The Solo Traveller
Your independence, passion, and lifelong memories.
Postcards
Aït Benhaddou, Morocco. Photographer: Petar Milošević.
Greetings from … Aït Benhaddou, Morocco
Aït Benhaddou is a historic ighrem or ksar (fortified village) along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh in Morocco. Consisting of a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls, the ksar is a traditional pre-Saharan habitat. The houses crowd together within the defensive walls, which are reinforced by corner towers. Aït Benhaddou is considered one of the finest examples of Moroccan earthen clay architecture and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. A large number of films shot in Morocco have used Aït Benhaddou as a location, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Alexander (2004) and The Odyssey (due for release in 2026).
Dhankar Gompa, Spiti Valley, India. Photographer: Dmitry Rukhlenko.
Greetings from … Dhankar Gompa, India
Dhankar Gompa is a village and also a Gompa (a sacred meditation place) in the district of Lahaul and Spiti in India. Originally built as a fort-monastery, Dhankar Gompa is situated at an elevation of 3,894 metres (12,774 feet) in the Spiti Valley above Dhankar Village, between the towns of Kaza and Tabo, and overlooking the confluence of the Spiti and Pin Rivers. Its name originates from the Tibetan ‘Dhang’ (cliff), and ‘kar’ (fort) – hence a fort on a cliff. Dhankar Gompa was the former capital of the Spiti kingdom, with parts of the Buddhist monastery dating to the 12th century and wall paintings from the 15th century. The complex includes a meditation cave, a collection of ceremonial masks and sculptures, a guesthouse, and Tenzin Gyatso’s (the 14th Dalai Lama) former sleeping quarters. A must-do is the treacherously steep but rewarding trek from the monastery to nearby Dhankar Lake.
Malta’s capital, Valletta, is the smallest capital city in the European Union by area and population. Photographer: Michail Tsapas.
Greetings from … Valletta, Malta
The Republic of Malta consists of an archipelago south of Italy, and its capital – Valletta – is the smallest capital city in the European Union by area and population. Inhabited since at least 6500 BC, Malta’s location in the centre of the Mediterranean assured it of significant geostrategic importance, with a succession of powers having ruled the islands and shaped its culture and society. While Malta is a popular tourist destination (attracting up to three times more tourists than there are residents), the country’s variety of landscapes and destinations has also become a significant draw for filmmakers. Films shot on the island include ‘Napoleon’, ‘Gladiator’, ‘Gladiator II’, ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’, ‘Troy’, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’, and ‘Game of Thrones’.
Prague from the Powder Tower – a Gothic tower in Prague that is one of the original city gates. Today it separates the Old Town from the New Town. Photographer: Jiuguang Wang.
Greetings from … Prague, Czechia
Prague is the capital and largest city of Czechia, the Czech Republic. An historical city with Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, Prague is home to a number of cultural attractions including Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square with the medieval Prague astronomical clock, the secluded gardens and winding pathways that lead to the summit of PetÅ™ín hill and panoramic city views, and the historic fort Vyšehrad. Since 1992, the historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
Photographer: Sergey Konstantinov.
Greetings from … Maastricht, The Netherlands
Maastricht developed from a Roman settlement, and today, the city is a thriving cultural and historic destination with 1,677 national heritage buildings, the second highest number in the Netherlands, after Amsterdam. Maastricht is most famous for being the location where the ‘Treaty of Maastricht’ was signed in 1992, which established the European Union and the euro. The city’s topography is mostly flat, which makes it ideal for relaxed exploring on foot or a rented bicycle.
Enclosed by nearly three kilometres of ramparts, this charming medieval city and its 14th-century castle proudly overlook the Rance River Photography: Pedro Lastra.
Greetings from … Dinan, France
Enclosed by nearly three kilometres of ramparts (the longest in Brittany, France), this charming medieval city and its 14th-century castle proudly overlook the Rance River. Step into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages on the steep Rue du Jerzual and discover the half-timbered houses (the city has no less than 130) that are a reminder of the town’s wealthy past, and typical of Dinan in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. A short walk away, the 12th-century Saint-Sauveur Basilica (it was originally built around 1120), blends Byzantine, Persian, and Romanesque influences.
Olomouc, tucked away in the heart of Moravia, is one of the Czech Republic’s best-kept secrets. Photography: Leonhard Niederwimmer.
Greetings from … Olomouc, Czechia
Olomouc, tucked away in the heart of Moravia, is one of Czechia’s (commonly known as the Czech Republic) best-kept secrets. Its cobbled squares, baroque fountains, and soaring Holy Trinity Column – a UNESCO World Heritage site – reflect centuries of history and quiet grandeur. Once a royal seat and university town, Olomouc exudes a youthful, laid-back energy today, with lively cafés, markets, and music drifting through its medieval streets. For solo travellers, it offers the charm of Prague without the crowds.
The Meteora is a rock formation in northwestern Greece, hosting one of the most prominent complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries. Photography: Sorin Cicos.
Greetings from … The Meteora, Kalabaka, Greece
The Meteora is a rock formation in northwestern Greece, hosting one of the most prominent complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries. From the second half of the 14th Century, twenty-four monasteries were established atop giant natural pillars and boulders that dominate the local area, and six are still active and open to visitors. The Meteora complex was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988 because of its outstanding architecture and beauty, combined with religious and cultural significance.
St John’s Hospital was a medieval hospital in Bruges, founded in the mid-12th Century. Photography: Elijah G.
Greetings from … Bruges, Belgium
St John’s Hospital is one of the oldest preserved hospital buildings in Europe. In what is now a museum, furniture, paintings, sculptures, silverware, and pewterware are the silent witnesses of the care for bodies and souls that took place in this hospital through the centuries. The building’s supporting framework is also unique and is one of the oldest and largest in Europe.
The Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. Photography: Aerial Film Studio.
Greetings from … The Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, located in northern Tanzania and forming the main attraction of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Calderas form when a volcano collapses inward after a large amount of magma has been ejected during an eruption, emptying the magma chamber below.This large volcano collapsed about 2–3 million years ago, and today is known for its high concentration of wildlife. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors can explore the crater’s grasslands and forests to see abundant wildlife, including lions, black rhinos, hippos, and flamingos at Lake Magadi.
Buda Castle is the historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest. Photography: Nemanja Ćirić.
Greetings from … Budapest
Budapest is the capital and most populous city of Hungary. The previously separate cities of Buda, Óbuda, and Pest were officially unified in 1873, and given the new name Budapest. Standing on the banks of the River Danube, the city is Hungary’s political, economic, and cultural centre, and one of the ten largest cities in the European Union. A global city, Budapest is consistently recognised as a global cultural capital and is among the 35 most liveable cities in the world.
Moraine Lake is a stunning turquoise lake, cradled by the Valley of the Ten Peaks, located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Photography: John Lee.
Greetings from … Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Canada
Moraine Lake – a snow and glacially fed alpine lake in Banff National Park, Canada – does not reach its crest until middle to late June. When it is full, it reflects a distinctive shade of azure blue. The unique colour is due to the refraction of the blue end of the spectrum of sunlight off the rock sediment deposited in the lake on a continual basis in Summer by the surrounding glaciers. The lake is completely created by nature and has not been dammed, drained, or otherwise altered by humans in any way, other than the visitor services which are strictly controlled by the National Park. You can explore your options for including this spectacular natural wonder on your solo traveller adventures here.
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The Karnak Temple Complex (Karnak) comprises a vast mix of temples, pylons, chapels, and ancillary buildings near Luxor, Egypt. Photography: Zbg2.
Greetings from … The Karnak Temple Complex, near Luxor, Egypt
The Karnak Temple Complex (Karnak) comprises a vast mix of temples, pylons, chapels, and ancillary buildings near Luxor, Egypt. Construction began in the Middle Kingdom (c. 2000–1700 BC). The area around Karnak was the ancient Egyptian Ipet-isut (‘The Most Selected of Places’) and the main place of worship of Amun – the ‘King of the Gods’. Karnak is part of the monumental city of Thebes, and in 1979 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the rest of the city.
Iguazú Falls. Photography: Alexander Schimmeck.
Greetings from … Iguazú Falls
Iguazú Falls are waterfalls of the Iguazu River on the border of the Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná. Together, they make up the largest waterfall system in the world. You can explore your options for including this spectacular natural wonder on your solo traveller adventures here.
The only place on planet Earth where you can descend into a dormant volcano and safely explore its massive lava chamber. Photography: Hans Strand.
Greetings from … Inside the Volcano
Þríhnúkar is a safely dormant volcano in Iceland that has erupted three times. The last eruption, which took place about 4,500 years ago, left behind a unique natural phenomenon – Þríhnúkagígur ‘Three peak crater’. It is truly one of a kind and the only accessible lava chamber on Earth. Inside, the beautiful colouration and unique rock formations represent all the shades and shapes of the Earth where its size is enormous and to some extent intimidating. To find out how you can experience this once in a lifetime ‘journey towards the centre of the Earth’, visit our friends at Inside the Volcano.
The Lost City, Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Greetings from … The Lost City, Northern Territory, Australia
The Lost City in Litchfield National Park is a natural formation created by thousands of years of wind and rain erosion. The sandstone outcrops, resembling the ruins of an ancient city, were shaped by the elements over time, with walls, narrow passages, and domes emerging as softer rock eroded away. The formations are spread over a large area, giving the impression of a maze-like city.
Neimënster Abbey, a public meeting place, cultural centre, and former Benedictine abbey located in the Grund district of Luxembourg City in southern Luxembourg. Photography: ©Janine Wenzel/Visit Luxembourg.
Greetings from … Luxembourg
For Geoffrey Williams, the Founder and Publishing Curator at The Solo Traveller, Luxembourg is ‘A gem that redefines the essence and rich rewards of slow travel, history, walks, forests, and memories that continue to illuminate my life’. Our postcard is of Neimënster Abbey, a public meeting place, cultural centre, and former Benedictine abbey located in the Grund district of Luxembourg City. To explore this truly unforgettable destination, visit our friends at Visit Luxembourg.
The stunning celestial views from the Skywalk at Kalbarri National Park. Photography: Dan Avila for Australia's Coral Coast.
Greetings from … Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia
For The Solo Traveller’s devoted road-tripper Michael Webster, this coastal town was his ideal base for exploring Kalbarri National Park, where dramatic red gorges slice through the outback and meet the ocean in striking contrast. Hike to Nature’s Window, paddle along the Murchison River, or just sit back and take in the sweeping views at Z-Bend Gorge. Kalbarri also boasts oceanfront cliffs and wildflower displays that are spectacular from late winter to spring. You can read about Michael’s journey here.