Solo holidays

[TheMuteMoose]

Good morning MN

Looking for experiences or advice on holidaying alone. After a difficult year I certainly need a holiday. Non of my girlfriends are in the position to holiday at the moment, they have their own responsibilities and understandably the ones with children/partners will want to go with them. I am single so do not have the option to go with a partner.

I was looking at a 3/4 day break. Somewhere with lots of sight seeing and activities, I am not wanting to relax as such, just need a change. I have previously been to Iceland so was thinking that would be great as lots to do and see but very worried about travelling and eating alone. Also the safety side of it, walking around the town alone, excursions alone etc. I don’t imagine I will meet anyone who is also solo travelling.

Looking to go between Christmas and new year.

Any advice or suggestions welcome

I travel alone frequently. Favourite solo destinations include Majorca, Seville/Granada/Malaga, south of France, Berlin.

Yes, eating dinner alone isn't so great, but I tend to eat early-ish and then take a slow stroll back to my hotel if it's in an interesting area. I also take my kindle so I can read if necessary. I'm quite shy and won't strike up a conversation with people I don't know, I just like sitting with a glass of wine or beer, people watching.

I've travelled alone several times now and I love it, in fact I prefer it to being with people!

I wouldn't broadcast the fact you're on your own so if you do get caught up in a conversation just don't tell anyone. Majorca is fabulous if you like shopping etc and there's lots of beautiful scenery.

As for eating just find a quiet corner table and take a magazine so you have something to read.

Remember - most people are enjoying their own holiday so won't even notice or think about you being alone.

Have a great time! X

Following as I'm in a similar position. I've done it once to Madrid and as you say my issue was with eating alone. Otherwise it was great as I could spend as much or little time as I liked in the art galleries.

I usually go away over Christmas alone
when it's something I've booked myself yes you get to eat and trips out are on your own ( something I actually quite like )
I've done a coach trip away too and that was for solo travellers so eating you were in groups of around 6-8 but could move tables and trips out were organised but also a "the coach Will here at x time if you want to explore alone )
Both are good and work
Not been to Iceland so couldn't answer for that
Do lots of homework that the trips / sites / tours will be open as many close through that time

Great suggestions eating alone, eating earlier would help I would imagine then I can stroll and back to the room earlier on.

I am quite an outgoing person but not too sure if I would start speaking to random people, maybe I would if I was there alone.

Definitely want to go some where with lots to do rather than a chill out relaxing holiday.

Seville/Granada/Malaga would be a good choice. Late night culture means that lots of people including families around after dark would make it feel safe walking around alone at night. Plus weather may be OK and lots of interesting things to see and do.

I would eat the main meal at lunchtime and then have a light snacky meal in the evening on the hotel balcony. Things like cheese, ham, bread, olives, crisps and wine. Get a fridge or mini bar to keep your wine cold (unless you drink red of course).

As others I tend to eat a bit earlier, so around 6pm. I ate in a couple of department store restaurants in Berlin which were really good - I've ate in worse restaurants. Shared a table with a German woman although I don't think she spoke much English and my German isn't good, but she was smiley and helpful as were the waitresses to me. Also ate in a German market that was good. Reykjavik I was out all day on tours and food was very expensive so I stocked up at Lidl and had snacks a couple of evenings and soup/hotdog during the day tours, ate out once and it was fine. No one is bothered. So many people on their phones these days it's normal to perhaps be on your phone or reading on your kindle if you feel self-conscious.

Love travelling alone. I also love it woth others. Each trip is what you make it, and you'll surely have a great time.

You could try somewhere a little different. Belgrade is nice, as is Budapest. I also like Sofia and Bucharest. If you want somewhere a little more touristy there's Berlin, Paris etc. Vienna is an incredible city. Or, find where the best museums are for what ever your passion is and go there....

Hope you have a great trip!!!

I loved travelling alone. I went to Prague one early February and it was lovely. There was snow on the ground so had to wrap up warm but there was lots of people about and plenty of sightseeing trips and walking tours. Some taxis were cheap, I can't remember what colour they were now but the other ones were very expensive so it was trial and error for me the first couple of taxis. I actually enjoyed eating out alone, I just took it for what it is and took time enjoying my food and watching what was going on around me.

I hope you have a lovely time whatever you decide to do.

I'm going to Amsterdam alone for 4 nights in the run up to Christmas. I've done this once before and never felt at all self-conscious or an object of curiosity. So much to see and do, lots of cafes and casual restaurants. I've also eaten out in the evening too and felt quite comfortable.