If you’re feeling empowered this International Women’s Day, then seize the day and start planning your dream solo holiday adventure.

This guide for women travelling alone details some of the best luxury destinations for females looking to escape the everyday and embrace moments of pure exhilaration and delight. With each place booming with vibrant nightlife and a diverse food scene, you’ll be in complete heaven. Sandy beaches, tropical forests, global cities and quaint coastal towns all await. You can stay in luxury while you explore these divine destinations, meeting other travellers, engaging with friendly locals and immersing yourself in ancient and enriching cultures. While we know it can be daunting to go anywhere alone as a woman, we hope this guide encourages you to explore the wonders the world has to offer.

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Thailand

If you're looking to jet off to Asia as a female solo traveller, Thailand should be the first destination you visit. Thailand is exceptionally easy to navigate, with outstanding transportation, including sleeper trains that offer women-only carriages, and a variety of high-class, luxury hotels. With so many places to visit in one destination, you can spend your days exploring every inch of one area or opt for a multicentre holiday to discover two or more locations. Sample the delicious local cuisine at the Patong night markets in Phuket, where you can also shop for traditional souvenirs. Interact with the majestic Asian elephants in the ethical sanctuaries in Krabi or stay in the stunning city of Bangkok and take a tour of ornamental palaces and sacred Buddhist temples. If you’re looking to spend your days in peace and quiet, the serene shores of Khao Lak offer a wonderful alternative to other more touristic rural areas. Spa treatments are available across the country, with many being extremely budget-friendly. Boat trips make it easy for solo female travellers to island hop to places like Phi Phi, meaning you can experience everything Thailand has on offer.

Dubai

Regarded as being among the safest cities in the world, Dubai is a place that aims to ensure women travelling by themselves can feel at ease in its bustling metropolis. Public transport is exceptional here, with many of the metro carriages featuring a section exclusively for women and children and lots of the taxi companies employing female drivers so you feel more comfortable. Women are invited to let loose on holiday in Dubai, with a number of Ladies' Nights throughout the city offering unmissable deals on food and beverages. Have a blast at one of the many water and theme parks, and if you want a day at the beach, there are a myriad of hotspots where you can soak up the sun, like Al Mamzar Beach and Kite Beach. Dubai is also bursting with luxury hotels that provide out-of-this-world bliss, with spas, swimming pools and fitness facilities available to truly rejuvenate you. For those looking to shop till you drop, Dubai is heaven on earth, with places such as Dubai Mall to discover, filled with designer and high-street brands for you to peruse. Alternatively, you can embark on a leisurely dhow cruise down Deira Creek, explore the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, or take in world-famous sights including the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab. A trip into the desert is also a must, with activities such as sandboarding, dune safari rides and much more to enjoy.

Japan

Japan is another ideal destination for women travelling alone. With being by yourself and eating alone normalised in Japanese society, you won’t feel isolated when you explore solo – many restaurants have bar seating for guests to sit in the company of others while they eat! Feel safe when travelling on the subway as Japan also provides female-only carriages for extra peace of mind. With some of the hotspots to visit being Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, you’ll discover a varying landscape, rich culture and unrivalled wonders. Treat yourself to a traditional tea ceremony, where you’ll also be enchanted by a Geisha dance performance. Feel awed by the numerous monasteries, temples and shrines that decorate Japan’s skylines, such as the famous Floating Gate of Itsukushima on Miyajima Island. Fully immerse yourself into Japanese culture and visit an Onsen. These hot springs are naturally occurring and offer a range of benefits. Be warned, the rules are strict here, with bathers having to undress completely. The pools are segregated into men and women, however, and most are filled with a milky-coloured water to preserve your dignity. Hike through a bamboo forest, a free attraction that is home to much of Japan’s wildlife. If you’re visiting in springtime, you may be lucky enough to see the cherry blossoms in bloom. You can stroll under the pale pink petals and wow your friends and family with sensational photographs.

Caribbean

Friendly and welcoming locals make the Caribbean a dream destination for solo female travellers. Ladies can indulge in the tropical tipple of choice, rum, and expect good food and exhilarating music during their visit. Aruba is regarded as one of the safest Caribbean islands. Known for an amazing nightlife, you can dance the night away in paradise. For sun-soaked days of relaxation, Eagle Beach and Catalina Cove are the must-see places, with the latter being home to turtles who use the shore during their nesting season. Grenada is famous for its picturesque waterfalls, like the Seven Sisters and Black Rock Waterfall, that are hidden in lush forests. Adorn some diving gear and discover the thriving coral reefs that are home to an assortment of fascinating tropical marine creatures. For a slightly different experience, St Kitts is home to volcanic black-sand beaches, like Dieppe Bay, that border the active volcano, Mount Liamuiga. Embark on a Sky Safari, where you’ll soar above the island on a zipline, reaching up to 80 kmph. Take in the sights of Antigua when you hike up Signal Hill or stop for photos at Shirley Heights. This historical island provides oodles of culture and heritage as well as unparalleled opportunities, like swimming with rays at Stingray City.

Maldives

The paradise islands of the Maldives promise tranquillity and privacy for all visitors, which is why they are favourite destinations of women travelling alone. Serenity awaits when you stay in one of the luxury overwater villas that this archipelago is famous for, with postcard-like views of the Indian Ocean and aquamarine lagoons. All villas come with a private deck for sunbathing in peace and direct access to the ocean for quick dips whenever you feel like it. Most resorts provide diving equipment for free as a part of your all-inclusive package, unveiling an underwater paradise that is thriving with marine life. The Baa Atoll is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve teeming with turtle, whale sharks and manta rays, while the North Malé Atoll has what is commonly referred to as the “Rainbow Reef”, featuring brightly coloured corals. White tip reef sharks, barracudas and eagle rays are among the other spectacular aquatic delights to look out for while exploring the crystal-clear waters of the Maldives.