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Original poster

What's it like to go on holiday alone?

83 replies

balconyfor1 · 26/04/2022 19:52

I have had a bit of a crap year. I'm turning 30 and I'm not doing very well with it- I've never had a boyfriend and I feel so much like I've failed. I am really lonely and longing to be settled down. I caught Covid in school (I'm a teacher) and I'm still struggling health wise.

I really want to go on holiday and lie in the sun, but I don't have anyone to go with. All of the friends I would have asked aren't available, especially during the school holidays. My mum did offer, but she's very anxious about travelling and teetotal.

Am I only going to sit on the plane/beach/balcony looking sadly at all the couples and families?

OP posts:

rookiemere · 26/04/2022 21:11

How about Jersey www.prima.co.uk/travel/a30606653/jersey-holidays-solo-travellers/ ?
Warmer than the UK but English speaking so more familiar.
I've not been but it looks like a lovely place for some gentle relaxation and recuperation.

mindutopia · 26/04/2022 21:13

Absolutely go, it’s amazing! When I was your age, I used to travel all the time by myself. I’d been to Southern Africa, India, the UAE, China. It was great. I never felt odd and like I was surrounded y couples and families. I made loads of friends, there are lots of solo travellers.

I’m married with 2 dc now and I still go on usually two solo holidays a year, including one abroad. It’s wonderful. You can rest or explore or go take a cooking class or go on a booked tour, eat when you want, no one to answer to. I’ve been travelling alone since my mid 20s (mid 40s now) and really no one thinks it’s odd. Enjoy!

ImInStealthMode · 26/04/2022 21:14

rookiemere · 26/04/2022 21:11

No idea why I didn't suggest this. OP, if you like the idea I can answer just about any question you have, and I'll also be happy to meet you for a drink one night if you fancy it

millytint44 · 26/04/2022 21:15

Have a look at skyros and cortijo romeo. Recommend both.

Original poster

balconyfor1 · 26/04/2022 21:16

Oh bless you, that's so kind. I'm so torn. Desperately want to go away but I just don't know if it would be too hard.

OP posts:

MrsHamlet · 26/04/2022 21:16

I've travelled with intrepid twice: once to South Africa and once to Alaska. Both times on my own as part of a group, and I'm still in touch with people I met on those trips.
I did Central Asia with another group a few years ago.
I totally recommend group travel.

rookiemere · 26/04/2022 21:20

Or just thought of thus company that I went on a few ski holidays with when single www.spice-escapes.co.uk/list-events/.

user1494050295 · 26/04/2022 21:21

If you can swim what about swim trek holidays?

honeyfox · 26/04/2022 21:22

It's actually fine. When I was 29 I went to Lisbon by myself for 4 days, it was just enough time. I had friends but no-one free at the time and I really wanted to get away. Did a day trip to Sintra as well. I really enjoyed it. No problem going out for dinner, brought my Kindle (think I had one at that stage). Just made sure I was home by 11 or 12 as wasn't comfortable being out late on my own after a few glasses of wine. I was actually really proud of myself for going and it's easier now with Google maps and everything else at your fingertips!

MatildaJayne · 26/04/2022 21:25

I’ve been a few times with Solo and Just You which are solo traveller holiday companies. There’s Friendship Travel as well. They are more expensive than just a holiday with a friend but I am divorced any didn’t have any single friends to go with. They were great. Room to yourself, company if you wanted it, a group to eat with in the evenings but no pressure if you wanted to do your own thing. I now have a single female friend, widowed, and we go together. TBH, it’s cheaper but I do miss the solo holidays, they were a lot of fun.

Countdownis35 · 26/04/2022 21:27

I often go away with DS he's 7 so he's off playing which means I'm left on my Todd!

We go all over I don't let it knock my confidence you get used to it. People do notice and people ask... but I think they a bit fascinated.. People travel solo for many reasons though this is what I've learnt too. Work purposes.. People with partners but one is working and one has chosen to travel with the kids.

I'm thinking about travelling with just me next year ..Still deciding though.

TwinklyBranch · 26/04/2022 21:40

It's what you make of it. I'm single (and have been literally forever!) so have done many solo holidays. I'm very happy on my own and would hate having to be sociable on a group tour but everyone's different.
Rather than a week long beach holiday, maybe start with a city break somewhere like Lisbon or Barcelona for a long weekend and see how you get on? If you book a nice hotel with a pool you can have the best of both worlds - lots of stuff to do and also time to chill. I also love doing food tours on a city break, it's not usually too much walking and you get lots of rest stops while you're eating and drinking.
Another poster mentioned photos - I ask people if they'll take my picture. No-one's ever said no and I've got some lovely photos.

DFOD · 26/04/2022 21:41

www.clublasanta.co.uk/

Have a look at Club La Santa in Lanzarote. 500 activities a week - from extreme sports to lazy spa stuff.

Loads of singles go and even those in a group or even a family or couple all do different things throughout the day so people always milling about alone. Foods great. Island is interesting if you want to explore.

Also people from all over Europe and arrive and leave on diff days so always changing people watching.

You could totally relax safely, do as little or as much as you want and meet / talk to others or totally ignore everyone if you want peace. You can also apartment share with a stranger if you want to cut costs.

Ted27 · 26/04/2022 21:43

Before I had my son I loved going away alone and am looking forward to again when he abandons me!
I have done a lot of group holidays but have also just gone to places on my own.
I’m not a big fan on sitting on a beach or by a pool myself - a couple of afternoons in a week is enough for me, so I choose places where there is a town to wander around.
I went with my son to Lindos in Rhodes, a few years ago and would love to go back again on my own. There was a nice pool at the hotel, beaches close by.
If I’m on my own I book a couple of day trips, a boat trip, have my main meal at lunch time. In the evening I’d have a wander round the shops, stop for a drink, street food for a snack.
I usually find someone to have a natter to.

MinglingFlamingo · 26/04/2022 21:47

Shameless follow

Op I could have written your post. Interested where people go. Thinking Maybe start off in the Uk to see how it goes

Hillary17 · 26/04/2022 21:48

Heavenly! I travelled loads when I was single; city breaks, spas, two weeks in Thailand etc. honestly it was bliss to make my own plans and do whatever I wanted. Married now and planning a city break by myself in the autumn too!

cestlavielife · 26/04/2022 21:51

Something like skyros where you can join in with workshops as you like
Seems you might get something out of this to boost confidence
And ready made group
www.skyros.com/

MrsFezziwig · 26/04/2022 21:52

Desperately want to go away but I just don't know if it would be too hard.

At the risk of sounding like my mum, if you don’t try it you’ll never know.

I’m single. I holiday both with friends and by myself, depending on what presents itself. If I were you, I’d probably start with a short city break somewhere hot. Lots of Spanish cities have hotels with pools so you can sightsee in the morning and lie by the pool in the afternoon, although personally I prefer an apartment where I can eat at night as I’m not fond of eating by myself in public (but happy to sit in a bar and have a drink alone). Cities are more anonymous and full of different types of people doing their own thing.

if you specifically want to make friends on holiday a group activity holiday would be better.

I would advise against the sort of hotel/pool holiday you seem to be thinking of as, given that you’ll be going in the school holidays, they certainly will be full of families and you may feel a bit out of place.

I love my friends dearly and we have great times together, but sometimes when we’re milling about taking an hour to decide what to do next, I start thinking wistfully about my next solo trip!

CuddlyCactus · 26/04/2022 21:53

Could you go on a holiday which is based round an activity you're learning?

Surfing, windsurfing, sailing, walking, yoga, golf, pony trekking,
That way you'd be part of a group all learning together during the day and likely all eating together in the evening.
And you'd all have something in common.

ImInStealthMode · 26/04/2022 21:56

Following from Mrs Fezziwigs post; my top hotel tip for a sun/beach holiday is go for an adults only, or at least a hotel where children aren't encouraged (no kids clubs, mini discos, splash pools).

We were in Majorca in August last year and there were I think 3 or 4 kids staying in our small hotel during the week we were there (2 of whom were with their single parent Mums) as it didn't have anything particular to attract families.

AmandaHoldensLips · 26/04/2022 21:57

Bloody love travelling on my own! It's fantastic and you can do whatever the hell you want ALL THE TIME!
Sadly, DH has decided to retire so I'm screwed now for lone travelling.

willowstar · 26/04/2022 22:00

How about an air b&b apartment near the beach rather than a hotel? It might feel less obvious to yourself that you are alone on holiday, more like you are just living in another place. I suppose it depends if you want to meet people or not. I imagine you are less likely to if in an apartment.

JustJam4Tea · 26/04/2022 22:18

I think if you are worried about being lonely, which is legitimate worry, go on a group holiday. They aren’t all about hiking or cycling. I did a cookery one, it was fab, bit of cooking, bit of sightseeing, bit of lounging, lots of eating the food. It meant there was things to talk about.

a friend whose husband was in prison for a looong time…used to book Lisbon and Minorca alternate years. Minorca with a balcony and would sit there at night with fizz and tapas. Lisbon to wander and be historical….

TheDuchessOfMN · 26/04/2022 22:24

I was just about to suggest a group tour too. My aunt recently went on a golfing one (knowing nobody) and had a ball.
Google is throwing up The Travel Department solo holidays.

You don’t sound like you’d be happy to be on your own.
My mum sounds similar to yours (I adore my glass of wine, she’s teetotal) and we have holidayed together. It’s been fine.

youwouldthink · 26/04/2022 22:33

Places like Nice are perfect. You can explore the old and new towns for shopping, museums and churches. Hundreds of cafes and restaurants with outside seating for lunch/dinner where you always see loads of solo travellers watching the world. The beach is great and the Promenade goes on for miles for walks!! I've gone loads for work and never felt out of place

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