If you had 9 days, no responsibilities, some money to spend, what would you do/where would you go?

[PeachyBeachyBoo]

So I’ve recently came out of a relationship, kids all grown, I have a week and a half off work in September and I would like to do something.
Ive been working a lot of hours and I’m tired, so I would like to get away and relax, see nice things, eat nice food.

I’ve never been away anywhere on my own before. So I am a little nervous.

I’ve thought about travelling to a few places in Europe, or doing the NC500 but not sure.

I have a decent amount of money to spend but not absolute luxury budget by any means. I just feel like I need to get away and have some time to regroup!

All suggestions welcome 😊

I would get the train to Seville via London, Paris and Barcelona. Look up Man in Seat 61 website for routes and timings. Then spend a few days sightseeing/chilling in Seville and fly home from there. Other combinations of cities are obviously available - is there anywhere you have always wanted to go?

Accommodation would depend on budget but basically, I’d fill the boot of the car with books and find somewhere beautiful to read in peace for nine days with no one asking anything of me.

I'd probably sit on the sofa and eat my weight in galaxy chocolate.

I would do the NC500.I have just got back from Scotland and would love to have seen more, though you may need a bit longer than 9 days.I have few friends that have done it and mostly alone in a Campervan.

I would book and stay in a UK seaside town and go for lunches instead of evening meals at cafes and restaurants and at evening meal time just have things like cheese and crackers. Take a number of books with me and go to a charity shop when I needed a new book and hand in the finished book .If I did go abroad I would go to South of France.

I’d go to the Lake District and walk loads and go for lots of pub lunches and drink wine and eat chocolate in the evening. Oh and mooch about the charity shops in the towns.

I have no advice but i hope you have the best time wherever you end up! 😊

If the 9 days were in late September I would go to New England. I would love to see it in the fall.

Prague to Vienna on the train. Beautiful scenery.

Where are you flying from/rough geographical area

I'm in a similar position, although it's not relationship related, so following with glee! I have a few ideas and will post in a bit, as am in the middle of something. Good on you OP, go for it!

What about a cruise?

Holiday cottage on the Norfolk coast. The weather is September is usually lovely.

I'd do a group guided walk of the West Highlands Way or similar. Depends how much money you have of course.

Facebook have a forum called " Solo's in the Sun" I'd definitely have a sun holiday.. a nice hotel abroad.. relax/ read/ swim/ a couple of sightseeing trips or boat trips.

Thanks so much everyone. Lots of great ideas and suggestions. I’ll look into them all.

I have also considered staying in the uk and doing coastal, lakes, walking etc but I think if the weather was rubbish I would find it a little bit miserable.

In regards to a cruise, I know people do them solo but I feel it would make me feel a little lonely, I am not really sure why.

I am in south west Scotland so can fly from Glasgow, Prestwick, Edinburgh, but also happy to drive. I don’t mind a long drive either.

Thanks again 😊

I would go to Florence or Barcelona or Athens or Prague or Bruges.

If me, I’d book a week in a fancy spa hotel in Edinburgh and do the touristy stuff during the day and hole up in the room with books in the evening

In an ideal world I'd be good enough at yoga to do a fabulous retreat somewhere like Bali. In my actual world, I'd go to a little hotel on a Greek island and read books and watch the glorious sunsets.

I'd go Italy and do Rome, Florence and Sienna.

Sorry about the end of the relationship. This sounds such a lovely thing to do for yourself.

I’d go for one of these options:

Yorkshire by train - a night in Leeds, a night in York and a night or two somewhere on the Settle to Carlisle line.

London - stay somewhere a bit nicer than a Premier inn, have Michelin guide lunches (cheaper than dinner) and go to the theatre or for cheese and wine in the evenings. Galleries, museums, shopping, boat trip, cemeteries to fit around lunch.

A European city break - maybe Berlin, Prague, Krakow or Copenhagen

What type of break appeals to you OP? Do you want to wander, drive, use public transport, stay in the same spot, city or sunny or a combo?

I'm not a resort type so I'm thinking of flying into Marseilles and doing a circuit of Aix en Provence, Avignon, Nimes, Arles and back to Marseilles with a couple of days r+r by the sea in Cassis just outside Marseilles. I'll be using the train to get around.

Last year I flew into Seville (brilliant, magic, delightful place!) and never felt one bit awkward on my own. The tapas scene is great if you are solo, mind you I didn't stay out late either! I'm late 60s BTW so if I can do it, so can you! Then I took the train to Cordoba. Oh my, what a gorgeous place and the Mezquita is amazing, plus everything else. Then the train to Granada. Again, another fab place, then train to Malaga for a rest by the sea with tapas and shopping.

I found it really easy to get around by train, used taxis a few times also. One thing I'd say about being on your own is to use a backpack instead of a wheelie case. I've discovered over the years that we don't need as much as we think, and it makes it so easy to get on and off trains and aircraft etc.

I'm rooting for you. Despite what anyone says it is a challenge to travel alone, but the sense of achievement is amazing when you do it. Good luck and happy hols.

Yes this actually!

I'd find a really good spa holiday - maybe somewhere in the Mediterranean. Not quite White Lotus level of upmarket, just somewhere I could wake up and do a yoga class, go for an outdoor swim, have a massage, a walk in nature, read a book, do some meditation and be fed healthy but delicious food. My dream recharging holiday.

Although, in reality when I had a bit of time and money to spend on myself, I went to Jordan: Petra, camel treks, floating in the Dead Sea. It was bliss.