The travel bug doesn’t discriminate. You could be a man or a woman, an 18-year-old or a 78-year-old, but when the road calls out your name, it’s near-impossible to resist its lure. For all the ladies itching to pack their bags and fly away to foreign lands, we’ve done the research and present you with our top five places for women – whether you’re with friends or heading out solo.

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1. Vietnam

A beautiful country with stunning sceneries, Vietnam is our top recommendation for woman travellers. Not only does this country hold the promise of a holiday with enthralling boat rides, friendly locals, beautiful beaches, cheap food and some great shopping, but it also boasts an incredibly low crime-rate. You can head to Halong Bay, where you could be forgiven for believing that you’ve stepped into an enchanted fairy tale, or Phu Quoc, where white sand beaches and quaint fishing villages await exploration. At Nha Trang you can go scuba diving, take a mud bath or visit historic sites. There’s plenty more to do in Vietnam and you will go home happy; mind and body renewed!

2. San Francisco

You can spend weeks in this bustling Californian city and still be left with more to experience and relish! Its public transport is great and makes travelling a breeze within the city. There’s endless sightseeing to be done, from Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bridge, to Golden Gate Park where you can visit world renowned museums like the de Young (fine arts) & Academy of Science and later relax in the conservatory of flowers or Japanese Tea Garden. There’s plenty of shopping to do at Union Square and small boutiques scattered throughout the whole city. San Francisco also spoils the palette with the finest cuisines from around the world. It’s up there with New York City as one of the top foodie destinations in the US.

3. Costa Rica

If you’re the kind of gal who loves places that offer ample avenues for achieving an adrenaline rush, then look no further than Costa Rica! You can go kayaking in the ocean, witness active volcanoes in the night, zip-line over forest canopies, hike & bird watch through tropical rainforests, and go white water rafting. What’s more, the locals are super friendly, and unlike some of the neighbouring countries, Costa Rica is known to be a safe destination for women. They even have universal healthcare so if you get sick or injured you’ll be well taken care of, for free!

4. Berlin

Three opera houses, over 150 theatres, 200 private galleries, more than 175 museums, 9,000 restaurants and snack bars, and over one hundred concert venues! Need we say more?

5. Bali

When in Bali, spoil yourself at a spa retreat, which offers quality treatments at more than affordable prices. From 5-8 dollar hour-long massages to $20-30 full treatments, you will get the best bang for your buck when it comes to pampering.  You can learn and immerse yourself in Balinese Hindu culture and visit the many temples. Set out on a walk through the rice paddy fields to the ancient village of Taro, or head to the cultural center Ubud for classes in cooking or jewellery making. You could ride on elephants, go snorkelling or diving, and shop for some great bargains! The locals are extremely friendly and much of the island is very accommodating to women travellers.

If you’re a woman traveller looking for travel buddies check out PhotoFly Travel Club! This club offers small group travel to exciting destinations every month. The group is comprised of 70% women and is a perfect way to share adventures and make new friends. It’s also a great alternative to travelling solo since the club can pair you up with a female roommate to save money!