What's it like to go on holiday alone?

[balconyfor1]

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?

I can’t give my experience as I haven’t done it yet, but I had a similar dilemma. Turning 30 next month and had been thinking for years where I might like to go with my ex partner, who then ended the relationship out of the blue 9 months ago (we went on a really amazing trip for his 30th birthday and always planned to do the same for mine). I was really devastated that I would wake up in my house alone on my 30th birthday rather than in some luxurious hotel in the sunshine, then I just thought what’s stopping me going alone? So that’s what I’m doing, I leave next Friday. I’m a little nervous that I’ll feel lonely as well but if nothing else, I’ll have had some sunshine and explored a new place. I say give it a go, you won’t lose anything!

www.clublasanta.co.uk/solo-travel/

Here is their solo set-up and a little video
m.youtube.com/watch?v=MPKkaVwK3aA

You won’t look weird, I think it’s becoming a lot more trendy these days (or maybe it’s because I’m entering a new age bracket haha)
Also I’ve seen loads of solo traveller groups recently

Blooming loved going on holiday on my own, but I’m a bit of an odd-ball so my views may be a bit different.

Can you give a rough idea of how long the holiday would be and roughly what your budget is? As might help with suggestions.

wherever I’ve been, I found the daytime easier, the evening meal/time after more challenging. But realised that it was my own preconceptions clouding it (ie worried what everyone thought of me). Once you get past that last hurdle, it really is great.

I went on a few adventure-type group holidays when I was in my 30s. They were great as everything was planned and I got to have some great experiences doing things that were completely out of my comfort zone, but there was also free time so I could go and explore by myself. I even met my husband on one of the trips!

Another one here saying try a group tour. I've done a few and always had a good time. Everyone is always really friendly. They aren't cheap but they are decent value considering what they include and having everything organised for you, and the shorter ones aren't too expensive.

I've done a bit of solo traveling: Vietnam, Hong Kong, Spain, Germany... As you want good weather, I would start with something easy like Barcelona or Malaga, where you have the beach within walking distance, and the cities are so busy at night that you feel safe. The shops are open till late and it's easy to have solo meals in a tapas bar.

After your first solo trip, you'll be ready for more adventurous ones

I have been on holiday a lot on my own. The best holidays for me were the ones where there were other solo people, either something like Solos holidays or something like Jules Verne where there was all kinds of different people, quite a few singles. Those holidays were more classic places of interest than getting your legs tanned kind of holidays. I did some 'normal' ones but found I stuck out and was felt to be in the way by the older couples when sitting with them meal times. A woman on her own is a 'danger!!' Silly but there you are.

Unfortunately, most times you either need to pay a single supplement or go on one of the special single holidays where they cost more in any case!

I haven't done any single traveller going off on my own kind of stuff so cannot advise on that.