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?

[notagiraffe]

Go! But I'd choose self catering, so you don't have to eat out alone every night and can relax with your book on the sofa.

Far more important than where you go: what books are you taking?

[wantmorenow]

Have a look at friendship travel - holidays for solo travellers. Everyone is travelling alone so meals are done in a communal fashion. Very sociable and no single supplement charges. Did Turkey with them and I had an awesome time.

[SabineUndine]

I've had most of my holidays on my own for the last 15 years or so. You don't have to endure other people's shit and you can do what you want.

Eating out in the evening is fine, though if it's high season you need to book ahead - it's only fair as the resto may shove an extra table in for a lone diner.

Take a book with you when you go to eat out, then you aren't sitting twiddling your thumbs. You'll be fine.

[HippyPottyMouth]

I went to Italy by myself pre-DH. I don't speak Italian beyond basic please and thank you, so even with a phrase book I was feeling the need for a conversation after 4 days. That was the only down side. I loved pottering around at my own pace, I could stay in a really cheap basic hotel as I didn't have anyone else's needs to consider, and I enjoyed the solitude. I would absolutely do it again. I don't have a problem with eating out by myself though; I'm used to it from going away for work.

[MightyMeerkat]

I've done it a few times too. The hardest bit is the evenings. When you're on your own, you don't necessarily want to linger over a long meal so I find that I tend to eat earlier before it gets busy. Often then I'm in bed by 9pm! For this reason, I have started to go self-catering more so that I can eat when it suits me without being surrounded by lots of couples! Lots of books definitely. And maybe an ipad that you can play movies on really helps too.

[EachandEveryone]

How are you going to price it? Single supplements can be a nightmare if u do a package

[Musicaltheatremum]

There is a company called solo holidays that doesn't have single supplements. I'm thinking of trying one. I was widowed 4 years ago and quite fancy a trip by myself.

[Lightattheend]

Do it, I had two weeks away on my own once, best holiday ever! Lots of books and a sun bed, bliss.

[MrsBoDuke]

I have done it.

Last year I went to Tunisia on my own for a week.
Was brilliant.... until it all kicked off & we got evacuated.

I would definitely go away on my own again - I read loads & just dozed in the sun, I actually felt like I'd had a holiday for once.

Do it!

[PepeLePew]

I'm thinking about this for a long weekend in the summer. Me, some books and no one else around to please. Suspect DP will be a bit put out but he hates travelling and only does it to keep me happy, whereas I'd rather go by myself and leave him happily at home to potter around. Not sure where, though. I was thinking about the south of France, because I speak French, but that doesn't seem very ambitious.

[NapQueen]

Now I'm fantasising about doing this even in the UK. Somewhere private like a villa or cottage with a hot tub and a view of the sea. A big hamper full of bread and pate and cheese for each evening and out for coffee and breakfast somewhere each morning (ha! More like lunchtime).

[Ankleswingers]

Definitely do it OP! It sounds amazing...

Enjoy

[IDSNeighbour]

Absolutely NBU

I go on holiday alone all the time (almost every time I go on holiday I'm alone I mean, not that I go on holiday all the time!)

I've done USA East Coast on my own, Brazil on my own, Italy on my own. This summer I'm doing Russia on my own. Lots of UK on my own.

I hate being with other people abroad. I like to do what I want to do when I want to do it (I'm a see everything in case I never go back person) and completely relax and unwind.

Go for it! It's amazing.

[BIWI]

I did it the year before last - had 6 days in Barbados by myself.

I did choose a hotel I'd been to before, so I knew what to expect, and I booked myself one day trip in the middle of the week, but apart from that I just vegged out!

After dinner, I went back to my room and watched telly, read or got onto MN. Total control of the remote and it was truly fab.

Solo holidays are actually a trend - you aren't a loser at all. That says more about your mother and how she sees herself, not you!

[Toast3]

Definitely do it! My idea of heaven.... Get it booked! 👍

[Shakey15000]

Oh definitely do it

Anecdote- I7 years ago I was meant to go away with a girl friend who had to cancel. We hadn't booked the holiday but I'd booked time off work. No problem I thought, I'll holiday solo. But single supplements were crippling my budget. A guy I'd been very loosely dating offered to come with me to reduce costs. I explained that I'd be going my own way/reading/relaxing and he said that was fine.

The upshot being, we never left each other's side and married the following year And we've been back to the same place every year since (bar one), sometimes going twice. three times a year. The local people have become firm friends and have seen us there as a dating couple, on our honeymoon, me when pregnant and have seen DS grow up every year. Roll on July

[ClopySow]

I've wanted to do this for years. Haven't quite plucked up the courage yet.

Do it.

[BlueJug]

I would and I have. I envy you. I would so love to do it again but cannot leave just yet and don't have the money.

I don't think anyone even notices. Enjoy!

[wannabestressfree]

I would love to do this as would like to flydrive and do California, San fran etc. Or a little winnebago. I spend all year pleasing everyone else and this could be my time. Or the national parks. Possibilities are endless :)

[OublietteBravo]

I'm going on holiday on my own in less than 2 weeks time (3 nights in Majorca). I'm really looking forward to it.

The place I'm going to is half board, so I'll be exploring the local restaurants at lunchtime and having breakfast and dinner in my hotel.

My mum is horrified that I'm leaving DH to look after the kids (no idea why as they are 10 & 11 and fairly self-sufficient).

[Ankleswingers]

Ahh, that's lovely Shakey

[Queenbean]

Penelope reported

[morningtoncrescent62]

There was another thread on this a few months ago. I can't remember what it was called, so I can't link to it, but the gist was someone had booked a fabulous long-haul holiday with her partner, the relationship ended, the holiday couldn't be cancelled and the poster was asking whether she should write off the money already paid, or go it alone. The huge consensus was that she should go, cue lots of stories from people who love travelling alone. I thought maybe that poster had come back to tell us how it went!

OP, YANBU to want a holiday on your own. It's wonderful for the kind of break you sound like you want. The truth of the matter is, no-one notices or cares if you're eating on your own. But if it makes you feel uncomfortable, I'd recommend taking along some basic cutlery (sharp knife, plus ordinary knife, fork and spoon) so that if you want your evening meal to be a picnic you can manage easily. The first few times I holidayed alone I ate in cafes and things at lunchtime which didn't bother me, and picnicked in the evenings - and now that I'm a more experienced soloist I'll eat out any time I want to.

I hate being with other people abroad. I like to do what I want to do when I want to do it (I'm a see everything in case I never go back person) and completely relax and unwind.

My thoughts exactly!