Once-in-a-lifetime trips

Start a new bucket list with these once-in-a-lifetime trips for solo travellers
There’s a whole world of marvellous things to see and experience, but if you don’t have family or a friend as passionate about globetrotting, you could be missing out.

Travelling by yourself can be lonely, and you may well not feel comfortable visiting exotic places alone. It’s much more enjoyable, and safer, to holiday in more remote parts with a group of like-minded people.

Renowned travel company Abercrombie & Kent has introduced Connections, a selection of group journeys for 24 to 28 guests, offering a chance to discover the world in the company of local experts.

The group concept is open to both couples and lone travellers, and single-person accommodation is available throughout the itinerary. So there’s always someone to share a meal with and discuss the day’s sightseeing. It’s the perfect way to get to some of the world’s must-sees.

East African safari

I adore Africa, but it’s a tricky place to travel alone. A&K’s East Africa: A Journey Through The Wilderness Of Tanzania & Kenya includes a fascinating insight into the Maasai culture and their unique way of life, as well as wonderful animals, of course. Highlights include the gamepacked Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti, Amboseli National Park at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro and the Maasai Mara. Accommodation is in tented camps and luxury lodges.

The 10-day tour, departing 4 May, costs from £4,735 for solos, or from £3,760 per person for two sharing. 

Indian splendours

Enjoy India’s magnificent cities, such as Delhi, Varanasi, Jaipur – and Agra to see the famous Taj Mahal at sunrise. Wonderful accommodation includes Jaipur’s Rambagh Palace and Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra.

India’s Spiritual Splendours tour, departing on 15 September, costs from £3,815 for solos, or from £2,825 per person for two sharing.

Land of the Incas

Enjoy awesome Machu Picchu at both sunrise and sunset on a tour that begins in Lima and also includes the Sacred Valley City of Cusco. You stay in a traditional hacienda like Aranwa Sacred Valley or boutique hotels such as Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo.

The nine-day Peru: The Land Of The Incas trip, departing on 17 June, costs from £3,505 for solos, or from £2,930 per person for two sharing.

Grand cities and temples

The South East Asia’s Grand Cities tour encompasses Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, with highlights including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Siem Reap for the Angkor Temples of Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat, the masterpiece of the Khmer empire, sandstone Banteay Srei and the wonderful Bayon Temple.

Departing 12 September, 15 days cost from £5,280 for solos, or from £4,295 per person for two sharing.

Highlights of Morocco

Kasbahs And Medinas takes in the highlights of Morocco, from Casablanca to Fez, and Rabat to Marrakech and the Atlas mountains. Marrakech is particularly fascinating, especially the Djemaa el-Fna square with its fire-eaters, mime artists and snake charmers. You join a dinner hosted by a Marrakech family, too.

Departing 22 August, the eight-day tour costs from £2,665 for solos, or from £2,190 per person for two sharing. All costs exclude flights.

For more information about any of these tours, contact Abercrombie & Kent on 0845-485 1289, www.abercrombiekent.co.uk


IN OTHER NEWS…

Ride of your life

Regent Holidays offers a chance to join a three-day ride as Iceland farmers drive their horses down from highland moors for the winter. Seven nights from £1,415 per person, including flights. Departs 1 October.
020-3504 1603, www.regentholidays.co.uk

Solstice dinner

Bryan Webb, co-owner and Michelin-starred chef of Tyddyn Llan, near Corwen in North Wales, hosts a Summer Solstice dinner on 21 June, at £68 per person. Rooms from £120.
01490-440264, www.tyddynllan.co.uk

Up Pompeii

As the British Museum opens its Life And Death In Pompeii And Herculaneum exhibition, Celebrity Cruises offers a 12-night Italy and Greek isles fly/cruise, which takes in a trip to Pompeii. Departs 10 June, from £1,235 per person, including fl ights from Heathrow.
0845-456 0523, www.celebritycruises.co.uk