How Slow Travel Builds Real Friendships (Especially for Solo Travelers)

Here’s what a lot of our travelers tell us after their first Other Way Round trip:

“I thought I was signing up for an adventure… but I didn’t expect to leave with actual friends.”

And honestly? That’s one of the best compliments we could ever receive.

Because while our trips are built for solo travelers in their 30s and 40s — curious, independent, and craving something deeper than the usual tourist trail — they’re also about something less tangible.

Not just the places you’ll see or the food you’ll try, but the people you’ll meet along the way.

That’s the beauty of slow travel. It opens up space — for connection, for presence, for conversation. It’s not about packing your days with bucket list stops or speeding through a checklist of landmarks. It’s about giving experiences time to breathe — so you can be somewhere, not just visit.

And when you travel that way? The friendships sneak up on you.

“SOME OF THE MOST SPECIAL MOMENTS? THEY’RE THE ONES THAT AREN’T ON THE ITINERARY”

The Magic Happens in the In-Between Moments

Yes, we plan memorable activities — from learning Bollywood dance moves in India to kayaking the coast of Hvar in Croatia. But some of the most special moments? They’re the ones that aren’t on the itinerary.

It’s the late-night chats over mezcal in Mexico, bonding with someone you just met over the sound of waves and a shared playlist.

It’s the time between destinations, swapping life stories on long train rides in Japan or desert drives in Morocco. It’s the moment someone shares snacks with you on a hike, and suddenly you’re in a two-hour conversation about life, careers, and everything in between.

“Words do not even come close to how to express my experience in Greece… I came with zero expectations and left with so many magical moments. I shared my time with so many beautiful people, each coming with something different.”

— Bree Peters 

Slow travel gives friendships room to grow organically — not forced, not fleeting, but real.

“THE SHARED EXPERIENCES GO DEEP”

Shared Adventures, Shared Stories

There’s something about traveling with people who are in the same season of life — wanting more than a party hostel, but not interested in lounging by a resort pool for a week either.

When everyone’s craving a mix of adventure and authenticity, it’s easy to find common ground.

That’s what makes our groups click. Whether you’re learning how to roll chapati in a Sikh temple in Delhi, or eating dinner with a local family during Diwali, the shared experiences go deep.

“It’s not just about checking off a destination on a list, it’s about making connections, learning about the culture, and being vulnerable enough to try new things. This is the kind of experience that Other Way Round offers.”

— Alicia-Jay Esposo, India trip

By the end of the trip, it’s not uncommon to find yourself traveling again with the same crew — people you didn’t know two weeks ago, now in your group chats and your future plans.

Built-In Community for Solo Travelers

We hear it all the time: “I usually travel solo. I wasn’t sure about joining a group.”

Totally fair. We get it.

Solo travelers are an independent bunch — and so are we. But we’ve built our trips with that mindset in mind. You still get time to explore on your own, but also never feel alone (unless you want to be). You can show up as your full, weird, curious self and find that everyone else has done the same.

“I usually plan my entire trips myself, but I thought I’d give a tour company a try for once… After my first trip with OWR, I don’t know if I’ll even plan a trip myself again!”

— Kelly Rauser, Thailand trip

Connections That Last Way Beyond the Trip

Travel friendships are different. They come from shared intensity — seeing new places, stepping out of comfort zones, navigating culture shock, and laughing through the unexpected. That kind of connection doesn’t end with a flight home.

“I’ve already booked another trip with OWR! I highly recommend anyone debating using OWR to stop waiting and book now.”

— Mike Woodard, Argentina trip

We’ve had travelers attend each other’s weddings, go on second, third, and even fourth trips together, and keep long-distance group chats going strong years later.

Slow travel creates the space for that to happen.

All you have to do is show up.

“FRIENDSHIPS OUTLAST THE FLIGHT HOME”

Ready to Experience an OWR Trip?

Whether it’s dancing in the streets of Cartagena, sipping wine in the Douro Valley, or just walking and talking your way through Fes, our trips are designed to bring curious people together — and give you time to really get to know each other.

Because that’s the kind of travel that sticks with you.

The kind where the friendships outlast the flight home.