AIBU to ask you for your solo travel tips?

[Squeakysandals]

Posting in AIBU for traffic.

I've been abroad for work before but never for a solo holiday. Context is married with primary school kids. Husband and I run a business together from home, Husband works very long hours in business, I work long hours in business but also do nearly everything with and for the kids, all food shopping and cooking. Basically I'm knackered. Husband probably is too but wouldn't admit it and our business is his passion.

Husband doesn't like flying so holidays in places like Greece and Portugal have been off the table for a long while. This year it has been a struggle to agree on the way forward re booking a family holiday. I think we will end up booking a week's holiday in Wales again in a cottage by the sea.

However, a couple of years ago dh said I should book myself a holiday abroad if I needed some respite from everything and today I said I was going to do that, he said if you want to that's fine, so I did! I'm going to Spain in the middle of September on my own for four nights! I think what I'm looking forward to the most is someone cooking for me and not having to clean up / wash clothes / food shop and cook. I do all of these things at home. Husband looks after garden and does DIY.

Yes I could have seen if a close friend could come with me, etc, but actually I really want to go away alone with some books for a few nights and do nothing I've chosen a resort that looks good, great reviews, all inclusive because I doubt I'm going to do much sightseeing when I'm there.

Just wondered whether anyone else does this for self care and if they have any tips to share?! Thanks in advance.

Yes I go away regularly by myself, although not on an AI type holiday. I tend to go to cities with loads of history/museums/galleries type of thing but am sure I have transferable strategies!!

Take a book everywhere. It can be useful to discourage unwanted attention, to make you feel less solitary or like you are “doing something”

Dont drink too much. I don’t drink alcohol at all, but I definitely don’t think it’s a great idea when on holiday alone.

Take meds you might need such as immodium, as you don’t have anyone to run to the chemist for you.

Just relax, watch people, see if there’s any sights worth seeing nearby. I even go on the odd organised tour trip sometimes if I want a bit of company, but I can just wander off and leave them to it

I hope you have a fantastic time.

You definitely not unreasonable. I'm jealous. I really do hope you have a fabulous time.

You're doing all the things I'd do if I was travelling alone, AI, books, sun etc. Is it a package deal? Do you have transfers sorted? Book your insurance now.

All you need are your books, bikinis, suncream, and maybe a couple of things to wear for going to dinner. Maybe book in for a nice spa or massage if it's available

I love travelling by myself! It’s so liberating.

There are a couple of good groups on Facebook.

My suggestion would be don’t overpack. Yes to a book. And just enjoy doing something out of the ordinary!

I have been widowed for nearly 20 years. I go to Sri Lanka to do an Ayurveda cure very regularly.
I have also been to France, Tunisia and the Black Forest.

Thanks @Nowvoyager99 great to hear I'm not alone! When you say you do this regularly do you mean every year? Because if it goes well I think I will make a habit of it.

I don't drink either so that's easy. Books I will definitely be taking wherever I go.... Good idea about immodium / medicines as no one there to help if you get sick.

Do you actively chat to people or just do what feels right in the moment? I'm a bit of an ambivert so will see what mood I'm in when I'm there! But am going away to please myself. It feels like such a luxury, honestly, I'm pinching myself tonight! £600 for the basic holiday including AI so I'm happy with that.

I try to go away alone at least once a year, sometimes more.

Yes I don’t mind a thirty minute chat with Sue and Steve from Bolton, but I don’t want to meet them later/have dinner with them/go to the beach with them.

It’s great your DH is supportive of it. We don’t hear much of that on here!!!

Absolutely, and so do lots of people I know. Good choice not to take a friend, it sounds like you just need to focus on a break and some sun.

Can’t think of any major tips you will need if you are just relaxing in the sun, but -

I would book a massage everyday if they have a spa

Take a kindle

Don’t overpack but make sure you have clothes that will make you feel glamorous and fabulous by the pool / in the restaurant. Including a great pair of sunglassses.

Get a pedi before you go, and fake tan if you’re into that.

Chat with people if the mood takes you, don’t if it doesn’t. I would keep it to 20 mins and not make friends myself

@Whenwillitallmakesense yes a package deal. Transfers included in the £600 but I added on a hold suitcase, airport parking and insurance so just shy of £800 altogether. Thank you for your good wishes. I am so knackered ill probably be snoring on a sun lounger every day! But resort looks as good as you can get in terms of reviews and everything in one place. Daydreaming about sitting on a sun lounger by the pool, with a book in one hand and a decent coffee/ cold drink in the other...

Thank you @Nowvoyager99 ! Husband is a flying-phobic workaholic and think he knows he can't keep me from an AI for the rest of my life!! Lols.

I travel alone, happily divorced and DC have left home. I plan and book most things. I love it.

I'm going here in October, saw it on a thread on here!

Crete

@RedCrestedDragon looks wonderful! Have the best time!

What do people say when you tell them you are away on your own? Do they invite you to join them for supper?

Don't tell people you're by yourself if you can avoid it.

Take a travel room lock/alarm with you.

I'm not someone who is concerned or worried, but I do believe in keeping yourself safe and this is an easy way to do it. Put the "snack" on your hotel door and buy a room lock/alarm as an extra precaution.

@continentallentil there is a spa at the hotel! That's a good idea I could book a treatment every day I'm there x

Sometimes, I generally decline tbh unless I've really clicked with someone.

I often do things where you just have to pitch in, Exodus trips are good. The place linked to is half board and a hotel for solo travellers so I'd expect to socialise a bit during the week I am there.

@44PumpLane interesting yes I will get an alarm and room lock. Thanks for suggesting hadn't thought of that.

I’ve travelled alone and actually prefer AI breaks when solo rather than sight seeing holidays, I find that with the latter I’m always slightly on edge and cautious whereas with the AI resort holiday once I have my bearings I can get into my comfort zone and fully relax! I save my sightseeing trips for when I’m with DH.

Echo pp advice to take plenty of books, and I would have said make sure you have transfers etc sorted. I also try not to drink too much when alone. I don’t pretend I’m with someone else but don’t shout too much about being solo either. Don’t be afraid to get up and move if someone starts chatting to you and you’re not comfortable (that’s only happened to me once though, in a park in Barcelona)! I actually love going on solo trips, as I can lay on the beach all day and not feel guilt tripped into doing any activities! I’m sure you will have a great time.

I've never done either of those things.

I just wanted to say Good Luck and Happy Travels!
When I travel I usually travel solo (I don't have a partner). I'm usually a bit nervous beforehand, but I prepare well, and then I have so much fun travelling!

I love travelling solo. I'm in a relationship now and did loads of solo travel before I met my partner.

Last trip I did in April was a cruise around Norwegian Fjords. One week of sights, meals, drinks and dancing but also chilling on balcony with a book was heaven. I feel really safe on a cruise and I met loads of other solos to chat with and have meals with. Perfect mix of alone time and company if you want it.

I've been going away alone several times a year for twenty years. I love it.

A kindle is really helpful.

I'm at a hotel I've been going to for years right now. The lovely owner has booked and paid for a massage for me tomorrow!

@Chickentonights thank you yes I am really looking forward to not having to think / worry about anyone else for a few days....

I found I was happy in restaurants on my own in the day but at night not so much. I would often get something to eat and sit somewhere nice outside instead. Agree with books/kindles and I had my good camera with me which gave a nice focus.

Good point @tunainatin . I rarely go out alone in the evening, instead I'll go to a deli and plan something on my balcony or eat in my hotel.

With🍷of course, I rarely drink when I'm out on my own as I generally try to keep my guard up/wits about me wherever in the world I am.

I did a week in Crete by myself a few years ago and it was lovely. I did end up chatting to the people on the room next to me because we'd also been on the same plane and transfer coach so ended up arriving together in the middle of the night and I offered them some of my coffee making emergency supplies for the morning.

My tips would be prep for the fact that there isn't anyone to help with the little things, so as above take some basic meds, but also.

• make sure you're diligent with suncream to avoid burning
• have shorts with a zip up pocket for the beach and a waterproof pouch if you'll need your phone, no one to leave your handbag with so you'll need to carry your key/cash/card/phone with you.
• take a little bag of coffee, sugar, milk powder, teabags for your first night/morning if you'll miss shops being open. No one to nip out in the morning for you and grab a coffee.
• download some TV/Films to your tablet or phone for late evenings after dinner when you may just want to crash out in your room for a bit.