Along with pretty much every other wedding tradition tossed out the window by the anti-bride, it seems that even marriage itself is being thrown to the wind. Forget a romantic honeymoon, 2024 is all about the “me-moon.” That’s right. As the name implies, it eschews the idea that you must experience a life-altering event (in this instance, a wedding) to justify a big, splashy trip. After all, if you wait around for someone to be ready to go on an adventure with you...the truth is, you could be waiting your whole life. With 13.9 million views on TikTok and the fact that searches around “solo traveling” are up 145 percent on Pinterest, we’re pretty confident this is a travel trend that will be everywhere next year. Below, we break down the concept behind the “me-moon,” plus drop three of destinations we’d totally book.
Is 2024 the Year of the "Me-Moon"?
Why women are opting for solo vacays
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What Is a “Me-Moon”?
As TikTok creator Brittany Allyn explains in the video above, a “me-moon” is a “solo dream vacation.” When we think of dream vacations, thoughts usually follow about the need to have an occasion to celebrate—an excuse, if you will. And getting hitched is usually one of the biggest excuses of them all. (Aside from a babymoon and celebrating an empty nest.) But Allyn, whose TikTok bio literally reads “37, thriving, and ignoring timelines,” challenges this notion. She is arguably the top creator in this hashtag, and her “me-moons” (a nearly continuous string of travel experiences for the last couple years) have included doing everything from riding in a gondola to dressing up in ball gowns and taking herself to dinner in foreign countries. Allyn even used a trip to London to freeze her eggs.
While her videos are filled with far-flung locales like St. Ktits, the French Riviera, Verona and Iceland, other videos in the hashtag show more simple pleasures, like road tripping through coastal Massachusetts towns or hiking in the woods. The idea of solo female travel isn’t new. Just see accounts like Dame Traveler or Girls Love Travel, popular accounts dedicated to jaunting around the world. However, there is often an implied undercurrent that we’re living it up before “settling down.” The “me-moon” dashes that notion—you can live it up at any point, at any age, with or without a partner.
3 “Me-Moons” to Book ASAP
Itching to now book your own “me-moon”? Options are plentiful, whether you want a spa weekend, Northeastern getaway or European tour. The only rule: There are no rules. It’s all about you. But if you need a little inspiration, here are three places we’d jet off to in a heartbeat.
The Hot New Destination
- Things to Do: Sublime Comporta Beach Club, Casa da Cultura da Comporta, Restaurante Sal
- Where to Stay: Alojamento Local Verde e Mar (from $78/night); Quinta da Comporta (from $335/night); Almalusa Comporta (from168/night)
We called it: Comporta is an under-the-radar location that has “me-moon” written all over it. This languid destination is the perfect place to relax in solitude: towering cork oaks, windy dunes and sunny beaches beckon. Spend your days lounging around at the Sublime Comporta Beach Club, rosé in hand, and then wiling away your time in one of the many local boutiques. There, you’ll find woven beach bags at Lavanda and local fashion and homewares at Casa da Cultura da Comporta. Of course, food is also on the agenda. Restaurante Sal serves up seafood with ocean views, while Comporta Café serves it up with a sangria.
The Classic Getaway
- Things to Do: Atlantis Books, Oia Castle, Church of Panagia Platsani
- Where to Stay: Andronis Arcadia (from $617/night); Delion View Hotel (from $138); Ducato di Oia (from $150/night)
Here’s your chance to enjoy the renowned, white-washed villages of Santorini on your own schedule. Take in as many sunsets as you like over the Aegean Sea (Oia Castle is a particularly good lookout point); wander the town’s winding, cobbled streets and get lost in the tomes at Atlantis Books. For an ultra-luxurious experience, check yourself into the Andronis Arcadia in the village of Oia, where you’ll enjoy top-notch spa services, an infinity pool and delicious Mediterranean fare accompanied by live music.
The Adventurous Locale
- Things to Do: Northern Lights, Perlan, swim in a blue lagoon
- Where to Stay: Reykjavik Natura (from $158/night); Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel (from $166/night); Exeter Hotel (from $164/night)
If you’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights and swim in a blue lagoon, but couldn’t convince anyone to go with you...well, your time is now. Nothing like an adventurous “me-moon” to kick off the start of the year. (Northern Lights season is September through April, BTW.) Plus, the city of Reykjavik is brimming with activities, including the futuristic Perlan nature museum with its 4K planetarium and the iconic Hallgrimskirkja that stands out against the city skyline.
