She called herself an "incurable traveller" - restlessness was her normal state of being, living on the road a "concentrated image of our existence": Annemarie Schwarzenbach (1908-1942), the Swiss writer and photographer, is considered a pioneer of travel reportage. She usually set off alone to remote regions, driving her sports car through inhospitable mountains. In 1933 she took the Orient Express to Turkey, then drove by car to Lebanon and Israel, and travelled in Iran and Iraq. Schwarzenbach, a highly gifted child from a wealthy Zurich industrialist family, was one of many women who spared no effort to explore the wider world. She recorded her eccentric solo trips in books.

Alone around the globe

But the Austrian Ida Pfeiffer (1797-1858) was also very inventive when it came to breaking away from home. She pretended to want to visit a friend in Istanbul, but had long since decided that she would travel on to Beirut, Jerusalem, Damascus and Cairo, despite the plague that was raging at the time. For almost a year she was on the road. Nellie Bly (1864-1922) from the USA, in turn, was one of the first women to travel around the world alone - in 72 days, a record at the time. Solo travel by women is not a modern invention; history is full of female adventurers. The only difference is that the tourism industry now provides a wide range of offers for this market segment. Over the past 20 years, an infrastructure has emerged that makes solo travel easier and more attractive for women, from women-only tours to women-only hotels and single rooms that aren't as small as a shoebox. Travelling alone has long ceased to mean being looked at pityingly and having to justify yourself - for many women, it's the ultimate freedom to escape their everyday lives and relationships for a while. They are looking for the perfect me-time: the true luxury is not to be stressed by anyone, to listen completely to themselves. Travelling is more than ever an individual decision, the offers are becoming more diverse and differentiated - there is hardly a destination that pleases everyone. We have become more demanding about what we want to see, where we want to stay and with whom we share our rare free time. The reasons for not wanting to travel with your partner are obvious: to finally be able to follow your own interests without a guilty conscience, to be spontaneous, to get to know strangers, to let yourself drift - instead of discussing who decides on holiday: she wants to go to the museum, he prefers an extensive brunch. On holiday, many people have no desire to make compromises that they have to make at home all the time anyway.

New independence

Solo trips do not only appeal to singles. So that there is no confusion of terms: Singles' trips are often group offers that have been specially developed for singles, in which age and gender are well distributed. The chance to find a new partner on holiday is statistically seen but anyway only ten percent, notes the German provider Solos Singlereisen from Berlin. Most solo travellers are not necessarily interested in getting to know someone anyway (although of course there is nothing to be said against a holiday flirt): women simply enjoy the feeling of being able to do exactly what they feel like doing. However, travelling alone also boosts self-confidence as you learn to fend for yourself and ask strangers for help if necessary. For each age, this type of travel is differently exciting and challenging: young women like to travel alone to make the most of the time before they commit to family and work, married couples reclaim a new independence when the children have moved out, and retirees often have to relearn what they like to do anyway due to illness or the death of their partner - and experience a new lease of life precisely because of this.

©GettyImages

Glue to each other

Corona has increased the trend for solo travel. After months of sitting at home and being glued to each other, it's tempting to clear your head again - to let the wind whistle around your ears while hiking or sailing long distances, to finally take that city trip you've been putting off. Before the pandemic, only a quarter wanted to travel alone; in 2020, by contrast, 41 percent said they would prefer not to be accompanied on their next trip. These figures come from a Europe-wide survey by E-Dreams Odigeo, Europe's largest online travel company. Couples holidays also seem to be increasingly out: Whereas before the corona pandemic around half of all travellers wanted to spend time with their partner on holiday, this figure has now dropped by around ten per cent. Social media has made it easier to travel alone without feeling lonely anyway - if you want to, you can connect with your nearest and dearest online. You share what you've experienced and get likes for it. And you can easily find plenty of tips from other women who are jetting around the world unaccompanied.

Women-Only Hotels

Which destinations are suitable? There are no general rules, it depends on the individual will for adventure, courage and your own comfort. In any case, you should only travel alone to those destinations that you really want to see, otherwise it can quickly become depressing. The better prepared solo travellers are, the fewer unpleasant surprises there will be: safety instructions, dress codes, exit restrictions - many countries require thorough research in advance. That's why many women prefer destinations that have good ratings when it comes to solo travel. Among Germans and Austrian women, Mallorca is the most popular destination, with Portugal following close behind. However, one thing to bear in mind even there is that it can generally be more boring on the beach than in the big city, where anonymity is guaranteed. Women-only hotels are therefore especially helpful for seaside holidays, so that you don't feel you're surrounded by families and couples on honeymoon. Costa Rica is considered the "Switzerland of Latin America" and is also easy for solo travelers, Sri Lanka also has a good reputation - women traveling alone rave about the hospitality of the locals. Iceland is expensive, but for outdoor fans a paradise and especially for women an ideal destination; but also on Bali there are now very luxurious women-only resorts to simply relax in private villas under palm trees. And on a Finnish holiday island near Helsinki, only women are allowed to check in anyway: Super She Island guarantees a male-free time-out at the highest level of well-being for only ten guests. The London Girls Surf Club (LGSC), on the other hand, focuses on action for women who want to surf or skateboard - whether in Morocco, Sri Lanka or the UK. The biggest challenge when travelling alone is still eating out. Can you even get a table for just one person in the evening? For a long time, fine dining was considered an exclusive affair for businessmen or couples who wanted to treat themselves to a romantic date. The current trend is casual fine dining; also to appeal more to young people: There is no stiff dress code or obsequious staff here, but a new casualness. Cat tables for solo diners near the toilets are thankfully out of fashion - as is the question "Are you expecting anyone else?" Open kitchens are now popular, as are counters where strangers can sit next to each other, as at Berlin's Michelin-starred restaurant Nobelhart & Schmutzig. Maybe you'll strike up a conversation - or maybe not. Nothing has to, everything can. After all, that's the motto of any solo trip.

6 tips for solo travellers

• Powerbank

An additional mobile battery ensures that digital boarding passes or the navigation app are always available when you urgently need them.

• Apps

dict.ccA dictionary that can be downloaded for the respective language before the start of the journey and can therefore also be used offline.
The Happy Cow: Shows vegetarian/vegan restaurants and takeaways worldwide - including reviews from diners.
XE CurrencyCurrency converter with daily updated rates. Great if you are not good at mental arithmetic!

• Data backup

It never hurts to have a copy of your passport and driver's license with you. Having important travel documents stored in the data cloud has also proven to be smart in emergencies.

• Accommodation

Location, location, location! The more central a place to stay is, the more you get out of your trip. Better spend a few euros more, but be in the middle of the action.

Solo Travel - Hotel Tips

Fasano Hotel Rio 

City hotel on the bay with a view of the mountains

Rio de Janeiro is on the bucket list of many solo travelers. The "Fasano Hotel" in Ipanema is the first building in Brazil designed by Philippe Starck. A highlight of the hotel is the infinity pool, which is surrounded by the Arpoador beach, the Dois Irmãos mountains and the Corcovado (the monumental statue of Jesus is enthroned on its top). The architecture pays homage to the Brazilian design spirit of the 50s and 60s and the glorious Bossa-nova era. Prices on request.

Fasano Hotel Rio, fasano.com.br
Avenida Vieira Souto 80, 22420-002 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
T: +55 21 3202 4000

©Daniel Pinheiro

Casa de São Lourenço

Hideaway with unique mountain panorama

Portugal is one of the top destinations for solo travel. For a quiet getaway, the idyllic little town of Manteigas is perfect: the Casa de São Lourenço offers magnificent views over the Serra da Estrela mountain range and the Zêzere glacier valley. Conceived in 1940, the five-star property has now been brought back to life with contemporary Portuguese design and a world-class mountain spa. For those craving hustle and bustle, Porto is a good two-hour drive away. Single room at € 257,-.

Casa de São Lourenço, casadesaolourenco.pt
Estrada Nacional 232, 6260-200 Manteigas, Portugal
T: +351 275 249 730

©José Vicente

Papaya Playa Tulum

Community for global nomads in a Caribbean dream setting

Whether in simple thatched cabañas, in casitas with private pools or in a casa with 24-hour butler service: In the "Papaya Playa Project" on the Yucatan Peninsula, there are accommodations for every price range - but as soon as you leave your domicile, things get egalitarian. The creators have set themselves the goal of turning their visitors into a creative community: People meet at yoga classes on the beach, while sweating in the Temazcal steam bath or at full moon celebrations. Single rooms from about € 350,-.

Papaya Playa Tulum, papayaplayaproject.com
Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, 77780 Tulum, Mexico
T: +52 984 871 1160

©Papaya Playa Tulum

Best of Gadgets

Handy battery charger

Whether smartphone, tablet or notebook: The stylish powerbank "Tocharge" from the Danish manufacturer Kreafunk provides power on the go. Charging time: four to five hours. The "Care" version of the product contains 35 percent less plastic. Approx. € 50. kreafunk.com

©Kreafunk

Secure mounting

With a quick grip, all your keys are safely in one place: the lambskin leather pendant by Bottega Veneta is available in various colors and either silver-plated or gold-plated; the carabiner is a fixed component. At € 220. bottegaveneta.com

©Bottega Veneta

Practical organizer

Handmade from Spanish cowhide and lined with suede, the Stow London travel organiser is a multi-functional accessory for when you're on the move. It holds an 11-inch tablet, a notebook, a small powerbank and various charging cables. At € 359,-. gustavia-shop.com

©Stow London

Mobile memory

The hard drive "Rugged Boss SSD" from La Cie makes it possible to capture and transport large amounts of data. The rugged case offers drop, rain, dust and pressure protection. Transfer, capacity and battery life can be monitored via the screen. Approx. € 440,-. lacie.com

©LaCie

Compact camera

In "Light Gold", the "C-Lux" from Leica is a real eye-catcher. The compact camera also scores with its inner values: equipped with a 15x optical zoom and a powerful 20-megapixel sensor, it is ready for ten shots per second. At € 995. leicashop.com

©Leica

Best of Books

On the train through the Near East.

In 1933 Annemarie Schwarzenbach boards the train to Istanbul. The journey will take her as far as Iran. "Winter in the Near East: diary of a journey". Approx. € 6,-. fembooks.com

©FEMBooks

On foot through Tibet.

Shortly after World War I, Alexandra David-Néel trekked through Tibet. "My Way Through Heavens and Hells: The Adventure of My Life". Approx. € 11,-. fischerverlage.de

©S. Fischer Publishers

In the carriage over the Alps.

In 1863, Jemima Morrell embarked on an excursion from London to Paris to the Bernese Oberland. "Miss Jemima's Journal: A Journey through the Alps". Approx. € 17,-. nobut.ch

©No & But

Around the world by ship.

At the age of 44 Ida Pfeiffer set off: "A Woman Travels Around the World: The 1846 Journey to South America, China, the East Indies, Persia and Asia Minor." Approx. € 22,-. mediashop.at

©Promedia Publisher