Lifestyle / Travel

New Zealand named best country for solo travelers

Editors at Travel + Leisure magazine have given New Zealand the title of best country for solo, independent travelers.

Sep 20, 2014 | By AFPRelaxnews

New Zealand Auckland

Editors at Travel + Leisure magazine have given New Zealand the title of best country for solo, independent travelers.

It’s where adventure seekers can trek glaciers and rainforests, bungee jump and jet boat and meet some of the “friendliest and most open-minded people in the world.”

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The Shire New Zealand

While a country’s safety and security may be easy to evaluate, editors say they wanted to consider other factors that are important to solo travelers.

For instance, “…is the country you’ve chosen a happy place?”

“Is it a country where you’ll be made to feel welcome, a nation where you can easily interact with the locals, where conversation flows easily even if you’re struggling with a new language? For truly rewarding solo travel, it’s crucial that you can connect with the culture and not feel like an outsider.”

Hot Water Beach New Zealand

For that, editors say they consulted the Happy Planet Index which looks at environmental impact and human well-being in 151 countries.

For safety, editors consulted the Global Peace Index.

Mount Cook National Park

Top 10 countries for solo travelers according to Travel + Leisure

1. New Zealand
2. Norway
3. Switzerland
4. Costa Rica
5. Austria
6. Vietnam
7. Chile
8. Tie: Japan and Sweden
9. Indonesia
10. Germany


 
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