Sri Lanka is sometimes described as “India light”. Plainly put,
it’s easier to navigate, less hectic and trains (almost) leave on
time – so you won’t be left twiddling your thumbs on the platform.
While most start in Colombo, make sure to venture beyond the
confines of the capital – in the north and the east of the island
you’ll find some of the best spots. Travel by train from Colombo to
Jaffna or, better still, take a seaplane from the teeming capital
to the country’s lush interior and the ocean-lapped jungles. With
sparsely populated beaches, ancient ruins and endless hoppers to
gorge on, we can think of few places better to have some “me”
time.

From afar, Austin looks like a daunting high-rise city – it’s
studded with glass shards clumped alongside the Colorado River in
unforgiving geometric grids – but zoom in and you’ll find a
progressive bubble in America’s bible belt. There’s the graffiti
park of Castle Hill and the vintage shops of Travis Heights, while
the gregarious can go skinny-dipping in Hippie Hollow Park. It’s
known on two counts: firstly for being the most liberal city in
Texas, and secondly as (allegedly) the drunkest city in the US.
Austin’s not short on watering holes and, as you might expect from
its moniker, social lubricant runs like a tap on full flow. If
you’re looking for drinking buddies, head to Whisler’s. It’s a
madcap bar stuffed with so much ranch paraphernalia that you’ll
have no choice but to rub shoulders with the city’s most eccentric
nighthawks.

For a happiness fix, head to Copenhagen.
Consistently one of the top five countries in the annual World
Happiness Report, the city also leads the way in the style stakes.
The epitome of Scandi cool, a few years back Copenhagen birthed a
sub-group of bloggers and designers keen to ruffle many a French
girl’s feathers. Since then, the city has grown into something of a
fashion mecca, developing at an exponential pace. From Ganni –
Copenhagen’s coolest export – to umpteen conceptual design stores
and a killer food scene, this is an ideal choice for a weekend away
to tester solo travelling.

For those hopeless at navigating,
Rome is a good place to go. Sure, hitting up those key sites is
a big NB but in having no timekeeper, and no real sense of
direction, you’re free to discover the endless marvels of the city
at your leisure. Head down one street and you’ll happen upon a
sculpture by Bernini or take the second left instead of the third
and you’ll find yourself in the quaintest of quarters. Rome is
robust with history, art and character – a city made to get lost
in. Make like Julia (Roberts) in Eat, Pray, Love and learn some
Italian, eat some pasta, buy some bigger jeans and have a bloody
good time.

Less daunting than Oz, New Zealand’s manageable size,
nature-focused culture and chilled-out vibe makes a great case for
those looking to travel a little further afield tout seul. English
speaking, free-thinking and almost unbelievably easy on the eyes,
it’s is also a great starting point for exploring other parts of
Indonesia and Asia. On the North Island, the best things to
discover are outdoors and entirely free, meaning that (flights
aside) you don’t need to abuse your overdraft too much to have a
great time. UK passport holders don’t require a visa to travel to
New
Zealand (and can stay up to six months.)

With an air of conviviality, it’s unlikely you’ll ever feel
lonely in this cosy city. From the clustered museum district and
masterpieces every few paces to a wealth of up-and-coming
neighbourhoods, idleness (or loneliness) is not on the cards here.
With a distinctly international crowd, it’s a great spot for
creatives seeking inspiration (and possibly an in-depth chat after
a couple of rounds of jenever). Tilting gabled buildings,
labyrinthine canals and picture-perfect scenes at every corner make
this walkable city a real magnet for budding photographers.

We know, a wellness spa, how cliché of us. But nutritional
advice, wellbeing consultations, daily workouts and plenty of
pampering is sometimes exactly what Number One needs, particularly
if you’re burnt out and looking to reset. Known for their
“rejuvenation therapy” – which claims to boost your immune system –
Swiss maverick Clinique La Prairie combines a state-of-the-art
medical spa with a holistic approach. From detox programmes to
sleep management, the clinic is best experienced solo, allowing you
to leave your everyday reality behind. Located on Lake Geneva’s
shoreline, Montreux is also an idyllic spot to spend a few
reflective days post-clinic.