Our 19th birthday marks nearly two decades of reshaping solo travel.

This year we celebrate 19 years of amazing solo travellers who have joined us to see the world their way. Together we’ve shown that solo travel can be something more than simply going it alone.

From the very beginning we believed solo travel deserved its own space. We coined the phrase Solos Only and pioneered small groups created just for solo travellers. Not as an add-on, not squeezed in beside couples or families, but tours built from the ground up for people leaving home alone to travel, who still want connection.

That belief has shaped everything we’ve done since 2006, and it continues to be our guiding force behind all we do.

As we celebrate our 19th birthday, we’re sharing 19 insights about our version of solo travel.

The Touring Style

1. Balance Built In
   We create the tour to find the balance between time together as a group and time for yourself. The balance shifts depending on the destination, but the intention never changes.
   
   
2. Thoughtful Pacing
   Every itinerary is shaped with care. Some trips are naturally faster, others more relaxed, but none are created without consideration. We always think about how the day feels in reality, not just on paper, so travellers can enjoy both discovery and downtime.
   
   
3. Small Group Tours, Always
   When you choose a solo travel experience, the last thing you want is to feel lost in a crowd. Big buses can make you feel anonymous. We know small groups create connection, and it’s been our touring approach since 2006. Nineteen years later, it remains central to the discoveries we create.
   
   
4. Hosts And Guides That Fit
   Many of our group guides, or tour directors, have travelled with us for years and understand what solo travellers value. When we bring in someone new, we look for the same qualities. What is interesting to know is that many guides request to work with our groups because they enjoy witnessing the camaraderie that naturally develops among our solo travellers.
   
   
5. Stays That Matter
   Hotels are never chosen at random. Every itinerary is developed with a careful critique of the accommodation options available. In some destinations there are limits, or in peak travel seasons it is not always possible to tick every box on our wish list, but reviewing and selecting the right stays is a primary focus in our planning.

Travel Evolution & Smarter Choices

6. Smarter Travel Documents
   We have always focused on providing clear, user-friendly information for our travellers. Recently we introduced an eco-friendly change, moving from plastic to a card-style travel wallet. After 19 years, it is also time for us to evolve again. Behind the scenes we are working on new updates to how you’ll receive your travel documents. We‘re not quite ready to reveal the details yet, but we know the changes will make a real difference once you are on the move.
   
   
7. Always Evolving
   Across our 19 years we’ve evolved with more tours, more destinations but also enhanced the community connection. One example is the way we give every group the chance to connect online before they meet in person. It is a simple idea, yet it has made a big difference to how travellers feel before a trip begins. That spirit of evolution is what guides us. We are always looking for new ways to improve the solo travel experience, both before departure and once you are on the journey.

8. Transparent Pricing
   We keep it simple because we know most of our travellers prefer their own space and will choose this option. Hotels charge per room, not per person, and that is the main reason we show you up front the cost of your tour with your own room.
   
   At the same time, many of our tours also offer a ‘Share & Save’ choice. If you are a good sharer and you are happy to go that way and value the saving, it is an option worth considering. Most travellers opt for their own room, but it is nice to know that flexibility is there.

9. Fitness Guidance
   Clarity on fitness expectations matters. That is why we have a Fit-to-Travel pace rating, shown as a simple 1 to 5 system on our website. It gives you a picture of what to expect before you book.
   
   We recognise that matching your travel fitness to the trip pace is important. And if you are unsure, our experienced Australian travel team is here to help. A quick call with one of our consultants can walk you through the details and answer your questions. If needed, they will escalate to the wider team to give you the extra input and support you need to feel confident in your choice

10. Preparing You Well
    We aim to give practical guidance. Whether it is about packing, meeting points, or what to expect on arrival. One example is the holiday checklist that comes with your documents, which helps with packing and offers a few handy hints before you leave home. That is just one way we support you before your journey begins. The goal is always that you feel prepared and relaxed before you even set off.

Growth & New Horizons 

11. More Journeys
    Since 2006 we have grown each year, adding more destinations and more opportunities for solo travellers to see the world. Some of our travellers have been with us since the early years, and in a way we are keeping up with their pace; finding new ways to keep them travelling. Whether you are a seasoned solo or just starting out, we are here to meet the appetite for discovery.
    
    
12. South Korea Joins The Line-Up
    We are celebrating the impending launch of Discover South Korea. A Fresh Destination with culture, cuisine, and discovery, created just for solo travellers who want something new and different.
    
    
13. The 3 Stans
    This birthday also brings into focus the launch of our Highlights of the Three Stans tour, a journey into Central Asia. This part of the world is increasingly appearing on travellers’ radar, and it feels like the right time to introduce it to our ‘Solos Only’ community. We are excited to be starting off with two departures, the first in 2026.

14. River Cruising Returns
    Ocean cruising has long been a part of our story, and next year we are marking the return of river cruising. Back on our line-up is the very well-known and highly sought-after Amsterdam to Budapest journey. This 2026 departure has already sold out, but we encourage you to join the waitlist. There is always a chance of more cabins becoming available through booking changes or cancellations.
    
    
15. Expanding Trip Styles
    Celebrating 19 years also means celebrating how our range of travel styles has grown. You may not know that our very first trip in 2006 was a Whitsundays resort group. From there we added touring, then cruising, and walking trips.

Community & Care

16. Solos Only, Always
    It is more than a tagline. Every trip is created with solo travellers in mind, right from the ground up. One example is the way we design our itineraries around dining. Sharing meals is a big part of bringing people together, so most of our tours include a good mix of group lunches and dinners.  At the same time, we recognise the value of freedom and independence. That is why some days are left open for your own local discoveries, whether you want to explore alone or with others from the group.
    
    “Sharing the journey takes ‘alone’ out of solo travel.”

17. Part of Your Community
    As an Australian-based team, we understand the way Australians like to travel and what matters most when you are far from home. Being part of the same community means we can support you before, during, and after your journey. And while our roots are proudly Australian, our doors are always open to solo travellers from everywhere. We love welcoming our neighbours from New Zealand, and friends from the US, the UK, and beyond.
    
    
18. Listening Matters
    We actively seek out traveller feedback because it shapes what we do. Insights from our travellers have led to adaptations in how we run our trips, and even to the introduction of new destinations. Many of the journeys we now offer began as suggestions from the people who travel with us. Human elements and nature play their part, and sometimes things do not go exactly to plan. But we listen, we learn, and we take on board what you tell us. We are not a big corporate touring company where you are just a number. You count, and your voice influences our future. The proof is in the travellers who return year after year.

19. Experience You Can Count On
    Nineteen years of history sit behind every journey we create, but for me it is also personal. I know what it feels like to travel solo for the first time, and I still remember my own early experiences. That is why I connect so closely to the insights and messages our travellers share. I have travelled on our tours and experienced the different travel styles we offer.
    
    Yes, I am at the helm, but I am also across the detail. We are not a big corporate where things get lost in layers. I have an amazing, experienced team beside me, and together we care deeply about the trips we design and the travellers who join us. That is the experience you can count on, and it is why we are standing strong today, celebrating our 19th birthday.

More Than a Holiday

At 19 our spirit is as strong as ever, and we are always looking ahead. From the moment we pioneered ‘Solos Only’ small group travel in 2006, we set out to reshape what solo travel could mean. That pioneering spirit continues to drive us today, and it will carry us into our milestone 20th year that is now just around the corner.

Solo-ish: travel no longer alone. 

CHECK US OUT
Encounter Travel is 100% Australian Owned. Since 2006, leading the way for solo travellers. Find out where you can travel with us. 
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Check Out Our Solos Only Tour Groups
For a full list of small group tours.

Getting Started For The First Time?
Check out my book, How To Travel Solo But Not Alone

Something To Share?
Have you got a story to share?  Send us your solo travel story, for inclusion on our blog page. Know anyone that could find some encouraging words from my story? Please share and be a voice for travelling solo.