Mind<\/h2>\n
Want to stretch your thoughts past the day-to-day? These places will not only expand your horizons but your appreciation for past cultures.<\/p>\n
Ayacucho, Peru<\/a><\/h3>\n![\"Humago](\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/eaarp-solo-transformative-ayacucho-peru.jpg\")
<\/a>Via Christian Vinces\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\nMachu Picchu gets most of the attention and deservedly so, but if you\u2019ve traveled this far, we say travel a little farther and visit this town in the awe-inducing Andes Mountains. You won\u2019t find the hordes of tourists of Cusco nor the refinement of Lima, but you will find well-preserved colonial Spanish architecture, artisanal folk art, and ancient Wari ruins. You may also find that you\u2019re the only visitor in town.<\/p>\n
Book one of these hotels near Ayacucho<\/a><\/p>\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia<\/a><\/h3>\n![\"Royal](\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/eaarp-solo-transformative-phom-penh-cambodia.jpg\")
<\/a>Via thoron\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\nAlthough Cambodia is no stranger to tourism, it\u2019s still far removed from the bustle of other Asian cities. And sites like the Killing Fields have taken on new life as a memorial for those who were affected by the Khmer Rouge regime. Nearby Angkor Wat<\/a> is worth exploring for the mere fact that this 12th<\/sup>-century structure\u2019s purpose and demise is still a mystery to archeologists.<\/p>\nIf you want to see a side of Cambodia that most tourists don\u2019t, venture to Kratie, where you\u2019ll find an almost unspoiled town along the Mekong River. You may even get a glimpse of the rare Irrawaddy river dolphins.<\/p>\n
Grab one of our Phnom Penh hotel deals<\/a><\/p>\nBody<\/h2>\n
These areas are rich with culture and history, but they also allow you to stretch your legs and your mind outside your comfort zone.<\/p>\n
Asheville, North Carolina<\/a><\/h3>\n![\"Great](\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/eaarp-solo-transformative-asheville-north-carolina.jpg\")
<\/a>Via jadimages\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\nNestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is an easygoing art-focused mountain town where you can get lost for a while in the best possible way. When you aren\u2019t sipping on local craft beers, perusing art boutiques, and dining at fun, funky restaurants, you can see the wilder side of Asheville. You\u2019ll find incredible hikes less than an hour from the city. The Daniel Ridge Loop Trail will have you chasing waterfall after waterfall. For something truly special, we say head to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Pick a spot for a picnic in the Cataloochee Valley and wait for the area\u2019s majestic elk to enter the meadows.<\/p>\n
Start your adventure at one of these hotels in Asheville, NC<\/a><\/p>\nTui, Spain<\/a><\/h3>\n![\"Narrow](\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/eaarp-solo-transformative-tui-spain.jpg\")
<\/a>Via jorisvo\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\nThe Camino Portugu\u00e9s is an iconic walking tour through some of the most beautiful countryside in all of Europe. If you don\u2019t have a month to walk The Way in its entirety, you can still travel the 66-mile portion between Tui and\u00a0Santiago de Compostela. Even walking a small portion is worth it for traversing through woodlands, across rich farmlands, and along coastal routes where you can see the Atlantic crash against the rocky shores.<\/p>\n
Choose from one of these hotels near Tui, Spain<\/a><\/p>\nSoul<\/h2>\n
These two cities aren\u2019t just a long way from the United States, but also far from the way of life that you\u2019re most familiar with. But it\u2019s these types of experiences that can transform the way you view the world, and, more importantly, the way you view yourself.<\/p>\n
Rishikesh, India<\/a><\/h3>\n![\"Rishikesh,](\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/eaarp-solo-transformative-rishikesh-india.jpg\")
<\/a>Via Dan Baciu\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\nThis city holds significant religious importance in Hinduism and strictly prohibits non-vegetarian food and alcohol. Excursions that tour ghats, temples, and ashrams<\/a> draw people from all over the world and all walks of life, like The Beatles (yes, those<\/em> Beatles), that want to meditate and grow spiritually through yoga. With a trip here, you\u2019ll have ample opportunities to cleanse your mind, body, and soul.<\/p>\nDiscover hotels in Rishikesh<\/a><\/p>\nIsle of Arran Scotland<\/a><\/h3>\n![\"View](\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/eaarp-solo-transformative-isle-of-arran-scotland.jpg\")
<\/a>Via Riccardo Zambelloni\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\nYou may not think that Scotland would boast one of the leading meditation centers, but actually the Holy Isle, a rugged, sparsely populated, and private 2-mile long satellite island off Arran\u2019s east coast, is just the place to recharge, refresh, and rediscover yourself. The Holy Isle Centre for World Peace and Health<\/a> offers several courses and retreats that will help you reconnect with yourself.<\/p>\nCheck out our Isle of Arran hotel deals<\/a><\/p>\nThere are more places out there that are perfect for women solo travelers<\/a> that want to experience more than just popular tourist attractions or luxury resorts. With a little know-how on solo traveling<\/a> and immersing yourself in different cultures, you may find that your next journey is more transformative than you could have imagined.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Via Christian Vinces\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n Machu Picchu gets most of the attention and deservedly so, but if you\u2019ve traveled this far, we say travel a little farther and visit this town in the awe-inducing Andes Mountains. You won\u2019t find the hordes of tourists of Cusco nor the refinement of Lima, but you will find well-preserved colonial Spanish architecture, artisanal folk art, and ancient Wari ruins. You may also find that you\u2019re the only visitor in town.<\/p>\n Book one of these hotels near Ayacucho<\/a><\/p>\n Via thoron\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n Although Cambodia is no stranger to tourism, it\u2019s still far removed from the bustle of other Asian cities. And sites like the Killing Fields have taken on new life as a memorial for those who were affected by the Khmer Rouge regime. Nearby Angkor Wat<\/a> is worth exploring for the mere fact that this 12th<\/sup>-century structure\u2019s purpose and demise is still a mystery to archeologists.<\/p>\n If you want to see a side of Cambodia that most tourists don\u2019t, venture to Kratie, where you\u2019ll find an almost unspoiled town along the Mekong River. You may even get a glimpse of the rare Irrawaddy river dolphins.<\/p>\n Grab one of our Phnom Penh hotel deals<\/a><\/p>\n These areas are rich with culture and history, but they also allow you to stretch your legs and your mind outside your comfort zone.<\/p>\n Via jadimages\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is an easygoing art-focused mountain town where you can get lost for a while in the best possible way. When you aren\u2019t sipping on local craft beers, perusing art boutiques, and dining at fun, funky restaurants, you can see the wilder side of Asheville. You\u2019ll find incredible hikes less than an hour from the city. The Daniel Ridge Loop Trail will have you chasing waterfall after waterfall. For something truly special, we say head to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Pick a spot for a picnic in the Cataloochee Valley and wait for the area\u2019s majestic elk to enter the meadows.<\/p>\n Start your adventure at one of these hotels in Asheville, NC<\/a><\/p>\n Via jorisvo\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n The Camino Portugu\u00e9s is an iconic walking tour through some of the most beautiful countryside in all of Europe. If you don\u2019t have a month to walk The Way in its entirety, you can still travel the 66-mile portion between Tui and\u00a0Santiago de Compostela. Even walking a small portion is worth it for traversing through woodlands, across rich farmlands, and along coastal routes where you can see the Atlantic crash against the rocky shores.<\/p>\n Choose from one of these hotels near Tui, Spain<\/a><\/p>\n These two cities aren\u2019t just a long way from the United States, but also far from the way of life that you\u2019re most familiar with. But it\u2019s these types of experiences that can transform the way you view the world, and, more importantly, the way you view yourself.<\/p>\n Via Dan Baciu\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n This city holds significant religious importance in Hinduism and strictly prohibits non-vegetarian food and alcohol. Excursions that tour ghats, temples, and ashrams<\/a> draw people from all over the world and all walks of life, like The Beatles (yes, those<\/em> Beatles), that want to meditate and grow spiritually through yoga. With a trip here, you\u2019ll have ample opportunities to cleanse your mind, body, and soul.<\/p>\n Discover hotels in Rishikesh<\/a><\/p>\n Via Riccardo Zambelloni\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n You may not think that Scotland would boast one of the leading meditation centers, but actually the Holy Isle, a rugged, sparsely populated, and private 2-mile long satellite island off Arran\u2019s east coast, is just the place to recharge, refresh, and rediscover yourself. The Holy Isle Centre for World Peace and Health<\/a> offers several courses and retreats that will help you reconnect with yourself.<\/p>\n Check out our Isle of Arran hotel deals<\/a><\/p>\n There are more places out there that are perfect for women solo travelers<\/a> that want to experience more than just popular tourist attractions or luxury resorts. With a little know-how on solo traveling<\/a> and immersing yourself in different cultures, you may find that your next journey is more transformative than you could have imagined.<\/p>\nPhnom Penh, Cambodia<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Body<\/h2>\n
Asheville, North Carolina<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Tui, Spain<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Soul<\/h2>\n
Rishikesh, India<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Isle of Arran Scotland<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>