Go Your Own Way

Mind & Body

Go Your Own Way

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Group vacays have their place, but there’s truly no better opportunity to get to know who you are than travelin g by yourself. We know—on-your-own jaunts can seem daunting and exhilarating at the same time. But if you take the leap and book the trip, you won’t regret it. A University of Florida study found that women who travel alone find the experience actually liberating, and not at all scary. Discover three of our favorite destinations. YOLO, solo!

Decompress on the beach: Key West, Fla.
SOLO APPEAL: Put your phone on airplane mode. Ah, that’s better. You’ll be able to chill by the waves for as long (or as little) as you like, without worrying about anyone else’s schedule.
WHAT TO DO: This laid-back locale has plenty of activities when you’ve gotten your fill of the sand. To switch it up, take a glass-bottom boat ride and marvel at the coral reefs or rent a bike to circumnavigate the island (it’s only 9.5 miles).
WHERE TO STAY: The Gardens Hotel, a former estate, is eco-friendly and centrally located smack in the middle of lush gardens. Sip coffee while gazing at beautiful foliage, then explore the on-site aviary—home to parrots. (Rooms from $165, gardenshotel.com)
WHERE TO EAT: Blue Heaven specializes in vegetarian dishes and Caribbean cuisine (remember, you’re only 90 miles from Cuba). Dine alfresco, surrounded by fruit trees—a perfectly good substitute for a tablemate. A friendly small beach town like Key West is also an ideal spot to dine with residents, points out Lisa Lubin, a frequent solo traveler who blogs about her jaunts at LLworldtour.com. “Check out mealsharing.com, where you can schedule a home-cooked dinner with a local,” she suggests.
HOW TO GET THERE: Major carriers fly to Miami International Airport. From there, you can take the scenic three-and-a-half-hour drive south or hop a connecting flight to Key West proper.

Start putting yourself first: Ludlow, Vt.
SOLO APPEAL: You’ll never feel alone at the scenic Green Mountain at Fox Run resort—a wellness retreat where 95 percent of all guests are solo travelers, and there are no guys allowed. Surrounded by forest (and friendly fellow attendees), you’ll find the kind of sanctuary where you can pursue a plan to prioritize your own well-being.
WHAT TO DO: Green Mountain provides plenty of scheduled programming like nature hikes, Pilates, Zumba, meditation, spa treatments, stress-management classes, snowshoeing and kayaking (weather depending, of course). And if you want to go beyond the resort, the charming village of Woodstock is a pretty half-hour drive away with lots of quaint shops—perfect for picking up souvenirs.
WHERE TO STAY: Sprawling Green Mountain has single, double and triple accommodations, so if you’re looking to save money, you can bunk with up to t wo other program participants. The resort staff will match you with roommates. (From $2,599 for an all-inclusive six-night stay, fitwoman.com)
WHERE TO EAT: Three healthy meals a day are included with your stay, and the resort even offers cooking demos and classes on mindful eating.
HOW TO GET THERE: Major carriers fly into Burlington, Vt.; Albany, N.Y.; or Hartford, Conn. From there, Green Mountain is a scenic two-hour drive away.

Conquer the slopes: Park City, Utah
SOLO APPEAL: Traveling alone is often most satisfying when you can immerse yourself fully in a pastime or sport, so think of a ski trip as an exercise in improving your focus. Who has time to think about work stress when you’re speeding down a black-diamond trail, or even riding a ski lift and marveling at the majestic mountains?
WHAT TO DO: Of course, downhill skiing is activity No. 1 in the area, which has 28,000 acres of skiable slopes. But snowboarding, hiking, skating and cross-country skiing are all exhilarating. And on your own you can push your limits, whether it’s trying a more challenging slope or hiking just a little bit higher, without waiting for a more timid friend. Ski patrol is out 24/7, but respect the mountain, advises Amy Kersey, communications manager of the Park City Chamber Bureau. “Bring along a trail map, and be mindful of trail markers,” she says. If you’d rather not head out alone, Kersey notes that several area resorts offer complimentary group ski tours.
WHERE TO STAY: The budget-friendly Yarrow Resort Hotel is conveniently located on the free local bus route, which takes you nearly everywhere you’ll want to go—goodbye, rental car and parking hassles. (Rooms from $90, yarrowhotelparkcity.com)
WHERE TO EAT: Want to meet fellow travelers? Kersey recommends signing up for the Park City Food Tours, a two-to-three-hour gastro blitz serving up small bites at four restaurants. You’ll sample local fare and bond over fresh, delicious food. (Sign up at parkcityfoodtours.com.)
HOW TO GET THERE: Major carriers fly to Salt Lake City International Airport, and you can take a shuttle bus to continue on to the Yarrow.

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