to consider going on holidays on my own?

[Mollydoggerson]

I feel like an anti social billy no mates writing this.

I booked a week off work at the start of Sept as ds1 was due to start school, we have now decided to hold him back a year.

Over the past 5 years I have either been pregnant or minding my two kids, and sometimes juggling work too. So like many mums, my social life took a nose dive. At any rate alot of my friends have drifted a little and now have small children of their own.

My husband doesn't want to go on holidays in Sept, but he thinks I should take advantage of the time off and do something for me (he has the guilts as he often goes on boys weekends/nights out etc).

TBH I can only think of a handful of people to even suggest a holiday to, and to be really honest they might drive me batty if I spent a week with them.

So I'm considering two options:

1. Book a cheap sun holiday for me and the two kids (4 and 3). That way i would have company, I'ld get some much needed sun and I think it would be nice, or:
   
2. Go on my own, on either a sun holiday or a Italian touring type holiday. Would I be completely bored out of my brain on holiday on my own. I could swim, read, lounge about in the sun. I think I might find eating out awkward on my own. I'm even considering the Camino de Santiago (as I think people tend to do that on their own and therefore might be more willing to chat a little).
   

So any good/bad/mad stories about traveling on your own with kids or just plain in your own?

[fivegomadindorset]

Go on your own, I love it and no i don't think you would be bored, you can do exactly what YOU want to, get up, go to bed, no nappies to change, have fun and enjoy.

[rubyslippers]

It is my dream to have a weeks holiday on my own

Sun lounger , books and peace

2 kids, work full time ... I need a break!

[Shakey1500]

Oh go on your own! You have wonderful opportunity to do whatever you want. Take a kindle, plan your days or doing absolutely nothing. Eating out will be fine, no-one will bat an eyelid. And you'll be surprised how easy it will be to chat to people.

Book it, enjoy!

[Mollydoggerson]

Yay, you are all giving me courage!

[Mollydoggerson]

Now if anyone has any suggestions of where to go, let me know.

[Shakey1500]

See, you know all those times where you (general) think "I would give anything just to be able to sleep for 5 more minutes/take a nap/have ten minutes to myself/eat what I want for a change/have another glass of wine/put my feet up/? All that will be possible.

How about a Greek island? They are extremely friendly and, if you're a bit self conscious, they will make a real effort to look after you etc (not suggesting you need looking after, you know what I mean!) Lovely weather, great food, beaches, views :)

[rubyslippers]

Barcelona - great city, beach, culture, food fab and a reasonable flight

[PreviouslyonLost]

MN fantasy holiday porn post this. A week, unfettered alone, sunshine, peace to read...and you're hesitant? GO, GO, GO, and have a wonderful time for me

[PreviouslyonLost]

...Barcelona.

[PreviouslyonLost]

Too slow PoL... x-post with rubyslippers

[Mollydoggerson]

The Greek Islands are grabbing me, I've never been, but then again they all might go crazy and walk out of the Euro and riot etc - could be very exciting!!

I've been to Barcelona a few times, lovely city but I may as well try to see somewhere new.

[diddl]

I have to say I quite enjoy my own company.

Hate lounging in the sun holidays.

Would love some days in London doing sights/museums/art galleries.

[thingamajig]

Go for it, it is so fantastic to go on your own, to be able to snooze, walk, read etc at exactly your own whim. I went to Crete for a week alone when dd was one, it was great. I used to go backpacking alone a lot as a student, so I went to a hostel with a really nice atmosphere - everyone went out to dinner together each night; lots of solo travelers to chat with, and spend days with or not. Much more restful and liberating than going away with small kids in tow. Let dh make up for all those weekends he has left you with them.

[alphabite]

I've travelled the world on my own. Go for it.

[CrispyCod]

I'm also planning to travel alone. Any tips on personal safety I should pay special heed to?

[Mollydoggerson]

Thanks for all the GO, GO, GO, support. Right I'm off to google possible holidays.

[fivegomadindorset]

Yes yes to Greek Island, just don't do a Shirley Valentine ,

[Shakey1500]

CrispyCod Always look like you know where you're going, even if you're lost!

The usual, plan a route, use reputable taxis, wear a money belt, stay on the trodden path, walk confidently, carry an alarm.

[CrispyCod]

The thing that makes me feel a bit nervous is the fast that people (staff) know you're travelling alone and therefore vulnerable. Maybe I'm being too paranoid.

[alphabite]

CrispyCod. Just do what you would do here. Know where you are going (or look like you do!). Be confident and don't be scared to be assertive when you have to be. Don't keep all your money on you, keep some in your hotel safe. Don't look at a map on the street.

Keep your mobile with you and check before you go that it will work without extortionate charges.

Just use common sense. If a place feels wrong, get out of there!

I've travelled to lots of differernt places around the world by myself and I can honestly say I've only felt scared once and that was in a dodgy area that I was walking in alone and no cabs to be found when it started to feel wrong. I was surrounded by people who looked like drug addicts and alcoholics who were probably fine but it didn't feel right. I attached myself to a family with young children who thankfully were a couple of hundred metres ahead of me and they were fab at walking with me! The Dad looked like he'd batter anyone who started anything but he was very friendly and I could see he was lovely with his children before I started talking to them!

[CrispyCod]

Thanks shakey ans alpha

[helenlynn]

Oh, definitely do it! Opportunities to go off and do your own thing don't crop up that often, do they? Just imagine - you can get up exactly when you want to, stop only when you are tired, skip meals if you're happily interested in something else, spend all day doing something that would bore the socks off your family, choose what and where to eat accordingly only to your preferences... brilliant!

I've only once done this on a weekend break in Paris for my 21st birthday (I'd just started working in France at the time; I'd met few people around my own age and didn't yet have friends with whom I could mark the occasion). It was brilliant. I rather liked waltzing into restaurants and saying that, no, I wasn't waiting for anyone, I'd just like a table for one please. I took a paperback with me to read between courses. It was fab! Within a couple of months I'd met plenty of people and had a lovely sociable time, but I certainly don't regret that I didn't get to know them sooner I wouldn't have missed my solo break for the world.

[Kennyp]

Go go go!! I went on holiday for two weeks alone and was much better for it. I stsyed in a hotl not a villa though.

[MorrisZapp]

Go on your own. Take books, lots of. Hardly matters where - if it was me I'd probably take a UK break, or eurostar at a push.

I'm jealous!

[MyRoyalLentillyness]

Definitely do it! Book a cheap flight to any of the major Italian cities and tour by train - the Italian rail system is good and not too expensive. Look here

www.trenitalia.com - if that's not the English page don't worry, there is one.

This would be my absolute dream holiday!