Travel is back, baby. But where should you go if you’re a woman looking to take a solo trip? I recommend these four destinations as easy, safe and fun ways to get back out there—whether you’re into music, history, spirits or chocolate.
Where: Nashville, Tenn.
Why: Music City is, in a word, friendly—for pedestrians, music lovers across all genres and anybody who enjoys good food.
One of the greatest discoveries in Nashville is that you don’t have to be a country music buff to enjoy the way the vibrant city celebrates its most famous product—though you may depart a convert. Center a day or two around the bustling downtown, where you can take a self-guided tour of Ryman Auditorium ($35.80), the iconic venue that housed the Grand Ole Opry for three decades, and visit the redbrick Johnny Cash Museum ($25.95) to get immersed in the complex life of the Man in Black.
Just a five-minute walk away is the newly opened National Museum of African American Music ($26.95), which features interactive exhibits and spotlights everything from instruments to the development of genres such as jazz, blues and hip-hop. Prep your palate for the city’s renowned hot chicken at the original Prince’s Hot Chicken, still going strong after 75 years (selections start at $6.95).
Where: London, England
Why: Easy to get to—and around—this civilized city is more than just the movie set for The Crown (although royal fanciers won’t leave disappointed).
There’s an endless list of reasons why London is a perennial travel favorite. Top of the list is how easily you can maneuver around town thanks to an extensive underground and bus system that will get you just about anywhere. Then there’s all the history! If, like much of humanity, you’ve been bingeing on The Crown, there’s no better way to immerse yourself in royal peccadilloes and the city’s macabre-tinged past than to book a tour (City Wonders offers a selection of tours).
Plus, the attractions: You can spend hours ambling through the grounds of St James’s Park, near Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, or hop on the London Eye (tickets start around $35), a massive Ferris wheel, for a bird’s-eye view of the city. The city also boasts fantastic museums: Don’t miss the Victoria and Albert Museum, which often showcases artistry in all its forms, from fashion to historic crafts (free entry).
Where: Cognac, France
Why: Not far from Paris, this city is high-spirited—in more ways than one.
If you’re already one of the millions of Americans who account for the ever-increasing annual sales of cognac or you just want to learn something new, this one’s for you. Cognac is about a three-hour train ride from Paris, making it an ideal and low-key getaway from the manic pace of the city. Check into Hôtel François Premier (rates start around $178) or the area’s first five-star property, the luxurious Hôtel Chais Monnet & Spa (rates start around $465). Both options allow you to walk just a few minutes—across the street, in some cases—to some of the major cognac houses, including Camus, Martell and Rémy Martin.
And each house offers a customized experience: At Camus, visitors can sign up for the Master Blender workshop, which includes a guided tour and a two-hour tasting and blending class (approximately $230). Martell has an incredible interactive center that fully immerses visitors into the history and art of making cognac. Finally, down the street at Rémy Martin, dive into a decadent, irresistible chocolate tasting or a pairing lunch (tours start around $25).
Where: Saint Lucia, Caribbean
Why: What could be wrong with an island that invites you to come for the R&R and stay for the chocolate?
In all seriousness, could there be anything better than a trip that focuses on chocolate? Hear me out. You’re ready to relax, rejuvenate and just do an all-around reset. In theory, the getaway could center around all things healthy: a stay at BodyHoliday, perhaps, for all-inclusive daily options that include varied workout sessions and spa treatments for guests (rates start at $611 per night; no supplemental charges incurred by singles) or even one of the famous open-walled suites that overlook the glorious Piton mountains. The original location, Ladera, features tropical hardwoods, local artwork and private plunge pools in each suite (rates start around $1,000 per night).
But back to the chocolate. Saint Lucia’s cacao plantations have been growing and exporting beans since the 17th century and, more recently, retaining some of their harvest to produce their own chocolate. You can kill two birds with one stone at Fond Doux Eco Resort, which offers eco-friendly lodgings and a choice of chocolate tours (cottage rates start at $290 per night; cocoa tours start at $50).
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Kym Allison Backer is a lifestyle and travel writer, a contributor at Condé Nast Traveler and a former editor at Ebony and Upscale.