Going on holiday alone

[MilkTray22]

I'm in desperate need of a holiday. I'm burnt out, tired, fed up, bit sad. I need some space away from things to rest. However, I have no one to go with. Who here has experience of going on holiday alone? I quite like my own company but get lost in my own thoughts/own head sometimes. I'd worry about just feeling like a sad single person on holiday alone? Also worry a bit about the safety aspect of things. I'm female in mid to late 20s.

I have done this for years! Late 30s, now have DC and DH and I still holiday alone once a year at least!

I love it, attentive service everywhere, no one to argue about where you go.

Pressed send too early - think about all the people who travel on business every day. Do it - you'll have a fab time

I’ve done it.

It’s better than no holiday

@Freddiesgirl tell me more!! Where do you go? Do you have beachy holidays, city breaks? What kinds of things do you do when you're there? I think it's a confidence thing with me. I feel like people might think I'm weird for being there on my own?? Which I know is silly!!! (I'm a real worrier) Or that I might get on the plane and be like oh god what am I doing.
Do you ever worry about safety when you're travelling alone? What do your family and friends think about you going on holiday alone?

Would you do a group tour? I love them and have done loads.

I spent a few happy years travelling on my own and I highly recommend it. You don't have to please anyone and you do what you want, when you want and where you want. You might enjoy staying in a hostel where you'll be surrounded by other solo travellers- there are some really nice hostels out there these days and you can get private rooms in them. Another option might be to opt for an apartment rather than a hotel so that you are less surrounded by couples and families but then you go out for lots of lovely meals in restraints. My final advice is to watch the couples and young families closely - there's sure to be plenty of parents of young children trying and failing Mistral to holiday like they did before they had kids and also lots of couples who don't find it so fabulous to suddenly have to be together 100% of the time

What's a group tour like?

Hi OP, I could be you! I'm mid to late 20s, single and just spent 4 months working abroad for work, during which time I spent loads and loads of time on my own and travelled around within the country I was in. I was apprehensive at first but I actually had a really great time. The key for me was to plan some organised things to give my days structure and then fill the rest of the time with wandering, eating etc. Great organsied activities I tried: walking tours, cookery classes, gigs, winetastings, guided museum visits. The internet is your friend here - you'll be amazed at how many things you can find online, look at places like Airbnb experiences and meetup for inspiration. And never underestimate the power of a good book - I kept one with me almost everywhere I went so that I always had something to fall back on when I was eating out or at a café or whatever.

I'm in a similar situation to you and I've booked a trip to Thailand, on my own. I've booked trips and experiences for when I'm out there.

I've done it for years. I love it. It is definitely to be recommended.

I've done it three times twice abroad and once in Cornwall. I'm hoping to go again in October for 5 nights. Child free hotel in Majorca. I usually throw a bikini and a few books in a suitcase and off I go. Sunbathe, swim, eat, read, drink a few cocktails on my hotel balcony and sleep. I tell my friends nobody is allowed to come with me. I LOVE it!

I've been to Majorca loads of times on my own. I absolutely love it.

Try americanadventures.com
Group travel for your age group highly recommend

I travel alone a lot, I love it. I'm now late 30s but have been doing it since I was at university. It's mostly been backpacking and I've been literally all over the world - 86 countries and counting - for anything from 2 weeks to 12 months at a time. Some of the time I was working or volunteering somewhere and travelled during/after, others were just packing up and going. Some family/friends think I'm nuts, some think I'm incredibly brave, probably most don't think about me at all 😄 It doesn't matter what others think though, it's my life, it's my passion and it makes me happy. Group trips are a good way to ease yourself in - safe and means that you don't have to worry about planning etc. Intrepid are good, I've used them for various stints in a few places including Patagonia, Botswana/Namibia and Indonesia and made some great friends.

Meant to add - just do it. You absolutely will not regret it!

Over twenty years of going alone in holiday, and I love it. No one to please but myself? What's not t like?

There's obviously nothing wrong with going on holiday on your own - but if it helps your confidence bear in mind that nobody else actually knows you're on holiday on your own when you're eating in a restaurant/walking down the street/visiting a museum/on the beach, etc. etc. For all they know you are with a group of friends that have split up to do different stuff, or are eating alone because you're away with work, or are on holiday with a partner who's feeling poorly so has gone for a lie down, etc. etc.

Also, very few people actually care about what others do, really. If you saw someone your age eating alone, would you think "How weird, what a loner!" or would it not even register? If you don't go around constantly judging other people why do you imagine they'd do it for you?

I love getting away on my own. I rent a small villa with private pool in the canaries and float on a lilo reading and not speaking. I eat out at lunchtime then have a salad in the villa and watch a favourite DVD. Rinse and repeat for a week. It's just so nice not thinking about anyone else for a change.

I love going on holiday alone! I do what I want when I want and don’t have to factor in what someone else may or may not want to do/eat etc. I find it so relaxing. I go out and eat on my own, don’t take a book, I like people watching. I’m never going to see those people again so don’t really mind. I’m planning to go to Asia this summer, DD wants to come along and I’m telling her she probably won’t get the time off in her new job to try put her off the idea 😏

Just do it, you won’t look back.

Try a cruise , lots of single people in them, safe to "go out " at night on the ship, watch a show etc , no losing your seat as it's waiter service. , Organised trips if you don't fancy going by yourself

Do it, brilliant idea. Literally no one to please but yourself.

I've done a number of different types of holidays, of which the ones which I have enjoyed most were either organised activity holidays (walking/yoga) set in a lovely hotel where we. I UK's join in as much or as little of the daily activities as we pleased.

Or independently arranged visits to places which I had known well as a child, and was pleased to revisit as an adult who could afford to enjoy treats (boating trips, meals ) which had previously been beyond my means.

When by myself. I do tend to mark lunch the main meal of the day and have only a light meal in the evening. Eating alone at lunchtime seems somehow less unusual than in the evening. I have travelled a lot and eaten alone in the evening.

All good.

I have done yoga/pilates retreats where I did not know anyone, always a mix and include solo travellers.

Now booked first solo trip, I have gone with 4 nights but already thinking about extending a night!

Will be joining organised tours and great suggestions about reading and lunch!

Just do it. I prefer travelling alone. Only yourself to please - no hanging around waiting for someone else to get a move on - no compromising. You'll be open to interesting experiences in a way that doesn't happen if you're accompanied by a partner or friend. Beach holidays, city breaks, tours, whatever excites you. You'll be fine.

I have gone on an annual holiday alone for 20 years now.
DH does not like the heat and my bones crave it .
I have done one group holiday ( to China ) and found it not my thing as I like my own space. But will consider a tour again for India next year .

Most years I find a good all-inclusive hotel and plan my days around walking, site seeing, reading, napping. I like AI as it means I don’t need cash while in the hotel. Also need good WiFi as I retreat to my room by 9 pm and sit with a drink either reading or watching a film .
I always try to do something new . Last year it was kayaking around the coast in Menorca . A good walking guide and local bus service and I am happy .

I've been walking by myself 4 times. This year I'm doing a group yoga/walking and a group swimming holiday.

I find I miss having someone to talk to, so group holidays work well.