Your support helps us tell the story.
From reproductive rights to climate change and big tech, The Independent is on the ground as the story unfolds. Whether investigating the finances of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word,' which sheds light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to analyze the facts from the messaging .
At such a critical time in American history, we need journalists on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to talk about both sides of the story.
Americans across the political spectrum trust The Independent. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to exclude Americans from our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to all and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
2025 looks like it will be the year of solo travel for women.
To conclude 2024, Future Partners, a creative tourism research firm, surveyed 4,000 American travelers to find out how they really felt about traveling alone to far-flung destinations in the coming months compared to a year ago. And according to the firm's findings, more women are now willing to ditch their travel companions for an independent excursion than ever before.
Forty percent of women surveyed expressed interest in traveling alone, eight percent more than previously found in 2024.
What's more, women are tapping into their adventurous side, venturing into nature with organized communities like “Women in the Wild,” led by Natural Habitat Adventures. What started as a small Facebook group based in British Columbia, Canada, grew into an international organization whose membership capacity increased by 75 percent in just two years.
Virtuoso, a lush travel company, reported that 71 percent of its solo travel clients are female explorers. Of the women who hop from one destination to another without a friend, 40 percent admitted to searching for “a sense of belonging” and 27 percent yearn for an “expedition.” The majority of these women (47 percent) are widowed, divorced or separated from their partners.
Meanwhile, 77 percent of all Virtuoso customers are motivated to travel to feel “curiosity and exploration,” 65 percent want to feel “joy and happiness,” 57 percent are motivated by “awe and wonder.” of nature” and 51 percent want to exhibit “anticipation. and excitement” after booking a trip.
this year the independent Make a list of the best US cities to visit, especially for wandering women. The list includes Boulder, Colorado; Austin, Texas; San Diego, California; Huntsville, Alabama; Charleston, South Carolina; Sedona, Arizona; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Washington D.C.
Cruise lines are now adding international getaways for travelers who want to set sail surrounded only by women. Uniworld, a river cruise company, announced a new women-only voyage aboard its SS Catherine in August 2025. The ship will take passengers through Burgundy and Provence in France.
“As a women-led company, Uniworld has always been passionate about providing a travel experience where women feel safe, inspired and pampered while enjoying the holiday of a lifetime with every detail taken care of,” Ellen Bettridge, CEO, Uniworld , said the independent.
“Our ships average just 120 passengers and are the perfect place to foster meaningful connections and make new friends,” he added.