The Solo Traveller
Your independence, passion, and lifelong memories.
Departures
Florence on a houseboat in Kumarakom, Kerala, southern India.
Learning to say ‘Yes!’ to the opportunities that await
Florence Achery, the Founder and Host at ‘Yoga Retreats and More’, shares her insight, wisdom, and life-changing experiences with Geoffrey Williams
In 1998, suffering from depression, Florence Achery discovered yoga, and in 2000, she discovered yoga retreats. For Florence, the timely discovery was a “revelation”, and she would go on to treat herself to a retreat every year – from Ibiza to Thailand, and Morocco to Türkiye. Florence experienced all kinds of retreats – from retreats with just a handful of guests and hardly any activities and retreats with up to 42 guests. When it came to saying “Goodbye” at the end of the week, Florence recalls that it was sad that there were so many participants and so little time that she didn’t get a chance to speak to most people. And then there were the retreats with so many activities that she needed a holiday to get over the retreat!
“One day, I decided that I could curate my perfect retreat to facilitate meaningful human connections for small groups with a maximum of eight guests,” Florence tells The Solo Traveller. “We would visit little-known and exciting places, and I would combine the perfect amount of yoga with other activities. I also wanted to incorporate the ideal amount of ‘down time’ so my guests could rest, read, or wander off and explore by themselves if they wanted to.”
“Today, I organise and host yoga and wellness retreats in the UK, India and The Gambia. I love to visit places that are ‘off the beaten track’, and my retreats are curated with solo travellers in mind – males and females of any age. I am a very keen explorer myself, having visited over 50 countries, some of them multiple times. I started travelling solo in my early 20s – sometimes as a choice and sometimes because I couldn’t find a travelling companion but didn’t want to miss an opportunity.”
Castle Bijaipur, Rajasthan, India. Photography: Florence Achery.
What opportunities and experiences do you offer for solo travellers?
My experiences as a solo traveller have influenced the way my retreats are tailored. On a few occasions I remember thinking that I would have loved to be able to share an experience with someone, or I would see something so gorgeous that I almost needed a ‘witness’ or a second opinion. There were also a couple of instances when I found myself unsafe and would have loved the safety of a travelling companion, and there were times when I felt lonely – especially going by myself for dinner and being stared at. But I do not regret any of my solo travels.
My retreats are designed exclusively for small groups, so we can afford to take our time – especially at mealtimes, because that is always a bonding time. I believe it is important to take time to laugh, reminisce, and share experiences. On the days with yoga, we start at 8am, so no early starts. I also like to include many optional cultural activities. In Rajasthan, we often stop for lunch at a local castle. It’s the reigning Maharana’s private home, which is not open to the public, but our guide is a close friend, so I get to bring my group to share a simple lunch with them.
In Kerala, our yoga teacher is a local, so I can take our group for a traditional lunch at her niece’s house. We get to meet four generations of the same family and share time with them in their home. Not many groups will do these kinds of visits and this is something that is not easily accessible to solo travellers, because it’s not in guidebooks, and these are privileges I value after years of travelling to India and building relationships with local people.
In Rajasthan, we get to spend a few days in a 16th Century castle in a small village. The reigning family live in a separate wing but will come to spend time with us. The 75-year-old Maharana has been known to join us for yoga on the castle roof, which is a very special experience! We also spend a night on the sleeper train in first class, going from Chittorgarh to Agra. I know that not many solo travellers, especially females, would feel comfortable spending a night on a train. I’ve had a guest join us mainly for this part of the journey. At time of booking she told me that she always dreamed of experiencing an Indian train after watching a documentary about it but wouldn’t dare do it alone. She wanted the safety of the group, which makes perfect sense to me.
In The Gambia we stay in a small eco hotel with individual traditional round houses, complete with a small terrace. My guests can participate to the activities whenever they seek company but also spend time alone on their terrace if they need. It’s the best of both worlds – time alone or with company.
Castle Bijaipur, Rajasthan, India. Photography: Florence Achery.
Why is it important for you that you provide experiences for solo travellers to create lifelong memories?
Unique experiences, unforgettable experiences will be with us forever. I really appreciate that solo travelling can be difficult for some people. I understand the internal conflict of wanting to see the world, be independent, have fun, and meet new people, and yet being concerned about safety or being scared of feeling lonely … or just not knowing where to start planning a trip. It can be overwhelming, and I am very proud to offer these safe havens for solo travellers.
With the rise in popularity of yoga and other wellness modalities, people who join my trips know that they are looking after themselves physically and mentally and also get to discover a new country. I create the kind of trips that I would join myself – intentionally designed so my group stays connected through the same flow of activities, meals and experiences, while still allowing for moments of solitude or free time. I am also very aware that loneliness is an issue, and I believe that meaningful connections with like-minded people would make the experience even better. Many friendships were born on one of my retreats!
Can you share a memory of when your guests have experienced a transformational experience because of their journey or experience with you?
I raise funds for Sheroes Hangout – a charity and café in Agra that looks after and employs acid attack survivors. I will take my guests there for a lunch, we will visit the gift shop, and I will bring whatever donation I have raised for these courageous ladies who are unable to find work anywhere else. This is my way of supporting them financially, and an opportunity to donate whatever funds I have raised during the year.
We were there in November 2024 and one of my guests, an English lady in her 60s, was deeply moved by the experience. She spent time talking to the ladies through an interpreter and listened intently to their stories. In March this year, knowing that the next trip to Rajasthan and Agra will be in January 2026, she contacted me to say that she couldn’t get these ladies out of her head and that she would fundraise on my behalf with her friends and family so I could donate even more. I was very touched by that. Another one of my guests, a guy from Ireland, has sent many care parcels to a rural school we visited in 2023.
In Rajasthan, we do a sunset jeep safari, and we end up near a large lake. We enjoy a cup of chai and a biscuit, listening to birds and watching the sun set. I often catch my guests wiping a tear from their eye. It’s breathtakingly beautiful, emotional, and spiritual. This lake is a very special place to me. It is off the beaten path and no tourist group or solo traveller would be likely to visit.
Once, a young lady in my group said to me: “I’ve just has an epiphany. When I get home I will quit my job. I just realised how toxic an environment work is for me and how the stress is slowly killing me. There is so much beauty in the world I need to explore, and I don’t need this shit.”
One of Florence's guest taking time out to relax on the shores of Pangarh Lake, Rajasthan. Photography: Florence Achery.
When is the best time of year to visit, and why?
I always aim to visit a country at the best possible time in order to create the best possible trip, so I pay close attention to their seasons. In India, whether it’s in Rajasthan in the North or in Kerala in the south, I need to take into consideration the vast difference in temperature or the Monsoon season. The summers are extremely hot, and certainly too hot for most European travellers. In Rajasthan, I find that January to March or October to December is perfect. In Kerala, it’s January to March or September to November. In The Gambia, the heat is also an issue and January to April is probably the best time, so we are going in March 2026.
Is there someone or somewhere that inspires you in travel or in life more generally?
My love of travel comes from reading Tintin as a child. He was a globe-trotting reporter and amazing adventures would happen. I have always loved every country I have visited – from Armenia to Iceland and from Belarus to South Africa. I never tire of what I can discover.
What life lessons have you learned from travelling solo?
Solo travelling has shown me that I am resilient, independent, and ingenious. It’s also healthy to be able to enjoy my own company even though I am very sociable. I have managed to make friends in so many different countries! I can start a conversation with anyone, and that’s a useful skill. Anywhere you go, any country, any culture, any religion, you will see how much we all have in common. There is beauty everywhere and there is always something interesting to discover. I have learnt so much from my travels and I still discover amazing places and meet amazing people. This year I went to Bermuda for the first me and it blew my mind. I never cease to be amazed!
Florence Achery’s top 3 tips for solo travelling success
1. Every trip needs to be seen as a blank canvas and a new adventure. No expectations, no comparisons – just an open mind and a childlike thirst for discoveries and amazement.
2. Be a ‘Yes’ person. If you meet people on your travels and you get invited to join them on a day out or a meal then say ‘Yes!’ … but only if it feels comfortable. Trust your gut feelings. WhatsApp the address to someone back home or leave the details of where you are going and with whom with the staff at your hotel’s reception.
3. Purchase travel insurance at the time of booking. People often think that travel insurance is just to protect you in case your luggage is lost/stolen, or you fall ill during the trip, but depending on the insurance cover you purchase, it could also protect you if you ever need to cancel your trip.
You can find out more about Florence’s curated retreats and also connect with Florence on Facebook.
Geoffrey Williams is the Founder and Publishing Curator of The Solo Traveller.
More than just the journey
At The Solo Traveller, we believe travel isn’t just about the places we go, it’s also about the values we carry with us. Whether it’s a grassroots initiative, an environmental project, or a community program, these are the people and the organisations that Florence supports because they are making a real difference.
I am passionate about dogs! To be more precise, I am passionate about helping to reduce the stray dogs/free roaming dogs population. Since I was a teenager, I have been very invested in spay/neuter programmes as a humane way of reducing the dog population. I am passionate about fundraising to help various charities with their spay/neuter campaigns.
When I set up ‘Yoga Retreats and More’ in 2020, it was obvious to me that it was another way for me to raise much needed funds. I donate UK£25.00 (AUD$52.00) from every place sold to a chosen charity, and so far I have donated over UK£4,000 (AUD$8,200.00). Every retreat is partnered with a charity, so for instance, our retreat to Rajasthan will donate to Animal Aid Unlimited, who looks after street animals in and around Udaipur. In The Gambia, the Gunjur Dog Patrol will benefit from our donation.
