Wanting to flee at the first sign of heartbreak is a natural reaction. But when it comes to post-breakup escapism, not all destinations are created equally. While many may picture an Eat, Pray, Love-style odyssey of self-discovery once a relationship has ended, it’s actually bustling Hong Kong that has been named as the best city to recover from heartbreak.
A recent study carried out by research platform Journo Report analyzed more than 80 destinations worldwide to look at a number of key factors that make a destination great for single people, from the nightlife scene and safety index, to the price of hotels and meals for one, as well as the number of single-occupancy households to provide an objective list of the best cities for those trying to get over heartbreak.
Hong Kong topped the list, noted for its safety for solo travelers, affordable food and drink (and culture of dining alone) as well as the ability to meet new people, with 30 million international travelers visiting annually. London came second on the list thanks to its endless nightlife options, as well as its slightly more affordable hotel rates for solo travelers than that of Hong Kong. While the city’s safety rating was much lower than Hong Kong’s, London was rated highly for giving visitors the opportunity to mix with new people, with close to 20 million international visitors each year.