Solo female travellers shaping the journeys we create.
In recent years, we have witnessed a remarkable shift in the travel landscape, one led by women who are boldly carving out their own paths. Solo female travel is no longer a niche; it is a force. And across Spain and Portugal, it is redefining how we craft luxury journeys.
At The Real Thing, we have seen a growing number of women travelling on their own, confident, curious, and intentional. These travellers are not simply looking for a getaway. They are seeking experiences that challenge and transform, that speak to something deeper. As planners, this inspires us to go beyond the expected and create journeys that feel personal, powerful, and quietly daring.
Women today are often the ones scouting out what is next in travel. They do their homework. They come prepared, ask thoughtful questions, and want more than a beautiful hotel or a checklist of sights. They want to be moved, changed, even stretched.
It is not about ticking boxes, it is about saying: “I did this. I went there. And I am stronger because of it.”
Solo travel is something we both know intimately, not just as planners, but as travellers. As co-owners of a DMC, we are often on the road, visiting new properties, meeting with local partners, and uncovering hidden gems. While we are occasionally lucky enough to travel together or alongside colleagues, more often than not, we are travelling solo. Over time, this has given us a deep respect for the solo travel experience, the quiet moments of reflection, the serendipitous conversations, the small victories of navigating new places alone. It has made us better listeners, more empathetic designers of travel, and more attuned to what solo travellers truly need.
Spain and Portugal are uniquely suited to these kinds of experiences. From female led wine tastings in the Douro to guided walks through the raw beauty of the Costa Vicentina, or a morning with a ceramicist in a quiet Catalan village, each moment invites discovery and connection.
These destinations offer the ideal balance: you might share experiences with like minded people over meals or excursions, but still have the freedom to go at your own pace, without having to cater to anyone else.
As women and co-owners of a luxury travel company, we find this evolution not only exciting but deeply inspiring. These journeys remind us why we do what we do, not just to show clients beautiful places, but to create space for something more meaningful. Solo travel is not about being alone, it is about being fully present. And here in Spain and Portugal, that presence is rewarded with authenticity, warmth, and the chance to return home transformed.
- Marta Muñoz Recarte & Glòria Pou, Co-Founders
