What are your tips for Sri Lanka as a solo female traveller?

October 24, 2025 — 5:00am

I’m a solo female traveller in my early 40s looking to do a trip to Sri Lanka in late 2026. What are some tips and tours you would recommend, as well as airlines to travel with between Australia and Sri Lanka?
T. MacDonald, Narara, NSW

The climate in Sri Lanka is hot and humid for the most part, although nights in the highlands can be quite cool. Pack lightweight, breathable clothing – cotton and linen are ideal – and a warmer layer for the tea country, and don’t forget sun protection including sunscreen and a hat. Bottled water is widely available and be cautious with street food if you have a sensitive stomach. When visiting religious sites, cover your shoulders and knees and wear shoes or sandals that can be slipped on and off easily since bare feet are often required. Consult your GP or a medical clinic that specialises in travel health to make sure you’re covered for any health challenges you might face. Some tourists have been attacked by wildlife in Sri Lanka’s national parks, elephants can be especially dangerous, but if you’re on a tour your guide will keep you safe.

Melbourne-based Intrepid Travel has several small-group itineraries for Sri Lanka, with the emphasis on local experiences. Family-operated Bunnik Tours, based in Adelaide, has slow-paced tours that focus on exploring hidden gems, cultural heritage and natural beauty. The tours are designed for travellers aged 45-65, and include unique experiences. Walkers Tours is a well-regarded Sri Lankan tour operator which offers individual as well as group itineraries. SriLankan Airlines is the only airline with non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Colombo.

We will be in Paris next July and we’d like to visit the Normandy beaches and tour World War II sites. We’re not sure how many days are needed and would like a reputable guide while we are there. As Mont Saint-Michel is close by, we’d like to include it before returning to Paris. We don’t want to drive.
R. Dwyer, Balgowlah Heights, NSW

One-day tours of the Normandy landing sites are possible from Paris, but it’s a rushed day, and you would have to skip some of the most famous landing beaches. Two days gives you enough time to cover all five landing beaches, plus some of the key museums and memorials, and spend more reflection time. The best base to use for your tour is Bayeux, which has a good range of accommodation and restaurants as well as fast-train connections to Paris. Many guided World War II tours start from Bayeux.

Mont Saint-Michel is often included as an extension to a Normandy D-Day tour, and it makes a worthwhile pairing. You’ll need another day, from Bayeux to Mont Saint-Michel is almost two hours by car, and you need a minimum four-five hours to explore the abbey, island and walk the bay if the tide allows it. Overlorder specialises in battlefield tours from Bayeux, with experienced guides. They also offer a tour of Mont Saint-Michel.

I’m keen to do a tour of Uzbekistan. The larger tour companies seem to require level 3+ fitness or spend too much time in ceramic and carpet shops, cooking classes etc. I am an experienced independent traveller, aged mid-70s with slight mobility issues, and I have no concerns with doing a tour with an Uzbek company or a local guide. Any suggestions?
B. Dawkins, Glen Iris, Vic

Samaria Travel and Stantours, both based in Samarkand, offer tailor-made private tours and small group tours. A private, customised tour with a guide and driver allows you to tailor the sights, experiences and the pace to your exact needs and to change plans as you go. If you use a local operator, this is not an expensive option. On the downside, it can be a rather lonely experience. You’ll be dining alone, and sharing those magic moments along the way with fellow travellers is one of the joys of travel.

UK-based Wild Frontiers and British-run, Beijing-based Koryo Tours are two non-Uzbek operators with tours of Uzbekistan, and both have excellent reviews. Some guides are inclined to shunt travellers into shopping experiences since this is a way for them to increase what is often a meagre wage from the tour operator. If you don’t want to participate, make your reluctance clear before you lock in your booking.

Before a small group tour of Greece my husband and I would like to spend eight days in Puglia. Any suggestions on one or two towns or small cities from where we could take day trips by train or bus? Any recommendations on transport from there to Athens?
J. Stephan, Ballina, NSW

Ostuni would be my first choice, a hilltop town also known as the “White City” for its bleached architecture. A beauty in its own right, it’s well-placed for making day trips to other towns in the region including Alberobello, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Monopoli and Polignano a Mare. Ostuni also has a wide choice of accommodation and dining options. What you might do is spend five days there then head south to Lecce for the remainder of your time. Known as the Florence of the South for its Baroque architecture, within its walls is a handsome city crafted from soft, honey-coloured limestone lined with richly decorated churches and classical facades. Don’t miss Galatina, to the south of Lecce, it’s a treasure chest that doesn’t see too many tourists. From Brindisi, about a 45-minute drive from Lecce, you can take a one-stop flight to Athens.

Got a travel question? Include your name and suburb or town and send it to Michael Gebicki - [email protected]

Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances

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