercury Holidays has seen a 230% increase in solo travellers from 2025 to 2026. There are now 34 Escorted Solo Tour itineraries to choose from, and 12 are newly created this year.
Some of the most popular trips for first-time solo travellers include Thailand, Vietnam, and Peru. Newer itineraries include off-the-beaten-path adventures through Georgia, Armenia, Chile, Bolivia, and Italy's deep south.
We love the sound of the Costa Rica adventure. It's the sort of place where getting around can be difficult, even as a couple with a rental car. With Mercury Holidays, you'll travel all over the country via mountains, rainforests, and rural backroads. Having a guide massively improves your chances of spotting sloths, turtles, and exotic birds.
Travel solo, not alone
Booking an escorted tour means you never have to deal with the most overwhelming question of all—where do I even start? By joining a tour, you're guaranteed a hassle-free experience with an itinerary that's been carefully mapped out by experts. However, even with all the travel arrangements pre-arranged, joining a new group can feel a little bit daunting. That's why we're spotlighting Mercury Holidays.
Mercury's Escorted Solo Tours are exclusively for solo travellers. You don't need to worry about breaking into established groups. Everyone there will be in exactly your position—travelling alone, but wanting to get to know other people. The average group size is 15, but that can go up to 30 on the most popular departures.
Your own room is guaranteed, and flights, hotels, and tours are included. For more details on Solo Group Tours, click here.
Solo cruising
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From the Danube to the Douro
In partnership with:
What to expect on board
Riviera Travel focuses on meticulously-planned itineraries that are sociable from the get-go. There's an instant sense of community on board, since most guests have chosen to go solo for the same set of circumstances.
Welcome dinners and cocktail hours give you opportunities to make friends early in the trip. Group excursions, led by expert guides, make it easy to connect with other passengers and chat naturally about interesting new topics. You can dine at communal tables with people you've met, or arrange a table to yourself whenever you prefer.
Now is a great time to book, as Riviera Travel is offering a free drinks package on all departures. Packages all include return flights, baggage, transfers, meals, and expert-led excursions. For more information on solo cruises, click here.
A world-first: a ship only for solo travellers
Solo travellers make up 13% of all of Riviera Travel's river cruise bookings. In response to soaring demand, MS George Eliot will become the only river cruise ship dedicated exclusively to solo travel. Set to launch in April, 2027, the ship has been fully reconfigured so there are no shared cabins and no supplements. Just an entire ship full of people who are quite literally in the same boat.
There are 70 cabins and suites (all with double beds), and as there are half as many guests on board, you'll enjoy even more attentive service than normal.
Riviera Travel is planning for a whole season of solo-exclusive departures. The schedule includes some two-week itineraries, the longest solo-exclusive river cruises ever launched.
Solo travellers can choose from a whole host of itineraries. You can sail by tulip fields in the Netherlands, cruise under the bridges of Paris, cut through the lavender fields of Provence, and squeeze between the terraced vineyards of the Douro.
The Danube is always a favourite itinerary, especially during Christmas Market season. You could sit out with a cup of hot chocolate as the Medieval villages twinkle in the evening light, and explore the markets with people who love Christmas just as much as you do. Warm up back on the ship over a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
MS George Eliot will also host special themed sailings over New Year, too. You can get all dressed up for a Gala Dinner especially for solo travellers like you, and celebrate by toasting your new-found friends.
Member stories
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A writer's escape
Hannah Harman booked a few nights by Brixham Harbour, a working port in Devon. It's home to one of England's largest fishing fleets. "I'm writing a book, so I wanted a change of scene for a fresh perspective on my work, but nothing too remote.
"It was so nice to go grab a morning coffee and sit on the harbourfront with a book or a notepad, just watching the port in action. I even got chatting to someone who lives near me in London, and we discussed how the area had changed over the years. These moments always happen so much more organically when you're on your own.
"My solo travel tips? Plan one or two things that you really want to do, but be open to serendipity. A passing recommendation from a couple you met at a café might become the highlight of your trip. And keep a book, crossword, or podcast on hand for quiet moments—something to look at that isn't your phone screen."
A solo city break in Europe
Varuni Sakhalkar loves a solo trip to Europe—and the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, is a real standout. "I had a great time wandering the streets, admiring the stunning architecture, getting to learn local history, popping into shops, and sampling local food and beer," she says.
"On the way to Lake Bled, I even befriended a fellow solo traveller on the bus. We ended up exploring together for a bit and taking photos and videos of each other to show our friends back home.
"A few practical tips that work for me are booking flights and trains that depart and arrive at normal hours, and always staying in a central location. To boost my confidence, I watch videos of the destination beforehand, make sure my phone is sufficiently charged at all times, and booking a walking tour on the first day of the trip so I get my bearings early on."
Giving back abroad
Adam Summers embarked on a solo adventure in India. He'd travelled there before for business, but had always wanted to get off the beaten path and live like a local.
"Locals and fellow travellers are drawn to talking to people travelling solo," he says, "so I wasn't worried about getting familiar with the area or finding places to visit." In Goa, he got chatting to other backpackers and learned about a local animal rescue centre. He decided to visit spontaneously the very next day. The animals were all stray or injured, but were making brilliant progress thanks to the volunteers. He returned every day for three weeks.
"I was so inspired by the great work that I asked if I could come every day. This, and the dedication of the people running the centre, showed me how volunteering can make such a big difference. The experience turned my holiday from a good one into a great one."
Going solo in the UK
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Relax and recharge
Some experiences are just better alone, and we'd argue that spa days are one of them. It's a great way to build confidence and start doing more things by yourself, for yourself. With nobody to chat to, you can totally switch off. And there's no need to feel self-conscious—spas have solo guests all the time, and most of the other people are half-asleep, anyway.
We have spa deals across the UK, often with afternoon tea rolled in. Enjoy a treatment of your choice, then spend however long you like in the steam room, or linger over a book on a heated lounger by the pool.
On some of our countryside spa days, you can explore the grounds afterwards, or cosy up at the bar and take in the views. Sometimes, spending just a few hours somewhere new by yourself is all it takes for a complete reset.
Dinner and a show
Travelzoo often negotiates tickets for shows, partnering with theatres across the UK, including Shakespeare's Globe. Going solo makes it easier to grab last-minute tickets, and there's something special about visiting the theatre alone and getting totally immersed in the story.
We often have dining deals to match, so you can be that intriguing character on a table for one. On some occassions, we've negotiated multi-course Michelin-starred meals down to just £40.80. We feature immersive dining experiences, too. You can watch as food is prepared right next to you, with a front-row seat at every step of the process.
Some of our most popular vouchers pair lunch with extra experiences, like wine-tasting at Gusbourne wine estate, or entry to beautiful landscaped gardens at Blenheim Palace.
Exploring closer to home
You don't need to trek through India to step outside your ordinary life. Here in the UK, we're lucky enough to have some of the world's most beautiful and historic cities right on our doorstep—not to mention our wildly varied countryside. Scotland's misty glens rival the most remote Scandinavian fjords. Parts of the Lakes and the Peaks look just like the Alps. The gentle hills and golden villages of the Cotswolds are uniquely British. And our network of public footpaths and bridleways is one of the best in Europe. Country walks are generally waymarked very clearly, making it safe and easy for solo ramblers to explore new areas.
Travelzoo has deals for solo travellers on hotels, dining, spa breaks, attraction tickets, and more. You could book something as simple as a meal out by yourself, or a trip to a local museum. Click here for a list of all our solo deals, and check back for new ones every month.
