Asia

Planning a trip to Asia can feel overwhelming, especially for solo travellers, if it’s a region you haven’t travelled in before.

The destinations listed here are places I’ve travelled myself, often alone. I write about them to help you decide whether they’ll suit you and what to expect.

If you’re considering Asia, start here

To help you decide, I’ve highlighted three itineraries that each suit a different kind of traveller, pace and emotional starting point.

• Japan – 3 weeks, including Okinawa Highly structured, exceptionally safe and rewards slow travel. Japan works well if you want Asia with real depth – and you’re not travelling on a strict budget.

• Malaysia – 3 weeks, including Borneo A calm, low-friction introduction to Asia. Malaysia works well if you want cities, coast, and jungle — with reliable infrastructure and a pace that lets you settle in.

• Solo trip to Goa For travellers curious about India but wary of jumping in at the deep end. Goa has a slower rhythm and an easy social scene, without the sensory overload many people associate with first-time India travel.

• Bali – one calm and intentional month Balances well-known, busy areas with quieter places, giving you space to slow down and recover your energy.