The year winds down, but our maps are just getting interesting. After a warm reset in Florida, a birthday pilgrimage to Iceland, canyon time in West Texas, an Austin do-over, and a passport-stacking cruise, we took a hard look at what actually made 2025 travel feel good—and what didn’t. The frenzy cooled, flight deals quietly returned, and a new mindset emerged: go with intention, spend smarter, and skip the crush.

From that lens we reveal seven destinations we’re excited about for 2026, all chosen with solo women in mind: Albania’s affordable Riviera and rugged Alps, Taiwan’s festival-rich culture and flawless transit, Uzbekistan’s Silk Road splendor stitched together by high-speed rail, Poland’s overlooked mix of medieval squares and Baltic breezes, Slovenia’s lakes-and-Alps perfection anchored by walkable Ljubljana, South Korea’s Seoul where palaces meet neon and late-night eats, and Mongolia’s vast steppe, monasteries, and wild horses that reward guided exploration. Each pick balances safety, value, and texture, offering big experiences without elbowing through the usual lines.

We also share why revenge travel finally ran out of steam, how to spot mistake fares without chasing noise, and when shoulder seasons stretch budgets while keeping the magic. If you’re ready to trade overdone itineraries for places that still surprise, this guide is your green light. Listen to map your next move, then tell us where you’re headed. Subscribe, share with a friend who travels solo, and leave a review with the destination you want us to tackle next.

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The glossy photos don’t show the jet lag, the missed connections, or the quiet nights when you’re not sure where to eat. We’re opening the guidebook to the pages most people skip and exploring five unglamorous truths about solo travel that can actually make your journey richer: the physical toll of transit, plans that unravel, waves of loneliness, decision fatigue, and the pressure to perform for social media. None of these are dealbreakers. With the right mindset and a few practical tools, they become the parts of the trip that teach you the most.

I share how I build buffer days to recover from long-haul flights, why flexible itineraries beat rigid spreadsheets, and the small rituals that turn solitude into nourishment—journaling, reading, music, and low-stakes social plans like walking tours or cooking classes. We talk about designing “zero days” and “minimal days” to reset your brain, ditching the urge to “see it all,” and creating simple defaults that cut through choice overload. We also unpack the pressure to capture flawless selfies and how batching photos—or sharing later—protects your attention for what matters: the people you meet, the neighborhoods you drift through, and the moments you can’t stage.

There’s a reality check too. Expectations shaped by edited images can set you up for disappointment, like the famous view that’s grayer than your feed. I revisit Rainbow Mountain as a case study in embracing the journey when the postcard doesn’t match the sky. The takeaway isn’t to lower your standards; it’s to widen them. Let the detours count. Let the small wins land. Let gratitude keep you grounded when plans bend. If you’ve been craving a more honest, sustainable approach to solo travel, this conversation will help you prepare, adapt, and savor the road you’re on.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s planning a trip, and leave a review—what truth about solo travel has taught you the most?

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A first cruise is a crash course in what you value when you travel. From a lively launch in San Juan to five Caribbean ports in seven days, we share the joy of bioluminescent kayaking, the calm of a French-side beach on Saint Martin, and the green, mountainous bliss of Grenada and Dominica. We also get candid about a tougher moment in Saint Lucia, where constant vendor pressure cut a solo city walk short—and how a simple plan with a vetted driver could have changed the day.

We dig into the money side most people underestimate. Solo supplements can double a fare, but there are smart workarounds: Virgin Voyages frequently offers better pricing and social programming for singles; Norwegian and select Royal Caribbean ships have limited studio cabins; Silversea reduces single supplements on some sailings. Beyond the sticker price, budget for gratuities, specialty dining, fitness classes, laundry, Wi‑Fi, and excursions—or pick a more inclusive line to avoid the nickel-and-dime feeling. If you’re wondering whether to book excursions at every stop, learn from our missteps: sometimes one well-chosen experience or a simple plan with a trusted local driver beats a packed bus and crowded viewpoints.

The real key is matching the cruise to who you are. If big crowds drain you, consider smaller ships or river cruises like AmaWaterways. If sand isn’t your happy place, look to Alaska or Scandinavia for fjords, hikes, and cooler air. Traveling with a friend? Set expectations upfront—sleep rhythms, alone time, and activity choices—so the cabin is shared but the day can be flexible. We close by looking ahead to Scandinavia as a better fit for our hiking-first style and invite you to think about your own 2026 plans.

If this helped you plan smarter, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s cruise-curious, and leave a quick review to tell us where you want to sail next.

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