NEW YORK—No one to go on vacation with or
escaping a broken heart? That’s no reason not to travel,
according to travel Web site IgoUgo which has come up with the
world’s top 10 places to fly solo.
This list was compiled by IgoUgo (www.igougo.com)
which is owned by Travelocity with comments by the site’s
readers.
1. Vienna
"Each spring for the past few years, I’ve
indulged in a solo trip to Europe, usually prompted by some
long-standing fantasy I’ve had. One year I tramped around
Dartmoor; another found me footloose in London. But this year’s
trip was one I’d dreamt about for decades: to Vienna, to sample
its mind-boggling array of concerts and operas."
2. Rio de Janeiro
"Somente mim: Just me in Rio. Although not
the obvious way to visit this city, Rio rewards those who travel
solo."
3. Florence
"This was one of the most crazy/exciting
things I have ever done. I felt like I could conquer anything
after that trip. Everything was very intense, and I have so many
incredible memories of the places and people. I’m glad I chose
Florence for my first solo experience, because it was the
perfect size city for a solo woman to conquer."
4. Parque Nacional Volcan Baru, Panama
"For me, this hike was more mental than
physical. Alone in a foreign country, hiking at night, up a
volcano, after an earthquake - that was what made this hike
tough (and extremely rewarding)."
5. Marseille, France
"A young, multicultural population gives
Marseille a unique flavor. Marseille had a rough reputation in
the past, but the city is now about as safe as most major
cities. As in any other city, it’s wise to stay alert and pay
attention to your pockets and your possessions, but even as a
woman traveling solo, I never felt threatened."
6. Ayampe, Ecuador
"This tiny fishing village is not the most
common place to visit the beach in Ecuador, but it was perfect
for me, isolated and lovely, with the chance to mingle with
locals and really relax."
7. Malta
"Every year, I like to go someplace for a few
days to celebrate my birthday, and I often head to a spot in
Western Europe. This year, though, I wanted to do something a
bit different. My criteria? Someplace I’d never been before,
someplace I could spend only a week yet still feel like I’d
gotten a good flavor of the place, and someplace warmer than
Chicago in winter (okay, the last part is admittedly pretty
easy!). I also wanted a place where there was culture in the
form of museums, historic sites, and the like, and a place where
I’d feel comfortable going solo."
8. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
"Traveling solo to a resort on the tail end
of a breakup sounded crazy to me too, until I tried it. If you
are looking for an adventure, or a little "me" time, consider
Puerto Vallarta, a little gem on the Pacific that’s very good
for the soul. There seemed to be more students and single people
there, as opposed to the ever present army of honeymooners you
find in places like Cancun. Everywhere I went I found myself in
conversation with people from around the world. The day-long
excursions from the marina are a great way to meet people. As a
solo traveler, I felt quite at home and quickly got acquainted
with fellow travelers."
9. Angkor, Cambodia
"I had a good time talking to the locals,
even monks. They are so friendly and surprisingly they speak
good English! It was wonderful to learn about the Cambodian way
of life and their scarred history from the mouths of the locals;
some even related their own experience to me. I made friends
with a local who took me for a night tour around the villages."
10. Maldives
"Equipped with the book Swahili for the Broken-Hearted, and
with my own broken heart, I set off for my holiday. The beauty
of the island touched my soul and it probably happens to
everyone, as locals were just giving me shy smiles and nodding
toward me, "Your first time here?"" —Reuters