Solo Travel: 4 Ways

February 20, 2025

The freedom to do anything you want, whenever you want? No wonder solo travel is on the rise! Here, a few of our favorite places to visit for unfettered me-time.

For the Mountain Lover: Banff, Canada
Why Go: You can easily spend your whole time in the blissful solitude of nature—hiking the Canadian Rockies peaks, kayaking in turquoise lakes, and soaking in natural hot springs—the birds and maybe a beaver or two as your only companions. If (and when) you’re ready for human interaction, pull up a stool at a downtown brewery, where your neighbor will be happy to share local lore. 
 
Where to Stay: With stately towers and steep roofs rising from the forest, Fairmont Banff Springs looks like something right out of a fairytale. Opened in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, it was one of Canada’s first grand railway hotels. Today, the landmark hotel features nearly 800 rooms, a dozen bars and restaurants, and a sublime spa.

What to Eat & Drink: Start your day at Coyotes—the best breakfast according to locals—where the granola is house-made and the Canadian back bacon is not to be missed. The Sky Bistro is known for its “farm-to-summit” dishes like foraged mushroom toast and hearty bison stew, while Banff Ave Brewing Co. is a cozy gastropub with craft beers and a famous Poutine.

Don’t Miss: An evening wildlife safari in Banff National Park. Yes, you’ll be with a small group of others, but it’s worth it to take in the sunset as you spot bears, deer, elk, and moose.

For the Beach Comber: Turks and Caicos

Why Go: With calm crystalline waters, powdery white sand, and an easy-peasy flight (less than two hours from Miami), a better question would be, why not go? This cluster of nine islands and dozens of cays is a scuba diver’s and snorkeler's dream, but it’s also a picture-perfect place to dig your toes into the sand with a rum punch in hand. Bonus points for the wide-open, rarely crowded beaches.

Where to Stay: Wyamara Resorts + Villas is a modern luxury boutique resort on the famous Grace Bay Beach—a coveted spot for its long stretch of white sand (one of the island’s largest). There are three on-site restaurants (Pink Bar has daily live music), and a world-class wellness program. Take an al fresco power yoga class, then bliss out in the spa with a rose quartz crystal massage.

What to Eat & Drink: Cocovan is an easy, fun, and delicious spot, where fish tacos, spicy falafel bowls, and curry fries are served from a retro Airstream trailer. Coco Bistro is a perennial favorite for its local dishes served under a starlit sky (try the “Conch 2 Ways”), while Marine Room is a newer restaurant that’s becoming a destination for its swordfish crudo, Wagyu ribeye, mango passionfruit mousse cake, and elderflower- and pear-infused martinis.

Don’t Miss: Horseback riding on the beach at sunset and, if you’re feeling intrepid, take a kitesurfing lesson. These islands are known to have some of the best conditions for the sport with just-right winds and typically calm waters. 


For the City Slicker: Tokyo, Japan

Why Go: Safe, buzzy, and endlessly fascinating, Tokyo might be the best city on earth to get lost in. Wander through the ancient Asakusa district, dive deep into Akihabara’s anime and manga shops, unwind in a healing onsen hotspring, and try some of the best ramen of your life in hidden alley shops. Locals are warm and welcoming, always happy to help travelers—even with a language barrier!

Where to Stay: Set high on the top floors of the Otemachi Tower, Aman Tokyo looks over the city skyline all the way to Mount Fuji. It’s one of the city’s most exclusive hotels with impeccable ryokan-style rooms, the largest sky-lofted spa in Tokyo, and four incredible restaurants (reserve a spot at Mushashi’s eight-seat omakase sushi counter). Solo travelers should consider the three-night Misogi Retreat featuring yoga, a spirit cleansing Ogoma ritual, and Japanese mindfulness techniques.

What to Eat & Drink: The abundance of street foods makes solo dining unintimidating, while the Tonkotsu ramen chain Ichiran had the genius idea to create one-person dining booths. Duck into a craft sake bar and watch a sommelier at work—Utsura Utsura in the Shibuya district is a favorite.

Don’t Miss: The vibrant Nippori Textile Town, a district full of Japanese charm—and dozens of shops devoted to local textiles. And away from the city’s bustling center, Gotokuji Temple is adorned with hundreds of cat figurines believed to bring good fortune. Lastly, don’t leave without having at least one (preferably several) matcha soft serves.


For the Desert Seeker: Moab and Canyon Point, Utah

Why Go: Nowhere else in the U.S. can take you away from the hustle of city life quite like the Utah desert. Spend your days hiking amid the unworldly red-rock formations of national parks, and your nights stargazing from some of the best glamping spots in the country. The famed Moab Giants museum is a kitschy off-day outing, replete with 100 life-size replicas of the dinosaurs that used to roam the area.
Where to Stay: Experience upscale, safari-inspired living at the Under Canvas properties in Moab and Zion. The custom-designed tents are decked out with a king-sized bed, wood-burning stove or fireplace, and chic furnishings. If you’re looking for an ultra-luxe stay, check into one of Aman Group’s properties. Framing the dunes and ridges in Canyon Point, Amangiri features 34 modernist suites in a heavenly locale, while Camp Sarika at Amangiri comprises just 10 tented pavilions, each with a private plunge pool and serious privacy.

What to Eat & Drink: In Moab, Doughbird feels like a mirage of hipsterism with its subway tile design and fried chicken and donuts menu, while Spitfire is a great spot for BBQ on a fun and lively patio. Meanwhile, the Amangiri Resort Restaurant is surreal in every way, from the sustainable, seasonal menu to the impeccable space and service. PS: Don’t sleep on the nightly s’mores at Under Canvas.

Don’t Miss: Roadtripping to the stunning Upper Antelope Canyon in Northern Arizona. Located on a Navajo Reservation, the area is famous for its winding canyon corridors, massive sandstone rooms, and the way the light cascades through it all. Amangiri offers a private excursion, led by a Navajo guide, that brings you through this canyon, as well as Rattlesnake and Owl Canyons.

Sailing into Retirement

October 6, 2025
On the eve of her retirement party, Patty Jefferis, founder of WhirlAway Travel, is reflecting on her most recent adventure: a voyage through the Eastern Mediterranean with Tauck. After spending the past 40 years curating journeys for clients, this adventure was all her own. Aboard Le Bougainville , a sleek Ponant yacht chartered exclusively by Tauck, she explored Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, and Malta. Read on for all her dreamy moments.

Cheers to You!

October 3, 2025
Forty incredible years, 110 inspiring guests, one newly christened retiree, and countless magical moments. Such was the scene at WhirlAway Travel’s sparkling party at Radnor Hunt in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Suppliers, clients, friends, and family gathered with the WhirlAway team for cocktails, dinner, and a live auction. Up for bid was a pair of coveted cruises donated by AmaWaterways and Explora Journeys, raising $16,000 for the Travel Elevates foundation. The unforgettable evening ended with toasts to WhirlAway’s founder Patty Jefferis as she embarks on her next great adventure of retirement. “It was a celebration filled with heartfelt stories, inspiration, and gratitude for a true trailblazer,” said Jody Rollins, a longtime friend and client of WhirlAway. “Patty is a true legacy of leadership, innovation, and connection.”

A Summer to Remember

September 18, 2025
“What did you do for summer vacation?” With back-to-school and back-to-business in full swing, this seems to be a favorite conversation starter in September. In celebration of our clients’ favorite trips (and there were many!), we’ve created a highlight reel so you can begin dreaming and planning your ultimate 2026 summer vacation.

A Grand (Slam) Time!

September 12, 2025
Grand Slam tournaments are the crown jewels of tennis—and notoriously elusive to access. Tickets disappear instantly, VIP passes are closely guarded, and logistics can be overwhelming. That’s where WhirlAway comes in—with guaranteed seats, exclusive perks, and insider access to the world’s most prestigious matches.

Beyond the Fairway: The World’s Most Unforgettable Golf Journeys

August 20, 2025
Golf, in its purest form, is about more than a scorecard. It’s about the stories the game collects: the putt sunk against a backdrop of crashing waves, a winning moment that lingers long after sunset, the shared adventure that bonds a group for life. For WhirlAway Travel, these moments are the very heart of curated golf vacations. As a Luxury Travel Advisor, Alison Warner specializes in golf vacations. Here, she shares five reasons why you should start planning your next golf escape.

Why You Should Take a Mother-Son Trip to Utah

August 12, 2025
Over six packed days, they went fly fishing, biked mountain trails, raced UTVs, and rappelled through canyons—all at Zayne’s direction. He planned the itinerary (nonstop action), curated the meals (burgers and sushi, please), and even selected their rental car: a white Ford Mustang. They spent the first four nights in the luxe comfort of Montage Deer Valley, then roadtripped to Zion and glamped for two nights at Under Canvas Zion. Here, Jamie and Zayne share their favorite moments, their biggest laughs, and why mother-son travel just might be the ultimate bonding experience.

Top 5 Safari Do’s & Don’ts

July 17, 2025
1. Do listen to your guide. Your safari guide is basically a wilderness wizard. If they say “stay in the vehicle,” this is not the time for a TikTok dance in front of a lion. Guides have years of training, they know the behavior of animals intimately, and they know how to reverse a Land Rover faster than you can say, “Is that a leopard?” >>Don’t run. Ever. You are not faster than a lion. You are not faster than a zebra. Honestly, you are probably not even faster than a warthog. Running triggers a predator response. Translation: You could go from tourist with binoculars to buffet item in three seconds flat. This is a hard no.

We're Just Back From: South Africa

July 11, 2025
Everyone talks about going on safari. But not everyone tells you how it feels—to experience a languid afternoon with winemakers who forgo the norm, to watch a lioness cradle her cub across the plains, to luxuriate in a Versace-drenched suite in the Winelands where the bathtub rivals the size of a Manhattan studio. WhirlAway’s Stacey Blum (whose job is to vet the best of the best) recently spent two weeks on an indelible journey through South Africa with Abercrombie & Kent. She discovered a symphony of wow factors—equal parts city, bush, and bliss. These five moments rose to the top as her most exclusive, most unexpected, and most unforgettable.

Just Back From: Turkey

June 12, 2025
A land where empires rose and fell, Turkey is capturing the attention of the world’s most discerning travelers. What to expect? Quiet luxury, epicurean surprises, and indelible landscapes that stretch from the Aegean coast to Cappadocia's sculpted valleys. Michelin stars are landing in Istanbul, new yacht marinas sparkle along the Turquoise Coast, and restored Ottoman mansions offer world-class hospitality with a sense of place. Offering authenticity without sacrificing elegance, Turkey delivers both. Now is the moment to go—after just returning from her recent trip, WhirlAway Travel Luxury Advisor Anna Dunleavy lists 10 reasons to say YES to this enchanting country.

5 Unexpected & Unforgettable Experiences in Italy

May 29, 2025
1. A VIP visit to the Colonna Palace in Rome “It was completely closed to the public when we visited. They rarely do this level of private tour so it was truly a unique experience that no one can just click and book. It was extraordinary—we were literally invited into the home of Prince Prospero Colonna. We walked through room after room after room and not only got an art history lesson, but also learned about the history of the family. It was mind blowing, magical, and profoundly moving being surrounded by priceless works of art and Baroque masterpieces, exploring opulent galleries and salons, serene gardens, and discovering the Colonna family’s legacy—and having it all to ourselves! I don’t know a lot about art and our guide was able to speak to my level and also to someone who was a major art lover. It ended up being a bucket-list experience for me.”