And of course, there's always risk involved with any type of travel, so it's important to do your own research and take precautions whether going solo or with a group. The country is clean, safe, has great food, lots to see, cool night life, and people will even approach you to you and ask if need help. I've never experienced that while traveling anywhere else! The food is amazing and it's very common to eat alone.
Plus, I never felt afraid or unsafe even after dark. I took a week-long bus trip, spent another week in a hostel in Dublin, and in both places I was surrounded by other tourists so I always had people to hang out with.
Plus, if you're outgoing in just about any pub you'll become instant friends with a bunch of Irish people. I found the people to be rude, and it was one of the most expensive cities I've ever visited. Paris is also a pretty racist city for a capital city, so for Black Asian travelers especially, there is a lot of covert prejudice and discrimination.
I went solo and met lots of great people in my hostel in Taipei. Taipei boasts tons of things to do, great food, interesting culture, and it's not nearly as touristy as most popular destinations like Hong Kong and Tokyo. The only downside is that because it's less touristy, it can be a bit tricky to get around if you don't speak Chinese. That being said, it's really worth a visit and I'd go back to Taipei in a heartbeat. I've found Dutch people to be very welcoming and helpful, plus I've always felt safe in the three major cities I visited Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag.
Everyone speaks English, the streets are clean, and weed is legal. Things are organized and calm, but locals know how to party and get down.
