Lucy Handley has carved a unique niche for herself as a solo female traveler, exploring diverse destinations while pursuing her passion for yoga. From the vibrant streets of New Orleans to the tranquil beaches of Goa, India, Handley has embraced the freedom and empowerment that comes with traveling alone. Her stories show the most rewarding aspects of traveling alone. They serve as a rich resource for all those who are dreaming and scheming similar adventures.
Handley started her establishment tour at Villa De Zoysa, a family-run enclave in southern Sri Lanka. It was here that she found her passion for yoga, a practice that would transform her search for adventure moving forward. Together with nature, the retreat provided an ideal environment to practice self-exploration and mindfulness. She took this theme to heart and brought it with her on every subsequent trip.
After her retreat in Sri Lanka, Handley traveled to other cities with reputations for their yoga scenes. She took classes back in Las Vegas, where the frenetic vibrancy of the city stood in stark juxtaposition to her calm and collected practice. Back in Mallorca, Spain, she started taking classes at Bini Balance, founded by yoga teacher Cristina Moragues. Around the same time, she agreed to care for a friend’s cat. Equipped with new skills and fascinating discoveries, this experience helped her to combine leisure and responsibility, deepening her solitary adventure even more.
Handley’s travels eventually brought her to Goa, India—an idyllic, tourist-friendly state famous for its beaches and yoga retreats. She soaked up the local scene, taking yoga classes and tapping into that spirit of exploration that comes with solo travel. The colorful chaos of Goa matched her need for rest and mischief.
As of March 2023, she was still promoting her travel adventures—to Soul and Surf, a guesthouse in Kerala, India. While there, she deepened her yoga practice by attending courses and learning to surf. Handley skillfully balanced guided tours with her desire for personal exploration in Kerala, allowing her to connect with fellow travelers while enjoying solitary moments.
In a more personal connection, Handley recently took a solo journey to New Orleans. She had been there to see Beyoncé perform on her 2023 Renaissance tour. For her, this was a very special experience. It put her passion for music together with the adventure of exploring a new city. She finished her trip with a hearty brunch at Willa Jean in the central business district, enjoying some delicious local cuisine while considering the journey she’d just taken.
To do just that, Handley took a trip to the Bali Silent Retreat in Bali, Indonesia. There she found that a lot of other visitors were traveling alone as well. This intentional design created a welcoming space for solo travelers to feel connected, which most participants mentioned made the experience more enjoyable. The retreat offered a peaceful, beautiful respite from the whirlwind that is everyday life. It gave Handley the opportunity to go deeper with her yoga practice.
On Phu Quoc, a tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand, Handley experienced what it felt like to be on her own terms. The beautiful scenery offered the ideal environment for winding down and quiet consideration. Whether she was reclining on the beach or wandering through local points of interest, the power that exists within solo travel was found in her newfound independence.
Furthering her adventures in Southeast Asia, Handley opted to take a sightseeing tour of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Threading through many villages and homes, the intricate network of rivers and islands provided a full sensory overload showcasing the local Vietnamese culture and traditions. She took a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City with GuruWalk. This one-of-a-kind tour is pay-what-you-can. It’s important to note that this initiative was a way for her to interact with the city, while supporting local independent guides.
Handley has been working at Red Mountain Resort in Utah this summer. There, she participated in a variety of group guided hikes, along with classes in Pilates, core fitness, and meditation. The resort’s expansive wellness offerings matched her growing interests in health and self-improvement.