to consider going on holidays on my own?

[Mollydoggerson]

I feel like an anti social billy no mates writing this.

I booked a week off work at the start of Sept as ds1 was due to start school, we have now decided to hold him back a year.

Over the past 5 years I have either been pregnant or minding my two kids, and sometimes juggling work too. So like many mums, my social life took a nose dive. At any rate alot of my friends have drifted a little and now have small children of their own.

My husband doesn't want to go on holidays in Sept, but he thinks I should take advantage of the time off and do something for me (he has the guilts as he often goes on boys weekends/nights out etc).

TBH I can only think of a handful of people to even suggest a holiday to, and to be really honest they might drive me batty if I spent a week with them.

So I'm considering two options:

1. Book a cheap sun holiday for me and the two kids (4 and 3). That way i would have company, I'ld get some much needed sun and I think it would be nice, or:
2. Go on my own, on either a sun holiday or a Italian touring type holiday. Would I be completely bored out of my brain on holiday on my own. I could swim, read, lounge about in the sun. I think I might find eating out awkward on my own. I'm even considering the Camino de Santiago (as I think people tend to do that on their own and therefore might be more willing to chat a little).

So any good/bad/mad stories about traveling on your own with kids or just plain in your own?

Brief update, I filled dh in on my newly decided plans to travel on my own. Guess what, now that he realises I will not be asking my mother/sister to go with me, he wants to come along after all. Apparently he could get the time off but it would be unpaid, and he is suggesting that my mother could bring the kids to and from creche and mind them for the week.

Men! Happy for me to go on a boring holiday with mother, not so happy for me to go on a cool holiday by myself!

I mentioned Greek Island hoping, I think Shirley Valentine started invading his thoughts.

I went round the world by myself a couple of times before I met DP (actually, I met DP on the second trip, but that's another story....) It's a fab thing to do, especially if you stay in hostels. It means you make more of an effort to make friends, I found. I went everywhere with a book in my bag, so I had something to do if I felt really self-conscious/alone. I met people (including DP) who I'd have never spoken to if I'd been with a friend, and had loads of amazing experiences. Say 'yes' to everything, unless you think it will be dangerous (but a little bit of danger is good) and have a truly amazing time!

Oh go on your own

I dreamt last night that I went on holiday to Scotland on my own. Woke up quite disappointed

PS - for a week, I'd recommened somewhere like Barcelona (which I see you've already visited), Budapest (amazing traveller scene), or Istanbul (a great vibe). Or, if you don't mind going a bit further for a week, Boston (big student population, which is always good), or Marrakech/Essaouira (good combo and fab weather at that time of year - loads of backpackers in that neck of the woods too....)
I'd echo the don't be too flashy, and keep your wits about you. But don't be overly anxious, and it's always good to keep the equivalent of £50 tucked into your bra, just in case.... You can always hand over your bag, but it's good to know there's more cash on you in case of bag snatch/mugging/knifepoint threats.....