Not Too Late, Not Too Old: Saying Yes to Solo Travel

I was partway up Ingwansan Mountain, following the ancient stone steps of the old city wall tucked into the edges of Seoul’s busy cityscape, when I stopped to catch my breath and take in the view. Below me, the city shimmered like a mosaic of glass and steel; around me, wildflowers clung to crevices in the rock wall that snaked up the ridge.

Not long before, I’d paused to exchange a few halting words — and many smiles — with a group of older Korean women resting mid-climb, fanning themselves in the heat and chatting in lilting voices.

Reaching the top, I paused, debating whether or not to take that first uncertain step downward, or return the way I’d come. The trail wasn’t treacherous, but it wasn’t smooth either — rocky underfoot, with a few spots that looked like they’d prefer you to turn back.

But as I scrambled over the boulders, steadying myself with a weathered rope, and made my way down the winding trail, I realised: this moment was its own quiet adventure. Unplanned. Undramatic. Unforgettable.

Years earlier, fear, inhibitions, or self-consciousness might have held me back. I might have worried about what people thought — a woman in her 60s, hiking solo in a foreign country? I might have talked myself out of it. Or chosen a safer, more sensible path.

But now, I trust my instincts, my pace, my preparation. I know how to listen to my body and my courage. So I tightened the straps on my daypack, tucked away my misgivings, and took that first step downward. One foot, then the other.

That simple decision — to hike Ingwansan instead of the more challenging Bukhansan — wasn’t about proving anything. It was about choosing possibility over perfection. It was a reminder of how solo travel has changed my relationship with the world, and with myself.

It taught me that adventure doesn’t have to mean danger or drama. It can be as simple as choosing the path that’s yours alone to walk — and walking it with confidence.

More Women Are Choosing Solo Adventures

All around the world, more and more women — especially those in midlife and beyond — are stepping out on their own terms. They’re booking flights, setting off on road trips, exploring unfamiliar cities or peaceful villages, not because they’re fearless, but because they’re curious.

Because they want something more than routine.

Because they’ve spent years putting others first — and now it’s time for a chapter that starts with me.

They’re not all backpacking across continents or climbing peaks. Some are taking day trips, exploring neighbouring towns, or spending a quiet week in a place they’ve always wanted to see.

What they share is a mindset: a willingness to move toward the unknown, one step at a time.

What Counts as Adventure?

We often associate “adventure” with high risk or adrenaline. But really, adventure is just anything that invites the unexpected into our lives. It’s the spice that transforms routine into memory.

• Taking an unfamiliar route and getting wonderfully lost.
• Ordering a meal you can’t pronounce.
• Navigating a local train system solo for the first time.
• Changing plan s because the weather turned — but still making the most of it.

These moments may be challenging, humbling, or even awkward — but aren’t they also the stories we end up cherishing the most?

Why Wait?

As I get older, I’ve realised I may not have more money — but I do have more freedom. I have more clarity about what matters to me. And I know this: time waits for no one.

I recently saw a Facebook post that stopped me in my tracks. It showed a message bottle being tossed into the ocean. Inside were what looked like ashes. The caption read:

This is my mum. Throw her back in, she’s travelling the world. Thanks.

The daughter explained that her mum, a single parent of five, had spent her life working, raising children, and, having passed away too soon, never got to fulfil her dream of travelling the world.

That image has stayed with me. Not as a tragedy — but as a reminder. Why wait? Grasp the opportunity before it’s too late.

Choosing Intermezzos

No, I can’t travel non-stop. Like many women, I have responsibilities, financial limitations, and a home to return to. I must balance my dreams with real-world limitations. But I do choose what I call “intermezzos” — brief, beautiful pauses from routine. A few days here, a month or so there. They’re pauses in life’s symphony where something unexpected and beautiful can play out. These short journeys give me the space to reconnect with myself, explore, and be surprised.

I go where and when I choose. Mostly I travel solo. Sometimes, I meet up with a friend along the way. And sometimes I change plans halfway through because something unexpected calls to me. The point isn’t the scale of the trip. It’s the spirit in which it is taken.

Because, at the end of the day, adventures come in all shapes and sizes. Some are grand and sprawling. Others are quiet and deeply personal.

What matters is that they’re yours.

Curious to Know More?

If something in this story resonated with you — if you’ve ever dreamed of travelling solo but didn’t know where to start; if you’re worried that it’s “too late” to begin exploring — my book “Go Solo” is for you.

It’s part memoir, part guidebook, written especially for women in midlife and beyond. I share real stories from my own travels, practical tips, and encouragement to help you find your own path — whether across the world or just a little further from home.

You don’t need to wait for permission. You just need a moment of courage — and a willingness to begin.

So if you’re ready to say “yes” to your own intermezzos, I invite you to start here.

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