Not everyone who travels alone wants to be alone all the time. For many people, especially after sixty, the idea of setting off on a journey with a group of strangers might once have seemed awkward or unappealing. But there is something quietly wonderful about travelling with others who, like you, have chosen to explore the world independently, and have discovered that doing so in company can be the perfect balance between freedom and friendship. 

Group travel designed for solo travellers is not the same as tagging along on a large tour bus packed with people you have nothing in common with. These trips are often small, carefully curated, and aimed at those who value their independence but also enjoy conversation over dinner or a shared laugh on a market walk. Some are women-only. Others are mixed but age-inclusive, with itineraries that move at a thoughtful pace and allow time to really absorb a place rather than race through it. 

The appeal lies not just in the destinations, but in the ease. Someone else has taken care of the logistics. You do not have to worry about navigating foreign transport, booking accommodation, or deciphering maps in unfamiliar cities. There is a sense of reassurance that comes with travelling in a group, especially if your confidence is still building or if you are simply happier knowing someone else is keeping an eye on the details. 

But what surprises many people is the quality of the company. These are not school trips. They are journeys shared by people who have lived, who have stories to tell, who are open to meeting others without needing to impress. The friendships formed can be fleeting or long-lasting. Sometimes a group will bond over something unexpected. Other times, you may simply enjoy the gentle rhythm of being among people, knowing you can join in or step back as you wish. 

There is also the delight of not having to explain why you have come on your own. In these groups, that is the norm. There is no need to apologise or explain. Everyone is in the same boat, sometimes literally, and that creates a kind of camaraderie that is hard to replicate elsewhere. 

Of course, not every trip will suit every person. It is worth doing a little research, asking questions, and finding the kind of group that fits your interests and pace. Some are more adventurous, others more leisurely. Some are cultural, others culinary. The right one can feel like a gift, a chance to see a new part of the world without having to do all the heavy lifting, and to do so in the company of others who understand the quiet pleasures of travelling later in life. 

Choosing group travel as a solo traveller is not a compromise. It is an option. One that many find opens up places and possibilities they might not have considered otherwise. And it often brings something else too, a reminder that shared experience, even among strangers, can be deeply affirming. It is a way of saying yes to the world not just as it is, but as it might become, with new friendships, new stories, and new memories made along the way.