Solo travel- is it that odd?

It can be more expensive ( no one to
split hotels, taxi’s etc) with. So I do think it’s a bit of a privilege.

I have always done it and now I’m in my 50’s I love it. The idea that travel is more fun/ easier when shared is completely offset by the fact that it’s normally whoever you are travelling with that annoys you.

I so want to do this and never have. Dp is an amazing travel buddy - we are very holiday compatible, but he is restricted in the leave he can take so I’m considering a trip without him.

someone at work went alone on a trip to Spain from our local airport and spent the week eating tapas, drinking wine and reading on a beach and we were all so envious that loads of people have since done the same.

I love dining in my own during the day but slightly less so in the evening so I make the evenings shorter than I normally would and the days longer.

I’ve done this (despite being married 😁) and I found it great during the day b but not great in the evening, feeling very conspicuous on my own in a restaurant at night, even during the day I was fine with it

not sure what that was about

so dining out alone I do not like. So it sort of worked for me, and sort of did not 😁

Life is short, do what makes you happy whether it's strange or not!

I travelled solo a fair bit and love it!

I've done loads of solo travel abroad into my 50s. It's amazing and your friend is totally blinkered with her view.

It's pretty normal nowadays.

Go for it!!

I’m going to Canada on my own this year. In April for 3 weeks. Your friend is weird, solo travel is a wonderful thing, lots of people love it.

Not unusual at all. I've been away 20+ times alone, the most for a month. Its fantastic.

There's a facebook group. Solos in the Sun. I have heard.

I travelled solo in late teens and my 20s (India, Syria, Morocco, Mexico) and I always loved it. Then I got married, had children etc. - but in November I went to Florence for 3 days alone and it was GLORIOUS. I'm going to do more. I think, as someone upthread said, it's perceived as unusual because not that many people who have families who could theoretically go with them do it. But it's vital to take ownership of our lives, interests and desires - and if solo travel is part of that.... I also go to the theatre alone, and people think that is odd, too.

This is the problem I found when friends found out a
I had planned my own trip away a few want to join me when I go again the problem is I enjoyed my solo trip. I could do what I wanted to do.
I think I’m not going to tell people when I’m going again

Yeah it may not be super common but I’d agree it’s not that unusual, because when I was backpacking in my 20s I’d meet heaps of people in their 50s and beyond who were solo traveling in Thailand etc without their partners.

And this was a decade ago so I imagine it’s even more common now.

Ive done stuff like that my whole adult life. Not sure why you think it’s so hilarious.

You're going to India for 3 weeks alone? No friend going, you're not meeting up with family there - you're simply travelling to India alone, holidaying there alone for 3 weeks, then travelling home?

If that's what works for you and your husband then good on you but you can't honestly think this is a common thing to do? It's unusual as hell 😂

I love my solo holidays. I'm very comfortable in my own company and like getting a break from "peopling" for a few days. I've developed a bit of a solo holiday routine: sightseeing (or similar) during the day, earlyish dinner then cosy up in my accommodation with Netflix 😁 I love researching the places I want to go, how to get around, what places to eat are good....its great

I think if you enjoy going on day trips, meals and coffees, shows, cinema etc on your own then you’d probably enjoy travelling solo.

Not remotely odd. Your friend’s experiences sound quite limited.

I love solo travel - been through parts of South East Asia on my own, various parts of Europe, the US. The freedom to do as you wish is just amazing

Not odd at all. I go on a solo holiday usually a city break, but I’ve also gone camping or self catering in a cottage or a walking holiday, every year, at least once, sometimes several trips.

It’s lovely. We have family holidays too, but they aren’t relaxing. Kids fight and Dh, I love him, but he gets stressed and isnt always super relaxing to be around. I definitely do not want to travel with friends! I’ve been there done that. I no longer have any tolerance for fussy eaters who can’t choose a restaurant or anyone hungover in bed til 11am. I’m much happier on my own.

That said, I think most people lack the confidence for solo travel or get anxious in their own company or need constant entertainment. It’s not for them, but it’s perfect for me.

Most of my overseas travel (work and leisure) is done solo. I only travel with DH for very specific kinds of holidays. I find it much more relaxing travelling without him, plus he will only fly business class for long-haul trips which means less frequent travel for him.

Of course it's not strange to go solo. I've been married 25+ years and I'm going away in February for 3 weeks to India. DH will remain here and working.

Go for it. Your friend is the strange one.

Why does it matter what others think? Go for it!! Sounds great.

I’ve got around this by either booking late or not telling anyone until a few days before. Last year I booked a trip the day before I went.

For various complicated family reasons, dh has sometimes had to travel home for a few days and leave me in Italy or France. It has been glorious. I've felt like a real 'grown up' - look at me, 'moderndilemma', sitting in a little Italian village, eating fresh pizza and dinking a glass of red wine!

I also have need for winter sunshine (to combat SAD) so in Feburary I am off to Gran Canaria to a yoga and wellbeing holiday.