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Holidaying alone

38 replies

Lily2075 · 21/02/2022 16:36

I'm desperate for a holiday abroad. No partner, no kids. Been debating for ages whether to go alone but I don't know if I'd be lonely and it would be a bit tragic? Am late 20s. All my friends are coupled up and/or have kids so no one is interested in a girls holiday anymore. Interested to hear people's experiences and thoughts.

OP posts:
QuantumWeatherButterfly · 21/02/2022 16:46

What sort of holiday do you fancy? When I was in the same situation, I did a lot of trips with Explore. I had an absolutely fantastic time on every single one, but they are generally more of an active holiday. You meet people on the same trip to socialise with, but they are definitely NOT a singles holiday - which was exactly what I wanted.

MinnieMountain · 21/02/2022 16:50

Plenty of posters on here have.

I’m going on a group swimming holiday this summer and to Vienna by myself in September.

My holidays alone tend to be in the UK. I’m married but it’s either for childcare reasons or because DH doesn’t like what I want to do.

I’d never think it’s tragic to holiday alone.

DetailMouse · 21/02/2022 16:57

I agree with Explore. Exodus are similar and very good too. I think I'd be bored on a "normal" holiday on my own, without planned activities, but these small group holidays keep you busy with just the right amount of company but no forced fun!

Sparkle275 · 21/02/2022 16:57

I've not been alone before but my Dad has been on holidays all over the world some with friends and quite a few times alone. The times he went alone he still had a lovely time and met some great people along the way, some he's kept in contact with. There is also holiday companies that cater for people who are going alone, although they are a bit higher priced.

FuckThatBullshit · 21/02/2022 16:59

I have done this a good few times. Beach holidays solo I love I just read books and chill by a pool however I felt very lonely when I did a city break, it just felt like everyone else was with someone.

SheWoreYellow · 21/02/2022 17:01

I agree with Explore or anywhere on the traveller ‘circuit’ where you can make friends/feel ok about having dinner on your own.

ColaCalippo · 21/02/2022 17:02

I went on holiday on my own (Solos holidays?) to Tenerife. One of the best holidays I've ever had! There was a "leader" based at the hotel/resort who kind of coordinated things, eg. sitting together for dinner, going into town if we fancied it. During the day me and a couple of other ladies went to the beach together. Others went elsewhere

FudgeFlake · 21/02/2022 17:06

Thanks for the ideas chaps, I'm not single but I do get a bit fed up with all holidays being built around DP's health conditions, and he feels guilty about it too.

Lunde · 21/02/2022 17:15

I went on holiday alone with a small independent walking holiday company called High Places

MunchyMonsters · 21/02/2022 17:18

I love going on holiday alone. I have a DP and kids but still do it.

DetailMouse · 21/02/2022 17:18

@Lunde

I went on holiday alone with a small independent walking holiday company called High Places
What sort of age was the group? I like a walking holiday but all the ones I've done I've been the youngest by about 25 years. I've nothing against older people and they were certainly plenty fit enough, but we didn't have a lot of common ground for conversation.
JunkIsland · 21/02/2022 17:34

I’ve travelled on my own quite a bit, including Exodus/Explore-type stuff. I did my first small group trip when I was 27 and, honestly, while it was a good holiday in many respects I didn’t enjoy being so much younger than everyone else. I started doing them again about ten years later and now, in my mid-40s, enjoy them so much more.

If you’re tempted (and they are great holidays), you can ring and ask about the other travellers on a trip. They will tell you that it’s a couple in their 50s, a single man in his 40s, a family group, two single women in their 60s, etc. When I was about 30 I called about a walking holiday and everyone else on it was in their 60s, so I decided not to go as I was worried I’d be the odd one out. Other trips I’ve done have had an age range of 30s to 70, and I’ve enjoyed the mix.

Also, you can just travel alone alone. The group things are great for places that might be logistically difficult if you have the standard fortnight holiday or where you wouldn’t feel comfortable alone, but plenty of places are very easy and accessible under your own steam even if you aren’t a seasoned solo traveller. You do pay a premium for the likes of explore.

Libertybear80 · 21/02/2022 17:36

I backpacked around Asia for three months in my late 20s. There's no tragedy about it whatsoever. Live your life.

helpfulperson · 21/02/2022 17:37

The first thing to think about is whether you want to travel alone or as a solo traveller with a group. Both are good but very different.

hattie43 · 21/02/2022 17:41

I've travelled alone before , both with Explore in a group and on my own. I always had a great time but I feel you do have to be pretty outgoing and able to initiate conversation.

JunkIsland · 21/02/2022 18:15

@hattie43

I've travelled alone before , both with Explore in a group and on my own. I always had a great time but I feel you do have to be pretty outgoing and able to initiate conversation.
Good point. I’m an introvert and do find the group aspect quite tiring, although I’ve got on with the groups I’ve been part of. I make sure to book itineraries that have multiple free days and always stump up the extra for the single room. I’ve also done things like opt out of group meals or breakfast at the hotel and go somewhere alone - I haven’t been the only one doing so either.

I don’t think you need to be a wild extrovert (and most people aren’t), but, yes, you do have to be comfortable getting to know new people and eating most meals with them.

CliveThighs · 21/02/2022 18:20

I absolutely loved holidaying alone. Now have a dh and dc so holidays are done with them.

I'd suggest a long weekend somewhere like Venice for your first trip. Lots of things to see and do and keep you busy. It's lovely to be able to spend ages in a museum without feeling like you're holding someone back (equally it's lovely to decide museum is boring and just leave without worrying you're disappointing the other person).

Do a long weekend somewhere, you'll be absolutely fine

QuantumWeatherButterfly · 21/02/2022 18:47

Interesting that others felt much younger than the others on an Explore trip. All the ones I went on, more than half were late 20s/early 30s. Ah, I’m feeling really nostalgic now!

D0lphine · 21/02/2022 18:51

I went away for 6 months alone in my 20s.

Advice is do whatever the fuck you want because when you have a partner and kids you have to compromise a lot!

Staying in hostels was good- easy to meet people if you want company.

MinnieMountain · 21/02/2022 19:00

These people do hiking @DetailMouse www.action-outdoors.co.uk/
I’ve not been (DH has been skiing with them) but they do a discount for age 18-25 which suggests a younger demographic.

whatnumber · 21/02/2022 19:04

There's nothing tragic about travelling alone.
I went to Paris on my own and loved it. It felt empowering to go on my own.
Lots of good advise on here.
Better to try something when you have the chance rather than just staying home alone. If you don't like it you don't have to do it again.
Have a great time Grin

Choosea · 21/02/2022 19:05

I booked myself a city break in Malaga a few years ago (age 29) such a nice trip! Doing whatever I felt like, no compromising!
I felt completely safe, went to the beach swimming, went round museums and the shops when I felt like I wanted people around me I went on a bus tour 😂 totally not me but one of my best surprise days.
Honestly recommend getting away by yourself, I thought I'd feel like a sad loner but I loved it and can't wait to do it again.

gogohm · 21/02/2022 19:06

What do you fancy? A beach holiday in an ai resort might feel a bit weird as mostly its families and couples but city breaks I've done plus adventure tours and cruises have lots of singles, my friend met her husband on a trek America trip!

NameChangeNymph · 21/02/2022 19:13

I've been away 3 times myself between the ages of 29-31 -

Long weekend in Brussels

Week in Spain

2 weeks in China (although I travelled alone I did join a group over there).

I didn't feel lonely at all and really enjoyed the experiences. It felt liberating going it alone. I'd highly recommend it!

upinaballoon · 21/02/2022 22:35

I once encountered an older woman (60s I expect) who was a widow, and she had not long come back from New York. She had friends and family but her advice was that if there's somewhere you want to go, get off on your own rather than wait years for someone you know to be ready to go there too. If you find it awful on your own you don't ever have to do it again. As people have said above, you could try a long weekend to start.
Package tours give you a bit of security. If in doubt, do it.