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Spring Is for Fresh Starts: Best Spring Destinations for Women Over 40 Traveling Solo
- Anne Marie aka Baldgirlwilltravel
- 12 minutes ago
- 6 min read
There is something about spring that feels like a reset button.
The days get longer. The air feels lighter. Flowers bloom again after months of gray skies and cold weather. And if you’re anything like me, spring also brings that familiar feeling that it might be time to pack a bag and go somewhere beautiful.
For women over 40 — especially those of us rediscovering joy, independence, and freedom through travel — spring is one of the best seasons for solo travel.
The crowds of summer haven’t arrived yet. The weather is usually mild and comfortable. Cities feel alive again. And many destinations are simply more enjoyable when you can wander without melting in the heat or fighting through peak-season crowds.
If you’ve been thinking about taking a solo trip this year, here are a few destinations that are especially magical in the spring.
London, United Kingdom
London in the spring is simply stunning.
Parks like Hyde Park, St. James’s Park, and Kensington Gardens explode with flowers.
Cherry blossoms bloom throughout the city, and people start spilling out onto sidewalks and pub patios again after the winter months.
And for a solo traveler, London is incredibly easy to navigate.
The Tube system is excellent, English is spoken everywhere (obviously), and there are endless museums, historic landmarks, and neighborhoods to explore at your own pace.
Spring is also a perfect time for:
Afternoon tea at a historic hotel
Walking along the Thames River
Exploring neighborhoods like Notting Hill, Shoreditch, and Covent Garden
Spending hours inside world-class museums like the British Museum or the Victoria & Albert
One of my favorite things about London is that you can spend an entire day just wandering with no plan, and still feel like you had an incredible day.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
If you want to see spring at its most colorful, Amsterdam is the place.
Spring means tulip season, and the entire region becomes a postcard of vibrant color. Just outside the city you’ll find Keukenhof Gardens, one of the most famous flower gardens in the world.
But even within the city itself, spring is magical. The canals reflect rows of historic homes. Bicycles line every bridge. Flower markets spill onto the streets.
Amsterdam is also a fantastic destination for women traveling solo because:
It’s extremely walkable
Public transportation is simple and safe
Cafés and restaurants are comfortable for solo dining
There are endless small museums and galleries to explore
One of the best ways to spend a spring afternoon here is simply taking a canal cruise, followed by a quiet dinner along the water.
Florence, Italy
Florence is beautiful any time of year, but spring may be the best season to visit.
The summer heat in Florence can be intense, but spring offers warm sunny days without the overwhelming crowds.
This is the perfect time to wander through the city slowly and truly take it in.
Florence is ideal for solo travelers who love:
Art
History
Architecture
Incredible food
You can spend hours inside the Uffizi Gallery, marvel at Michelangelo’s David, and then sit outside at a café with a glass of wine and watch the world go by.
And because Florence is compact, it’s one of those cities where you can simply walk everywhere, which I personally love when I’m traveling alone.
Take a day trip into the Tuscan countryside, visit a winery, or explore small nearby towns like Siena or Lucca.
Spring is when Tuscany truly starts to glow.
Porto, Portugal
Porto might be one of Europe’s most underrated destinations.
Set along the Douro River, this colorful Portuguese city is full of historic buildings, beautiful tiled facades, and incredible food. Spring is the perfect time to visit because the weather is mild and the city feels relaxed before the busy summer months.
For solo travelers, Porto offers:
Beautiful riverfront walks
Rooftop wine bars overlooking the water
Easy day trips into the Douro Valley wine region
Delicious seafood and pastries
One of my favorite travel rituals is to find a scenic rooftop restaurant or café and just sit for a while, soaking in the view.
Porto is perfect for that.
It’s the kind of city where you slow down a little — and sometimes that’s exactly what we need.
Why Spring Travel Is Perfect for Women Over 40
By the time many of us reach our 40s and 50s, we start to travel differently.
We’re less interested in rushing through a checklist of sights and more interested in how a place feels.
Spring travel supports that beautifully.
You can:
Walk comfortably for hours
Enjoy outdoor cafés and gardens
Avoid the chaos of peak summer tourism
Experience cities as they wake back up after winter
It’s the perfect season for thoughtful, intentional travel.
And if you’re traveling solo, it’s also a season that invites reflection, exploration, and a little bit of reinvention.
Because sometimes a trip is more than just a vacation.
Sometimes it’s a reminder that life is still full of possibilities.
A Few Personal Solo Travel Tips
Before I wrap up, here are a few practical things I always do when traveling solo. These small habits make my trips smoother, safer, and a lot less stressful.
Wear your heaviest shoes on the plane
This is one of my favorite packing tricks. If you’re bringing boots or chunky sneakers, wear them on the flight. It saves space in your suitcase and keeps your luggage lighter.
Choose a simple color palette when packing
.I like to pick colors that mix easily so everything works together. In the spring, I often pack lighter neutrals with a few bright accents so I can create several outfits with fewer pieces.
Check in daily with a family group chat
I send a quick message each day letting my family know where I am and what I’m doing. It takes two seconds and gives everyone peace of mind.
Book excursions through reliable platforms
When I want to take a tour or day trip, I often book through Viator because it’s easy to see reviews and find reputable operators.
Make restaurant reservations ahead of time.
If there’s a place I really want to try, I’ll check OpenTable and secure a reservation in advance. It saves you from wandering around hungry in a new city.
And one more thing I always recommend:
Bring the right travel gear.
Over the years, I’ve found certain items that make solo travel so much easier — things like a good carry-on suitcase, a packable neck pillow, a personal item bag that actually fits under the seat, travel adapters, portable fans, and security essentials.
I’ve put together my personal travel essentials shopping list so you can see exactly what I use and recommend for my trips.
You can check it out here:👉 My Travel Essentials Shopping List
Travel should feel exciting — not stressful.
A little preparation (and the right gear) goes a long way toward making your trip smooth and enjoyable.
Ready to Plan Your Own Solo adventure?
Whether you want to join one of my curated BaldGirlWillTravel meet-ups or plan a custom solo itinerary designed just for you, I help Black women over 40 travel safely, stylishly, and intentionally.
Want to Travel Even More Confidently?
If you want a deeper dive into staying safe — especially as a solo traveler — I’ve put everything I’ve learned over years of traveling into my guide:
This guide covers:
Practical safety strategies before and during your trip
How to reduce risk without limiting your freedom
Situational awareness tips that actually make sense in real life
How to move confidently — not fearfully — while traveling
It’s designed for women who want to explore the world prepared, informed, and unbothered.
Because travel should expand your life — not stress you out.
Whether you want to join one of my BaldGirlWillTravel group adventures or create a custom solo itinerary just for you, I can help you plan the trip you’ve been dreaming about — stress-free, stylish, and unforgettable.
I now offer custom travel planning for women who are ready to explore the world on their own terms—with safety, style, and confidence.
👯♀️ Prefer group travel with like-minded women?
Join one of my 2026 or 2027 Girls Trips curated just for Black women 40+.—and yes, payment plans are available!
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Because travel is the best self care there is!!
Thank You For Reading!
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