Ladies – you don’t need a travel companion to see the world. You don’t need a friend, a cousin, a sister, and you certainly don’t need a man to see the world. Nope. You can do it all on your own.

Many people say that traveling with someone is great because it’s like having someone there with you to experience everything with. We, of course, agree that traveling with a buddy does have its advantages, but so does doing it solo. When you’re alone in a different country, you get the chance to do exactly what you feel like doing (like making decisions about where to have lunch). You also have the opportunity to improve your language skills of the country you’re in because you will be forced to interact with people from that country.

There are many advantages to traveling on your own and unfortunately, there are also quite a number of disadvantageous. Navigating the streets of the big country of Russia can be difficult, especially without being able to smile at people. Why? Because Russians consider smiling to a stranger rude.

You’re a millennial woman who will, of course, take a trip to any place she pleases but we just thought we should put together a list for you with the countries that are the best for solo traveling and other countries that make it really difficult to go about it on your own.

20 20. Best - Melbourne, Australia

Via TheTelegraph

Traveling alone in this country, aka continent, makes so much sense and that is why we’re starting the list off with it. If you’re looking for a cosmopolitan city that is vibrant and has so much to offer, then Melbourne is your kind of city. Although you might need to dig into your pocket a bit for spending some time there, The Age highlights that compared to the capital, Sydney, Melbourne is more affordable to live in so if you’re hoping to see Australia, why not do so by visiting Melbourne? Another great part of this city is that it is one of the safest cities in the world, which is an important aspect to take into consideration when solo traveling.

19 19. Reconsider - Various Onsen, Japan

Via FastJapan

The fact that you want to travel on your own means that you are a free spirit, who is not afraid of encountering different cultures and traditions around the world. Japan is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, filled with amazing cultures and serene views all over. Because of this, it forms part of many people’s travel bucket list.

One thing you’re not going to be crazy about is that you will be required to cover your tattoos when visiting certain onsens (Japanese hot springs). This is not limited to just the onsen though, some public beaches, public baths and sports gyms are famous for turning people away if their tattoos are visible. If you’re inked and are considering a trip to Japan, you basically need to stay covered up the whole trip, no matter how hot it may get.

18 18. Best - Rome, Italy

Via MyKikiCafe

Many people consider Italy a beautiful and romantic city that you have to see with your partner. Well, we disagree. Who says that charming places cannot be explored on your own? Have you ever read the book or seen the movie, Eat Pray Love? Yeah, Italy is definitely one country to be explored and you don’t have to have a partner to do so. Perhaps the best part of Rome, Italy is not only the culture but also the language and the art from all the monuments. You’ll get a chance to get lost and soak up all the beauty of the city and discover gems you never knew you could find.

17 17. Reconsider - Russia

Via GettyImages

The 2018 Fifa Soccer World Cup has now been and gone and no doubt, Russia (the host country) has portrayed itself amazingly and should soon see an increase in tourism to the country. We, therefore, understand if you are considering a solo escapade to the country but all we have to say is – good luck.

The first thing that you might find challenging is not smiling. If you’re a little lost and want to ask for directions, the last thing you should do is smile to the locals you are approaching. Russians consider smiling rude because they feel like you are smiling at them - like maybe they look funny or something. This can prove to be a challenge, especially since you’ll be on your own. Imagine spending days or even weeks without being able to smile with the people around you.

16 16. Best - British Virgin Islands

Via EltomaCorporateServices

The British Virgin Islands are a perfect getaway if you’re looking for a relaxed time away from everything back home. Although they were recently rocked by Hurricane Irma in September 2017, the beaches still remain a simply picturesque place, perfect for some downtime, which is why we highly recommend it for any girl traveling solo. If this is also your first time traveling on your own, you’ll want your first time to be with the British Virgin Islands. Perhaps one of the most serene places is by the island Virgin Gorda, which is ideal for swimmers, rock walkers, snorkelers and wildlife enthusiasts.

15 15. Reconsider - Saudi Arabia

Via MiddleEastInstitute

Travel Tips from USAToday highlights that as a woman, traveling alone to Saudi Arabia is simply something you should really think long and hard about. They don’t want to be blunt about it but we’ll go ahead and say – for this one, we advise you to reconsider. “Women traveling alone are not allowed to enter the country unless they will be met at the airport by a husband, a sponsor or male relative”. It is of course, important to respect the cultures and customs of the countries we visit but this one is going to be a lot difficult, especially since these tough rules of touring the country are mostly aimed at women. According to Khaleej Times, women above 25 are allowed to travel alone should they wish to.

14 14. Best - Iceland

Via Tours4fun

If you’re looking for an epic road trip in a foreign land then we’re almost certain that you’ll enjoy one in Iceland. The country has so much to offer, including breathtaking waterfalls, unmatched landscape, and amazing volcanoes to marvel over. It is also well known for many myths and legends, so you’ll be constantly entertained by all the stories that surround the different places of the country. As a 21st century woman who loves to take a good selfie, you’ll love and be mesmerized by the beauty of the country and all the photo ops you can get for your Instagram account.

13 13. Reconsider - Somalia

Via OneStepForward

Okay, so maybe this one may not be high up on many people’s travel bucket lists but we thought we should include it, just in case you were curious of whether or not you should consider a trip there. This East African country has certainly been through a lot over the past few decades and unfortunately, taking a trip there may prove as a challenge, especially for a woman. Firstly, you’ll need a sponsor and invitation to the country to visit and then after that, when out and about in the streets, you can’t socialize with men because women are prohibited to socialize with men in public. You'll basically be restricted regarding who you can and cannot socialize with and that's difficult because we all know that soaking up as much from everyone around you is amazing when travelling.

12 12. Best - Nairobi, Kenya

Via HiConsumption

Okay, so Somalia may not be the best place to visit in East Africa but Kenya could possibly be. The great part about Africa is the fact that there are over 50 countries, all with their own cultures, languages and interesting places to explore. In terms of having an “African” experience while on your solo trip, then Kenya should definitely be high up on your list of countries to visit. If you’re looking for a wildlife experience like no other, then perhaps staying at the Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya will be best for you. You’ll get to enjoy breakfast or lunch while surrounded by these gorgeous animals.

11 11. Reconsider - Bhutan

Via LifetoReset

Hidden in South Asia is a country filled with lots of cultures, traditions, and unique landscape. Bhutan is a special country and people who are keen on exploring countries that are less traveled find themselves trying to get a plane ticket to the country but before you spend your hard earned money, consider the fact that the country really isn’t crazy about tourists in general. Yep, you read right.

The Independent UK highlights that “the decision has been made to highly regulate it to preserve the country’s unspoiled landscape and unique culture. The kingdom on the edge of the Himalayas has a policy of ‘high value, low impact tourism’”. While we can certainly appreciate the fact that they are trying to preserve the country, who wants to travel to a place that is not crazy about having them there?

10 10. Best - Palawan, Philippines

Via AntholaPte

Okay, so the Philippines may not come as a surprise on this list and if you’re adamant about being brave and going solo on your journey across the different lands of the earth, then you certainly must add this stop onto your itinerary.

The Philippines have long been praised for having friendly people, who are great to foreigners and love interacting with them. It is supposedly a part of their culture. Taking a trip to Palawan, Philippines will, therefore, be a no-brainer as you will not only have the opportunity to marvel over the beautiful beaches and waters, but you’ll also be treated great by the locals, unlike with the previously mentioned countries that don’t like strangers.

9 9. Reconsider - Barcelona, Spain

Via DiscoverWalks

While the previously mentioned Philippines may not come as a surprise as a great place for a solo female traveler to visit, we are almost certain that you are surprised at the fact that we’ve decided to list Barcelona, Spain as a place you should reconsider for your travels. Why? Well, simply put - it appears that the people in Barcelona are “over” tourists. In 2015, Ada Colau, Mayor to the city, let us know how they really feel about tourists. “We don’t want the city to become a cheap souvenir shop”. The mayor has since done a lot to try and curb the influx of tourists to the city, including proposing new tourist taxes and also limiting the number of tourists allowed to enter. Who want's to go where they are not welcomed?

8 8. Best - South Island, New Zealand

Via InAFarAwayLand

Okay, so ladies, this country may already be on your bucket list, not only because it has amazing landscapes throughout, but this is where they shot Lord of The Rings! Imagine being able to walk the paths of our favorite Hobbit and his friends. A trip to the beautiful country of New Zealand should definitely be on your radar if you’re interested in solo traveling because there is so much to do in the country. You can hike the glaciers on Fox and Franz Josef, you can have fun white-water rafting or skydiving, and you can also enjoy learning more about the Maori culture, who are the indigenous people of New Zealand. There is so much to do in this beautiful place and the great part is that you can do it all on your own.

7 7. Reconsider - Sudan

Via CNN

Sudan is an interesting addition to the list of countries to reconsider traveling to when you’re a solo female traveler. This North African country offers many spectacular deserts to explore and who wouldn’t want to ride a camel in the middle of a hot summer’s day in Africa? Before you get overexcited though, you may need to wait a long time to make that happen – a very long time. The Sudanese Visa is a pain to get. You’ll need to acquire a letter of invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sudan, which can take around 30 business days to get. This special letter needs to come from a travel agent from the country, and the agents are well known for taking their time when dealing with people’s visas. This process, therefore, takes a while and we don’t know about you, but in this fast-paced life we live, we don’t have time for that.

6 6. Best - Cambodia

Via GeckosAdventures

There is a reason why people who have traveled to Cambodia keep returning, again and again. There is something special about the rich culture and history of the country and of course, the spectacular landscapes and friendly people. If you’re considering to travel solo soon and are putting together a list of places, then surely this country should be in your top 5, if not, then certainly top 10. Why? Well, the friendly tuk-tuk drivers, the remote islands, the wonderful wildlife, the mountains, the art, and definitely so much more. This country will have you mesmerized by all its beauty and you’ll simply forget that you’re on your own.

5 5. Reconsider - Angola

Via TheNerveAfrica

Angola is yet another African country that is beautiful and interesting to explore so it is understandable for you to have heard of it and be considering adding it onto your itinerary but before you do so, you’ll have to go through a whole lot of paperwork and your hard earned money, just to go there. Even before getting your Visa, you’ll need to take out money for an application fee to the country, you’ll need to take more money out for your invitation fee, and you’ll also have to have booked your hotel and flights in advance. It is not really a great country for a spontaneous “I’ll see where the road leads me” kind of a person.

4 4. Best - Southern Thailand

Via GAdventrures

A tropical getaway in Asia is simply incomplete without visiting Thailand. South Thailand may just be the perfect place for you as it has so much to offer the young and adventure-seeking woman you are. Phuket is a huge tourist attraction in this region and there is no wonder why. This is where you’ll definitely meet plenty of other tourists and locals and have the opportunity to mingle with them so you’ll never feel alone. The Khao Sok National Park is also a great addition to your trip here as you’ll see the wildlife in the area while getting epic photos for your gram.

3 3. Reconsider - Venezuela

Via GoldVoice

It’s a pity this beautiful South American country is on our “reconsider” list but hey, we need to keep it real with you ladies. Due to safety reasons, a trip there needs to be planned well in advance. For instance, you’ll need to book your accommodation at least 3 days in advance. This means that you can’t really improvise. As any traveler will tell you – You never really know what you’re going to get until you arrive at your destination. You may get there and discover a special gem in the hidden part of a small town or city and would like to stay there for the rest of your duration but because you’ve already paid for your accommodation before even arriving in the country, you can’t.

2 2. Best - Lombok And Gili Islands, Indonesia

Via Shuhada Holidays

The Gili Islands top our list of best places to travel to when going on a solo female traveling adventure and there is no wonder why. The untouched beauty of the islands is perhaps the most appreciated aspect of them. The water is so clear and blue that they may have been the inspiration behind many of our beloved postcards. Besides the fact that the islands offer the usual water sports activities that one expects to find here, the Gili Islands of Indonesia will offer you a peaceful place to recharge with serene landscapes as your backdrops. You will definitely not need any companion here. It will just be you and Mother Nature…and sometimes that's all you need.

1 1. Reconsider - Stockholm, Sweden

Via SwedenSe

Number 1 on our list of places to reconsider is Stockholm, Sweden. You may already know the reason why – this place is pretty expensive ladies and if you’re traveling on your own, it may be a pain to get around without any financial assistance. Stockholm has long been regarded as one of the most expensive cities in the world. The frustrating part is that even the regular stuff like food, accommodation, and beer are at higher prices, compared to other European countries.

Traveling on your own is simply a must-do for any millennial woman, at least once in your life. We hope that this list has provided clarity and much help to you as you now are more clued-up about the best places to have your solo adventure.

References: The Age, USAToday, The Independent UK