Solo Travel for Women Over 50: 5 Small Group Tours to Consider
Why Small Group Touring Works for Solo Female Travelers
July 24, 2026
7 minute read
Women who love travel are not waiting for company to see the world. Solo female travelers know what interests them, how they like to travel, and when a guided tour makes the whole experience easier. For women traveling solo, the right small group tour offers independence with added peace of mind.
If you are researching solo travel for women and looking for destinations that go beyond the usual sights, Collette's small group Explorations Tours may be the right tour style for you. These small group journeys are designed for travelers who want local connection, cultural depth, and enough free time to experience a place in their own way.
Why Small Group Tours Works Well for Solo Travelers
Collette's small group Explorations Tours are designed to go places a larger group tour cannot go while still offering the many benefits of guided travel.
With an average group size of 19, this tour style 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 are not accessible with large groups
Opportunities to choose between activities or simply use the time to explore on your own
Designed by travelers with the local knowledge needed to plan experiences you cannot easily find on your own
Travel with Confidence: Purchase Collette’s Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel up to 24 hours before departure and receive a refund in your original form of payment, less cost of the plan. See how we make travel stress-free.
Five of the Best Solo Travel Destinations to Consider in 2027/28
Some travelers want active days and natural landscapes. Others want a relaxed pace, local food, and city culture.
The five tours below suit different kinds of solo travelers and reflect some of the best places for solo travel when you want support, connection, and room for independence. Each offers cultural depth and the ease of a smaller group, with different experiences to enjoy along the way.
1. For Culture-First Solo Travelers: Morocco
Morocco suits travelers who want a rich cultural experience. On Colors 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 flavors
A hands-on cooking class at the Amal Women’s Training Center, where travelers prepare tagine and learn how the center helps disadvantaged women gain culinary skills
Cultural connections that help travelers better understand Moroccan traditions, hospitality, and daily life
Learn more about our Colors of Morocco tour.
2. For Travelers Who Like to Venture off the Beaten Path: Gems of Tuscany
Gems of Tuscany is a great choice for travelers who want to explore Italy more deeply. This tour takes you off the beaten path to hidden gems some Italians do not 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 travelers 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 travelers who still want a shared experience.
On this tour, you will 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 travelers.
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
Travelers also take part in an Impact Moment — an on-tour experience that supports the local community. On Treasures of the Mekong, you will visit the APOPO Visitor Center to learn about Cambodia’s history with war and landmines. There, you will 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 travelers 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 is a journey designed for the kinds of moments travelers 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 traveled… 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 travelers who want Europe with variety, independence, and a less-traveled 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 travelers, planning ahead is both practical and exciting. You are more likely to find dates and options that fit the way you want to travel, and you have more time to think through flights, extensions, and the experiences you want to prioritize before or after your tour.
If you are comparing the best countries for solo travel, a small group tour can help you feel supported while still giving you space to explore independently.
For more inspiration, browse all of our small group tours, and start dreaming about your next great journey.
