Alone in a foreign city

[Misty9]

I'm on a European city break for a couple of days alone...and have run out of things to do. What do lone people do in a city? I'm recently separated with two young children so I am trying to appreciate the lone time but am also a bit all over the place. I love travelling and seeing new places - but more with others it turns out. I havent seen many lone travellers but then i dont know where they would go. I speak the language here but haven't conversed with anyone except waiting staff so far! I've got until tomorrow afternoon still to fill... Tips welcome before I send myself crazy with my own thoughts...

Google walking tours fills in time lets you see city where you are staying and guides are usually good at giving local information

It would help if we knew where you were. I'm sure you've not done everything, have you been outside the city?

And there will be other lone travellers there, just that they tend to blend in better with non tourists than people in a group.

Search Viator for any excursions. Where are you?

Lille...i think I have seen most of it! It's also getting hot for walking around but I can't think of much else to do.

Get a notebook and pen, sit in an inspiringly beautiful place and write down what you’re dreaming of doing next? Write and send some postcards, send one to yourself so you can smile when it arrives.
Go and buy a lovely thing for yourself?
Enjoy your day, you don’t have to do anything! X

Trip Adviser tips?

Where are you, and what do you like doing?

I would enjoy swimming or using a gym, or as you speak the language an exercise class. Art gallery. Bakery/coffee/wine bar.

Shopping! Books.

I’m guessing you’ve already been to the Palais des Beaux-Arts? I was there a few weeks back and enjoyed that.

I quite miss solo travel these days - I used to do it a lot. I think it helps to decide which ‘eyes’ you’re going to use to look at the place - are you going to find opportunities for interesting or unusual photos? Are you going to people-watch and imagine the stories of the locals? Browse through local shops and flea markets to see how different they are, and find unique things even if you don’t buy them?

DS1 and I had a fab time browsing the top floor of Printemps during a sudden downpour. He has fascinated by the things that are similar/the things that are different from British department stores and it reminded me to see different places through those eyes. Plus I bought a very smart lunchbox there.

I travel alone a lot. The vast majority of my time is spent in street cafes that I like the look of with my book or kindle and a coffee or glass of wine. I watch the world go by, read my book or write/ doodle in my diary/ journal.

I also walk and walk and walk! You said it might be getting hot for that now though. I also like to find the best city parks and lie on the grass with ice cream or a snack and again just watch the world go by

Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!

Get a train to Ghent. Beautiful city plenty to see. Anyway a hour and half max journey return cost about 30 euro or so. Will pass the day in a great place.

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I appreciate all the suggestions and I think challenging the way I look at things hits the nail on the head. I equate alone with loneliness. I've never been great at my own company and struggle to find meaning unless it's shared perhaps. I went travelling in my younger days alone - but I wasn't alone for long at any one point! Now I'm older it feels very different (I'm late 30s). It's not helping that I have many dietary issues so finding places to stop and flop is slightly trickier.

I'll have a look at Ghent and maybe head back to the park later as that's where I've just been. It's a change of mindset i need and I'm only still getting used to all this lone time at home and abroad!

Book a cooking class or tasting tour? Hire a bike? Do something you’d do at home like buy some magazines or a puzzle book etc.

I have this problem. Of course there are always things to see and do but whether they suit what you want to do that day is another thing! Google things to do in your area and do a Google Maps from place to place to keep you busy for a few hours, put in some coffee stops.

Find a church that has lovely interior architecture and just sit quietly and loose yourself in the feeling/history of it.

I agree with the pp. Look on Trip Advisor and find a trip to book. You'll be with other travellers so you can chat with them while learning something new.

Get a haircut!
Will have to be tomorrow but it passes time and when anyone asks you can say breezily you got it done in Lille.Which sounds very cool and cosmopolitan ( to me,)

I like the hair cut idea! Except my hairdresser at home would be wounded and I have one booked already...

I'm pondering a hostel bar this evening but not sure if it would be full of students? Probably! I will look at trips for tomorrow albeit in 30 degrees heat