010 - Solo travel is on the rise, and it's easy to see why
And why you should consider it as well!
In this edition, I’m exploring my personal relationship with being alone (on the road), and why I believe solo travel isn’t just trending, but quietly transforming the way we seek connection, meaning, and freedom in an increasingly curated world.
But first some housekeeping:
Due to popular demand, I’ve decided to launch a second full-day Masterclass this year, happening on Saturday, October 25, in my hometown of Amsterdam. This will be the last edition of 2025, so if you’re ready to hear everything I know about photographic storytelling, book your seat here. They might move fast.
On Saturday July 5, I will be hosting an analogue photo walk together with my film lab, Film Verweij, in Park Sonsbeek, Arnhem. After a brief 45 min intro, we will hit the road together from 7-10pm to shoot.
Why solo travel is on the rise
It was 2008 and I somehow fumbled my way to a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management. I was anything but ready to dive into a life of 24/7 shifts, stiff uniforms, and fake smiles. So instead of applying for a job, I packed a backpack, booked a one-way ticket to Australia. I had no plan, no return date, and barely any money.
Completely broke, but wildly free, I set out with the idea that I’d hitchhike my way back home.
As a kid, I grew up running through forests and meadows. We didn’t travel far or often, instead, our parents packed the car to the roof with camping gear and drove us to Spain each summer. It was simple, it was fun, and it was everything.
But as I grew older, I started to realise there was a much bigger world out there waiting. So, at 21 (believe it or not), I boarded my first-ever flight, a city trip to Copenhagen. Don’t ask me why there, I’m still figuring that out.
Soon after, when making plans to leave home for longer, I decided I wouldn’t wait around for anyone to come with me on my journey.
It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.
I discovered the wild, unpredictable magic of traveling alone. After 12 months of dirt roads, kind strangers, questionable bunk rooms, and a lot of mediocre photographs (the majority of me jumping from random things 🤷🏼♂️) in 11 different countries, I made my way back home. I was hooked.
Now, almost 20 years later, my life as a photographer is still, in many ways, a solitary pursuit. I spend long days on the road, often alone. I spend long days behind my desk, also alone. I celebrate my own victories, and deal with struggles and disappointments, yes, alone. Oftentimes it’s easy, effortless, even. But sometimes it’s hard. So hard it makes me wonder if I should stop.
But over time I learned that, loneliness isn’t the absence of people, it’s the presence of space. And leaning into that, always pushed me through the hard times. All right, enough life lessons.
Spending so much time on assignment as a photographer on the road alone, eventually stirred something inside me. What if I stopped keeping it all to myself? What if I invited like-minded people to come along?
That simple question sparked something bigger. It marked the beginning of my very first expedition: a journey to Kenya, joined by 8 curious, open-minded guests. And what began as an experiment in 2021 has since evolved into a thriving, full-scale adventure travel business, with annual expeditions to Ladakh, Patagonia, Zambia, India and Kenya.
And all it does, is tapping into the magic power of solo travel. Allow me to explain.
On my expeditions, most people arrive solo. But they quickly find themselves surrounded by like-minded souls. There’s something profoundly powerful about stepping into a group where no one knows each other yet, and everyone chose to be there. That shared intention creates a fast track to deep conversations, shared wonder, and very often, new friendships.
In fact, solo travel in a group of strangers aka ‘solo-together-travel’ (sounds lame but is pretty epic), is the fastest-growing segment within global travel according to Forbes, and Conde Nast.
All of my expedition groups are carefully curated. I attempt to bring people together, who I know will thrive in each other’s presence. Individuals with similar values, energy, or intentions, that start a journey with similar objectives.
Together with my guiding teams, I create a safe and warmly inviting environment for anyone coming solo. And the remote nature of the places we visit, does the rest. Without phone reception, something shifts, conversations deepen, presence returns, and people connect in ways that are increasingly rare in our lives back home.
People come as strangers, and leave as friends.
And don’t worry, there’s plenty of alone-time on these trips. All itineraries have been built in a way, that at any time, you can disappear in the comfort of your own space and privacy. But if you’re keen to socially rock & roll 24/7, we accommodate that as well.
I believe these expeditions tap into something deeper than just adventure, they reflect a broader shift in how people today seek meaning, freedom, and connection.
By choosing to leave alone, you reclaim your independence. It creates space for something new, within yourself, and in others. In a world that feels more rushed, fake and curated every day, this type of travel offers something rare: the chance to be fully present, with yourself, with others, and with the world.
Not even speaking about the number of lifelong friendships, successful business ventures, and even relationships that came out of these shared journeys. All I do is setting the stage and facilitating an environment that inspires people to find true connection. And you will do the rest.
Lastly, one of the questions I’m being asked most about my expeditions, is “do I need any photography experience to be able to join?”
The answer is simple, no. Everybody is welcome, beginners and professionals, young and old. In fact, a diverse group always makes up for a lot of fun, because the main idea of my expeditions is all about interaction and learning from each other.
What is important to understand is that on all of my expeditions, the encounter/experience is at any given time more important than the final photograph, which makes these expeditions equally appealing to photographers as well as non-photographers. All we do is search for meaningful encounters, and when found, as a last and final step we use the beautiful medium that is photography to document the experience.
As long as you have a deep and profound interest in the relationship between humans and nature, an above-average desire for the open road, and a passion for telling stories, my expeditions are exactly what you are looking for.
So, if you’ve been waiting for someone to join you on one of my trips, here’s your sign: COME ALONE!
You’ll be in the best company. I promise.
For 2026/2027 I am running expeditions to Himalayas, Patagonia, Kenya and Tanzania.
Patagonia and Tanzania are brand-new expeditions in my portfolio, so exciting!
Love, Pie
Where Else Can You Find Me?
Website: www.pieaerts.com
Instagram: @BecausePeopleMatter & @PieAerts
Let’s build something meaningful together.