Thinking of traveling solo? Tracee Ellis Ross has suggestions on how to
do it well
[July 30, 2025]
By ALICIA RANCILIO
Tracee Ellis Ross, the actor best-known for her roles in shows like
“black-ish” and “Girlfriends,” happens to be single and without
children, but she doesn't let either hold her back from experiencing a
fulfilling, joyful life, especially when it comes to vacations.
When friends and family can't join her, or if she just wants to
decompress, Ross will jet-set by herself and have a fabulous time doing
it. She says she takes at least one solo trip a year, and if vacationing
with others, might stay a little longer to include alone time.
In a new three-part docuseries streaming on The Roku Channel, “Solo
Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross,” a camera crew follows the actor on
solo trips to Marrakech, Morocco; Cancún, Mexico; and Marbella, Spain.
Ross says her first solo travel experience was in her 20s, and she's
learned over the years that even the uncomfortable moments of being by
herself have given her coping skills for everyday life.
“What I find is that I gain a muscle strength around being
uncomfortable," she told The Associated Press in a recent interview.
"It’s like when a baseball player swings with two bats, and then by the
time they get to the one bat, it feels lighter. When you get back into
your regular day life and uncomfortable things happen, I have muscle
memory to know how to walk through this on my own."
Ross shared tips to traveling as a party of one:
Ease into it
“Start by going to dinner by yourself,” Ross says. “And if you feel
nervous about doing that, go to dinner by yourself on a Tuesday night at
6 o'clock and work your way up to going to dinner by yourself on a
Saturday or Friday night at 8 o'clock.
“Walk up to the host and say, ‘I need a table for one.’ See what it
feels like to be in that experience because it will only be that times
10 on vacation.”
She suggests bringing something like a book or an iPad when you're
eating alone, and also for when you're spending time in your room.
That way, “if you end up having to stay in your hotel room the whole
time and only going to a restaurant in your hotel or somewhere just
around the corner, you don’t feel like you have ruined your trip and
done something stupid.”
Know why you're taking the trip
Ross says there are different reasons for solo trips and you need to
understand what yours is.
“Are you going on a solo trip because you’re single and want to meet
other people? Are you going on a solo trip because your life is
overwhelmed with your children, your dogs, your cats, your job, your
life, your survival, all the things, and you’re going to have a moment
to sort of recharge and get away by yourself? Or are you going for an
adventure?” she asks.
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This mage released by Roku shows actor Tracee Ellis Ross in a scene
from the Roku original series "Traveling Solo with Tracee Ellis
Ross." (Emily V. Aragones/Roku via AP)
 Once you've decided what kind of
experience you're seeking, you can make plans to achieve it
realistically and safely.
Safety, safety, safety
No matter how independent you are, certain kinds of travelers are
more vulnerable than others, especially if they're by themselves,
Ross notes. Take safety seriously when mapping out your itinerary.
"You might not feel vulnerable, but depending on where you're going,
it might leave you vulnerable. That's a very specific distinction
and something to plan for in order to have a good experience," she
says.
“If you are a Black woman, if you are a woman, if you are LGBTQIA,
if you are non-binary, if you are differently abled — that might
leave you vulnerable in a foreign place. Make sure you do the best
diligence you can to make sure you’re going somewhere that can
create a sense of safety for you with whatever those
vulnerabilities," she says.
Ross prefers to travel to destinations with resorts where she can
feel safe on her own. “It allows me to not have to adventure off
property,” she said. And she returns to places where she's found
comfort “all the time.”
Research many other parts of the trip too
Ross says she's a planner by nature and does a lot of research
online. She also asks around for info about best navigating the
experience from beginning to end.
She likes to know whether particular airports are busy and what to
expect when she gets there. If it's a big airport and there's a lot
of walking, she makes sure she has comfortable shoes. She also will
pack a personal fan if it's going to be hot.
Knowing what to expect won't just lead to feeling prepared and
comfortable in general but feeling prepared and comfortable by
yourself.
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