Alice Tegg

By Alice Tegg, Editorial & Marketing Assistant

Being a solo female traveller shouldn’t stand in the way of your wanderlust. In fact, it can make a trip even more enriching. At i-escape, we know a thing or two about travelling the world as a woman – we’re female-founded after all.

Our leading ladies have picked 10 amazing destinations for venturing out on your own. All of our choices scored well in the global Women, Peace and Security Index, and were picked with every type of traveller in mind. We’ve also paired our locations with stylish hideaways – many have single rooms or discounts for solo guests. Result!


Follow in the footsteps of Mozart in Salzburg

The i-escape blog / Nikki Tinto
Nikki Tinto, Co-founder

Where you should stay: Hotel & Villa Auersperg is a chic boutique with contemporary rooms and a spoiling rooftop spa. It’s a lovely 15-minute stroll to Salzburg’s charming old town. Then take a train to Haus Hirt in spa town Bad Gastein. Its daily guided mountain hikes (included in the rate) are a great way to meet other guests. Enjoy lunch together at a mountain hut then head back for a thermal bath and a yoga class.


Rewild your soul in Costa Rica


Nadine Mellor, Kids Collection and New Hotels Editor

Where you should stay: Ylang Ylang Beach Resort is a Pacific paradise. The bungalows are hidden away in wild jungle that fringes the coast, and there are daily yoga classes and a small spa to detox mind and body. Or head further down to the Osa peninsular to Lapa Rios Ecolodge. It is set in primary forest, home to amazing wildlife and 375 species of birds (the ocean is within eyesight, too).


Explore the natural majesty of Iceland


Alice Tegg, Editorial and Marketing Assistant

Where you should stay: 360 Boutique Hotel & Thermal Baths is located an hour south of Reykjavik, just outside the town of Sulfoss. Staff are super-friendly, meals are served communally, and restaurants, the coast and the Golden Circle are all within easy reach.


Lake-hop across Slovenia from Ljubljana

The i-escape blog / Katya
Katya Klisarska, Rates and Channels Manager

Where you should stay: Ljubljana Boutique Apartment overlooks one of the city’s lively cobbled squares. Spill out of your front door and directly into the action. Hisa Raduha is a little further afield. It’s a quintet of unique cabins in the Savinja Valley, delivering big on alpine serenity and outdoor pursuits.


Uncover Portugal’s hidden castles in Sintra

The i-escape blog / Marta Purwin
Marta Purwin, Bookings Consultant

Why you should go:
 
Basing yourself near Sintra can provide three holidays in one: hills, coast and the city
  Sintra is a mass of whimsical, romantic energy and conjured by Baroque, Renaissance, Gothic and Moorish castles, parks and palaces
  The nearby coastal town of Cascais is worth a visit for its choice of beaches to shop, surf and watch sunsets
  Lisbon is a 40-minute hop from Sintra with trains departing every half an hour (avoid the traffic)
  The city’s Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira) is a bustling hall of delicious eateries; chat to like-minded travellers around communal tables

Watch out for: It’s worth getting a tuk-tuk up the hill to the main sights of Sintra (cars have been known to have their engines blow up trying to get to the top, and roads can get clogged). Watch out for pickpockets on Lisbon trams.

Where you should stay: Aguamel is a bijou B&B in Sintra named after Portuguese honey-water. It’s ideal for exploring UNESCO-listed Sintra once the day-trippers have left. Prefer the coast? Then try this hip sea-view retreat: Dream Guincho is warm, welcoming and totally chilled out. Plus there’s a weekly table d’hôte and plenty of homemade Portuguese treats to fuel your day.


Visit the birthplace of tango in Buenos Aires


Leah Page, Bookings Consultant

Where you should stay: Krista Hotel is a chic, peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle in nearby leafy, upmarket Palermo. Opt for CasaCalma in Retiro and take in many of the sights mentioned here by foot on the way down to San Telmo.


Cycle to Scandi-chic cafés in Copenhagen

The i-escape blog / Kate Parsons-escape gift card take you / Kate Parsons
Kate Parsons, Head of Reservations

Where you should stay:  Floating barge hotel CPH Living is ideal for a solo city break. The simple rooms have stunning on-the-water views and there’s a relaxed roof deck for sporadic sunny days. The location is a hub of trendy cafes and boutiques, and a short walk to the cultural centre.


Walk back through time in Prague

The i-escape blog / Lucy Richardson
Lucy Richardson, Editor

Where you should stay: Hotel Neruda is a stone’s throw from Prague Castle; picturesque yet quiet. Opt for a Superior or Deluxe to spoil yourself in a bathtub after a hard day’s exploring. Or cross the river to Innside by Melia. Situated in the Old Town, this trendy hotel attracts a sociable young crowd who like to gather in the laid-back bar before partying the night away.


Restore your body in Chiang Mai


Imogen Cox, Digital Marketing Executive

Where you should stay: Baan Orapin Heritage B&B is a serene base for sightseeing, with rooms in traditional houses tucked away in lush gardens. Those who prefer a little structure should try a friendly excursion outside the city at Lisu Lodge: visit tea plantations, go bamboo rafting and take a Thai cookery course.


Indulge your inner foodie in The Basque Country

Laura Perez, Rates & Distribution Executive

Where you should stay: Hotel Iturregi – an old Basque farmhouse reborn – enjoys long, luscious views to the sea in Getaria. Head to the hills for an earthy meal with the locals in Bedua. Back on San Sebastian’s coast, Hotel Villa Soro is close to the region’s best restaurants (Arzak has three Michelin stars, no less). Helpful staff can book tables for you.