Travelling Solo with Small Groups
Travelling solo doesn't have to mean travelling alone.
When you join an organised group as a solo traveller you can have authentic adventures while being taken care of every step of the way. It's a great way to take the pressure off organising your own trip as well as an opportunity to meet like-minded travellers and make new friends.
Here are just some of the reasons you should consider joining a small group as a solo traveller.
Everything is Organised
One of the biggest barriers to any trip is actually organising it, and if you're travelling solo then you have to take on all the planning by yourself. Joining a small group can be an easy way to take the stress out of planning your trip.
The best companies will make sure that from the moment you arrive, everything is organised for you. You can focus on the new environment and people around you, knowing that everything else is taken care of.
This is particularly important if you're looking for something more adventurous like the Via Transilvanica, where even the small details count - like weather patterns and local knowledge of the terrain. Being part of a small group, supported by a guide, allows those travelling solo to relax and experience a place in the comfort of a local expert.
Meet Like-Minded Travellers
As we've already mentioned, travelling solo has the potential to be lonely, but this is rarely what people seek when they set off on their travels. In fact, most of the solo travellers we come across are looking for opportunities to engage with new people in new environments.
By joining a small group, you're likely to find that most guests have similar interests and quickly form a lifelong bond through their shared experiences. We have hosted many solo travellers who have become firm friends in just five or six days.
Safety and Security
Solo travellers can sometimes feel nervous about the safety of travelling alone - a particular concern for women travelling solo.
Travelling with a group means you’ll be looked after every step of the way by local guides and hosts who know the area, and alternatives should plans change. They know where to go and whom to trust, and can advise on important cultural differences you might need to be aware of.
This is particularly useful if you're looking to travel in more remote areas, away from the traditional tourist traps.
Authentic Experiences
Solo travellers seek authentic experiences away from the crowds. And when you travel with expert, local guides, they will know the region inside out, especially those hidden gems that we all dream of uncovering on our travels.
A small group lends itself to intimate experiences not available to the masses; think dinner in a local dining room, swimming in secluded spots or a performance by a local band. The sort of thing that only a local can get you access to.
Local Guides
It depends on who you travel with, but the best guides will have a range of interests from history to ecology, literature and culture that they are passionate about and want to share. Not only can they get you from A to Z, but they can also teach you so much about a region that solo travellers can rarely discover by themselves.
And in the case of a Slow Cyclist journey, our guides are also e-bike experts and first aid trained, on hand to help with bike repairs and generally make sure you're in the best of hands.
If you'd like to join a small group and discover lesser-known parts of the world on two wheels, discover our destinations or learn more about travelling solo with The Slow Cyclist.
