When my youngest left school, I did what many mothers do—I smiled, waved goodbye, and then sat in their empty bedroom wondering who I was beyond “Mum.” For 24 years, my identity had been wrapped up in school runs, packed lunches, and making sure everyone else’s life ran smoothly. Suddenly, I had time. Freedom, even. But I felt completely lost.
I wanted to travel. Properly travel, not just the family holidays where I was still organising everyone’s passports and making restaurant reservations. But when I looked around, my friends were still deep in the parenting years, my husband had work commitments, and the idea of travelling solo at my age felt terrifying.
So I did it anyway. I booked a flight, packed a bag, and went exploring on my own.
It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
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The Reality of Solo Travel After 45
That first solo trip wasn’t Instagram-perfect. I felt awkward eating dinner alone. I second-guessed every decision. I missed having someone to share the sunset with. But I also discovered something incredible: I was capable of so much more than I’d given myself credit for.
I navigated foreign cities, made friends with strangers, changed my plans on a whim, and woke up each morning excited about what I wanted to do—not what everyone else needed from me.
It was rewarding in ways I hadn’t expected. Empowering, even.
Why I’m Not Waiting Around Anymore
Here’s the thing—I’ve absolutely travelled with family and friends since then. I still do. But I got sick of waiting around for other people’s schedules to align, for someone to save enough holiday days, for plans that never quite came together.
Life’s too short to wait for permission to live it.
After nearly 20 years living across Asia, I’ve built up insider knowledge that most guidebooks miss. I know which neighbourhoods feel safe at night, where locals actually eat, how to avoid tourist traps, and which experiences are genuinely worth your time and money.
So I decided to start leading small group tours for women like me—women over 45 who want meaningful travel experiences, not tick-box itineraries.
What These Tours Are NOT
Let me be clear about what you won’t get on my tours:
- 20 cities in 20 days (absolutely not)
- Party hostels and pub crawls (no thanks)
- 5am wake-up calls to rush to the next destination (we’re past that)
- Surface-level sightseeing with no real connection to the place
This isn’t gap year travel. It’s grown woman travel.
What You WILL Experience
My tours are designed for women who want to actually experience a destination, not just photograph it. We take our time. We eat well. We stay in comfortable accommodation. We have proper conversations over wine. We explore neighbourhoods, not just landmarks.
Some days might be adventurous—hiking, cooking classes, exploring markets. Other days might be slower—leisurely lunches, spa visits, simply sitting in a beautiful place with a good book.
The pace is deliberate. The group is small (typically 6-10 women). The focus is on quality, not quantity.
Building Your Solo Travel Confidence
Even if you never join one of my tours, I want to help you feel confident travelling on your own. Because solo travel as a woman over 45 isn’t just possible—it can be transformative.
Throughout my travels and on my tours, I share practical tips: how to stay safe, how to meet people without feeling desperate, how to eat alone without feeling self-conscious, how to handle the moments when you feel lonely or uncertain.
You might discover, like I did, that you prefer your own company more than you thought. Or you might realise you love group travel and want the built-in camaraderie. Either way, you’ll leave with skills and confidence that make future trips easier.
Who These Tours Are For
You don’t need to be an experienced traveller. You don’t need to be single. You don’t need to be retired.
You just need to be a woman over 45 who wants to explore the world without waiting for someone else to be ready.
Maybe your partner doesn’t enjoy travel. Maybe your friends have different priorities. Maybe you’re recently divorced or widowed and need to rediscover yourself. Maybe you just want to spend time with other women who get it
Whatever your reason, you’re welcome here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I’ve never travelled solo before? That’s completely fine—most women on my tours haven’t. The beauty of a small group is that you get the independence of solo travel with the security of having others around. Plus, I share all my solo travel tips throughout the trip so you leave feeling confident to explore on your own in the future.
What’s the typical age range on these tours? Most participants are between 45-65. The common thread isn’t age—it’s the desire for meaningful, well-paced travel experiences.
Do I have to share a room? Not unless you want to! Single rooms are always available (at a small supplement), and some women prefer to share to keep costs down and build friendships. It’s entirely your choice.
What if I have dietary requirements or mobility concerns? Please let me know when you enquire. I work hard to accommodate different needs and can adjust itineraries accordingly. The pace is already relaxed, so we’re not doing anything too physically demanding.
How far in advance do I need to book? Tours typically fill up 3-6 months in advance, especially for popular destinations. The sooner you can secure your spot, the better—but reach out even if a tour is close, as sometimes spaces open up.
Ready to Stop Waiting and Start Exploring?
If you’re tired of putting your travel dreams on hold, it’s time to make them happen. Whether you join one of my tours or decide to venture out solo, the important thing is taking that first step.
Up Coming Tours
- Morocco, September 2026 – Spice Markets and Desert Dunes: A Journey Through the Kingdom of the Atlas – Experience the magic of Morocco with souks, Sahara sunsets, and authentic cultural immersion
- South Korea, March 2026 – Seoul Food and City Lights: The Sights of South Korea – Cultural experiences, foodie adventures, and spring blossoms
- Check the hosted tours page for full schedule and availability – or visit my podcast where you will find many more destinations to explore.
Want to stay updated on new tour dates and early bird pricing? Join my email list or Whatsapp group and you’ll be the first to know when bookings open.
Not ready to commit to a tour yet? That’s okay. Start by following along on Instagram @trulyexpattravel where I share real-time travel updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and practical travel tips for women our age.
Join the Truly Expat Facebook community—a supportive space for women travellers to ask questions, share tips, and connect before trips.
Running this blog takes a lot of coffee (and countless hours exploring every destination!). If you found this helpful and want to support more honest, detailed travel guides and itineraries, you can buy me a coffee. No pressure though—I’m just happy you’re here and hope you have an incredible adventure! 🙂
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you—this helps me keep creating free, detailed travel guides. I only recommend services and products I genuinely use and trust after years of travel across Asia.
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