Holiday by myself..

[CraigRevelHorwoodsPetCat]

So just thinking of booking a wee week away somewhere by myself. Thinking Spain or Cyprus. I'm going on a girl's holiday in August - which will be the usual; drinking too much and barely seeing sunlight.

I am overworked. I am exhausted. I need to disappear for a week with books and some lovely weather.

However, will I look really odd by myself? I don't mind the travelling on the plane and to destination aspect. I'm just wondering about eating out at night by myself. I'll probably end up back in my room at 8pm every night 

Would you do it?

Yes, I would.

I am going away with a girl friend this year - can't stand family holidays - but she was talking about might having to miss it and I would seriously consider going alone.

Where we went last year there was a single traveller and she looked totally at ease with herself in the hotel restaurant - we exchanged pleasantries but she was clearly happy to be alone.

I went to New York for a week on my own, it was brilliant to be alone and do things at my own pace. Go for it!

I used to do it when I had the money (not much money even then though), just to places in the uk and stay in youth hostels. I did stuff alone or with people I met at the hostel.

If I had the money now I would do it, would love to treat myself to a week somewhere luxurious

Yes Mrssmith, I do drive. I would actually go anywhere that is warm in June. I've been all over the world; from USA to Africa but I'm thinking the Med is calling my name. Perhaps even a cruise.

Tonight shall be spent with a glass of wine and the iPad in front of me.

I love you all. Thank you for encouraging me and for all

I would and what I would do would have a late ish breakfast and then a big lunch at Spanish time so 3/4 pm.

After that I never want dinner so would just have a tapa or two or snacky bits on the balcony with wine.

Less self concious than an evening meal out on my own. Lots of walks, reading, swimming, snoozing etc. Bliss.

Yy, to eating out in a restaurant with a view.

I went to Istanbul. Tbh it was on my to do list for ages. I got extra checks leaving/returning, especially with all the goings on with Syria which was unnerving. I got lots of looks but wasn't sure if it was because I was a lone female or due to me looking a little different. In any case, I met some interesting people just by striking up conversations with strangers. Next stop is Berlin in the summer!

Done it three times. No one bats an eyelid at you eating out alone / sunbathing alone.

Enjoy!

I've done it and cried nearly every night and I'm really indeoendant. It's not the eating alone it's the not been able to chat to someone and share a laugh in a bar after the food and before bed. Drinking alone on your hotel balcony for seven nights isn't much fun. Perhaps I could do four. It would also depend where it was.

I could do two weeks in NYC happily but that's not the kind of holiday you are after is it?

Definitely do it. More and more people are doing this, as far as I can see. I am used to travelling alone for work, so it doesn't cost me a thought to eat out alone. Honestly, other people are too busy with their own lives to spare a second thought to someone sitting at a table, enjoying a meal, reading, browsing on a phone or iPad, and relaxing.
Go for it, and have a lovely time.

Definitely. Have you thought about a retreat? There are quite a few run by monastic organisations in very pretty parts of the world, you don't need to be religious (you really don't) and the whole point of them is that you go to be by yourself and think so you wouldn't stand out.

Here, for example: www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/8308763/Eight-of-the-best-retreats-in-Britain-and-Europe.html

One problem I can think of is putting suncream on yourself, but I suppose you could cover up. I can reach everywhere except between my shoulders.

Oh definitely do it !!! I did a 2 week holiday in Mexico on my own years ago and actually made really good friends who I'm still friendly with now. Re dining, it was absolutely fine but then I'll happily go sit in a pub and have food on my own if I have a drink and something to read.

I did it a few years ago. I'd had enough - was stressed and everyone wanted a bit of me, so I took off at short notice. I only booked 5 nights but boy was it worth it!! I booked a villa with a pool in Lanzarote (Playa Blanca) and packed bikini, books and one or two outfits, since I wouldn't be going out much (more room for books!). All I did was lounge by the pool, reading all day and then outside with a bottle of wine in the evening, reading

I shopped locally so didn't eat out - just walked out to the supermarket everyday at some point, just to get out really. I did go for a coffee once but actually felt a little odd, conspicuous, everyone else being with someone. But I really only did that because I thought I should . I was more than happy to get back to the villa, and my books.

I'd been there before so didn't feel the need to explore either, so utterly guilt-free! I'd love to do it again but DP would be a bit I think!

Oh, and the only problem with a cruise is that everyone will want to talk to you and will feel sorry for you because you're on your own. I couldn't stand that!

I'd love to go away on my own. Think the OH would sulk though

Oh my god this is my idea of heaven!
I love being on my own. Sometimes when all the DC are at school I go for lunch on my own. There's a lovely pub by the river.
I get a small table riverside and get out my book and sit for as long as I can (when the weather is good!).
Indoors would have less of an appeal because it's partly the sounds of the birds/water/boats etc that make it so relaxing, but I wouldn't not eat inside on my own.
And while I don't wish my dcs childhoods away, I won't be bored when they leave home!
My free time will be taken up by having time away without dp - he is a horrible traveller, gets really uptight and likes to visit the same place time after time and go to the same restaurants/beaches etc. I go along with it once a year because I know he can't help it, he hates feeling out of his depth and I know if we are somewhere familiar he can relax, but we have another holiday a year that I choose and though he never complains, I know he prefers his boring choice!
Bring on 2022

I'd love it but my main worry would be if there were another lone traveller who felt the need to try and make friends.

I love being alone.

Alone time is blissssssss
Camera, walking boots, needlework, books, lunch with wine at 2pm, dinner picnic in bed

Oh, I am making myself jealous

My mother reckons the whole idea is extremely "sad" and says I'd look like a loser.

Thankfully I don't tend to pay any attention to her strange opinions.

I just need to relax. Do as others have said, sunbathe with a book. Sleep when I want. Eat chips with mayo while listening to Summerjam and Pump It Up beside the pool.

A cruise appeals because of the change of scenery - but I'm in the early stages of a relationship; so perhaps next year if that works out.

I feel very relieved at everyone telling me I'm not an oddball. Lovely people

Wheatchief I've already been to Prague, Amsterdam and London this year. I'm from NI. So I'm wanting some sunshine and lazing about - don't mind the odd castle trip on a holiday but I'm all about sunbathing and my beloved books. I have mentioned my books?

This is my dream.

All inclusive, somewhere exclusive in the Caribbean.

Getting up late, ages drinking coffee and breakfasting, sunbathing, reading, napping, bit of swimming, snorkeling, dinner, bed, bliss.

I've holidayed alone several times. I used to pick a bar with a football game on or similar, and pretended I was interested in it whilst eating dinner. That might not be your thing though. I think choosing the right location is key. Somewhere you can have a nice walk in the evening, round a marina say, and choose from a few restaurants/bars/pubs for dinner.