Travel is one of life’s most transformative experiences, and solo travel can give us the chance to explore the world and ourselves. For Pamela Holt, world traveler and host of the Amazon Prime travel series “Me, Myself & the World,” solo travel is a way of life. Having traveled to over 90 countries and territories and documented her experiences to help others, Pamela Holt is the solo travel expert.

TRT had the chance to sit down with Holt to talk about her travel experiences from a young age to today, how to find that first solo destination and her “golden rules” for solo travel. 

Three Golden Rules for Solo Travel

Throughout her travels, Holt suggests using several guiding principles to help improve the solo travel experience by increasing self-confidence and openness. 

Rule 1: Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway

Holt started traveling at an early age, celebrating her 14th birthday in Hong Kong and taking her first solo trip at the age of 19. 

“I went to Japan for an entire summer, working there as a director for children's theater… That perhaps sounds scary for a lot of people, but growing up in Hawaii, I was familiar with the sights, the sounds, the smells, the food, and the language,” Holt told TRT.

That first trip was inspirational and adventurous, but it was also filled with moments of doubt and loneliness. Despite that, she was determined to continue with her travels.

As a young woman, her solo Japan experience helped give her the confidence and freedom to make her own decisions and build connections on her own terms. She felt her fear, and she did it anyway. 

“You don’t have to be fearless; you just have to take the leap and let the net appear.”

Rule 2: Arrive Curious

While having expectations can be beneficial, if we’re too rigid in our thinking, we can miss out on a lot. The best way to avoid that is to arrive curious. 

In episode three of season one of her series, “Me, Myself & the World,” while in Bali, Holt meets and interviews Nadine McNeil, a former United Nations employee turned yoga instructor. McNeil worked in crisis and emergency logistics and first went to Indonesia in the wake of the 2004 tsunami to help provide relief. McNeil fell in love with Balinese culture and embraced Indonesia as her new home. 

Together, Holt and McNeil discussed the importance of arriving curious, embracing the local culture, and being present while both on and off the beaten path.

“Hearts wide open, seek to understand rather than to be understood,” Nadine McNeil says in “Me, Myself & the World.”

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Rule 3: Immerse Yourself in Local Culture

According to Holt, the real heart of solo travel lies in connecting with the people and culture native to where you travel. By dipping a toe into the local culture, you can gain both a new respect and perspective on where you are.

“Even if it’s not what you’re used to, being present in those moments creates stories you’ll never forget.” 

Trying hard to embrace the local culture also exposes us to things we would never experience otherwise, hopefully broadening our worldview.

How to Choose Your First Solo Destination

If you’ve now decided that solo travel is for you, and it’s time to decide where to go first, Holt offers a step-by-step approach to finding the perfect first solo destination:

Start Small and Build Confidence 

When starting out as a solo traveler, it helps to get your “feet wet,” as Holt puts it. To help build our self-confidence, start with manageable experiences, like dining alone or attending a local event. From there, progress to short trips to nearby towns or states before tackling international destinations.  

“Think of it like building muscle,” Pamela says. “Each step makes you stronger and more comfortable with being on your own.”  

Follow Your Passions 

Having a hobby or a passion can make it easy to pick a first solo destination. Love wine? Attend a wine festival in your town, then state, and work up to an international event. You'll find it easier to meet new people and create new friendships when surrounded by others who share your interests. 

“Travel becomes much more meaningful when it’s tied to something you love,” Pamela explains.

Whether your interests are broad or niche, they can lead to countless travel opportunities.

Pick Beginner-Friendly Destinations

More of the world is beginner-traveler-friendly than we may realize. For first-time international solo travelers, Holt suggests places that are English-speaking and easy to navigate, such as:  

• England: Familiar culture and language.  
• Tokyo: Surprisingly traveler-friendly with excellent transportation infrastructure.  
• Singapore: Clean, safe, and accommodating to English speakers.  

 For those ready to explore further, Southeast Asia offers budget-friendly options like Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali, with affordable transportation and welcoming locals. Pamela refers to this as the trifecta of solo travel destinations!

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Setting Realistic Expectations for Solo Travel 

It can be hard to enter a new experience without any expectations. Especially when it comes to travel, we expect some destinations to be a certain way. While it can be good to have expectations, you also want to be flexible. 

As Holt says, “If you're looking for a particular experience, I will guarantee you you're probably not gonna get it. If you really, really want something that's so unbelievably specific, it’s best to literally pay for that experience through a reliable concierge travel service.”

Setting realistic expectations for your solo journey can improve your overall experience.

Mindset is Key

Your mindset going into your travels will be essential for setting expectations. Embracing a curious and flexible mindset makes room for new opportunities - you might meet new friends who inspire a last-minute detour or discover unexpected events that redefine your trip.

In many ways, “expect the unexpected” becomes key advice as you will face both hurdles and opportunities that can make your trip even more memorable if you let it.

Misconceptions to Overcome 

In addition to adopting a certain mindset, be wary of certain misconceptions centered around solo travel. 

Two common misconceptions Holt addresses are loneliness and budget.

“Solo doesn’t have to mean alone. You’re rarely alone unless you choose to be,” she says. Holt has redefined solo travel; it’s a mindset adjustment, she says - “S.O.L.O. stands for “Seeking out Life’s Opportunities!” 

Misconception #1 “Solo travel is lonely” overcome (check!)

Going solo encourages people to work harder to reach out to others to make a connection. You’ll find that digital nomads and fellow world travelers make for fast friends, especially if you’re both new to the place.

Modern hostels also provide ample opportunity to meet new people from all over the world while also offering the same level of service, privacy, and amenities as hotels, often at a cheaper rate.

And while traveling solo, you gain the flexibility to take those last-minute travel deals.

“You can travel very inexpensively as a solo traveler, and one of the greatest things is last-minute deals - you're on no one else's itinerary, so you can wing it. For example, I literally got a $43 flight from Bali to Vietnam because I was going last minute.”

Misconception #2 “Solo travel is expensive” overcome (check check!)

Solo Traveling… as a Community 

It may sound paradoxical, but one thing you can do as a solo traveler is connect with communities of other solo travelers. Finding like-minded people in the same space as you, whether you were traveling for a passion or just for fun, feels exciting. Those bonds can strengthen because you have similar interests, and you have the chance to have a shared experience by the simple act of traveling.

Holt told TRT of her recent partnership with  Postcard Adventure Group, designed for solo female travelers. This group provides a balance of independence and social connection. Through Postcard Adventure Group, Holt will guest host a 2025 all-women’s trip to Bali, where travelers can experience first-hand all the places Holt covers in Season 1, Episodes 1 – 4. 

If you’re nervous about being alone while on the go, travel groups and digital nomad coworking spaces offer many resources to help you meet and connect with your community.

Solo Travel as a Transformative Experience

Solo travel isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about discovering yourself. Or and or maybe rediscovering yourself. It’s a chance to simultaneously look inward while exploring outward. 

“You never know what the journey will bring,” Holt tells TRT. “That’s the beauty of it.” 

And those movie moments are possible in real life sometimes, thanks to travel. It’s just a matter of being open to what comes your way. Maybe you’ll meet your soulmate in the seat next to you (Holt has a story of that happening!), maybe you find a new forever home, or maybe you’ll just have a new experience you wouldn’t have gotten elsewhere.

Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a first-time traveler, remembering to feel your fear (and do it anyway), arrive curious, and embrace the local culture can lead you to meaningful experiences and unexpected connections.  

“Solo travel is a gift you give yourself,” Pamela concludes. “Try it at least once—you’ll come back with stories you never imagined.”  

Use Pamela’s Golden Rules to plan your first solo trip and explore the transformative power of traveling alone. For inspiration, check out Pamela Holt’s Amazon Series “Me, Myself & the World” (also available on Go Traveler and Tubi) and visit The Remote Traveler for additional tips and resources.