First international solo trip? These 3 destinations will make it less intimidating

Women are complex beings, but there are a few common passions that unite us across cultures. Equal pay for equal work, the perfect winged eyeliner, and the bi-monthly urge to turn on our OOO notifications and head off on a new adventure. To wit, a major milestone on your journey to full-fledged adulting is your first international solo trip. Our Tweak tribe are huge endorsers of the self-confidence and self-discovery that a solo trip offers, and we couldn’t agree more.

If you’re eager to plan your first international solo trip, but find the endless options overwhelming, allows us to narrow them down for you.

For the solo traveller who wants to fall off the grid

There’s a moment when you’re zipping through the azure waters of the Maldives, not a landmass in sight, that you feel the stress knots in your trapezius and lower back physically melt away. While most people associate the island nation with ‘romantic couples destination’, luxury resorts like Club Med Finolhu could change your mind.

Forget about emails and deadlines as you earn your water baby certification — depending on your appetite for adventure, you can choose from swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and paddleboarding. If you believe books > people, vegetate on the deck of your water villa all day with your preferred form of companionship (join the Tweak Book Club X Crossword for fun recommendations).

Social butterflies can fill their calendars with yoga classes on the beach, spa treatments, cooking classes, and exploring local islands with friends you make by the pool bar.

Don’t be afraid to lose yourself at Club Med Finolhu, your designated butler will ensure you don’t wander too far.

For the adrenaline junkie (who also wants to play safe)

When our Tweak teammate visited Switzerland on her first solo trip, she made a beeline for Interlaken, the adventure capital. Here, you can slowly turn up the heat on your adventure dial.

Start off with a cycling tour or one-day hike to accustom yourself to that crisp mountain air. Day two can feature paddleboarding on Lake Brienz or canyoning through Chli Schliere gorge.

Once your adrenaline glands have firmly kicked into gear, you’re ready to try paragliding over the Swiss Alps. Or, if you really want to have your head in the clouds, book yourself a tandem skydiving trip where you’ll be harnessed to an experienced instructor who guides you throughout the jump. There’s nothing like hurtling through high-quality Swiss air to make every cell in your body feel alive.

For the gastronome who can eat her body weight in sushi

If you see a queue of locals snaking around a nondescript building in Tokyo, you’re probably looking at the waiting list for the hottest underground ramen place in town. If food is your preferred path to happiness, you can’t go wrong in the Japanese capital, though fair warning, you need to embrace your palate’s more adventurous side.

Enjoy the freshest sushi at the Tsukiji Outer Market, or wander through the fragrant streets of Asakusa as you sample street food favorites like takoyaki (octopus balls), yakitori, taiyaki (fish-shaped sweet pastry), and senbei (rice crackers). You can also choose from an impressive roster of Michelin-starred restaurants, but getting a table may require planning well in advance.

Take a trip to the city’s outskirts for the ryokan experience, where the highlight is the traditional Japanese Kaiseki or multi-course meal. Typical kaiseki fare includes sashimi, clear soup with vegetables, tofu, and sometimes seafood or meat, grilled dishes of fish, poultry or vegetables, a light dessert, and finally, a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, where guests are served matcha green tea and a sweet treat.