How do I meet a travel companion?

[Pleasebe2022]

AIBU to want to meet a man/woman travel companion?

I'm recently divorced with children aged 4 and 8. I've had quite a health scare this last year but am coming out the other side. I feel like I have a second chance at life and I have lots of trips I want to do - Edinburgh, iceland, venice etc and I'd like to go to these places on the weekends I dont have the children. I have found a wonderful trip to venice on the orient express then 2 nights in venice. I'd love to go and I'm happy to go on my own. I'd rather have company though. I would like to meet a new man but I dont particularly want to do online dating. I was married 21 years so it wasnt a thing last time I dated. I'd be happy to meet anyone who wants to travel but doesnt have anyone to go with.

How do I I find someone who has then time and money? All my friends have young kids and husbands and dont have the money for the breaks I want to do. I dont want to spend my weekends without the kids doing housework.

Look for a singles holiday targeted at your age group and your interests, book the holiday and hope that you click with somebody (or at least you're reasonably certain to get along with a number of people in the group and can enjoy the holiday with them).

Do you have any friends who are still socialising regularly (or who have maybe come out the other side and started socialising post-young children) who you can go out with to meet friends of friends etc.?

Want me to come? I’d love to do the Orient Express. Very old fashioned but what about The Lady? Are there Meetup groups near you which might lead to meeting like-minded people?

Flashpack or similar for singles holidays? You get a planned itinary but it’s usually pretty relaxed.

I guess the only problem with finding a companion is they could be a complete pain in holiday… which would ruin it…like wanting a fry up/wearing socks and sandals or…. Clapping when the plane lands. Imagine 😂

Don't forget, that you will also need extra money for covid tests

Will you be sharing accommodation ?

I've been to Venice & Iceland both good choices

Your welcome Florence! I wouldn't say the orient express would be my standard choice. I've just always wanted to go to Venice and i hate flying and an ad popped up and i thought oooo yes that looks lovely. I do fly if i have to. The trip doesn't offer single places so id have to pay double and that's not an option.

ive heard of The Lady. Ill have a look.

Other trips are just weekends away round the country, anywhere really although Edinburgh appeals as Ive never been and have heard great things. The weekends could be in a premier inn, honestly the Orient express to Venice would be very much a bucket list experience and a one off.

I used to be on a friendship/dating site called midsummers eve - think it still exists
You can also post on there in a similar way to MN
Years ago when I was a lone parent of 2 teenagers I met another female in similar position on the site and we went on holiday as a group a few times (in adjoining apartments or big villas) it was good for me to have a companion away from DC
Other people used to advertise on there for travel friends

Do you have any single or divorced friends who might go with you?

My DGM had a travelling companion for years after she was widowed - the companion was the DM of an old school mate of my DF’s, and she was divorced, so also needed a companion. They did about 2/3 big holidays a year together, plus the odd weekend away or coach trip out.

A fellow divorcee might be a good way to go. Or booking on to an organised tour in a small group for your first few trips while you get used to it.

thanks everyone. All my friends are happily married so i dont know anyone divorced to ask. I will have a look at some singles holidays and see what they are like. Ive also joined a dating site so lets see what that brings - first time in 21 years and think i would prefer a travel companion than looking for 'love' :) I just want someone to go on weekends away with.

Wouldn't any of your married friends want to go sometimes? I have been to Copenhagen, Lisbon, Stockholm, Dublin all without DH or dd just with friends. I love it.

I would just go by myself and join tours when you are there. I have been to Venice several times alone and it was amazing - it’s surprisingly commonplace to see people, particularly women, travelling solo.