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 😊

Yoga retreat….

I’d go somewhere remote ish like Shetland and rent a cottage. The idea of being away from life and people is my idea of blis

All inclusive Maldives. I was in the in the same boat in my 30s and spent 10 nights in the Maldives on my own. It was bliss

I like your nc500 idea. It will be a holiday but also a challenge, a quest. Ok, having used the word quest I’m clearly romanticising it, especially as the weather might be iffy. It would definitely be more interesting than a beach holiday.

Greece. Any little island

Do art around Italy - great food - Rome, Sistine chapel - train to Florence - get a nice small hotel - people watch - could train to Naples - get day trip to pompeii - day trip out to islands - Tuscany - so much good weather

Greece - do an island for relaxation and visit various Greek myth places - again great food

similar with Spain

actually lots of European countries

can you speak any languages?

trains are great in Europe
book hotels you get a safe to leave passports in and have a bit more security as a solo traveller - plus concierge are really really helpful if you want local information

Have a look at Marianne Jones on Instagram, she’s just travelled with Insight Vacations on an all women (solo) guided trip. She’s doing an article on it for The Times, was reluctant to go, ended up loving it and wishing she’d stayed longer.

https://www.insightvacations.com/en-gb?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1001048097&gbraid=0AAAAADFqhFcOtAP5xND6CmbEfwylLwR1s&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIocrkhOXJjgMVI4lQBh2P_BcxEAAYASAFEgII9fD_BwE

Exodus holiday with some easy walks. Friendship Travel holiday.

Look up wellness or creative retreats.
Cross Atlantic cunard liner

I'd do a trip on the Hurtigruten/ Havila up the coast of Norway. Small ships, very friendly to solo travellers. Lots to do if you want or just watch the fabuous scenery slide by. Great food and no housework or cooking, bliss.

Spooky - I've just come back from a family celebration where I (single) stayed in Helmsdale NE Scotland and saw plenty of stuff about the NC500. It looked fabulous, especially as the OP wouldn't have to travel as far as I did. (Devon.) The thing I enjoyed most about the little bit I did was the friendliness of the people. Out on walks, chatting to dog walkers, chatting to 18 year old lads front of house in cafes, chatting to wonderful museum receptionists, barpeople, locals, etc.

Othrwise, although the OP says "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." as a single woman cruise convert, maybe unpack that a bit? I've cruised solo three times and really recommend it. Try reading up about Fred Olsen from Newcastle, as a nearby non-fly cruise option?

Assuming you’re thinking of going now, it’s peak season so all the popular tourist spots in the Med, Algarve, Brittany, Cornwall etc will be absolutely rammed & possibly booked up. In which case, I would be thinking of a trip to Scandinavia. How about Swedish forests & lakes or Iceland’s thermal pools? Alternatively, how about Washington DC? It’s a great place to visit with loads of world class museums & sightseeing opportunities. You can also use it as a base to explore Virginia & Maryland.

If you can wait until the second week in September the world will be your oyster & everywhere in the Mediterranean will be much more pleasant.

Cruise and do as many trips out as possible. Or fly to Europe, hire a car, do Italy or Croatia is fabulous, I hear.

I would join a group and do something really adventurous.

Just came on to say Iceland 😊

A friend of mine has just been on a trip to Norway and said it was fantastic. It was a guided tour - everyone was from all over the world and a good age range. She had a brilliant time.

I'd want to do something that would exercise me physically each day in nice surroundings, give me the opportunity for some nice social encounters but equally the ability to hide away with a good book in the evening. NC500 sounds great, or Camino de Santiago or similar.

I was in a similar position earlier this year, I bought an Interrail pass and headed off around Europe for 3 weeks. It was brilliant and in fact I'm going again on a shorter trip soon. It felt like the start of an exploration, rather than just a holiday.

How about Salzburg for a mix of city and walking trip.

Stay in or near the city for a few days visiting art galleries and museums, eating out, tourist destinations, then take a walking holiday along some lakes, with the luggage transferred from hotel to hotel along the route.

I'd you didn't want to do a multi day walk there still loads of locations for day trips and walks within 1-2hrs train ride, either return the same day or stay over and return the next day to the city.

I've looked into it and hope to do this next year. Apparently Salzburg isn't too busy or crowded, much less so than Vienna and other main cities in Europe.

I’d stay at the Gritti in Venice and mooch around the exquisite shops.

France is perfect for this. Great food and drink. Get lost in the local markets and supermarkets.

Train through Switzerland

I’d go to a spa hotel in the sunshine. Lots of pampering, cocktails and sunbathing by the pool.

I would go to the Shetlands/Orkneys/Hebrides... though I might get stuck there for a bit longer, if it was bad weather and I couldn't leave!

Other than that, I'd probably stay at home. I work for such long hours that most of the time I spend at home is when I'm asleep...

However, what are you into, OP? A yoga retreat? Something more to do with arts and culture? Is there somewhere in particular that you'd like to go, or something to do? (E.g. skiing or day trips to do different things)

I would go to London. Travelodge to keep costs down, then splash out on food, wine and experiences. Go to every single exhibition I wanted, spend silly money at Borough Market, have afternoon tea somewhere nice, boat trips, guided walks, see some Shakespeare at the Globe for a fiver, buy myself a little treat in the Liberty beauty hall.

Tour all round my favourite parts of Northumberland and the Durham Dales.