So I went on holiday on my own…

[Lucky44]

A few weeks ago I posted about going on holiday on my own and how anxious I was and got some lovely support. Thought I’d update you - got home a few days ago and it was the best time ever. Airport was a breeze, no check-in hassle, got taxi to apartment and did nothing except what I wanted when I wanted. I didn’t eat out very often, preferring to have snacks on the balcony reading my kindle. And this might sound weird but how liberating not to have to wear clothes - naked sunbathing on the balcony! Not an option with teenagers. I found the whole experience quite erm arousing and wish I’d brought some ‘toys’… I am definitely doing this again.

I remember your thread OP, I'm so glad you had a great time

I regularly travel in the UK on my own, I have a second home & - pre-Covid at least - used to go there regularly just me. I love eating out & going to the theatre alone. I have a partner & like going places together but I always say I'm a natural only child & savour time on my own. I'm a single parent with 70% residency so don't get much time on my own which is also why I think I love it so much!

I have a yen to go to Paris on my own. I haven't been for over 30 years which is shocking now I come to write that down. I did Madrid & Barcelona on my own in my early twenties but other than I haven't been overseas alone. My language skills are next to useless now, I might have to sharpen them up

@CraftyBugger
Malibu continuous dry oil spray. I can cover every part of my body with ease with no missed bits. Also, have never burnt since using it. A can lasts about 3 days.

Thank you Sidge, looks nice so I'll add it to my possibles. As its a Melia hotel, did you book the Level rooms and facilities or stay in the normal part?

Just the normal room @poppym12. My budget didn’t stretch to The Level lol.

I'm jealous too! I LOVE to travel, but I always have to go with DH and DC. DH isn't too bad, as he and I typically like to do the same things, but DC are just fucking hard work. The older one isn't very enthusiastic about anything and the younger one never wants to do anything or go anywhere unless it's the swimming pool, which he can spend HOURS in just messing around, but always has to be supervised, obviously. The last time I travelled alone was when I went to FIL's funeral. DH had gone on ahead and he stayed after I left. It was BLISS! So, so lovely to fly on my own, to not have to talk to anyone or entertain anyone or reassure anyone. God it was lovely sighs wistfully

I'm feeling inspired now. My DH is not a great traveller now and there are so many places I still want to visit. I fancy a city break in Europe. I'm in my 60s so are there any tips for someone my age?

It's just struck me that, when my brother emigrated to Oz in the 80's, my DM (sadly no longer with us, but then in her 50's) thought nothing of travelling round the world to see him (on her own, pre internet and mobile phones really).

She'd combine a family stay with layovers in San Francisco/Singapore/Hong Kong/New Zealand as well as escorted tours to bits of Australia she fancied seeing.

Before she caught the travelbug I am not sure she'd been further than France.

For Oblahdeeoblahdoe I suspect the key thing is that DM used a decent travel agent to arrange everything and bought a guidebook with photos (do holiday firms still do brochures?) to help identify something of interest. There would always be a taxi booked to meet her at the airport. Invariably she would incorporate escorted tours for at least part of her stay. She was a fan of big train journeys too. She probably stayed in larger hotels (so could always get a meal/taxi rather than airbnb's). For less complicated trips, I'd do things for her.

My Dad was a smoker who travelled quite far enough when he was in the Navy. He was quite happy to do his own thing at home while she was away for a month (though I suspect he did have a fairly hefty supply of batch cooked stuff in the freezer - he also had plenty of friends to keep him occupied/fed). It is so easy to keep in touch these days if you both have smartphones (and remember the time difference).

[quote iwantsomesun]@CraftyBugger
Malibu continuous dry oil spray. I can cover every part of my body with ease with no missed bits. Also, have never burnt since using it. A can lasts about 3 days.[/quote]
I'll have a look into this, certainly sounds easier than any other way/cream.
I'm always paranoid about applying sun cream as have quite a lot of moles and it's not always easy to stay completely out of the sun. Also doesn't help that I work on a cancer unit with many patients having melanoma which scares the life out of me.

Finding this really inspiring. DH is happy to be constantly at work and I feel Im constantly waiting for him to consider taking time off. I should take a leaf out of your books and go it alone, where are my big girl pants 🤔

nice on OP

I went travelling alone for 6 months in Asia not long after I got married, did some volunteering along the way and made friends for life. Been many times abroad on my own but suddenly DH has the travel bug and wants to come too. Feels like he's missed out on life from being too busy working. He's right!

Thank you @Madcats, great advice. Your DM sounds amazing, good on her!

I sometimes used to travel alone for work. The only "uncomfortable" times were when I was stuck in country hotels during staff Christmas party season! That was when I felt like "Billy no mates".

These days I suppose you could sit and eat with earbuds and a movie.

I've had friends travel to do yoga/wellness/cookery/photo breaks.

Well done you OP! It’s so lovely travelling or going on holiday on your own. I did three weeks across Spain and Italy a few years ago at 22 and loved it. Of course love going with my boyfriend or family but travelling on your own is so refreshing and not as scary as people assume as long as you’re prepared, take sensible precautions and just go with it! I still get the “wow did you really?!” reactions if people don’t know I’ve done it…one of my best trips ever. So glad you enjoyed yourself 😁

I've had friends travel to do yoga/wellness/cookery/photo breaks.

I've done a few yoga breaks, and one of the best things is that food just turns up at intervals through the day, and I don't even have to think as much as reading a menu and making a choice.

That's even better news Sidge, thank you.

Oblahdeeoblahdoe, I travel alone a lot and my advice would be to book your hotel right in the center of the bustle in a safe street. That way, in the evenings, you can stroll back to your hotel no hassle rather than walking in quiet areas/getting transport. Hotels with a concierge/security feel more secure and safer than apartments in a spread out resort/guest house with no reception.

Also, don't book the very cheapest hotels, as they often appear to be next to brothels (Barcelona, Hamburg, Madrid...)

Good advice @Lydia777 and @EBearhug, thanks

Good on you! It’s really liberating travelling solo I think. I had a few solo trips in my early / mid 20s including a year in Asia on my own and absolutely loved it. When I met my husband I actually found it quite difficult going on holiday with someone and having to compromise! It’s so exciting travelling alone especially with no plans or timetable as you don’t know what each day will bring. It really boosted my confidence and I went from being a shy mouse to starting conversations with strangers and meeting new people every day.

Dreaming of holidays now! :)