Sydney is a gorgeous city with beaches, spas, fine dining and museums for women who want a relaxing, urban holiday. Market Watch recommends Australia for women traveling alone. Australians are easygoing and helpful--and women won't get any stares for being solo travelers. Women who want to lounge can get a manicure and sunbathe at Bondi Beach. Others prefer swimming or wandering the city's parks. Sydney has plenty of cultural museums for women who want to learn more about Australian history and Aboriginal life. Frommer's recommends walking tours, harbor cruises or a helicopter ride for unique views of the city.
Captain Cook Cruises
Pier 26, Aquarium Wharf
Darling Harbour
Sydney, NSW 2000
Australia
011-61-2-9206-1100
captaincook.com.au
History lovers who want to explore a new culture will enjoy a trip to Cusco, Peru, a city brimming with Inca and colonial history. This is another Market Watch recommendation for single women. In Market Watch, Travel Lady online magazine founder Madelyn Miller states that men in Peru tend to respect women even when they are traveling alone, although Frommer's warns women to travel together when possible and avoid staying out alone at night. In addition to being easy to navigate on foot, Cusco is affordable, with plenty of chances to haggle at local markets. Women can also join an organized excursion to Machu Picchu to learn more about the ancient Inca and enjoy unbelievable views.
Sungate Tours
Urb. Bancopata G-7
Cusco
Peru
011-51-84-23-2046
sungatetours.com
Adventurous women who love the ocean can head to Bali for a Surf Goddess retreat, a Travel Channel recommendation. It's a women-only retreat, with yoga sessions, gourmet brunches, spa treatments, swimming and local shopping--plus plenty of chances to surf. Women can surf on their own or take a women's surfing class, whether they need to learn the basics in a novice class or hone their skills with a surfing coach. Other local activities include elephant rides and visits to the Temple of Ubud. At night, women stay in a quiet villa with a pool, an open-air yoga studio, wireless Internet and--on days when they miss the men in their lives--free phone calls home.
Surf Goddess Retreats
Jalan Kayu Aya
Seminyak, Kuta 80361
Indonesia
011-1-858-997-0808
surfgoddessretreats.com
Women who don't want to hassle with a passport can enjoy a United States getaway at the Grand Canyon. Its popularity as a tourist attraction makes it safe to explore during daylight hours, with plenty of hiking opportunities. Women who want a relaxing vacation going for walks and taking photos will also enjoy wandering along the canyon. Rafting needs to be booked several months--or even a year or more--in advance. Adventures in Good Company, an adventure travel company for women, organizes a week-long trip to Havasu Canyon with tour guides and pack horses to carry belongings. This lets women focus on swimming, hiking and snapping photos.
Grand Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
928-638-7888
nps.gov/grca
