The Solo Traveller
Your independence, passion, and lifelong memories.
Fellow Travellers
The ancient Roman theatre of Bosra, in southern Syria – proof that world-class history exists far beyond the usual tourist trail.
Diana at Justwanderlustblog
Inspiration is that delicious spark that ignites in us the restless desire to just ‘go’ – to explore, learn, meet people, reset, see, taste, and have our eyes and minds opened to the wonder of all the possibilities to that exist for us to experience. It’s why we set off with hearts and souls ready and willing for adventure. We can be inspired by a photograph, someone else’s story, or an article we read.
For Diana, inspiration hasn’t arrived in the shape of a person or a story of someone else’s journey, but a common fear many of us share – being on our deathbeds wishing we had seen more of the world. “It’s one of the top regrets people have in old age,” Diana tells The Solo Traveller, “and I refuse to let it be mine! Life has seasons, and I know there’s only so much time I’ll be healthy and mobile. That reality pushes me to make the most of it now.”
What can you share with us about the first time your travelled solo?
It was more than two decades ago, and I honestly had zero business doing it. I was young, about to embark on a semester abroad program halfway around the world in Sweden. I land in Copenhagen with not even the faintest clue how to get to my university in Sweden (why I didn’t think to plan this out in advance I’ll never know!). Lucky for me, I met another student (who is now a friend) who was going to the same study abroad program and we figured it out together. He was a little brighter than I was.
Looking back it was the perfect ‘throw caution to the wind’ solo adventure – a little chaotic, a little bit clueless, and all kinds of magic.
(Left) Crumbling walls, bursts of colour, and the slow rhythm of life – this is why I could wander Northern Africa’s medinas forever; and some days, I wander forgotten streets just to see where they lead – often to beautiful, overlooked corners.
What kind of research did you do before your first trip?
I was such a newbie. I had two travel books about Sweden (gifts from a friend) and that was it. I had no idea what to expect or how to get around. I landed, winged it, and learned everything ‘on the ground’. This just proves that you don’t need to have it all figured out before you go aboard – you just need to go!
What do you love the most about travelling solo?
The absolute freedom. I can wake up when I want, eat what I want, wander aimlessly, or scrap my plans entirely. There are no check-ins and no compromises. It’s unapologetically selfish in the best way possible. I also love how easy it is to meet people if I want to. Fellow solo travellers tend to be chatty, down to split costs, or up for exploring together. And if I’m not feeling social? I don’t have to talk to anyone at all. Doing exactly what I want, when I want, is magical.
Additionally, solo traveling means you forgo all the drama that can come group travel. Incompatible interests, budgets, vacation days, or vibes? Not my problem when I’m solo. You get all the freedom without the baggage – except the kind you check in at the airport!
What lessons you have learned about life by travelling solo?
I will be OK anywhere in the world.
Don’t know the language? Don’t know how to get around? Don’t know what to do somewhere? Don’t know how to order food? Don’t know a single soul there? I’ve been in all those situations, and I’ve figured it out. Every time. Solo travel taught me I can take care of myself, and it’s made me comfortable being uncomfortable. I actually relish landing somewhere completely unfamiliar. It’s a gift to carry the confidence that I can navigate anywhere in the world.
Is there a destination you keep returning to, and why?
There isn’t one single destination I keep going back to, but after visiting over 100 countries, I’ve realised my soul feels so at ease in Northern Africa. Being there calms my nervous system – whether I’m walking through crumbling-yet-colourful medinas, exploring ancient ruins with almost no other visitors, sipping tea with locals, sitting atop the Sahara, or soaking in the beautifully under-explored stretches of the Mediterranean coast. Life moves differently there – slower, calmer, richer. I love this region so much that I’m determined to see every country in it – the last country I haven’t been to is Libya so it’s high on my wish list.
Standing in the Sahara makes the world go quiet, resetting my nervous system; and overlooking the ancient M’zab Valley city of Ghardaïa, where it feels like you’ve stepped back centuries and life moves at a slower rhythm.
Did you make friends that you met while travelling solo that remain in your life?
Yes! I’ve met fellow travellers but sometimes I’ve met locals, too. It’s a wonderful thing to have friends from other parts of the world who can offer a different narrative and perspective than your friends back home. It keeps the travel alive, even after the trip ends!
What is on your ‘Bucket List’?
Apart from Libya, I also want to see Iran and Saudi Arabia, the two major Middle Eastern countries I haven’t explored yet. Beyond that, I’m always chasing gloriously remote stretches of beach with crystal-clear turquoise water – the kind that should make every ‘Top beaches of the world’ list but won’t, simply because no one knows about them. I found one recently in Madagascar and I’m always down to find the next!
There is magic in finding a stretch of beach so remote, it feels like it only belongs to me.
What causes are you passionate about, and why?
I am passionate about travelling to destinations that few go to, especially the kind of places that are misrepresented by the media. With so much travel content online, it’s rare to travel somewhere and still be surprised by what you see. But that’s one of the best parts of traveling – venturing to the unknown with zero expectations so that you can experience every new thing with wide eyes and an open mind. This is how it was pre-social media days and how it was when travel became my passion.
I’d much rather go to the places that are poorly or scantly mentioned as travel destinations because those are the places where I can still experience the kind of travel that makes my heart skip a beat – that childlike curiosity and constant surprise. Whether it’s learning history I didn’t know existed, tasting foods I’ve never heard of, immersing in cultures I’ve seldom encountered, or stumbling upon jaw-dropping natural beauty, it’s nonstop discovery. I love it.
Can you share your top 3 tips for solo traveller success?
1. If you’re even thinking about solo travel, just go. You’ll figure it out – and if you can’t, ask a local. People are far kinder than the headlines make them seem.
2. Contrary to what the media has you believe, most foreigners aren’t out to scam you, hurt you, or kidnap you – especially in the less travelled destinations (I can’t speak for popular destinations like Paris, Rome, or Barcelona, which are known for petty crime targeting tourists). Take comfort in that.
3. Ask recent travellers or locals for tips on where to go, what to do, and how safe a destination really is. Their insights are worth far more than outdated blog posts or the opinion of someone who’s never been.
You can read more about Diana’s inspirational solo adventures on her Just Wanderlust blog, and you can also follow Diana’s journeys on Instagram.
