Solo Travel for Women Over 50: 5 Small Group Tours to Consider
Why Small Group Touring Works for Solo Female Travellers
July 24, 2026
7 minute read
Women who love travel are not waiting for company to see the world. Solo female travellers know what interests them, how they like to travel, and when a guided tour makes the whole experience easier. For women travelling solo, the right small group tour offers independence with added peace of mind.
If you’re looking to get beyond the usual sights, spend time with local people, and experience a destination in a more personal way, Collette Explorations may be the right tour style for you. In this post, we’ll show you what makes Explorations tours different and highlight five journeys to consider for 2027 and 2028.
Earlybird Sale: Trade “someday” for “scheduled.” It’s time to turn those travel dreams into plans with our Earlybird Sale. Save up to 20%* on 2027–2028 Collette Explorations small group tours, with over 60 worldwide journeys to choose from. Are you ready for your next big adventure? *Conditions apply. Explore tours now!
Why Small Group Tours Works Well for Solo Travellers
Collette Explorations tours are designed for small groups, allowing you to go places a larger group tour can’t go while still offering the many benefits of guided travel.
With an average group size of 19, Collette Explorations offers companionship when you want it, time to yourself when you need it, and the confidence that the important details have been handled. Rest, browse a market, linger over lunch, join the group for dinner, or explore on your own during free time.
Key features that set Collette Explorations apart:
Average group size of 19 people
Destinations and experiences that aren't accessible with large groups
Opportunities to choose between activities or simply use the time to explore on your own
Designed by travellers with the local knowledge needed to plan experiences you can't easily find on your own
Travel with Confidence: Every Collette Explorations tour includes private home-to-airport chauffeur service** and Collette’s Cancellation Waiver, allowing you to cancel up to 24 hours before departure and receive a refund in your original form of payment, less deposit.† See how we make travel stress-free.
Five Tours for Solo Travellers to Consider in 2027/28
Some travellers want active days and natural landscapes. Others want a relaxed pace, local food, and city culture.
The five Collette Explorations journeys below suit different kinds of travellers. Each offers cultural depth and the ease of a smaller group, with different experiences to enjoy along the way.
1. For Culture-First Solo Travellers: Morocco
Morocco suits travellers who want a rich cultural experience. On Colours of Morocco, each day brings opportunities to go beyond sightseeing, meet local people, try regional traditions, and experience the country in a more meaningful way.
The journey includes:
Rabat’s historic landmarks, including the Kasbah des Oudaias, Chellah Necropolis, and Mausoleum of Mohammed V
Fes, one of Morocco’s holiest cities, with free time to explore the ancient medina and markets
A 4x4 journey into the Sahara Desert and a two-night luxury desert camp stay
A visit to El Khorbat, a fortified village and museum highlighting Berber culture
Marrakech highlights such as Jardin Majorelle, the medina, and free time for shopping or local flavours
A hands-on cooking class at the Amal Women’s Training Centre, where travellers prepare tagine and learn how the centre helps disadvantaged women gain culinary skills
Cultural connections that help travellers better understand Moroccan traditions, hospitality, and daily life
Learn more about our Colours of Morocco tour.
2. For Travellers Who Like to Venture off the Beaten Path: Gems of Tuscany
Gems of Tuscany is a great choice for travellers who want to explore Italy more deeply. This tour takes you off the beaten path to hidden gems some Italians don’t even know about.
The journey includes:
Porto Venere, known as the "other" Cinque Terre among the locals
Time on the Versilia Coast
A visit to the Carrara Marble Quarries
A piano performance at Puccini’s villa at Torre del Lago
A day trip to Elba Island, where Napoleon was once exiled
Cheesemaking with an expert who has been making cheese since he was 4 years old
Tasting Vino Nobile at a Montepulciano winery
The Butteri cowboys of the Maremma
The option to visit Saturnia’s baby-blue cascading thermal pools
You’ll also have free time to wander Viareggio’s seaside promenade, stop for espresso or gelato, explore towns on your own, or linger over a meal.
Gems of Tuscany offers an elegant choice for travellers who want cultural richness without an overfilled itinerary.
Learn more about our Gems of Tuscany tour.
3. For River Life and Cultural Immersion: Treasures of the Mekong
Treasures of the Mekong is a great tour for solo travellers who still want a shared experience.
On this tour, you’ll cruise the legendary Mekong River, discovering new sights each day — markets, villages, temples, artisans, and iconic places like Angkor Wat. Each day also includes quiet time aboard the Mekong Princess, perfect for personal reflection or connecting with other travellers.
The journey includes:
Cai Rang Floating Market by sampan, a small boat
Village visits with artisans
Family-run workshops
Reflective visits to Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng in Phnom Penh
Cultural sites such as the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
Angkor Ban, where original homes remain standing
Travellers also take part in an Impact Moment — an on-tour experience that supports the local community. On Treasures of the Mekong, you’ll visit the APOPO Visitor Centre to learn about Cambodia’s history with war and landmines. There, you’ll see a demonstration of how “hero rats” are trained to detect landmines and help save lives.
Learn more about our Treasures of the Mekong river cruise.
4. For Wildlife, Scenery, and Shared Travel Stories: South Africa, Victoria Falls, and Botswana
Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana is a good choice for solo travellers who want wildlife, scenery, and memorable travel stories. Safari drives, river experiences, Victoria Falls, and time in Cape Town create plenty of standout moments, while expert tour design keeps the pace manageable.
The journey includes:
Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Chobe, Pilanesberg, and Cape Town
Safari game drives and time in Chobe National Park and Pilanesberg National Park
A visit to Victoria Falls
Free time in Cape Town to explore, rest, or focus on the parts of the city that interest you most
Local connections through a home-hosted lunch, a rural homestead visit in Zimbabwe, and a home-hosted dinner in Cape Town
A visit to the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust to learn about programs that have a positive impact on local communities and animals
It’s a journey designed for the kinds of moments travellers often keep talking about long after they return home.
“When any of our friends would say ‘how was your trip?’ I'd just smile and I couldn't get the smile off my face and I'd go, ‘You're just going to get sick of hearing me saying how good this was. We've travelled… a lot and I reckon this was one of the best experiences we've ever had.’” — Helen & Peter, Torquay, Vic., Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls and Botswana
Learn more about our Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana safari tour.
5. For a Distinctive European Island Journey: Sardinia and Corsica
Sardinia & Corsica: Islands of Italy & France suits solo travellers who want Europe with variety, independence, and a less-travelled route. The island pairing makes the logistics easier, while still delivering a mix of coastal towns, local traditions, and hands-on experiences.
The journey includes:
A full day cruising the La Maddalena Archipelago
A cork workshop and Mamoiada’s ancient mask traditions
A chance to live as locals do — through a Sardinian cooking class, lunch in a shepherd’s hut, and tasting ancestral recipes that are the foundation of healthy living and balance at a Blue Zone dinner
A winery tasting lunch and other experiences connected to local producers, craft, and community life
Choice in Bonifacio between exploring the old town with a local expert or taking a scenic cliff hike
Free time in Alghero to immerse yourself in the rhythm of the city
Learn more about our Sardinia & Corsica: Islands of Italy & France tour.
Start Planning Your Next Solo Adventure
For solo travellers, booking early is both practical and exciting. You’re more likely to get preferred dates and options, and you have more time to plan the rest of your holiday around the tour.
The Earlybird Sale gives you an added reason to book now. With savings of up to 20%* on 2027–2028 Collette Explorations small group tours, and more than 60 worldwide journeys available, you’re sure to find a tour and a date that suits you. *Conditions apply. See all tours.
For more inspiration, download our new 2027–2028 Explorations brochure and start dreaming about your next great journey.
