The roads bustled with life, cars passing, people chattering, and music playing. I found myself alone in a new city, for the first time. As I was following Google Maps through Lisbon, Portugal, I spotted a sign above a shop that said, “Good Morning Solo Traveller.” I was rather confused but decided to enter through a door at the back which opened to a staircase. Little did I know that just a few stairs above was a quiet haven for solo travellers. 

I spent the following three days going out with new friends I’d met on a bar crawl and at family dinners, spotting dolphins on a boat tour, strolling around the city’s charming streets, and tasting traditional pasteis de nata.

‍

‍

Airbnb’s spring travel trend report reveals that solo travel continues to trend, however, individuals are “specifically focused on soft travel - or slower paced trips that prioritize leisure and wellbeing”. I’ve coined the term ‘Slowlo’ – a blend of slow and solo travel, where the pressure of ticking off the tourist hotspots is removed. According to Hilton’s trends report for 2025, it’s now not just about travelling alone, but building “connections with others and their surroundings during their stay”. It’s a more sustainable way of travelling too - as you contribute more to local economies and reduce your carbon footprint.

My first solo trip to Lisbon was short and sweet, but since then most of my adventures have been longer, allowing me to further immerse myself in the places I’ve visited. From attending Independence Day in Guatemala with a local family while volunteering there for a month, to completing 200 hours of yoga teacher training in the yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh, India.

Travel is a form of education, and solo slow travel doesn’t only teach you more about yourself, but also about various lifestyles, beliefs, and cultures. Many doors have opened for me in terms of my career, too. What started as randomly exchanging my content creation skills to get a free stay on an island in Panama, when I was low on money, unexpectedly led to other job opportunities.

‍

‍

Despite the positives, there are challenges too, from finances to safety. So, here are my top five tips for those wanting to try ‘Slowlo’ travel this year:

‍

1. Save some cash by doing work exchanges (Worldpackers, Workaway) or house-sitting (TrustedHousesitters).
2. Choose your destination wisely: make sure it’s aligned with your interests, budget, and the experience you want, whether that’s slow travel or not
3. Stay connected and safe: Share your travel plans with friends or family, research safety tips, and trust your intuition. If a place, person or situation doesn’t feel right, trust your gut, and move on.
4. Find communities or join online groups like NomadHer - share your experiences with others and meet new people doing the same thing as you 
5. Dress to blend in: Try and follow what local people are wearing. If they are dressed modestly, you probably should be too, as it’s more respectful (for women - pack a light scarf).

‍

What may have been historically viewed as something isolating and that only the brave dared to do, is today becoming more of an empowering type of exploration, leading to self-discovery and cultural immersion. With slow solo travel, or ‘Slowlo’, you return home with fresh insights, a deeper sense of self awareness, and a greater respect for individuals and communities you have encountered along the way.

‍

- By Hannah Pentin -

‍