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Solo Travel, Made Clear

Thoughtful Planning for Solo Travellers

Solo travellers often face higher prices, unclear options, and booking systems that are not designed with them in mind. Whether you are considering a cruise or a land-based journey, the challenge is rarely the travel itself, but understanding the choices well enough to decide with confidence.

I help solo travellers navigate those choices clearly and plan journeys that feel comfortable and well considered.

Philip Clapé Travel Agent

Meet Your Experienced Travel Advisor

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Why solo travel planning can feel complicated

If you have felt unsure or frustrated while researching solo travel, you are not alone.

Solo travellers commonly run into:

  • Pricing that changes depending on whether you are sharing or travelling alone

  • Limited availability of suitable cabins or rooms

  • Conflicting advice online

  • Options that look appealing but do not match how you actually want to travel

For many people, the hardest part is not travelling solo. It is choosing the right style of journey and knowing what to prioritise.

Solo cruising: what to understand before you decide

Cruising can be an excellent option for solo travellers. It can also be one of the most confusing, because pricing and availability are not always presented clearly online.

Before choosing a cruise, it helps to understand:

  • Why single supplements exist and when they can be reduced or avoided

  • What “solo friendly” really means, and how much it varies by cruise line

  • How ship size and onboard culture shape the solo experience

  • Why online pricing tools often miss better solo options

Choosing a solo cruise is less about chasing the lowest price and more about choosing the right fit.

If you’d like help making sense of your options, you can learn more about how I work and what to expect here:
Why Work With Me

Helpful guides for solo travellers

If you are still exploring, these guides will help you make sense of your options.

Start here (cruising):

Then explore (broader solo travel):

Solo Travel Updates

News, insights, and selected offers for cruising and small group touring.

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Not all solo travel needs to be a cruise

Cruising suits many solo travellers, but it is not the right choice for everyone.

For some destinations and travel styles, a land-based tour can be a better fit, especially when you want:

  • Clear pricing and inclusions

  • A consistent small group and a shared pace

  • Local insight without navigating logistics alone

  • Social connection without having to create it from scratch

I work with a small number of tour operators that design itineraries with solo travellers in mind, with a focus on balance, comfort, and thoughtful experiences.

If you’re wondering how to choose between different types of solo travel — cruising, touring, or something else — here’s how I work with travellers like you:
Why Work With Me 

Cruise or tour: how to decide what suits you

There is no single right answer. The best choice depends on your preferences and comfort level.

In simple terms:

  • A cruise may suit you if you like the ease of unpacking once, built-in dining, and flexibility between port days and your own time onboard.

  • A tour may suit you if you prefer a structured itinerary, fixed inclusions, and travelling with the same small group throughout.

If you are unsure, that is normal. Most solo travellers are comparing two or three different styles of travel, not one.

How I help solo travellers

I do not start by recommending a product. I start by understanding how you want to travel.

That includes:

  • The pace you prefer and how much structure you want

  • Comfort preferences and deal breakers

  • Budget expectations and what matters most to you

  • Whether a cruise, a tour, or a combination makes the most sense

From there, I narrow the options, explain trade-offs clearly, and support you through the decision at your pace.

Ready to take the next step, or still exploring?

If you are still researching, you are welcome to take your time and explore the resources above.

If you would like to talk through your options or sense-check what might suit you best, I’m happy to help.

Option 1: Learn more about how I work
Why Work With Me

Option 2: Start a planning conversation
Book an appointment

No obligation. No pressure. Just clear, considered guidance.

Selected solo-friendly journeys

The journeys shown below are examples of solo-friendly options I can arrange for travellers who prefer a land-based experience rather than a cruise.

They are included here to illustrate what is possible, not as a recommendation to book without discussion. Availability, pricing, and suitability can vary significantly depending on timing, destination, and how you like to travel.

For many solo travellers, these tours work best when considered alongside other options, including cruising. I’m always happy to help you understand whether a tour, a cruise, or a combination makes the most sense for you.

Angkor Wat Siem Reap - Image by Anne Nicole on Unsplash

Angkor to the Bay

No Single Supplement
From $9,380 pp
17 day
Vietnam & Cambodia
Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov 26 & 27
18-day Southeast Asia solo tour for independent travellers: Cambodia's Angkor temples, Vietnam from Saigon to Hoi An, Hue and Hanoi, ending with a cruise on Ha Long Bay.
View Map
Highlights
Explore the iconic Angkor complex, including Angkor Thom, Bayon and Ta Prohm, and absorb the scale of Khmer civilisation
Wander the atmospheric old town of Hoi An, then join local farmers in Tra Que Village for hands-on farming and a cooking demonstration.
Sail overnight among limestone karsts rising from jade waters in Ha Long Bay for a serene contrast to the cities.
Glide through the Mekong Delta waterways and step into history at the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Enjoy a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter in Hanoi, visit the Temple of Literature and attend the “Quintessence of Tonkin” open-air show.
From$9,380pp
Mt Fuji Japan - Image by Thanapat Pirmphol on Pixabay

Jewels of Japan

No Single Supplement
From $14,380 pp
11 day
Japan
Sep 26, Mar 27
10-day Japan solo travel tour: explore Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Miyajima with hand-crafted cultural experiences and expert guidance.
View Map
Highlights
Walk the Imperial Palace Gardens, visit Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple, and take in city-wide views from the Tokyo Skytree.
Journey to Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes region, including the 5th Station (weather permitting) and a visit to a traditional village and art museum.
Ride Japan’s famed bullet train (shinkansen) into Kyoto, then embrace hands-on experiences: origami folding, soba-noodle making, and a formal tea ceremony.
Visit the moving and reflective sites of Hiroshima – including the Peace Memorial Park and Museum – followed by a ferry trip to Miyajima’s Itsukushima Shrine.
Discover the elegant legacy of Japan’s feudal era at Himeji Castle and its neighbouring Kōko-en gardens before a final evening in Osaka.
From$14,380pp
Santiago de Compostela - Image by Jorge Luis Ojeda Flota on Unsplash

Camino & Madrid Experience – Solo

New Tour
From $7,985 pp
13 day
Europe
25 June - 07 July 2026
13 day solo Camino and Madrid tour from Porto to Santiago with private rooms, guided walking and time to explore Spain's lively capital.
View Map
Highlights
Stroll riverside districts of Porto, admire azulejo-covered buildings and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of Portugal’s most charming northern city.
Walk the Portuguese Coastal Camino & follow a gentle route along beaches, fishing villages and centuries-old pathways with full support and expert guiding.
Taste the flavours of the Camino, enjoy oysters in Arcade, local wines in Padrón, and regional dishes that make every stop memorable.
Step into Santiago de Compostela's iconic plaza and celebrate the completion of your pilgrimage in one of Europe’s most meaningful destinations.
Travel by train to Spain’s dynamic capital and explore museums, plazas, neighbourhoods and cultural performances that showcase the heart of Spanish life.
From$7,985pp
Berner Oberland - Image by Michal Kmet on Unsplash

Great Swiss Rail Escape – Solo

New Tour
From $11,995 pp
10 day
Switzerland
28 Jun - 07 July 2026
13 day solo Swiss rail tour with Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, the GoldenPass Express and Montreux. Private rooms, four star hotels and panoramic alpine experiences.
Highlights
Wander Zurich Old Town, learn about Switzerland’s chocolate heritage and indulge in tasting experiences at one of the country’s most renowned attractions.
Discover Lucerne. Enjoy lake scenery, historic bridges and a folklore performance, then ride the cogwheel train to Mount Rigi for sweeping alpine vistas.
Stay in Interlaken, visit Lauterbrunnen’s dramatic waterfalls, dine atop Schilthorn and ascend the Jungfraujoch railway to the Top of Europe.
Ride the GoldenPass Express. Travel in comfort on one of Switzerland’s most scenic rail routes with panoramic windows framing lakes, peaks and alpine villages.
Visit terraced vineyards for wine tasting, cruise Lake Geneva to Chillon Castle and celebrate with a farewell dinner by the water.
From$11,995pp
Tromso - Image by Xavier Photography on Unsplash

Scandinavian Winter Fairytale – Solo

New Tour. Selling Fast.
From $19,995 pp
20 day
Scandinavia
26 Nov - 15 Dec 2026
20 day solo winter tour through Scandinavia and Lapland featuring Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Bergen, a Havila coastal cruise, Aurora Cabins and Northern Lights experiences.
View Map
Highlights
Explore Copenhagen and Stockholm. Wander historic laneways, enjoy cosy winter markets, and take in the unique blend of tradition and modern design.
Discover Oslo and Bergen. Experience Norway’s cultural capital and explore the UNESCO listed wharf at Bryggen before travelling deep into fjord country.
Spend six nights on a scenic winter voyage in your own private cabin while watching for the Northern Lights along the Arctic coast.
Fall asleep under the night sky in an Aurora Cabin in Saariselkä with heated glass roofs designed for Northern Lights viewing, and enjoy a husky safari and reindeer sleigh adventure.
Visit Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland, stay at Santa’s Hotel, explore winter forests and visit Santa Claus Village to meet Santa in his official hometown.
From$19,995pp
Jodhpur - Image by Varun Gaba on Unsplash

India Small Group Solos | Women Only

Solo Women's Only
From $7,695 pp
15 day
India
Oct-Dec 26, Jan-Apr 27
Experience India on a women-only small group journey that blends comfort, culture and meaningful connection. Enjoy women-led craft workshops, hands-on cooking experiences, local encounters that support community empowerment and time devoted to wellness and reflection. With a relaxed pace and thoughtful guiding throughout, this itinerary offers a supportive and inspiring way for women to explore India’s rich traditions and vibrant daily life.
View Map
Highlights
Small, intimate group experience – no more than 16 women
Take a Pink City rickshaw ride driven by women, for a unique cultural experience that also promotes local empowerment
Meet the Spice Girls of Rajasthan, a sister duo from Jodhpur turning a family spice stall into a celebrated women-led business
Celebrate women-led traditional arts while immersing yourself in hands-on cultural heritage
Train from Varanasi to Agra & Internal flight Udaipur to Delhi
Fully escorted by a dedicated female tour leader
From$7,695pp

PONANT EXPLORATIONS offers more than 250 departures with no single supplement, making it an excellent choice for solo travellers and those who prefer their own space while journeying with friends or family.

SANTORIN Greece ©StudioPonant-Nath Michel

©StudioPonant-Nath Michel

To view the full range of eligible departures click here: PONANT EXPLORATIONS no single supplement voyages

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