Where (and how) to travel solo in Europe

Where to travel solo in Europe?

Choosing a destination really depends on your preferences. While there are certainly places that are easier than others to travel around, sometimes pushing yourself out of your comfort zone makes the trip that bit more rewarding.

When it comes to Titan holidays, we have more than 40 escorted tours to Europe on our books. They range from Icelandic adventures to mellow Mediterranean holidays, so we'd like to think there's something to suit all travel tastes. Below are a few of our favourite destinations for a Europe trip - and why we love them for solo travel.

Go laid-back in Lake Orta, Italy

• See the sights in Aosta, Stresa and Switzerland

• Unwind by the pool

• Fill up on as much Italian food and wine as you like

Our solo holidays to Italy’s Lake Orta offer the perfect mix of relaxation and sightseeing. We base ourselves in the lovely little town of Pettenasco, right on the lake’s shore. Excursions take you to the pastel-hued town of Orta San Giulio (and the little island that sits just in front of it), the Roman mountain town of Aosta and elegant Stresa, on nearby Lake Maggiore. There’s also a full day trip into Switzerland, where you’ll take in views of the Matterhorn and Gorner Glacier on a series of scenic rail journeys.

You’ll also have two days at leisure to take it easy and enjoy your surroundings. Read a book in the hotel gardens, relax by the pool, wander along the lakeside path or perhaps venture up into the wooded hills to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sacro Monte di Orta.

Enjoy island-hopping in Greece

• Explore three very different islands in one trip

• Discover the rich history of the Dodecanese

• Take time to relax on the beach

Greek island hopping is a wonderful holiday experience, but working out logistics, timetables, transfers and tickets can be a bit of a headache. On our Greek island tours, we’ve done the hard work for you, designing a fantastic itinerary across three very different Dodecanese islands.

You’ll start in Rhodes, with a tour of Rhodes Town’s medieval sights and Lindos’s maze of whitewashed streets. After a chilled-out free day, we’ll catch a catamaran over to Symi, where a jumble of colourful neo-classical buildings welcomes us. A private boat around the island showcases Symi’s jagged coastline and unspoilt bays, and a day at leisure gives you a chance to enjoy a long beachside lunch or perhaps follow the old pathway from our hotel to Gialos, the island’s capital.

Next up is Leros. If you’re looking for remote Greek island holidays, we reckon you’ll love Leros. It flies under the radar in terms of tourism, but has plenty to offer – our tour of Leros reveals a Byzantine castle, a Franco-Byzantine fort and a picture-perfect harbour town complete with traditional windmill. Our holiday ends back in Rhodes, with a couple of days at leisure to relax and reflect on your Greek island adventure with new friends.

Admire the beauty of the Swiss Alps

• Ride some of the world's most spectacular rail routes

• Included travel pass lets you explore further by bus, train and cable car

• Indulge in Swiss chocolate

Fresh air, glorious mountain scenery and some of the best walking in the world (with plenty of cheese and chocolate on hand for sustenance). Welcome to Switzerland, the perfect holiday spot for hikers, photographers and lovers of the great outdoors.

Our solo Switzerland holidays show you the country’s spectacular landscapes from the comfort of its world-famous scenic railways. We base ourselves in Davos, a ski resort that’s a haven for outdoor activities in the summer months (think hiking, biking, and swimming and sailing on lovely Lake Davos). We’ll take trips on the Bernina Express and Glacier Express, cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Constance, and enjoy free time so you can make the most of your mountain surroundings.

Travel back in time in Turkey

• Try traditional dishes and proper Turkish coffee

• Roam through colourful, chaotic bazaars

• Finish off your trip with time by the beach

Turkey is an absolutely fascinating country to explore, but the language barrier, cultural differences and sometimes confusing public transport system can make it challenging for solo travellers. Our Magnificent Turkey Tour is led by an expert tour manager, so you’ll have someone on hand throughout to show you where to go or help with any independent sightseeing you want to do.

We begin in Istanbul, where we'll tour Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and sample thick Turkish coffee in the Grand Bazaar. Sweeping southwards, we'll visit the battlefields of Gallipoli, explore Greek theatres, Roman baths and ancient stadia, and learn to prepare traditional dishes. An optional beach stay makes a great end to the trip.

What's the best way to travel solo in Europe?

Of course, we're a little biased, but we truly believe that an escorted tour is one of the best holidays for solo travellers. Travelling alone can be hugely rewarding, but also daunting. An escorted tour, where you'll be with other like-minded travellers (and have a knowledgeable tour manager on hand), offers a great middle ground.

Our tours are all suitable as single traveller holidays, but a selection of them do have dedicated solo travel departures as well, where everyone on the trip will be travelling on their own. Each one has been carefully planned, with hotels, transfers and excursions all taken care of.

And what’s great about our tours for solo travellers is that you get the best of both worlds: you’ve got the ease and peace of mind that an escorted holiday offers, but you’ll have time to do your own thing, too. Explore more or relax at the hotel. Go for a coffee or potter around the shops. Spend time on your own or meet up with others in the group. It’s completely up to you.

For more information about our escorted tours for single travellers, order our free solo travel brochure or contact our travel advisors. You’ll also find more inspiration for solo holiday destinations on our website.